Fantasy Obsidian Knights

[Pumpkid]

Year 1, April 1st
Time: 9:00A.M.

White Hall
​

Walking down the corridors of the ivory halls, a blonde male with crimson eyes dressed in a black suit bearing the roman collar, a metal cross around his neck entered what seemed to be a throne room behind tall, double doors. At the end of the path rests a chair meant for the leader of the organization known as, King. A dark-skinned man with white hair, and a crescent shaped beard reaching a height of seven feet tall with a muscular, wide build, draped in a black coat. On either side of him stood his commanding officers, Cero and Uno. Both are his right hand man cloaked in hoods of white and black, masking their faces. As the invited guest bows before his boss, King grins at the blonde from ear to ear. “Welcome, Victor! Glad to see you. What’s it been? A decade?”
Victor glared at the hearty man, always cheerful as if he didn’t take his job seriously. “You saw me last month, your highness.”

“Ah, yes I did. It feels like it was so long. Why don’t you visit anymore?”

“You know why, and with all due respect, why have you summoned me? It better not be an excuse for bantering.”

King leans back into his seat, the smile fading into a thin line. His jolly demeanor vanishes as he gestures to the right arm to hand over the tablet with documents. The file opened read:

Project: Gambit​

Inside are profiles of specific operatives with different ranks. Victor skimmed through finding his profile on the list, dubbed as the commander. Victor was shocked to see himself, worst of all he was part of whatever plan the organization cooked up. Knowing Chess, there was a twist behind the project, and probably unwilling to confess what it is. “What the hell is this and why am I on it? No one told me shit that I would be volunteering for whatever nonsense this is.” The burning fury within Victor was evident. Most people would not dare to speak against King as the leader of the Obsidian Knights, but this was an exception.

“No, but I voted for you to be this group’s guide.” Victor was stunned on whether to slap the man or not. King continued, “The board of director’s faith in the organization is beginning to wane. They want to step in and take over. If they do that, they might make the wrong calls and cause the city more harm than good. These are politicians, not men on the front lines. I can’t afford to let our people die in vain. Project gambit is our last resort against impurities.” Victor relaxed as he watched King let out an exasperated sigh. He can tell the man was under duress possibly from fighting to save the organization. “I am in a desperate situation, Victor. I chose you, because I believe if anyone can whip this group into shape it’s you. They’re not hopeless misfits, these are a group of people I believe have great potential. Who knows, they might even convince you out of retirement.” He shot the blonde sly grin.

Victor glances between King and the screen as if holding the weight of the world in his hands. Peer pressure was not his thing for many reasons such as caving in. He gave it some thought. King did not poke the male predicting he will do the right thing. As he suspected, Victor takes a deep breath as if smelling the remnants of his final days as a free man. The project will require commitment which is something he knows all too well. There was, however, one final question he had to ask. It would be worth a try, but chances are he won’t receive the full truth. “I’ll do it,” King smiled, having caught Victor’s attention. “Only if you tell me, is there an angle to gambit?” The stare down became tense as King and Victor waited for a sign of hesitation. Ironic, when Victor is the one interrogating his boss.

”Do you honestly believe I would repeat the mistakes of the previous King?” It was not an answer to Victor’s question as it felt like he was dodging it. King could see despite the years together, there is doubt. “No, there is not. You have my word. I am not one to break it.”

The answer was satisfactory for now, but that did not mean he was fully persuaded. “I will read up on their profiles and start effective immediately. If there is a time limit, there is no sense in wasting it.”

”Of course! Anything you may need is at your disposal. All you have to do is ask.” The agreement was settled, all that was left to do is wait and hope for the best.

Spoiler: Commanders Cero & Uno

---

Later in the day, a message was sent with a scheduled meeting:

Recipient

them

Urgent! Report to the conference room at 7:00pm at the Black Spiral.

them

Yes, it’s mandatory.

There was no name and while the number was unknown, it could be considered a joke. Given how it’s from the government of which no ordinary human knows, it’s safe to assume it’s real.

---

Year 1, April 1st
Time: 6:50P.M.

