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daxieoclock · 2 years

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The Division of Day and Night: Hunters Highlights

(Art, with permission, is by the wonderful @thesunsetbox. Medusa’s reference image is “Herohero” from the Overlord manga.

This entire sequence is a twofold homage, crossing over dialogue and imagery from the visual novel We Know The Devil and the short horror game Anatomy. I would heavily suggest checking out both, they’re both incredible live-changing pieces of fiction.)

Context:

After the Hunters’ continuing success, the Director of the Daedalus Collective - Gregory Petrikov - personally grants them a mission above their usual station: to slay a Behemoth Shadow known as “the Giant” alongside their established rivals, Team Trinity. However, once they enter Fractals again, they find Trinity attempting to beat them to the punch. They catch up, and the two teams get in a violent scrap. Their fight is interrupted by the Giant’s interference, and Trinity manages to slip away, but not before Blake fires an arrow at their leader and Ilse’s old friend, Stephen. In order to save the life of their foe, Camellia calls on the power of the unseen entity known as Icarus to destroy the arrow before it reaches him.

Stephen is protected, but that power weighs heavily on Camellia, and they collapse from exhaustion. Forced to retreat, the Hunters return to reality and drive Camellia to the hospital. On the way there, Lena gets a phone call informing her that friend of the party Warner Blum, known to most as Twitch, vanished abruptly a few days ago, while the gang was still out of cell phone range. As soon as Camellia is situated and safe, the Hunters prepare to return to Fractals and track down Trinity. However, before they can do so, two injured people stumble out of the portal the Hunters opened in the hospital bathroom. Stephen and his ally Kaya, two of team Trinity. Apparently their third, Lucien, was...”taken” by the Behemoth, and Twitch is possibly being held hostage by the Giant as well. Now even more on edge, the Hunters head back into the Fugue District, and towards the Giant’s signal...

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) You find yourself in a clearing, surrounded by buildings that tilt upwards, forming a sort of cage. Surrounding you. Boxing you in. At the center of the clearing, there's a pool of dark liquid. It looks like an oil leak, but ripples like water. And there's someone in a red hoodie, brown hair in a ponytail, on their knees, crumpled and limp in that dark water, clothes stained with the ichor. Twitch.

"And here I thought you were never gonna show. Guess you proved me wrong. You're stupider than I gave you credit for." The voice comes from on high. From the top of the lowest building, right in front of you. A young man kicking his legs over the side, smirking down at you. A young man with short purple hair that flows around his head like he's drifting through water. With scars that seem both vivid and faint. Bright blue eyes that now have slit pupils and black sclera. And a Brand gleaming unlight around his neck. A tattoo of two hands, wrapped around his throat, as if it's trying to choke him.

Lucien.

Lucien, who regards you all with a predatory smirk.

Lucien, with a new Brand glowing with the same dark light that Lena's temporary bond to Mimsy once did.

Lucien, who now looks far less like himself. And far more like Prim.

Lena Tarr (Dave) "Hey!" Lena points a finger at him. "You scared those other two assholes to death, idiot!" All the while, she's carefully inching forward towards Twitch.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Lucien is going to laugh. "Oh, like I should fucking care about those two chumps. What, you're gonna drag me back out of this place so we can all make up and sing Kumbaya?" He throws up an L with his fingers. "Fat chance, Sports Bra. I've got a new buddy here, and he's real damn convincing. You've met him, yeah?"

His eyes shine, his Brand pulses with shadow. "He goes by Bandersnatch. And he's a real good pal. Told me I could mess with you fuckers however I like, so long as I keep you away from him." He leans back, humming to himself. "And I'm not that hard to convince, you know. So long as it means I get to break you all down? No complaints here."

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Ilse takes a couple of steps closer, but stops before being close enough that they could touch the liquor if they tripped

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) And you're tossing a rock in?

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Yeah! Assuming I there’s one to pick up?

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) sure! You toss a pebble into the pool. And it ripples in...a really weird way. Like you've disturbed something there. You get the distinct impression that if you were to take a step into this inch-deep pool, that you might not get your foot back.

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Blake shrugs dramatically. “I think you’ve missed the mark, Lucien. I don’t care about your team. In fact, I nearly put an arrow in your leader’s head myself. Your life has hardly any value to anyone.” And Blake runs, a spinning motion as they swipe across their brand, Artemis manifesting in an instant. And as they come to a stop, they’re right in position to strike Lucien with a clear shot. “Make no mistake. You’re an obstacle.” And Artemis fires.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Something bursts out of the ichor. Not an arm. A mouth at the end of a black tendril. And it snaps down on the arrow mid-flight, breaking it in half, biting it apart before slowly slinking back down into the dark water.

