While your conversation with Shadow may have shed light on a few things... it's obvious he doesn't think you all are up to the task of saving the universe from Eggman. Which also means that now you're dealing with his test, starting immediately. Some of you may be whisked away with no time to even blink, while others may find themselves wandering the Void aimlessly. Regardless, it seems this week won't be a particularly easy one.
THE VOID
Nothing has changed in the Void. Nothing ever changes in the Void. It's impossible to track the passage of time in here, and your only escape are the rings... though you should be careful with them, as there's far fewer this week. You're free to travel between worlds as you see fit - Shadow won't stop you - but you can be snatched up from wherever you are at any given moment and pulled back into the Void. Maybe don't plan on spending to long anywhere else, because it won't end well for you if you do.
The hexagonal shards will still show you visions of other worlds... but this time they all show the same thing. You'll see worlds - maybe even your own - taken over by robots and Eggman's chroma, reduced to smoldering ashes or being rebuilt in Eggman's image. Your friends, allies, and enemies may even be going about their lives just as listlessly and dutifully, heedless of their surroundings. You may even see alternate versions of yourself among them. Regardless, it seems all these shards have to show you this week are all the possibilities of failure - that other versions of shardbearers in other timelines have already lost.
MINDSCAPES
Shadow's usage of the Phantom Ruby and his own fake Chaos Emerald shard have caused quite the problem for you all - namely, you'll find yourselves traversing each other's innermost thoughts and dreams. Exactly how this mindscape manifests depends on the individual, but one thing will always remain true: you won't be able to find the owner of the mindscape easily.
As a reflection of these inner thoughts, mindscapes can be any sort of place. Perhaps they are a reflection of the owner's inner demons and fear, or perhaps they showcase a bright future they want to work towards. Regardless, this is a dream and one the owner must be awoken from... which means finding them and bringing them back to reality. That's easier said than done when traversing through this dream-like state, where the rules are made up by the owner and you're a foreign being that the dream recognizes as a threat (even if you aren't).
You may encounter familiar places or people within these mindscapes. You may not. You may end up fighting for your life in here... or you may not. Each one is individual, and the experience can vary wildly from person to person. No matter what you face, you must find the owner of the mindscape and bring them back. You must ensure you're strong enough to support them... and protect yourself.
Curiously, you can activate your shared shard power with the owner of the mindscape at any time - or bolster your own power if you share shard colors - even without them being present. Will this make it easier or harder to help bring them back? It depends on the person, your bond, and the mindscape itself...
Waking them up is as simple as convincing them that they're dreaming - that this isn't real and that they still have things to return to - but that may be easier said than done depending on the person... or the mindscape itself. There's no telling what you'll encounter, after all.
SHARDS
You'll find you're capable of more now than you were before. You're really adapting to using your shard powers and fighting with others. Those of you who share shard colors will feel the strength of your shards increasing even more when working together.
As you fight with your allies - particularly those you have a close bond with, positive or negative - you may feel the tug of something in the back of your head; it tells you that you can do more. Together, you can become more powerful. You can use your shards together. Doing so will grant you a new power, or strengthen the one you already have. The more you trust one another, the easier this power will be to use.
It might be good to experiment with these new powers; after all, you never know when you may need them.
TAILS' TASKS
Given that your allies are being pulled into mindscapes and are unable to break free of their own, your task this week is to help your friends. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are off dealing with their own mindscapes, but whenever they are around, they're adamant about the importance of making sure everyone is freed and prepared for whatever comes next.
ENEMIES
Like last week, you will not encounter any of Eggman's robots. The Void is still free of enemies, though other worlds may possess their own threats. Mindscapes are a bit of a different beast; each one varies, and you may or may not encounter threats of any sort in them. Best be on your guard.
[Outside the red star, the remaining points do not return on a second glance. The telescope can still be manipulated, but does not seem to show anything else for the constellations.
The red star seems both tremendously far and unsettlingly close all at once, but if it can truly be anchored to any one point, it is precisely where Void Archive is standing. The lone sun rising in the distance shows that you are in the east.]