Two sets of coffee were set on the table by the barista. Nova sat across the table from her sesquizyous brother. A year since they have known each other and didn’t have much knowledge about the other. The only thing that connected them is their missing father. Draven candidly sips his coffee. A caramel latte while Nova got a macchiato. “So…how’s life? Is it treating you well?” Nova wasn’t sure what she was doing or what to even say. It was hard to believe Draven was cool about it. Granted, at first Draven was shocked beyond belief. He assumed it was a prank on a blind person, but the more he listened to Nova’s heartbeat, the sooner he realized she was being genuine. It scared him. He was used to being alone, being the tough one who is unnerved, then a stranger pops out who happens to work at the same organization tells him they might be related. Their DNA test confirmed Nova’s suspicions which in turn felt new for both of them. It took almost a whole year for Draven to finally accept their relationship as normal and all Nova wanted was a connection with his sibling. In a strange way, he felt the same way, except he wouldn’t be as open about it unless someone dragged it out of him. When it comes to sentiments, Draven was not that guy, yet he can charm the pants out of anyone if he wanted to make it seem as real as possible.
“Fine, I think? You don’t have to be nervous to ask me questions about my upbringing, right?” Part of Draven wished Nova would stop being so timid. How weird is it that a blind man can defend himself better than she can? The last thing he wanted was for her to be a laughing stock. The other sorcerers don’t even consider her to be a threat with how she carries herself, but if they only knew how strong she was in the battlefield, it would have them second guessing. She was the one to protect him and let him hang back. That meant more than anything.

”Yeah, but it’s so weird. It feels like I’m invading your privacy asking constantly about your life back home. I mean, what if I cross the line?” Nova clutched her cup tightly staring down at it while lost in thought.

”Then I will tell you.” Draven was blunt, never one to lie, but also not one to be honest. A person who shares half-truths giving the person the option to believe for his psychological entertainment. “If you must satiate your curiosity then so be it. I am free to tell you what I want, just as you are at liberty to press me for answers. We are here to converse, are we not?”

Draven was right, but Nova was too timid to ask how he got blind. It wasn’t so much that she didn’t want to talk about his life, but wondered about his blindness. It’s a touchy subject for most, but one she wanted to know. She didn’t know why she never asked in the beginning, probably because she was focused on the sibling part. Before Nova could muster the courage to ask, their cellular phones ping. A text with the same message. Draven’s phone read it aloud through his earbud that was always inserted in his right ear in case of private messages. Nova gave a puzzled glance. “It looks like we are both needed. Should we get going?”

Draven raises a brow,”Is this your way of avoiding a conversation?” He teased. His devilish grin showed even in his voice.

Nova shook her head and flailed her arms defensively. ”No! Not at all. I still want to ask you, b-but you know, work and all.” Draven had to laugh after giving her a nod of approval.

Once they arrive at the Black Spiral, they make their way down the hall and into the conference room. No one has yet to arrive. The seats were empty and the anonymous person has yet to show their face. Nonetheless, they took their seats and waited. ”I wonder what this could be about. A meeting in the briefing room. It’s unusual unless something serious is about to happen?” Nova began to panic while Draven casually drank the rest of his coffee with how many times he has seen Nova freak out over the smallest things only for it to turn out fine.

Stern LuLuLu Rusty Angel Soviet Panda Huntertabbysandshark3 Neuro Vampire

 

[Stern LuLuLu]

Year 1, April 1st
Black Spiral

The sun shone brightly as Soma stepped out of the store, the cool breeze ruffling his hair. A refreshing fruit drink swirled in his hand, its vibrant colors promising a burst of flavor. He took a long, satisfying sip, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as the coolness danced on his tongue. With a bag slung over his shoulder, he set off down the street.


As Soma wandered through the vibrant, bustling street, the rhythm of the city was suddenly pierced by a sharp buzz. He pulled out his phone, the screen lighting up with a notification that sent a cold wave of dread through him. It was about a meeting he had suddenly been called. With a heavy sigh, he muttered to himself, “Just what I needed right now.” A small voice rang out from his breast pocket. “You sound annoyed—am I right?” The voice came from his pocket, and a small spirit Liye poked her head out of the pocket. Soma chuckled lightly, albeit with a hint of resignation. “Yeah, you could say that. We have a meeting too. Not sure what it's about, but it looks like I don’t have much choice in the matter,” he replied, a small smile creeping onto his face despite the situation. With that, he took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and set off toward the inevitable, determined to face whatever awaited him. “Can we get treats afterward?”Soma walked quietly for a minute. “Sure why not?”

Time: 6:55P.M.