Lucien bursts into shrill laughter. "Prince, Prince, Prince. Come on now, you think I'd really just let you run wild, do whatever you want?" His eyes gleam with anger and hunger. "This is Bandersnatch's playground. You're in over your pretty little head."

Twitch starts mumbling. Indistinct. He's alive, and awake, and he's saying something.

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Blake grimaces, then smirks. “A compliment and a hint? You’re too kind. Or perhaps too stupid.” They’ll turn Artemis’ attention toward Twitch.

Lena Tarr (Dave) "I shouldn't try to swim to Twitch, right?" Lena whisper-yells to Ilse.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) (the pool is an inch deep, as far as you can tell)

Lena Tarr (Dave) THATS EVEN FUNNIER

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Ilse shakes their head and puts a hand on Lena’s shoulder

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Blake, the Revival Bead in your pocket is warm. It's hot. It's pulsing. Beating like a heartbeat, so warm you're worried your leg might catch on fire. It's very, very warm.

It feels alive.

Lucien smirks down at you. Like he knows. "I'm surprised you're still carrying that thing around. Come on, don't you know what that little marble is, even?" He laughs again, giving you a toothy grin. "Come on, Prince. I know you want to ask. Go ahead. Ask me what it is."

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena throws a rock towards him, missing by a long shot. "Fuck off!"

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) “I don’t waste my time interrogating idiots,” Blake says. “I’ll get it out of your boss. Just pray you live to see it.”

They will attempt to fire an arrow at Twitch.

Lena Tarr (Dave) CAN LENA STOP THAT

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) you can definitely try how do you attempt to?

Lena Tarr (Dave) like. desperately communicate to goliath thru their bond to make artemis' bow Not point that way

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Goliath knocks Artemis's bow to the side, and the arrow jolts away from its target. It slams into the ichor next to Twitch, rippling the water. He doesn't react.

Lena Tarr (Dave) "Are you fucking insane? That's Twitch! You can't fucking shoot them!"

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) “And why not?” Blake says, narrowing their eyes to glare at Lena.

Lena Tarr (Dave) "Because they're Twitch!" She babbles incoherently for a bit. "We can't just! Start hitting people whenever we want! Kindergarten taught us!"

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Blake’s face morphs in anger, baring their teeth. “And prison taught me that rule only applies to the powerful.” Before you have a chance to question that, they have Artemis aim another arrow at Twitch.

“They’re possessed and they have been possessed by a force that wants us dead. We stop them now or we sit down and let them kill us.”

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Lucien rolls his eyes. "You're no fucking fun. Goody two-shoes and mean old murder Prince. Boooooring." He leans in, somewhat conspiratorially. "Hey, here's a freebie. I'll tell you anyway, cause I'm nice." He nods to Blake, and the bead pulses even more, light and sound spilling out of their pocket. You can all hear it now. A panicked, desperate heartbeat. "See, I didn't know either, until Banders started feeding me all the answers. He's a helpful fucker like that. That thing, little bead guy? It's a Shadow Seed."

He leans back again, smirking down at you. "Apparently, every human's got one in here. Most of the time, they're dormant; those golden ones, the ones we can use. They won't hatch, cause there's not enough bad thoughts. But the green ones? Oh, those are the dangerous little fuckers. Cause that means you've got an active time bomb ticking away, a Shadow ready to hatch." He grins with his eyes at you. "And whose do you think Stephen found in here?"

Lucien's gaze slowly turns down towards Twitch, who is still mumbling something. Louder now, you can hear him.

"I've been...dreaming. About eyes. Growing all over me." He curls inward, hugging himself, shuddering. The water distorts. Patterns, distortions in reaction to a sound none of you can hear. "They're on me, and in me. And I can't cover them up because she's holding down my hands." A potent ripple at the word. As if a stomach, churning in anger. "And they just keep growing, they keep...being more of me, until I'm nothing left but irises and pupils and bundles of fucking nerves!"

Blake. The Bead shatters in your pocket.

Twitch's head snaps up. Eyes open, wide. Yellow eyes. A shuddering breath. And he screams, tilting his head back and letting out a pained and furious howl that echoes through this false reality, twisting and distorting the air.

A form rises out of the pool behind him. Arms already reaching around, as if to protect Twitch, shield him from you. An indistinct body, plump and twisted. Dripping with black ooze. A Shadow. Twitch's Shadow.

Blake, your journal flips to an empty page. Not silver text, nor the red of the Behemoths. But a calm, simple black.

Medusa Lovers Arcana P R I M E

First in the order is Lucien

"Let's make things a little more fun, huh?" And he snaps his fingers.

Heat Riser.

