keterclass: (driver ♯ someone is gonna pay)
keterclass ([personal profile] keterclass) wrote in [community profile] kaisou2026-02-12 07:39 am

the third sign

[It started as another normal, tense day in the city. While people have been searching around the clock for leads, there's been very little new things to unearth since the reveal that Professor Hojo and some of his associates were the ones behind it. Frustratingly so, they've been remarkably good at covering their tracks.

However for those who are in Central Square? Will suddenly feel the ground rumbling slightly, as if a small earthquake just went off. The air itself will also feel heavier, as the spirit energy in the area intensifies.

For anyone with magic detection that are anywhere in the city? Forget those subtle signs, because there will be a massive outpouring of divine light energy radiating from that part of town. The energy itself is pure white in color, resembling ghostly flames, and shines extremely brightly. For anyone whose seen Shroud in action, the signature will feel familiar even if it's comparing a couple droplets to an entire ocean in sense of scale. Even the other godly energy signatures in town are tiny in comparison.

The light will only last 3 minutes before it disappears. But in that time it should be easy to pinpoint where it came from: from beneath the Crystal Tower in Central Square.

At the same time, a message will get sent on the network. Nephrite doesn't know how long he'll have to broadcast, so the first thing that goes up is a pre-written block of text.]


This is Nephrite Curtiss of the Black Order. The captives you're all searching for are being held in the basement of the Crystal Tower. I accepted an offer to work with the research team in order to remain close. I've been doing what I can to gather information, sabotage Hojo's results, and ease the suffering of the subjects, but I haven't been able to find any way out by myself. Follow the beacon Jun is setting off and get here as quickly as you can: some of them are in serious need of medical attention. They've been forced to fight in a "gauntlet" that pushes their endurance to the limit, and those who have fallen out of the running are in bad shape. Jin, Veldora, and Dante are the only ones still in fighting condition right now.

All of us are wearing bracelets that suppress our powers outside of experimental sessions; it may be better not to remove those recklessly, as some of those who are particularly badly injured might see their powers go out of control.


[Then, a video feed pops up. Neph is alive and uninjured, although he looks very tired and stressed.]

I don't know how long I'll have to broadcast. Jun has done something reckless to offer us this opportunity; he wouldn't explain to me the details, but I'm sure he would have done it sooner if it wasn't risky. I'm the only one who hasn't been-

[A door opens behind him, and Hojo enters, flanked by guards. Nephrite turns to face him.

"Of course. And I thought you were a man of science."]


You never understood one single thing about me.

["Clearly."

The feed cuts off. Nephrite will not be responding.]
replicannot: (pic#17709189)

voice | UN: Flamelord420

[personal profile] replicannot 2026-02-12 03:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[Luke is worried about Jun. Luke is worried about Harumasa. And Luke is worried about Neph.]

[And everything almost, almost seems fine until Neph gets cut off.]


Hey, old man?

[There’s no response on the other line.]

Old man!
Edited 2026-02-12 15:51 (UTC)
fuegor: (37)

un: fuego

[personal profile] fuegor 2026-02-12 03:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[When Lighter spoke it was clear and addressing whoever he could. Anyone he was formally affiliated with and not.]

Everyone get ready for a big one. All hands on deck. Anyone who's able to teleport more than themselves try and help your friends who can't get a ride. Coordinate and we'll get everyone back.

Stay together, healers and medics be ready. We've got this.

[...Time will bring an answer eventually. Jun, Harumasa, everyone. Hang on.]
poisontippedcure: (42)

video | UN: Thorn

[personal profile] poisontippedcure 2026-02-12 03:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Rose is angry.]

[But more than anything she’s scared. What’s she supposed to do without Veldora’s light? His warmth?]

[The thought of storming the basement alone crosses her mind, but she stops herself. There are people who care about her, and she can’t be careless, not if she wants Veldora back.]


Whoever is holding them, I don’t know if you’re watching this, but if you are—-

You are going to return my dragon to me. If you do not, you are going to find out why my moniker is “the god killer” on my home star.
hexcrafter: (the worst thing that’s happened to me)

video; un: hextechnician

[personal profile] hexcrafter 2026-02-12 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Impeccable timing. I haven't tested this yet, but no time like the present.

[In the background, the sound of an engine (recognizably belonging to a magitek armor to those who know one) whirred and hummed to life, Viktor pushing a pair of goggles onto his head.]