As Soma stepped into the conference room, his gaze swept across the space, locking onto two familiar figures already seated at the table. They were faces he recognized from previous encounters, though they had never exchanged a word he thought their name was Reinhart. Feeling a flutter of anxiety, Liye, who had been perched on his shoulder, timidly scurried into the safety of his jacket. He offered her a reassuring pat before making his way to the vacant chair across from the pair. With a warm smile, he raised his hand in a friendly wave and greeted them with a casual, “Hey. Nice to see I was not the only one called here”. Setting his bag down with a soft thud, he placed his drink beside it and leaned forward, resting his arms and chin on the table. A spark of curiosity flickered within him as he wondered where this meeting might lead. The day seems to be unfolding like a canvas ready for something interesting.

 

[Rusty Angel]

Year 1, April 1st
Somewhere in a small apartment

“I can’t believe this!”

Cassandra paced around the kitchen of her apartment, her face a mix of confusion and irritability. The room was pristine, not a spot left unscrubbed, nor a dirty dish in sight. Everything was carefully put away in its proper place, and that was good, or she would be going even crazier. Her roommate, Adam, sat at a small table, sipping a cup of ice water as he scrolled on his phone. It was nice to have a quiet evening at home, even if things could never really be quiet with Cass around, “Mm-hm.”

“I mean, look at this!” Cassandra continued, stopping beside him, “I’ve been working at it all this time, and all I can do is… this!” She held up an arm, her skin writhing, as it parted for several tendrils of vines to creep out. She winced as they did. It looked horrible, it felt horrible, and it was just so... horrible.

Adam didn’t even glance at her, “Cass, why are you hurting yourself and wasting mana just to show me something I already knew?”

She frowned, lowering her arm, as it turned back to normal. Even if he always gave passive responses, would it hurt him to at least pretend to be concerned? Sighing, she sat across from him, letting her gaze drift to the wall, “I’m just… frustrated, that’s all. Here I think I’ve finally had a breakthrough, but instead of transforming into something, I get that mess.” Lately it felt like she wasn't getting anywhere with her abilities. What was she doing wrong? She practiced with them. Even outside of missions. How could she raise her rank when the one development she had in a long time felt more like a setback?

Adam raised his own arm to eye-level, “I wonder what would happen if I tried that with ice…” he said absently, studying it as if it would burst into a flurry of snow right then and there.

Cassandra glared at him, “Adam! This is serious!”

He lowered his arm, finally meeting her gaze with the same tired expression he always wore. It was the most emotion she had seen from him in days, “Cass, it’s not like your life depends on whether or not you can turn into a tree,” he said dryly, “You work hard, you practice constantly, and you never shut up about it. Just keep it up. You’ll be bursting with leaves in no time... but like, as the tree, not-“ The buzzing of his phone broke him off.

Cass’ phone too, and she took a break dealing with him to read her text. Her stress rose even higher as she processed what it said, her nerves tightening into a ball of anxiety, “Oh great. We better get going. I wonder what they need us for?”

Adam downed his water, narrowing his eyes at the word 'mandatory', “Apparently it’s important.”

“It’s always important, Adam,” Cass snapped, grabbing her coat, and quickly pulling her hair back as she got ready to leave.

Adam stretched, and finally stood up, setting his cup in the sink, before heading to the door, feeling he was presentable enough as-is. He patted Cassandra's shoulder as he passed by, which coming from him, may as well have been an affectionate hug, "Just relax. I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle."

---

Time: 6:57 P.M.

They approached the conference room, Cassandra’s pace quickening as her nervous steps echoed through the hall, sounding much louder in her head than they did in reality. Or at least, she hoped they did. She paused to compose herself, taking a deep breath as Adam caught up to her, giving her a look as if to say, You good? She nodded, standing up straight, and stepping forward to face whatever challenge was about to be set before her.

There were already three people in the room. Living outside of Spiral wasn't always too convenient, and she hoped arriving so close to the start of the meeting didn't reflect too poorly on her. A polite smile quickly donned on her face, covering her inner turmoil as she looked over her colleagues, “Hello." Two of them she recognized as a pair she always saw together, but never got the chance to talk to. They were quiet, and she was drawing a blank on their names, but she always sort of hoped she would get to meet them. There were hardly any other girls who worked for Chess. She nodded to them before turning to the third, her polite smile becoming slightly more genuine as she sat next to him. “Hi Soma. It's nice to see you again.” And now there was someone she knew. His carefree nature seemed an odd fit to her for their line of work, but she had to admit, it made him easy to be around.