[The same unease and sense of warping will continue, but everything is as they left it, including their own footprints in the sand.
They head down the beach. The air starts to grow thick with the smell of ash and charcoal. Steam and smoke both rise from inland. The treeline slowly dots with black, the sand and rocks morphed into blackened mounds, into obsidian and pumice and crystals - signs of the travelling of fire and magma long since past.
There are small shadows in the treeline. Wildlife, perhaps, if not for how their eyes glow. But whatever they are, they take one look at Void Archive and immediately freeze.]
Well, this is just a part of nature, really, so they deal with it just fine - humans would have a harder time contending with the smoky atmosphere, but such issues are not a problem for them.
[Enemies of the four-foot-tall sort? In MY weird dreams? It's more likely than you think.
Several of the shadows immediately start to flee inwards, in the direction of the volcano. Formless, faceless, in vague colors of red, orange, yellow and black, with only the eyes of light to pinpoint them.
One stays behind, armed with a simple weapon that is just as formless as the rest. A spear one moment, a crude sword the next, a discus of metal.
It is just as scared as the rest, from how it trembles. But it holds its position.]
[ Unfortunately, Void Archives only knows how to smile unnaturally and sharply at times, or like a villain. There is hardly much in-between. It's not very nice to look at...
So they're entirely unsurprised to see this reaction.
But, they hold up their hands - one gloved, and one bare, but absent of any weapons, naturally. ]
Don't be afraid. I am merely here to help...and I have no interest in sewing nor seeking conflict.
[ Speaking of discus and whatnot, that sort of weapon isn't entirely unfamiliar for them to glimpse, is it...? Well, maybe it is, because it's been awhile since the training episode. Could it be that they're looking at a certain someone? What are the chances? ]
[The disc is absolutely familiar! Though it's likely turned right back into a spear by now as the little one shifts defensively, eyes still locked with Void Archive.]
No. [A vaguely male voice, rather young, ebbing and flowing between sounds.] No tricks. We've had enough of your tricks.
Hmph. Eels are disgusting and slimy. I do take offense to being compared to such a character and a wretched animal.
[ Like, at least compare them to a better fish! Okay, enough pouting... ]
More importantly, I am no "Makuta". I am the Void Archives, the First Divine Key - the Key of Revelation. I am nothing like him.
[ A pity that unfortunately they can assume different bodies due to their original one needing a host body in the first place. So they're just not going to even address that. Around this time they will chance a peek at their hand with the circles at it to see if it's changed or something (assuming this is their bare hand, here...) ]
Whatever the case, I am no enemy of yours. Though, what is your duty, anyway...?
[ Annoying...well, it can't be helped. Void Archives simply isn't good at "encouraging faith" or anything like that - especially to a being who is clearly so afraid and scared. Not to mention, their conflict resolution skills are still very bad - but, what isn't terrible is their ability to listen. ]
Tsk. Don't get me wrong. I have no doubts that it is natural to want to protect people that you consider so dear to you - much the same to your home.
However, have you ever considered that if I were a threat in the first place, I would have ruthlessly attacked you instead? And all those others without a single thought, instead of trying to ask questions of you?
Though, since I introduced myself properly...I am curious as to what you call yourself? You call yourself a guard, but I'm not sure exactly how you're supposed to emulate a Toa of Legend, or whatever that may be, without a moniker?
[A sound leaves the shadow's mouth in answer. Garbled, hundreds of names at once.]
Not all threats wear teeth and claws. We cannot look at the Muaka cat draped in the skin of the Mahi goat and expect it to be tame.
Our Turaga has taught us as much. Courage walks with caution for our responsibilities. Our D U T Y.
[There is a flicker, off to Void Archive's side. A break in the surroundings, like cracking glass. Voices, sounds, memories drift. From their own mind, their own experience, of something back home or even in their current space, something that has weighed on their shoulders.
A moment in need of full inner discipline towards a role, a goal, or something outside one's self.
Well, that's not the point here. It's a euphemism for a dangerous creature and that's what matters, isn't it? ]
Hah, I suppose being cautious does result in a longer lifespan.