So I suppose we will have to see how the doctor likes being on the other side of scientific progress. [A Tinkaton in matching goggles hopped up into the machine behind Viktor with a grin.]

...If we live through this, Nephrite, remind me to buy you a drink.
onahairtrigger: (💎 eight.)

un: shineon; voice

[personal profile] onahairtrigger 2026-02-12 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[Inhale, exhale. Okay, so this is... not great, but that's going right into the compartment to unpack never, it's time to be responsible.]

I'm going on ahead to start setting up a triage station! If anyone wants to lend a hand, be my guest-- we're gonna need a lot of hands on deck when we kick down the door.

If you're a noncombatant and want to help, we could use extra hands and people to run errands. If you're going in there, I have med kits for any emergency treatment and I've been brewing potions--healers and POKEGO members get first dibs on those, though.
fionnuisce: (until you hold your hand over the flame)

voice; un: silverrose

[personal profile] fionnuisce 2026-02-12 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
On my way with a case of my own potions; won't do a lot, but they'll stop you bleeding out in a pinch. I'll help set up until the door-kicking in question. And if they try to stop us in the process, I'll cover you.
hoshikiri: (nebula.)

un:kesitakame

[personal profile] hoshikiri 2026-02-12 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[Takame was rushing to get his armor on, but he stopped to talk to his student so as to sound calm and not invoke more stress.]

Luke-kun. You must remain calm. Nephrite is a capable man and the danger will be lessened if we make haste. We cannot do this if we panic.

Remember what we learned about meditation.
paraselenic: icon by me dns (7 | Somber)

voice | un: lycaon

[personal profile] paraselenic 2026-02-12 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[The message was clear, and Neph's broadcast would not be put to waste. Lycaon doesn't have much time before Jun's signal is cast and...

The light was enough to track on its own. But that's not what has him gripped so suddenly.

The scent he'd picked up from that cross--the comforting aroma of bread and the mulled scent of wine. The way it tingles his nose up through his eyes and to the tips of his ears. The scent of something otherworldly that causes a kaleidoscope of over-stimulation in all senses.

It takes everything in him to answer. One will notice his voice is strained, and a bit choked up despite his deep tone.]


You have been heard loud and clear. Everyone, it is time to take back what has been rightfully ours. Plan accordingly.

I have picked up Jun's [Let's go with 'Jun's' for now.] scent and will be tracking posthaste.

[ooc: Hugo and Lia are free to action this]
Edited 2026-02-12 16:15 (UTC)
myriadeclipse: (Mockingbird)

un; mockingbird | text

[personal profile] myriadeclipse 2026-02-12 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Mockingbird will be taking all recoverable data and records from the facility. Should there be any requests having to do with this, you may ask now.

Otherwise, you may ask Dan Heng post recovery.
loupmorque: (Default)

voice; un: the Duke

[personal profile] loupmorque 2026-02-12 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
God damn it.

Thank you, Neph. We're coming to get you guys. I promise.

*No acts of solo heroism here,* ANY of you.
I know this message has sparked outrage in most of us, but they know we know, and that we're coming.

Do not give them the opportunity to lessen our numbers more.

We assemble. We plan. And then we strike.
onahairtrigger: (💎 three.)

[personal profile] onahairtrigger 2026-02-12 04:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Most I'm doing is making sure we've got a place to handle emergencies on site. That being said, I'll wait for help to do it.

[Oh, right--] I'm leaving a couple of my Pokemon to mind the Meropide infirmary in the meantime.
fuegor: (22)

action!

[personal profile] fuegor 2026-02-12 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Easy there. [God Kush ain't nothing to fuck with. Lighter made his own declaration to the network just before Lycaon's. Hopefully people don't scramble and panic or act irrationally.

He couldn't blame them. He was just as livid and ready to break noses and then some. But they needed clear heads.]


Finally got our mark, it seems.
onahairtrigger: (💎 fourteen.)

[personal profile] onahairtrigger 2026-02-12 04:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Appreciated, Waver. Probably ought to wait for a couple other folks before we do too much setting up, just in case, but I'm sure that won't be a long wait.

[Not with however many people Hojo's pissed off.]

We're gonna need all the extra hands we can get.
hexcrafter: (forget me; the worst is you and me)

voice; un: hextechnician

[personal profile] hexcrafter 2026-02-12 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Surely none of us are that stupi-

[. . .]