A pulse of multicolored light, and Medusa swats at it, even as it envelops her, empowers her. She doesn't seem happy at the assistance. A mouth forms on her shoulder and snaps idly at Lucien, who just laughs.

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Megido megido megido Violence kill death

Blake stumbles back as the bead shatters, Artemis fading momentarily, but then quickly stumble back to their feet and Artemis reforms in her full form.

Blake’s mind is racing. Lucien’s an annoying brat, but on his own he’s likely not a threat, and the main enemy is obviously Twitch… or Medusa, whatever. Best hit them as hard as they can right away.

They grin. “Lena won’t protect you this time, Twitch. Now get out of my sight for good.” And they fire.

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena straight up just screams.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Medusa reacts immediately, surrounding Twitch completely. The force of the blast tears away at the ooze that composes her, and her body steams and hisses from the blast. But when the light fades, Medusa uncurls, letting you see Twitch again. He's still somewhat limp, rocking ever so slightly from side to side. Yellow eyes glazed over.

Lena Tarr (Dave) "Twitch, wake up, buddy!"

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Sammy turn. They're going to nervously look back and forth between Blake and Twitch, and then they're going to scoot over to defend Ilse. Shield up, almost recoiling from the scene. "Ready steady," they mumble. "Ready steady. Ready steady."

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena is gonna stand between Twitch and Medusa and the other hunters in a defensive pose- defending Twitch. "I'm not letting you hurt someone for no good fucking reason! Without even fucking trying anything else!"

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) There's a long second where the Shadow regards you, Lena. Maybe she's considering something. Maybe she wants to fight as little as you do.

"Liar." Twitch says. A little vitriolic sing-song. "Liar, liar, liar." He giggles, pressing his head into the ooze surrounding him, getting ichor in his hair. "You said I was brave. You said I was good." His eyes shine with pain and hate. "Still jealous of me, Lena?"

And Medusa leans back and a lets out a deafening scream from a thousand mouths.

Nihil Klaxon The Siren Countdown Has Begun 3 -> 2 Lucien is going to burst out laughing at you. "Really? You're defending that? It's literally trying to kill you!" He runs a hand back through his gravity-defying hair. "Fuck, this is too good. Wish I had a camera." And snickers to himself. "Anyway, let's try this." Snaps his fingers again.

Blake, you successfully dodge out of the way as the ground below you erupts, and two huge hands clamp together like an enormous jaw on the spot you occupied a second before.

The ground is also now covered in that dark water. You are all standing ankle deep in Medusa's pool. Lena, the dark ooze is sticking to your skin, like tar, hot and angry and painful

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) They shake their head, scoffing. And they glare at Lena silently for a moment, before tilting their head up and grinning at her. “Well, look at that, Lena. You can’t protect anyone after all.”

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Can Ilse try to use the lullaby? Would that do something here? (Does ooze sleep?)

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Pick your target, medusa or twitch

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Twitch

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) what's the lullaby? any song in particular? clotho does have the whole string of life dealio, so she can play along djfgbhj

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) I don’t have the words for it, but Ilse remembers a lullaby from their childhood, about a young bird lost at night in a strange forest. It might be scary, but there’s a way back home towards a safe nest

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) im not even gonna roll to resist. Twitch conks out.

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) !!!

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) He just slumps against Medusa, eyes closed, breathing deep. And she seems...a little relieved. Or distracted, maybe. Making sure he doesn't fall, adjusting him with little tendrils of dark water.

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena gently speaks to Medusa. "We don't have to fight. I know you only want to protect Twitch. I want that too. I know we can find a way." And she defends Medusa.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Medusa's ichor roils. She's angry. She's so, so angry. So hurt. You get the feeling she doesn't want to hurt you.

But she will. She'll tear you apart.

Nihil Klaxon Siren Countdown 2 -> 1

You all get the feeling bad things happen if that reaches 0

Lena. Medusa is going to punch you. As hard as she can.

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) As Lena flies back, she can sense Artemis moving behind her. There’s a moment where you probably wince on instinct- last you saw her, Artemis still had her bow out, arrow cocked, ready to attack. But she catches you gently, in both arms. She holds you so carefully, so tenderly. And something like an apology whispers through her as her form disperses.

Lena Tarr (Dave) She turns to look at Blake, throwing her hands up. "Wanna see me not die?! Help me calm them! You have the brain! Please!"

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Lucien snickers again. "Man, you guys fucking suck at this. Ah, well. Banders is gonna be giddy as shit." And he snaps his fingers.

Another Heat Riser sweeps across Medusa, buffing her attack again. She doesn't resist this one. The yellow eyes beneath that water are two furious flames. She wants to end you. And she is fully capable of doing so.