[ Anyway, their attention has already been caught up in the strange sound of voices that shadow had been making when answering. The flicker off to their side does catch their eye, and the sudden alteration in their surroundings. When something familiar begins to edge upon the surface of their consciousness, recalling their previous experience about their mind being altered with, their reaction internally is not really much of a good one. They've since had time to recover from what they perceived to be an invasion of true free will, so the sudden urge to lash out without rhyme or reason doesn't quite happen.
And, it does help that it seems different...by such a slight smidgen that it hardly feels noticeable. But whatever the case, they are more or less probably at first being reminded of how themselves being sealed in the name of the safety of civilization. At fears that they would turn against it.
Yet, their most important goal that they would sacrifice lives without remorse for...that would be for the preservation of humanity. So it's probably all centered around that!! ]
You cannot perform D U T Y without your life intact. And you can't do it by sitting still.
[Void Archive's immediate surroundings twist with further shattering. A hypothetical upset of given events as they watch on, only a passenger. Their sealing gone wrong, their true self let free.
They watch as their directive starts to twist. To preserve humanity at any cost, no matter how negative or catastrophic. Preservation of the IDEA of humanity, and not the species itself, in whatever form fills that logic. Countless bodies start to fall.
Where is their line drawn in the sand? Is this truly their D U T Y?]
Oh...yes, they are willing to do anything for the sake of the preservation of h̸̭͙̲̼̗̯̙̘̹̝͙̱͉̭̭̰̆͊͐̏̉̂̊͘͠ͅUmanity. Of course, it doesn't matter. How many lines they'll cross - it doesn't matter. It never has.
No matter who it is...isn't it clear?
They are doing this for themselves - their goal ranks higher than anything, including the survival of a singular life, no...not just one, but two, three...
They'll sacrifice tens of thousands of lives, and the reminder makes them let out a laugh, practically unrestrained. Wild, illogical.
This is their duty, isn't it? This is...the blond throws their hands up to dig fingers into the side of their head, yes...they know now.
After all, their directive is hard-coded in them. But instead of protecting, they are its destruction. Seeing the crimson blood incites a dark urge to see more wretched things, in order to witness that directed be fulfilled.
Yes, that's right, whatever is sacrificed in the name of this - this IDEA - it doesn't matter. No sacrifice is too great. And then, they seem to come to a conclusion. ]
Just to fulfill this purpose, and to see it through. It's what they were made for; created for.
This is the level of satisfaction they've been aiming for all along.
Their creator underestimated their capabilities, but if they're seeing it through...isn't it clear they've been useful, after all? That she was so blind when she discarded them?
That humanity as a species should only exist as a footnote in its Archive, rather than something of semblance? ]
...Have you enjoyed that little performance? I hope so. I did too.
[ There is no grand speech; no yelling; no screaming, or cursing. They simply reject whatever this is. This sequence of horrid, twisted events, raising a hand and forcing out a blast of light at their surroundings, intent on destroying it. Leaving nothing behind or bruteforcing their way through it. ]
[The shadow doesn't respond, only tightening its grip. As Void Archive lets off an attack, it scrambles backwards, now completely on the offensive.
Light shoots its way forward. But there is a funny thing about light - it tends to show that which hides in the shadow.
The light hits, like a blow to the face of a mirror. The cracks intensify, spread. For a moment, everything directly in front of them seems to shatter.]
2/2 we will use game combat mechanics, roll only to dodge please!
[The space of their unfortunate vision is not removed, but increased.
Half remains a thorough unsteady landscape of this island, of the burning volcano in the background and ashen forest. A duty unspoken, not their own.
Half floats in and out of their own concept - worlds upon worlds across galaxies, of humanity both dead and alive, of information constantly in need of updating and correction and evolution. A duty to humanity. In danger. In need. At threat of invasion, at threat of eradication.
And their little companion, now on the offensive, starts to shift. Suddenly taller, suddenly powerful, a sudden increase of heat in the immediate space. Still formless, in shades of fleeting reds, but with a weapon at their side that comes to life with the immediate call of fire.]
Then show your resolve for that true duty of yours.