Upon consideration, forget I said anything.
blossominghopes: (We're not just making promises)

action

[personal profile] blossominghopes 2026-02-12 04:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[Lia is handing over painkillers and water.]

I think you need to sit down for a bit first. Preferably somewhere dark and quiet.
loupmorque: (Default)

[personal profile] loupmorque 2026-02-12 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Moving to set up for mobilization is fine.

I just Want to avoid anyone doing anything stupid and reckless out of declaration and distress.

We have saved our friends from dangers unimaginable before. We will do it again.

Thank you, Josuke.
burgersplease: (soldier zero 2)

UN: anby | voice

[personal profile] burgersplease 2026-02-12 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
After this is over, please help me find a new place.

[Because FUCKING HELL]

Anby of the Black Order reporting in. Haru-chan's still alive, but his condition's turned critical just now. That's what the wellness tracker he gave me just said.
loupmorque: (117)

[personal profile] loupmorque 2026-02-12 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you for seeing reason.

[ haha. he shakes his head. ]

I can think of at least three people who would launch themselves in here without fully thinking.

I want it said, anyone who sees this: if I catch any of you doing anything reckless and solo, in mad heroics.

I will handcuff you to one of the steel tables in Meropide myself.

I hope that's clear.
lanternae: (62)

voice | un: lightkeeper

[personal profile] lanternae 2026-02-12 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[Flins doesn't elaborate much, seeing the light from the Crystal Tower at his lighthouse and feeling the shockwave of holy energy that would be enough to subdue any supernatural being, let alone him.

But he is able to say what he's wanted to say since this investigation started.]


Thus did I foresee — waves crashing on the shore, the night sky devoured by deathly silence.
Thus did I declare — whomsoever cradles the flame and keeps it burning unquenched need not descend into that darkness.
We are the Lightkeepers, who shine the eternal light of hope into the endless snow-swept plains.
Thus did I vow — our bones and blood shall use as fuel, we shall make life greater than death.
The winds awaken, the leaves whirl round.


Lauma, Jun, Harumasa, Zhongli, Zevran, and everyone who has been taken from this city.

We have seen your flare, and we will be the lighthouse to bring you home.

Never again will this storm enter your waters. [He'll make sure of it firsthand.]
onahairtrigger: (💎 three.)

[personal profile] onahairtrigger 2026-02-12 04:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I get it. Honestly, if I didn't have my hands full with prep for mobilizing, I'd probably be right there with you in getting people to sit the fuck down and think things through.

Thank me when we get through this. As things stand right now, we've got a lot of work to do.
lanternae: (12)

not here

[personal profile] lanternae 2026-02-12 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[Don't mind him. Just everlasting pride for seeing this declaration.

Mockingbird truly has come back.]
fuegor: (Default)

[personal profile] fuegor 2026-02-12 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Can't blame you there. I'll do some digging.

[It might be in the city domain of an immortal danmei gangster man but if you don't bother him or his boo he won't bother you.]

... Then we've gotta be quick about this. But we can be quick and not reckless at the same time. If you've got extras of his medicine, I'd bring them along and hand a couple off to the triage station.

We're not gonna let him suffer under there any longer.
hexcrafter: (the worst thing that’s happened to me)

[personal profile] hexcrafter 2026-02-12 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Good intentions and reckless stupidity often walk hand in hand. I do not blame anyone for harboring such thoughts, but entertaining them is the height of stupidity.

I'm sure no one wants a lecture from Talia, yes?

[Talia, who raised an enormous bronze hammer on hearing her name. Kneecaps? Kneecaps?????]
greatlydares: (then leave us alone 'cause)

voice; un: belleoftheboulevard

[personal profile] greatlydares 2026-02-12 04:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Neph, we heard you. We're on our way.

[Ignore the hammering of your heart, Proxy.]

We're going to need to set up a triage tent outside the Tower—are there any exit points that could be used? We'll want to choke off any escapes they might try.

I have maps of the Crystal Tower, but they're of the upper floors. How useful they'll be for the basement, I'm not sure.
onahairtrigger: (💎 ten.)

[personal profile] onahairtrigger 2026-02-12 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Already on it with the triage tent. Just waiting for extra hands so I'm not alone in setting it up.

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