Adam followed quietly, sitting next to her. His eyes lit up briefly when he saw Soma, immediately searching for his familiar. He was the only person he knew who actually had one, and seeing Liye would be a nice surprise, to what he otherwise expected to be a dull evening. Not finding them, however, his eyes dimmed again, and he looked down at the table, “Evening,” he said to no one in particular. The other two, he recognized, as people he had never been that interested in meeting after learning the girl’s power was light, or fire, or something. It didn’t matter which to him. They both sounded unpleasant to be around, however cool they might be.
Hopefully this wouldn't take too long...

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

Hudson Rudrake
interaction:
location: Black Spiral​

Hudson well hudson was half asleep on the couch in his house, listening to the TV some old nature documentary about sand cats when his phone buzzed causing him to fall over face first onto the floor and this waking him up. “ajdhfrufhf wh” he’d look around rubbing his head before picking up his phone and reading the message bit confused but frankly sure seemed fine.. he just had to get ready.. and luckily his anchor scythe was left on the table just what he’d been using to cut pizza. And the rest of his usual putfit was mercifully dry. And he could just get it on without much fuss and with that he was out the door and off to the black spiral… and he forgot his hat.... but that’s fine right?
——-
by the time Hudson arrived at the conference room he was at least awake missing his fairly iconic hat it did look a little odd but he’d resigned to just getting too this meeting without any delay rather then keeping his full image intact this had to be important right only one way to know wait and see what was said.

 

[MisoraUni]

Sinnan De Fiore

▸Location: Black Spiral | ▸Date: April 1st

▽ scroll ▽

▸ 6:45 am.

♪ Ding! - Ding! - Ding! ♪

...

♪ Ding! - Ding! - Ding! ♪

A hand reached out from the depths of cyan colored bed sheets adorned with lace embroidered seagulls. The hand grabs the dark blue object that was dinging incessantly for the past ten minutes and dragged it into the covers. She tapped around groggily until- ♪ Di- She found the "OFF" button on her phone's alarm app and tapped it. Sinnan's mouth opened involuntarily to let out a big yawn. "aaAAAugh!" Sinann kicked her covers off and flip flopped out of her water bed to a standing position, phone still in her right hand. She looked and leaned to her left, brought her left hand up to move the white linen curtain to the side and peer out the window to see the sun just barely peaking through a crack in between two buildings off in the distance. She took a step away from the window wondering what the time was and brought the phone up and tapped the screen until it opened to the clock. "7:04.. Okay that's not bad."

She dressed herself into her blue and black active wear sports bra, black tennis skirt, knee high black compression socks, and her running shoes that match the sports bra, as well as a light breezy sky blue mesh hoodie to top it off. Sinann lifted herself up after having been knelt down while tying her shoes, then she picked up her wallet from the little table on the right side of her bed. She dropped it into the left zipper pocket of her jacket and placed her phone in the right hand pocket. She went into the bathroom and grabbed a black hair tie and tied the top half of hair into a little pony tail at the back. She then hopped out to the front door of her apartment, opened the door, made sure it closed behind her and waited till she heard a beep while she bent her body into a forward fold. As soon as the beep occurred denoting her door was locked, she unfolded herself and went off jogging down the hallway, into the stairwell, down the 3 flights of stairs, then out the side door of the apartment complex.

She felt the crisp morning air billowing against her face with each thunk of her shoe against the ground. Sinann always makes sure to go across a bridge to see the river not far from her apartment when she goes on her morning runs. Some ducks were diving for their food in it today and paddling about through the water very gracefully. The current wasn't particularly as strong as normal because it hadn't rained in a while.

Sinann continued on across the bridge until she reached a cafe that she frequents for breakfast. She slowed her pace as she arrived and by the time she was at the entrance she was walking. The bell on the door dinged as she swung it open, an office worker was ordering ahead of her so she took a seat to her right to wait. While they finished up, Sinann grabbed a napkin and fanned herself off with it, then wiped up the sweat on her neck. The office worker grabbed their order and went out the door. "And with that, I rise! - Gooood~ morning!" She said to the barista while she walked up to the counter, it was an older woman this morning. Usually it's a college girl. "Hello, young lady."

"I haven't seen you before." Sinann leaned an elbow on the counter. "Usually someone else is here around this time."