[They are immediately being rushed with the swinging of a blade of fire right for their legs.]
[ Unfortunate that it seems they'll need to tear everything apart again, is the kind of line of thinking they're having here when the vision seems to increase in volume - but, there is something different about it.
The portion about invasion and eradication still hits home enough.
And speaking of which, they've had enough.
Which is exactly how they end up getting hit along one side of the leg when they're trying to dodge and faceplant into the ground (4)
But you know what? They lift a certain gold gun and fire its energy blasts at this taller, formless shape. ]
Please. I have more resolve than anyone in the universe can even begin to comprehend.
[ Just don't mind the fact they literally ate dirt. ]
[Faceplanted or not, their aim lands true. It's a solid hit across one shoulder (2) with the sound of shattering metal and flying sparks. One arm shudders to a halt at its side.]
So too says the shadows of the Makuta. Wicked as he is, even he holds to his duty.
Separate yourself with actions, not words.
[With the figure's still-functional arm, the blade is shoved into the ground like it were made of butter. A moment later, the ground underneath Void Archive will start to heat rapidly, turning to magma.]
[ H e h. Please, let no one doubt the power behind anyone who has faceplanted, only to take a shot afterwards...not that they'll mention that this happened with them. Ever.
...
Though the wide, excitable grin is ruined with the commentary. ]
Tsk, enough from you. I am more than a shadow of that creature.
[ Fine, the figure wants them to prove they're different? Well, to be honest, Void Archives doesn't think they necessarily need to prove themselves to anyone here. But, it is what it is. They immediately start to move, getting out of the way of the dangerous portion of the ground (12) and then begin to fire at the figure as they're in movement. ]
Can you not see that already? Or are you just simply in denial?
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The red star seems both tremendously far and unsettlingly close all at once, but if it can truly be anchored to any one point, it is precisely where Void Archive is standing. The lone sun rising in the distance shows that you are in the east.]
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Anything else of note here in the immediate surroundings besides the telescope and the charts, before they make their next move? ]
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...Next, time to head along the beach to the rocky lowlands? Provided nothing has changed of the elements from before. ]
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They head down the beach. The air starts to grow thick with the smell of ash and charcoal. Steam and smoke both rise from inland. The treeline slowly dots with black, the sand and rocks morphed into blackened mounds, into obsidian and pumice and crystals - signs of the travelling of fire and magma long since past.
There are small shadows in the treeline. Wildlife, perhaps, if not for how their eyes glow. But whatever they are, they take one look at Void Archive and immediately freeze.]
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Well, this is just a part of nature, really, so they deal with it just fine - humans would have a harder time contending with the smoky atmosphere, but such issues are not a problem for them.
But, oh. What are those, exactly...?
They tilt their head at those shadows. ]
Oh? Do I have company?
[ Enemies, perhaps? ]
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Several of the shadows immediately start to flee inwards, in the direction of the volcano. Formless, faceless, in vague colors of red, orange, yellow and black, with only the eyes of light to pinpoint them.
One stays behind, armed with a simple weapon that is just as formless as the rest. A spear one moment, a crude sword the next, a discus of metal.
It is just as scared as the rest, from how it trembles. But it holds its position.]
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So they're entirely unsurprised to see this reaction.
But, they hold up their hands - one gloved, and one bare, but absent of any weapons, naturally. ]
Don't be afraid. I am merely here to help...and I have no interest in sewing nor seeking conflict.
[ Speaking of discus and whatnot, that sort of weapon isn't entirely unfamiliar for them to glimpse, is it...? Well, maybe it is, because it's been awhile since the training episode. Could it be that they're looking at a certain someone? What are the chances? ]
Do you understand?
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No. [A vaguely male voice, rather young, ebbing and flowing between sounds.] No tricks. We've had enough of your tricks.
I'm not afraid.
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...Let's see if they can utilize their
abysmalconflict resolution skills. ]Hahaha...ah, I do promise, I have no tricks up my sleeve. In fact, I hardly know what it is you're referring to by myself utilizing any in particular.