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Blake steps forward, in front of you all, quietly tucking their journal into a back pocket of your cape you never noticed until now. They look back at you, Lena, with a quiet glare. Firm, but not angry. “We try it your way, Lena,” they mutter, just loud enough for you to hear. “One time.”

And they stand in front of you all, between you and them. “Medusa,” they say. “I know you’re angry. I can feel it. Because I know that anger.” They grin. “I know it very well. And I know how it works. People telling you to calm down, that they’re here for you? That doesn’t quell the anger. It just makes you angrier. Doesn’t it? You must be downright furious.”

They hold their arms out wide. “I’m sure you know this, but Twitch hates me. Passionately, jealously despises me. Every time we’ve met I’ve felt it boiling over. I’ve mocked him. Taunted him. Played with him. And you know what?” They smile, wide and smug as they can. “I don’t feel bad. Not an ounce of remorse. I’d do it all over again.”

They look at Medusa. “So,” they say, voice solemn now. “Go ahead. Unleash all that fury on me, if you want. Remember, I’m the target. These people behind me are MY friends. The ones I stole from him. The ones I got without any merit at all, that he could never have. I’m the one who has everything he wants. Make him proud. Hit me.”

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) "I...hate..." Medusa says. It's Twitch's voice. Distorted, twisted. Dark. "That you...hold back. I hate that...they...love you." Her fingers dig into the ground, through the water, fury drenched in every motion. "I hate...that you...don't admit it." Yellow eyes like venomous suns. "I hate...that you can't...be honest. That you hate yourself...as much...as me." The water forming her body ripples and distorts. "I'll make you. I'll make you say it."

Sammy Cabra (Nyanko) Sammy is gonna try to freeze Medusa again to try and prevent whatever hell they're going to do-- (sub-zero)

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) She is Frozen Solid. All buffs are stifled, and she loses her next turn. also! as a heads up Nuclear attacks auto-crit against frozen targets >:3c

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Oh!! Ilse attacks Medusa, hoping it won’t harm Twitch. Revra

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Medusa writhes, breaking free of the freeze, flailing her arms, slamming them against nothing, slamming out a chunk of the nearby building. The water around you boils, echoing her furious scream.

"What happens to a girl when it is left alone?" Twitch's eyes are still closed, but he speaks, mumbling the words. You can hear him. "When skin goes too long unlived in. Do you think it dreams?" He laughs to himself. So quiet and bitter and hurt. "Oh, and when it is so very lonesome, it will reach out forever towards you; and its heart will jump and it thinks 'here, here is someone again, I am not alone.' And every time it is wrong." Twitch curls up, hugging himself tight. "And the hurt starts over."

From within Medusa, beneath her outer skin, spots of yellow brilliance ignite. Eyes. Dozens of them, covering her body, down her arms. Four more arms sprout from her torso, fingers peeling themselves into existence. One that hits, slapping the water. One that pets, running her fingers along Twitch's hair. One that grabs, pulling chunks out of the nearby stone. One that holds, wrapping tightly around her human ward, keeping him from you.

Judgment Delayed Siren Countdown 1 -> 3

Medusa's many eyes gleam bright, pointing in all directions. But the only one she seems intent on seeing...is Blake. "Only...one." She says. A pained, angry whisper. "Devils like us...only get one chance." All six arms poise outwards, fingers clenching into fists. "And you...chose to cover...your face." She leans her head back, a tremor warbling through her. "I will...lay you bare!"

Dirge of Weakness

blake, you lose 10 SP you are now omni-debuffed

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) They cough out a laugh, grinning wide. “Is that all?”

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Nihil Klaxon Siren Countdown 3 -> 2

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena whisper-yells. "I hope you have like. A plan. And that it's not just dying."

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) “Lena,” Blake whispers back with a smirk. “I understand you’re of a lesser intellect but please have some faith in me. I have a whole revenge plot to enact before I die.”

Lena Tarr (Dave) She takes your word for it and seems way calmer.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Lucien snorts out a laugh from on high. "Revenge. Ah, classic. Fits you well, Prince. Well, about as well as anything can. Not like you ever fit anywhere." He sneers down at you. "See, I'm not the smartest. All I'm good for is seeing what things look like. But Banders? Oh, Banders has eyes." He snaps his fingers.

Heat Riser

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) “Yes, Lucien,” Blake says. “You didn’t have to tell me you were an idiot without Bandersnatch spoon-feeding you answers. It was already rather apparent.”

Despite their words, they keep their eyes on Medusa.

“Come now,” they say. “I’m still standing. Is that really all your rage and pain amounts to? I’ve been hurt worse by stubbing my toe.”