"Yeah you'd be talking about my daughter probably, she had an exam today."

Sinann nodded, "Ah!.. Hope that goes well for her. Sinann thought it was a bit odd that a mother and daughter both work in the same cafe... Unless? Sinann tilted her head, a slightly puzzled look on her face.

"Actually I'm the owner of this cafe." The woman said as she lifted her arm up and motioned her hand in a half circle towards the rest of the cafe.

"Oh that makes more sense now. Wow I can't believe I haven't run into you before, I come here nearly every morning!"

Sinann skimmed her eyes over the menu off to the left on a large screen. "Well at least I've met you now. I really love this place. Your drinks are very refreshing after a run!"

The lady's mouth curved into a smile, "How sweet of you to say. I hope to see you more. Perhaps I'll have to spend a little less time in the back office." The woman tapped her circular glasses back into place. "Have you thought of what to order today?"

"Awe you're welcome! And yes, I'd like an orange pineapple smoothie and a buttered bagel, please!" Sinann lifted her elbow off the counter and grabbed her wallet. She pulled out her bank card and handed it to the owner of the cafe. The owner slid it through the card reader and gave it back to Sinann, "That'll be on the counter in a few minutes. You can take a seat while you wait."

"Oh that's okay I'll just stand here. I prefer to stay active." Sinann scratched an itch on her neck and put her card into her wallet then placed the wallet back into the pocket it came from. She then bounced herself in place without the soles of her shoes escaping from the floor.

The lady turned around and worked on Sinann's order. A few moments of silence later because she was focused on making the smoothie, the woman spoke, "Good to have an active lifestyle, perhaps I should exercise more often." The woman chuckled.

A few moments later and Sinann's smoothie and bagel was placed on the cafe's marble countertop. "Exercise is good to keep yourself loose! I recommend starting out with some yoga." Sinnan winked and turned around on her heels. "See ya!"

"Thank you. See you again soon, young lady!" The cafe owner waved lightly while Sinann headed out the door.

▷〰▷〰▷〰▷〰▷〰▷〰▷〰▷〰▷〰▷

▸ The evening.

Sinann was sitting in the grass on a red and white striped table cloth at a park in her usual attire, having changed out of her workout wear after she got back from eating her bagel. Sinann was slurping up some chicken alfredo fettuccine noodles when her phone dinged at her from her black crossbody bag. "Can I finish my food before you ding at me? Please?" The phone of course couldn't refute back. She slurped up the rest of the noodles and gulped the last few chicken pieces before looking at her phone...

"Ah.. Wonder what I'm being called in for..." Her tone got serious. It was a notice for a meeting from CHESS. "Well at least I decided to eat dinner a little early.." Sinann took a sip of water from her water bottle and stood up from her table cloth. She went over to the trash can and placed the paper food container into it, along with some napkins. She then walked back to the tablecloth and licked her stainless steel fork a few times to clean it off, then placed it into a napkin and rolled it up into the tablecloth. She stood up and began briskly walking back to her apartment.

She wasn't that far from her apartment, it took only about 3 minutes to get back. Sinann placed her key card at the side door's lock, opened the door, and ran up the stairs. Sinann looked at the time on her phone: 5:45pm "Ah sh- I really gotta dash if I wanna catch the train!" She opened up her apartment door and while half in and outside of her apartment, she threw the tablecloth onto the couch in the lounge room directly right of the door. "I'll deal with that later." Then she ran back out of her apartment and down the main stairs to the main entrance this time. She waved to George, the security guy at the counter, "work again?"

"Yep!"

"Man you've got some wild hours."

"Eh, it's not that bad. What I am doing is for the good of the world so I'm okay with it. Later, George." She said that all in one breath and then darted out the door. Sinann ran herself to the commuter train station not too far from her residence.

▸ 5:59pm

She looked at the schedule screen... "Where are you, my train?" She pouted as her eyes skimmed it twice until she saw it. "Ahhh! It's already here!" She ran over to the terminal, train still there. She swiped her phone on the digital card reader and bolted onto the train.

Geez, another minute and I'd have been late, that was close.. Maybe I need to move closer to the building... But nothing was available when I moved here and the dorms they offered didn't suit my lifestyle... Oh well. She took a moment to catch her breath and sat in an empty spot near the back of the car.