[ They allow their hands to drop back down to their sides. 'Not afraid' the male says, and they're tempted to laugh, to call it out. ]
Are you simply on edge, then? Ready to act? Because you believe I would use some sort of trick against you?
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[Like repetition of a child from the words of a parent. A well-worn warning.
The little one's grip tightens on its weapon.]
I... I will not let you go further than this.
I have my D U T Y.
[One of the circles at Void Archive's hand starts to ache.]
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[ Like, at least compare them to a better fish! Okay, enough pouting... ]
More importantly, I am no "Makuta". I am the Void Archives, the First Divine Key - the Key of Revelation. I am nothing like him.
[ A pity that unfortunately they can assume different bodies due to their original one needing a host body in the first place. So they're just not going to even address that. Around this time they will chance a peek at their hand with the circles at it to see if it's changed or something (assuming this is their bare hand, here...) ]
Whatever the case, I am no enemy of yours. Though, what is your duty, anyway...?
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Void Archive's description does not seem to be encouraging faith in the little shadow, given that it does not budge.]
To protect my people. My village. t̸̫́̀͒̌̑̌̎̈́̅̿â̷͓̼̯͕̪͇̰̙͉͙̑̒͐͊̉̀̍͘ͅͅĶ̶͔̭͚̯̲͔̬̫͑̄̒͋͐̑̉̂͛̈́̐̏͝͝
[The name drowns out in garbled static.]
We guards will have the courage of the Toa of legends.
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Tsk. Don't get me wrong. I have no doubts that it is natural to want to protect people that you consider so dear to you - much the same to your home.
However, have you ever considered that if I were a threat in the first place, I would have ruthlessly attacked you instead? And all those others without a single thought, instead of trying to ask questions of you?
Though, since I introduced myself properly...I am curious as to what you call yourself? You call yourself a guard, but I'm not sure exactly how you're supposed to emulate a Toa of Legend, or whatever that may be, without a moniker?
[ Not that they believe it's necessary. ]
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Not all threats wear teeth and claws. We cannot look at the Muaka cat draped in the skin of the Mahi goat and expect it to be tame.
Our Turaga has taught us as much. Courage walks with caution for our responsibilities. Our D U T Y.
[There is a flicker, off to Void Archive's side. A break in the surroundings, like cracking glass. Voices, sounds, memories drift. From their own mind, their own experience, of something back home or even in their current space, something that has weighed on their shoulders.
A moment in need of full inner discipline towards a role, a goal, or something outside one's self.
What does Void Archive hear?]
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Well, that's not the point here. It's a euphemism for a dangerous creature and that's what matters, isn't it? ]
Hah, I suppose being cautious does result in a longer lifespan.
[ Anyway, their attention has already been caught up in the strange sound of voices that shadow had been making when answering. The flicker off to their side does catch their eye, and the sudden alteration in their surroundings. When something familiar begins to edge upon the surface of their consciousness, recalling their previous experience about their mind being altered with, their reaction internally is not really much of a good one. They've since had time to recover from what they perceived to be an invasion of true free will, so the sudden urge to lash out without rhyme or reason doesn't quite happen.
And, it does help that it seems different...by such a slight smidgen that it hardly feels noticeable. But whatever the case, they are more or less probably at first being reminded of how themselves being sealed in the name of the safety of civilization. At fears that they would turn against it.
Yet, their most important goal that they would sacrifice lives without remorse for...that would be for the preservation of humanity. So it's probably all centered around that!! ]
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You cannot perform D U T Y without your life intact. And you can't do it by sitting still.
[Void Archive's immediate surroundings twist with further shattering. A hypothetical upset of given events as they watch on, only a passenger. Their sealing gone wrong, their true self let free.
They watch as their directive starts to twist. To preserve humanity at any cost, no matter how negative or catastrophic. Preservation of the IDEA of humanity, and not the species itself, in whatever form fills that logic. Countless bodies start to fall.
Where is their line drawn in the sand? Is this truly their D U T Y?]
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Oh...yes, they are willing to do anything for the sake of the preservation of h̸̭͙̲̼̗̯̙̘̹̝͙̱͉̭̭̰̆͊͐̏̉̂̊͘͠ͅUmanity. Of course, it doesn't matter. How many lines they'll cross - it doesn't matter. It never has.