Lena Tarr (Dave) i think. lena will once again try chaos breath

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Medusa. falls asleep

Lena Tarr (Dave) NAP TIME

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Now both Twitch and Medusa are snoozing. She sort of...slumps down to cover him, still protecting Twitch with her own body.

Nihil Klaxon Siren Countdown 2 -> 1

Lucien growls out a curse. "Come on, you big lump of stupid self loathing. Do your fucking job." Snaps his fingers and it echoes like a gunshot. Medusa's eyes gleam bright and lucid. Twitch's eyes snap open.

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena throws another rock in his direction. can lena use her turn to try and get closer to twitch, maybe give him a hug?

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) if you want to attempt to approach medusa and slip into the sort of hollow cavity she's made for twitch. you can absolutely attempt it. but. fair warning, it's not going to be easy. i would need. three consecutive rolls with three different stats. and two of those rolls need to get at least 2 net successes

Avrae (BOT) Result: 7d6 (1, 3, 5, 6, 1, 3, 4) Total: 23

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) 3 successes, 2 failures. You charge forward, aiming right for Twitch. And he just stares at you. And smiles, as his Shadow bears down on you, three hands aiming simultaneous attacks at you.

Avrae (BOT) Result: 5d6 (4, 3, 4, 6, 6)

Lena Tarr (Dave) COME ON I KNOW WE CAAAAN

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) 4 successes, no failures. You push forward. Dead set, quick as a bolt. Ducking and weaving through the onslaught. Aiming right for him. Right for your friend.

Lena Tarr (Dave) whatever i roll. im happy i tried khfkj

Avrae (BOT) Result: 6d6 (1, 5, 3, 3, 4, 3)

Lena Tarr (Dave) noooo so fucking close

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Twitch holds out a hand. Palm up, fingers outstretched. Like he wants you to take it. And then, a second later, before you're even within five feet of him, his fingers close against his palm. He smiles, odd and soft. "Don't take me back," he says. And the dark water around your ankles crashes against your face, sweeping you back and around. Stumbling, now soaked, back into the awaiting arms of your allies. Away from him.

Lena Tarr (Dave) "Fuck. Fuck!" Lena punches the ground. "We said we will get to know each other better, Twitch, you asshole! I can't do that if you won't let me get fucking close!"

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) He lowers his head. "You had your moment. Stop trying to take away mine." Medusa stiffens. A tension warbling through her. "I can't go back. Don't you get that, Lena?" He's crying. Fingers curling into the water. Ichor dripping down his cheeks. "I'd rather die than go back. I'd rather die." He looks back up at you, and his yellow eyes go black. "If you really want to stay here...then drown with me."

A song carves itself into existence. A single, screeching note. Twitch would sing it to both of you. But it's Medusa's mouth. And right now, she only has eyes for Blake.

Siren Countdown 1 -> 0 Judgement is Wrought O R I G I N A L S I N

Blake, your Hp is already 1, so it doesn't change. but your SP drops to 0.

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Blake drops to one knee, coughing. And they keep coughing. Breathing heavy. And they laugh. Intermixed with that coughing is laughter, a loud and hysteric and furious thing. And they weakly lift their head, glaring at Twitch.

“Did that feel good? Pushing back Lena, to get at me.” They laugh, and they cough. You can almost see that pitch-dark bike across Blake’s face too, but it’s probably just recoil from Medusa’s attack, surely.

“You’ve always been a monster, Twitch. Haven’t you? A liar. A Devil. I would know.” They shrug meekly. “I’m the same. In fact, between us? I thought it would be me. I was so sure. But I guess I’m wrong sometimes.”

And they shake their head. “You tried so hard to be good and quiet and well-behaved, didn’t you? To appease everybody. But deep down, you’re like me. You resent it. Like I resented it. Like I still do. It still makes me so, so mad.”

They stand, shuddering through their whole body, and outstretch their arms once again. “They want people like us to be good so badly. But I don’t want to be good, ever. And you shouldn’t want to be good either.”

They cough, and another laugh slips out. “I’m not going to let Lena save you. I’m not going to let any of them save you. I’m going to fuck you up for the rest of your entire life.” And they laugh, looking back at Lena with wild eyes. “And if you want to stop that, I guess there’s a problem, and you will have to kill me.”

Blake attacks Twitch.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) This time, Medusa doesn't step in. She shifts, moving like she wants to. But as you ready your attack, Twitch places a hand against her. And she stills.

The arrow slams into his chest. He gags, coughing up bile. Still stealing glances at you with eyes that return from black to yellow. Eyes that, for a long second, seem almost brown.

Sammy is going to frantically pull out their plastic microphone, and make a lot of very distressed noises before breaking into a strained rendition of Oh! Susanna.