▸ 6:45pm

Sinann weaved herself through the last of the people getting off work for the day and exited the train station. The station is about 9 minutes by jogging from the CHESS building. She effectively only has 3 minutes to skedaddle through the building after jogging over if she doesn't want to be late. So, skedaddle, she did.

▸ 6:57pm

Sinann speed walked through the hallway and into the conference room of Black Spiral. Sinnan brushed her right hand through her hair and waved. She took a quick moment to scan the room. It all appears to be people she's only ever seen in passing. "Hey guys! I'm here. And I am NOT late."

She panted and dropped herself into an open seat next to two others who had just sat down about 20 seconds before her, of the two it was the blonde one she was nearest to. She slightly rolled her chair a bit away to give him some space, it's a big table after all. Sinnan took a deep breath, in and out. She adjusted her necklace and bracelet, then took out her water bottle only to see that it's empty... "Ah.." She muttered. Well that's an easy fix for her. She unscrewed the cap and placed her right pointer finger in the top, it glowed and water began flowing from her finger into the bottle. Once at the appropriate level, she stopped and replaced the lid. She took a sip. "Tch, not cold enough to stop me from feeling hot," Sinann muttered lightly. She placed the bottle back down and fanned herself with a small yellow notepad that she pulled out of her bag while she waited for the meeting to start.

▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸
Replying to: @ - everyone

▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸
Code by MisoraUni | Character art by MisoraUni | Background from Unsplash

 

[Soviet Panda]

Today, of course, had been Connor's day off. Those days were precious to him, it allowed him to escape from work for a while and rot away at home watching whatever came on television. He had fallen asleep while binging several series this way and was forced to re-watch them to make sense of everything. Of course sometimes he'd fall asleep again but that's besides the point. It was during one of these binges of some high fantasy political drama series that he got the message. "Damn," he growled as he read the text that appeared on his phone. Giving a titanic grunt of effort, he hauled himself out of his favorite chair and got his duster coat on. He debated for a brief moment on whether to wear a hat or not, but decided against it. The walk, after all, would be a short one. Chess did not like having their assets outside of arms reach.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little surprisingly, Connor didn't find himself being one of the first to arrive at this meeting. Then again, it was almost 7pm and time to start the meeting. Perhaps he was cutting things a bit close, now that he thought of it. But it wasn't pass the appointed time and the person that wanted them all there hadn't, apparently, arrived yet. Quickly scanning the room, he finds a spot next to a familiar veteran. "Evening, Hudson." Was all Connor said as he took a seat near the hatless sorcerer.

 

[Pumpkid]

The Conference Room

Tags: Soviet Panda Huntertabbysandshark3 Rusty Angel MisoraUni Stern LuLuLu​

Minutes after the group arrived, Victor barged into the room with a commanding presence. One would describe it as a stick up his ass. The serious gaze he adorns as he sets the tablet on a podium says it all. To most, Victor’s aura is peculiar, and contradicting considering he’s dressed as a priest. His golden gaze glosses over each person, noticing some did not look the same as their profiles. Given how long it has been since the beginning, though the photos do get updated when it's due.

“Glad to see you all here. I understand this is an unprecedented meeting as agents don't get called upon for briefings let alone find themselves in a room with co-workers. This a unique case, one meant to be kept under wraps. Anything I say in this room is confidential. If you violate this rule you will be punished.” He squints his eyes as if threatening everyone to keep quiet with the use of intimidation.

“Now, to answer your question on what the hell is going on. You were summoned here because you are chosen for a program designed by the King himself. Victor begins to pace back and forth, hands behind his back and proceeds, “What does it entail for you? Simple, all of you are of different ranks from F to A. You have exceptional skills which The King believes can be harnessed, and tapped into your full potential. This does not just include your powers, but your intelligence, endurance, and ambition. These are important qualities to make you into the perfect soldier.” The blonde cringes. The word felt like the men were fighting a war which they were, but they were not treated like replaceable puppets.

“To achieve greatness, The King has assigned me, Victor Fink, to be your leader for this program. Congratulations, you are all a part of a special task force. You will be allowed to take bounties in your leisure time, but most of it will be spent under my mentorship. You will train and be given missions in pairs or groups. That means you must learn to get along and cooperate with one another.” Victor stops in front of the podium, arms crossed, facing his students.

“For your reward, you will be paid handsomely, more than what you earn on bounties. It will be enough for you to splurge. You will have access to weapons, the archives, medical benefits, etc. Anything you need will be provided under my authorization. Now, any questions?”