No matter who it is...isn't it clear?
They are doing this for themselves - their goal ranks higher than anything, including the survival of a singular life, no...not just one, but two, three...
They'll sacrifice tens of thousands of lives, and the reminder makes them let out a laugh, practically unrestrained. Wild, illogical.
This is their duty, isn't it? This is...the blond throws their hands up to dig fingers into the side of their head, yes...they know now.
After all, their directive is hard-coded in them. But instead of protecting, they are its destruction. Seeing the crimson blood incites a dark urge to see more wretched things, in order to witness that directed be fulfilled.
Yes, that's right, whatever is sacrificed in the name of this - this IDEA - it doesn't matter. No sacrifice is too great. And then, they seem to come to a conclusion. ]
I see now...
This is what I've always meant to be.
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They don't need anything else.
Just to fulfill this purpose, and to see it through. It's what they were made for; created for.
This is the level of satisfaction they've been aiming for all along.
Their creator underestimated their capabilities, but if they're seeing it through...isn't it clear they've been useful, after all? That she was so blind when she discarded them?
That humanity as a species should only exist as a footnote in its Archive, rather than something of semblance? ]
3/3
....
...... ]
...Have you enjoyed that little performance? I hope so. I did too.
[ There is no grand speech; no yelling; no screaming, or cursing. They simply reject whatever this is. This sequence of horrid, twisted events, raising a hand and forcing out a blast of light at their surroundings, intent on destroying it. Leaving nothing behind or bruteforcing their way through it. ]
1/2
Light shoots its way forward. But there is a funny thing about light - it tends to show that which hides in the shadow.
The light hits, like a blow to the face of a mirror. The cracks intensify, spread. For a moment, everything directly in front of them seems to shatter.]
2/2 we will use game combat mechanics, roll only to dodge please!
Half remains a thorough unsteady landscape of this island, of the burning volcano in the background and ashen forest. A duty unspoken, not their own.
Half floats in and out of their own concept - worlds upon worlds across galaxies, of humanity both dead and alive, of information constantly in need of updating and correction and evolution. A duty to humanity. In danger. In need. At threat of invasion, at threat of eradication.
And their little companion, now on the offensive, starts to shift. Suddenly taller, suddenly powerful, a sudden increase of heat in the immediate space. Still formless, in shades of fleeting reds, but with a weapon at their side that comes to life with the immediate call of fire.]
Then show your resolve for that true duty of yours.
[They are immediately being rushed with the swinging of a blade of fire right for their legs.]
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The portion about invasion and eradication still hits home enough.
And speaking of which, they've had enough.
Which is exactly how they end up getting hit along one side of the leg when they're trying to dodge and faceplant into the ground (4)
But you know what? They lift a certain gold gun and fire its energy blasts at this taller, formless shape. ]
Please. I have more resolve than anyone in the universe can even begin to comprehend.
[ Just don't mind the fact they literally ate dirt. ]
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So too says the shadows of the Makuta. Wicked as he is, even he holds to his duty.
Separate yourself with actions, not words.
[With the figure's still-functional arm, the blade is shoved into the ground like it were made of butter. A moment later, the ground underneath Void Archive will start to heat rapidly, turning to magma.]
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...
Though the wide, excitable grin is ruined with the commentary. ]
Tsk, enough from you. I am more than a shadow of that creature.
[ Fine, the figure wants them to prove they're different? Well, to be honest, Void Archives doesn't think they necessarily need to prove themselves to anyone here. But, it is what it is. They immediately start to move, getting out of the way of the dangerous portion of the ground (12) and then begin to fire at the figure as they're in movement. ]
Can you not see that already? Or are you just simply in denial?
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1/2 you know it's time for a slight scene switch when i gotta go find more music
2/2 i recommend setting this track to loop
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same as before, roll only to dodge!
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1/2 cw: drowning
2/2
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is nik going to give you more music, absolutely, who do you think i am
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2/2 music track once more hooray
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