Blake and Lena, you are no longer debuffed

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena falls to her knees, utterly exhausted. "Why are you two doing this? Can't you get it?! I can't let go. Of either of you. So that you'll do what?" She punches the ground. "Stay here and drown? Fight for no reason? While every asshole who hurt you is out there, living their merry life, like they've done nothing wrong? No, no, no!" Punching again and again, rocks smashing against her knuckles- knuckles smashing against rocks. "If you're so angry, then come back with me and set everyone who hurt you on fire- don't just dream of it here!"

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Medusa...hesitates. Her fingers clenching and relaxing. Contemplative. Unsure. She'll still attack. Just less confidently.

She's going to fire off another Dirge of Weakness. This time, aiming for everybody. Artemis protects Blake from this, but not the rest of you.

Nihil Klaxon The Siren Countdown 3 -> 2

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Blake coughs, still weak. But still standing. “You haven’t killed me yet,” they say. “And I don’t have the energy to do any big moves.” Artemis forms behind them, cocking an arrow. “So I guess I’ll just keep hitting you.”

Blake laughs, weak. “One other thing, though. Twitch. You keep pissing me off, you know.” They shake their head. “You pretend I have some enviable, luxurious life.” And they look up, glaring at him. “You’re never allowed to think I have it better off than you. Ever.” A laugh. “It’s the worst thing you can do.”

And Artemis fires.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Twitch starts laughing. It's almost honest at first, before devolving into low, howling chuckles, hoarse and grating. "All I wanted was for you to listen. And yet, at every turn, you have pried, and you have prodded, and you have interfered." Running his nails down his arms once for each word. Deep red marks that don't fade when they should. Stark against his pale skin. "Didn't it occur to you that your intrusion would be felt? And still you harass!?" Medusa is still and tense with fury. Shuddering out breaths that should not exist. "But now...like the wayward spider who witlessly settles on a sleeper's tongue, you will be swallowed. Because the truth is this. When a girl is both hungry and awake." His gaze snaps up. Yellow eyes turn black once more. "Every eye becomes a mouth."

Medusa's surface, her outer shell, begins to boil. To tear and snap and come undone. As those eyes...those mouths rise to the surface. Claws that bite. Jaws that catch. Yellow and jagged teeth set round in mouths that cover her skin. And each one opens. And each one screams.

Judgment Delayed Siren Countdown 2 -> 3

Lena Tarr (Dave) She rubs at her face, trying to clear it of tears and sweat but ending up just getting dirt in her eyes. "Really think you're the only one who can scream loud? Fine! Get all your rage out! But I'll do the fucking same!" She uses her bat to get herself up, one hand on her ankle. "Goliath! Show them how we hurt!" And the giant sweeps his club, debris flying in its wake, aiming for one of Medusa's many mouths.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Medusa laughs as well. A thousand laughs from a thousand chattering mouths. Twitch, inside her hollow, winces away, covering his ears. Eyes still obscured by pitch. "I want...so many thing...from you." Her voice crackling like radio static. "Maybe...I want everything."

Final Wish The Siren Countdown Ebbs

The water beneath your feet froths and roils. It smells like smoke. Like honey. Like distant flame. It smells like old flowers rotting in abandoned greenhouses. It smells like death.

Medusa's Defense plummets Medusa's Attack skyrockets Medusa is preparing an attack

Lucien just raises an eyebrows at the proceedings. "Huh. That looks...bad." He passes his turn.

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Blake laughs. And they cough.

“Are you coming undone, Twitch? I can’t help but notice you’re losing your grip. Is it because we aren’t acting like we’re supposed to? Saying ‘get behind me’ and ‘I rebuke you’… ha.” Blake shakes their head. “The reality is you’re just like us. Or… like them. And I’m not going to stop you. From becoming that thing you’ve been trying very hard not to be.”

And they laugh. “And as I said to Lena. If you have a problem with it, you’ll simply have to kill me.” They smile, something almost earnest. Almost kind. “But this is going to happen. You are going to do it. One way or another.”

Blake does nothing. “I won’t attack you. It’s your metamorphosis. I think you’re more than ready to finish it. You’ve been waiting awhile, after all, haven’t you?”

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Ilse looks at Blake, and at Twitch. Doesn’t want to be part of this self destruction. Uses Broken Echo.

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena is gonna plop down on her ass. "I really wish it was me." She looks to Twitch. "I'm still jealous . You get to have all the fun." She chuckles. "I don't even get to feel like a monster at all. Just. Like a total dumbass who can't save anyone."

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Every mouth snaps open wide. Brilliant shadows twist and squirm within, overflowing, spilling out of every eye.