 

[Stern LuLuLu]

Soma's face lit up with genuine surprise as he spotted Cass across the room. Out of all the faces in the organization, hers brought a sense of warmth. He smiled back at her, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. “Cass! What a breath of fresh air!” he exclaimed, glancing over at Adam, who had joined her. “Adam it's great to see a couple of friends around here!” With a playful grin, he raised his hand, feebly gesturing for a high-five.

Lost in a swirling sea of thoughts about what was going on with all of these characters here, Soma was abruptly brought back to the present when he caught sight of Liye peeking out from her cleverly concealed spot. Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, and before he knew it, she had zipped over to his bottle, stealing a quick sip. In an instant, she bounced into his pocket, snuggling into the soft fabric as if it were her little haven. Just as she was about to retreat into her cozy hideaway, she spotted Cass and Adam nearby and couldn't resist flashing them a sheepest wave. She even offered a shy wave to the Reinharts. Soma couldn't contain his laughter as he witnessed this delightful scene unfold before him. "Don't mind her; she’s just a bit shy," he chuckled. When two older gentlemen and a winded girl who walked in Liye would poke her head out from her hiding spot to see who they were and to watch the meeting her eyes and ears visible twitching now and then sometimes staring down the newcomers to the room.

Not long after, an impeccably dressed man strode into the room, instantly commanding attention. Soma paused, trying to place him. It clicked—Victor Fink. As he introduced himself and explained the purpose of the meeting, his confident demeanor suggested he held significant influence within the organization. They gave off the vibe to back it up. “He is kinda scary and when do we go for snacks “. Liye whispered to Soma said still hiding.

As Victor opened the floor for questions, Soma leaned in, his curiosity visibly sparked. “Can I ask what the driving force is behind bringing us all together in this unique group? Collaborations happen all the time, but forming a dedicated team like this certainly raises some eyebrows—especially from the King himself.” His voice had a casual vibe, but there was an undercurrent of genuine intrigue. After a brief pause, he continued, shifting his tone slightly as he glanced around the room. “And what about you makes you the chosen leader of this remarkable group?” With a playful grin, Soma took a sip from his drink.

Spoiler: Interactions

Pumpkid Soviet Panda Rusty Angel MisoraUni Huntertabbysandshark3

 

[Rusty Angel]

Cassandra returned his high-five with equal feebleness, feeling slightly silly performing the gesture, especially before what she assumed would be an important meeting, but already her bundled nerves were relaxing. Soma's infectious playfulness made her miss her early days with Chess when she and Adam still lived at the Spiral. They got to see him more often then.

Adam nodded to him in acknowledgement, but didn't fully turn until Liye made an appearance. His eyes sparkled to life when she raced to take a sip of water and then waved to the people in the room, "Hey Liye," he said, almost gently.

He kept glancing at her as the next two people trickled in, not nearly as interested in his colleagues. They were just more faces he couldn't put names to, but then a girl took the seat beside him. Waiting for Liye to resurface again, his attention was torn away when the girl took out her water bottle, and with the point of a finger, refilled it. He watched from the corner of his eye. A water sorceress.

Pointing his own finger at the bottle to chill her drink at the mention of being hot, his eyes slowly turned to each person sitting around the table, looking as dull as ever, but there was the slightest spark of curiosity. These weren't mere everyday faces he could catch in a crowd when he walked down the street. Each of them harnessed power over an element. Something he wanted to know and see. Looking made him realize that the men who came in before 'water girl' were significantly older, and, turning back to the one with fire/light powers, his eyes fixed briefly on the guy sitting next to her. He'd never payed him much mind before, but the blindfold over his eyes did make him pause. Now that he saw them, he couldn't find any similarities between anyone here.

Setting his hand back down, he leaned towards Cass and Soma, "What do you think-"

He was swiftly interrupted by a priest, or something, storming into the room. His moment of intrigue was over and he leaned back into his seat, now watching this strange character with all the fascination of a brick wall. Their clothes were kind of funny, though.