Megidola.

But she pauses. Stares down at you.

Sammy is standing between her and you all. Arms outstretched. Eyes screwed closed. "I won't let you hurt them!"

She tremors. Growls. Whines. And one by one, her mouths snap shut, gnashing their teeth, furious and impatient. At war with herself.

Lucien grits his teeth. He does not look happy.

"Okay," he mumbles. "Okay, okay okay, we're still golden." And he smirks, a wicked gleam in his eye. "Just gotta..." Snaps his fingers.

An enormous ethereal hand forms in the air, swirling and barely imperceptible. Like a heat shimmer. A giant's hand. And it curls into a fist. Aimed right for Lena.

And it never moves. Without even looking, a thick tendril bursts out of Medusa's back, a gnashing mouth that slams into the hand, latching onto it, biting and tearing. Lucien yelps, recoils, blinking quick and confused as the hand vanishes. And the tendril mouth slowly sinks back into Medusa's form.

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) They sigh. “I might regret this.”

They shake their head. “No. I know I will. One way or another.”

They take a step forward. “But just because I’m a miserable sad sack doesn’t mean both of us have to be.”

They step into the thick goo. Ignore it. Keep moving forward, heading for Twitch. “This is your opportunity. You deserve a chance to be what I can’t be.”

Blake’s going to get as close to Twitch as Medusa will let them.

“I hate you,” they whisper. “But that’s not your problem.”

Blake will reach out, touching Medusa gently with their hand. And active support on Twitch.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Medusa lets you approach. She doesn't as much as move to strike. And Twitch watches you. Shaking. A single black tear slips down his cheek. And the ichor drains from his eye. From his brown, human eye. One black, one brown. One blind, one free. The division of day and night.

Sammy, Lena, Ilse. your debuffs vanish.

Sammy is going to stare at you, then at Twitch. Then up at Medusa. Then at Ilse. They purse their lips, brow set. And they nod. Slow and firm.

They're gonna pass their turn, but they are ready to open the tap on whatever you're doing, ilse.

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) And Ilse…shudders. They have planned to attack, but not like this. A nod back to Sammy, then they rise their arms, open and empty palms towards Medusa and Twitch, part sign of meaning no harm, part surrender. “I’m sorry. I don’t fully understand, but I don’t want to add to the pain.”

Lena Tarr (Dave) She tentatively steps closer to Medusa, to Twitch. "You know, this is kinda silly, but like. I have friends here? Their names are Puck and Prim. And Prim's really angry too! Like us and shit. And, uh." She sounds really shy. "I'd like it if you met them." She rubs at the back of her neck. "You could bring Medusa too. I also have a friend that she might like! Her name is Mimsy and she's a big bird. I'm not making much sense! But! Basically!" She shrugs. "We could be total weird monsters together?"

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Twitch's expression twists. For a moment, he's furious. Teeth bared, no doubt ready to demand Medusa attack you, to carve his wish into reality, to make you hurt for it. And no such demand comes. The anger drops away. Black tears flow freely.

He curls in on himself, fingers digging into his arms. "It's not fair. Why can't...you just make me?" All the way forward, the black water staining his hair. "Why can't you just choose for me? Like everyone else. Why does it have to be me who picks!?"

Because they love you, dearest. A golden voice like the pluck of a lyre. Because it has to be you who says it. Who makes it real.

Twitch and Medusa stiffen in one. And the latter writhes at nothing, grabbing onto nearby buildings, skin boiling and bubbling. The former clutches his head, shuddering, almost convulsing.

Be not afraid. You may think you know this song, the rotten fruit of knowledge. But this is a new touch. A new apple.

"I can't..." he whispers. "I can't say it. I can't."

A song that never ends is hell, my love. It's your choice. If you let it play...or sing anew.

There is silence, for a time. Nothing but Twitch's wracked sobs, the writhing of his Shadow. "I want to be strong," he whispers. "I don't want to go back."

Then do not go back.

One of the mouths on Medusa's body swells. Like a distended boil. Something glows within. Not yellow, but white as a pearl. And it cracks in half, disintegrating, turning into ash, as the light within spills out all at once and then fades from view.

I am thou. Thou art I.

Another mouth swells. Another. Another.

Thou, who brings the flood, the storm, the light. Thine wings see all, and thy eyes shine unclouded.

Twitch struggles. Still clutching his head. Dragging himself, inch by inch, back upright.

You know my name, dearest. So...say it.

And the girl rolls her head back and screams two syllables into the sky.

"VENUS!"

Twitch's hairband snaps in half.

A beam of light spears through the building hovering above you and crashes down onto Medusa. Vaporizing her. Scouring her darkest thoughts into nothing. The dark water beneath your feet evaporates instantly. As Twitch's Persona spreads her wings.

Venus is nude, clothed only by sea foam, standing atop a halved shell. While she covers herself demurely with her arms, two extra pairs of disembodied hands float nearby, suspended by tiny flapping wings. And she has wings as well, white feathers sprouting from her shoulder blades. Her serene smile is...beautiful. It is beauty itself.

Two of her disembodied hands drift down and help Twitch to her feet. Her eyes are brown again. And there's something glowing beneath the hem of her sweater. A heart, etched into her left collarbone. Her Brand.

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Blake smiles at something distant, sighing and shaking their head. “It’s as I thought,” they say, almost a whisper, half-laughing. “I really do hate you.” And they flip open their book, writing something, whispering the last part too quiet for anyone to hear. “But only because I’m jealous.”

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena steps closer to Twitch on shaky legs. "You ..." Her gaze drifts between Venus and Twitch. "Are beautiful. Holy fuck." And she laughs with all her chest, happy and relieved.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Twitch's cheeks go very red. "Uh," she says. "Wow. Um. Th...ank. You?" And she giggles, light and airy and a little dazed. "I'm...kind of...confused. But..." She gives you all a wide, wobbly smile. "I'm really glad you're all...uh, alive, and stuff." Twitch winces. "Uh. Sorry. You...I mean...thank you. Thank you."

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) Ilse returns a smile. “And we’re happy you are…” they trail off, the description maybe less important than the existence. “That you are well like this. And have her. And that you are alive” They stop, and smile again.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) A sharp, confused cough. Like Lucien just remembered to breathe again. "Goddamn!" he finally says. "Fucking hell. You really threw me and Banders for a loop. And here we thought you'd just play your part all nice and quiet. But no, you've gotta make a ruckus." He smiles down, sweet as venom. "Real hassle, Blum. Real fucking hassle."

Twitch and Venus both turn their gazes towards him. Fury shining clear in both their eyes. "Get out of our sight," Twitch says. A hand up, over her heart. Her Brand. "Before we make you get out."

Lucien just raises an eyebrow and whistles, low and maybe impressed.

Lena Tarr (Dave) "Yeah! What she said!", Lena exclaims, like the world's most red faced hype-man.

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Blake flips through their journal idly, quietly irritated that Twitch is considered more threatening than them.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Lucien finally laughs. "Alright, alright. I'll go hole up where it's nice and warm, and you all can go lick your wounds for all I care. And..." He winks towards Twitch. "Guess I'll be seeing you around, lover girl."

"Yeah," Twitch says. "Guess you will."

"Arrivederci," he says. And he leans back, tumbling backwards off the top of the building. Out of sight.

Lena Tarr (Dave) "Fingers crossed he broke his neck."

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) “You were moments away from breaking down sobbing when you thought he was dead,” Blake says.

Lena Tarr (Dave) "Was not! I was just sad because his dumb friends were sad! It's different!"

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) “I’m not sure feeling bad for Stephen and Kaya is much better…” they add with a smirk. Not looking up from their journal. Just really proud of themselves over a dumb jab.

Lena Tarr (Dave) Lena pouts.

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Twitch is just going to glance between the two of you and smile. And she leans in closer to Ilse. "I have no idea what's going on," she says, barely louder than a whisper.

Ilse Belanger (Ralu) “Full explanation might take a while.” They lean towards Twitch and keep their voice at the same level at hers. “This other team got attacked and badly wounded, so that’s what the concern is about. But they are also…kinda jerks? And Blake and Lena are just like this”

Everyone Else (DaxieVane) Twitch nods along to your explanation, and then giggles. "Uh...maybe we should...head back then? I'll follow you, um, all of you." Her eyes are firm and brave. "Wherever you're going, that's where I'll be." Venus begins to fade, but her hands find you all. Squeezing Ilse's shoulder, interlocking her fingers with Lena's, gently touching Blake's forearm, patting Sammy's head. A hand for every kind of touch. A feeling that lingers even as she flickers out of sight.

Blake Leto (Jane 🐈) Blake’s forearm jolts at the slight sensation of touch, flying in front of their chest momentarily. And they shut their eyes tight. “Don’t,” they whisper, too quiet and too distant to hear. “Don’t touch me.” And they take a breath. Erratic. Angry. Jealous. Guilty. “You shouldn’t… touch me.”

They shake their head, and force a smile at the group. Fake enough to be believable.

“Shall we get going?”

#the hunters #hunters highlights #blake leto #lena tarr #ilse belanger #camellia pavel #sammy cabra #lucien punica #we know the devil #wktd #anatomy #lucy twitch blum

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