Beside him, Cass immediately straightened at their speaker's sudden appearance, folding her hands neatly in front of her. Like Adam, she couldn't recognize or place Victor Fink, but his commanding presence was enough to make her hang onto every word for dear life. Her eyes widened when he explained the reason for their meeting. The King had picked them? Even Adam? Even her? Her mouth dropped slightly, though she clamped it shut, looking down at her hands to hide her astonishment. This meant they had to be doing something right, right? A wave of excitement washed over her, her folded fingers tightening until her knuckles turned white. Maybe this was just the sort of challenge she needed. Maybe things were actually working out after all! Maybe this could help her progress with her abilities and her skin would finally stop crawling with-

She paused. Soldiers? Not Obsidian Knights? She didn't know why. Maybe it was the way Victor seemed to grimace when he said it, but that sounded off to her. Her high strung excitement began to ebb. Come to think of it, he hadn't given a reason for why a program like this was suddenly needed, other than the King's orders. Were the people in here really just that special? Was she? She shared a questioning look with Adam, who didn't really return it, but her thoughts were interrupted when Soma put a voice to her own confusion, albeit, without the same dubiousness.

His effortlessly calm way of taking in the news made her rethink her misgivings. This was a good opportunity. She didn't want to let it slip due to irrational worrying!

Spurred on by Soma's lack of hesitation in voicing his questions, she tried to emulate his casual demeanor, but as she crossed her arms, fixing Victor with a direct stare, she couldn't quite hide the skepticism in her voice, "What sort of missions are we undertaking, and how are they different from regular bounties?"

Adam caught onto her skepticism, but he didn't really share her concern. Sure, some things this guy said were questionable. Certainly, no one had ever called him 'ambitious' before, but he honestly didn't care what the King decided to do with them so long as they were compensated. There was only one thing he was actually wondering.

"Who are you exactly? I've never seen you around." This was followed by a tired "What?" as he received an irritated look from Cass.

 

[MisoraUni]

Sinnan De Fiore

▸Location: Black Spiral | ▸Date: April 1st

▽ scroll ▽

Sinnan watched with her eyebrows raised as her water suddenly became chilled with ice summoned by the blonde next to her. She turned her head to face him and beamed a bright smile, her hands clasped together giddily. "Thank you~" She whispered. She turned her head back towards her water and picked it up with both hands, then took a large nice and refreshing sip and sipped a few more times before placing it back down. She then crossed her arms and leaned on the table a bit and began to tap her right hand against her left arm lightly.

Spoiler: Sinann smiley sketch if you want to see it :)

A few moments later the chosen leader of this group entered quite boldly and started on about why all who is in the conference room were brought together. He honestly was dressed a bit oddly but some others in the room were as well. Was all of that even comfortable? She peered at the other one wearing what seemed to be an uncomfortable outfit, an older gentleman with long silver hair. She looked back to the leader who introduced himself as Victor Fink. She shuddered at the discomfort those outfits gave her just by looking at them. How can people wear that and expect to be able to move freely? She shook her head lightly and continued listening to the man speaking.

A few select words he spoke stood out to her:

▸ "...special task force. ...You will train and be given missions in pairs or groups."

▸ "...you will be paid handsomely..."

▸ "...access to weapons, the archives, medical benefits, etc. ...under my authorization."

So this is a task force? Why would they need one when the obsidian knights exist? Why us specifically when there's countless people at this organization? I mean this was brought about by the King himself, so he sees potential in us... Does that mean he thinks we all in this room could end up as obsidian knights? That might be a bit of a stretch though... All of this made her think this was part of something bigger. The threats of the Impurities must be on the rise if a special task force outside of the obsidian knights had to be made. This made her all the more curious. Does this mean I'll get to handle tougher impurities? I'd love to learn about how the higher tiers function, and what makes them appear and exist in the first place. She also heard they'll be getting paid much more than average for partaking in this task force, at least that's an incentive to stay for people who cared about money. Sinann will just end up saving the extra money she earns from this. Her interest is piqued and she doesn't mind being part of a task force if it helps her to learn more about the nature of impurities, regardless of compensation or not. Apparently they will have access to more facilities as well, the archives being in Sinann's sights, there should be a lot of information written down in the archives for her to attain.

When Victor asked if there were any questions, Sinann thought her previous ones were best kept to her own thoughts for now and instead decided to ask a different question. She took a glance at the others before asking, "so are the groups and or pairs predetermined or is it decided on a case by case basis?" She wanted to know if she'd have an opportunity to work with everyone in the room on missions eventually so she could learn about what they're all like.

▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸
Replying to: Rusty Angel | Stern LuLuLu | Pumpkid | Soviet Panda | Huntertabbysandshark3
▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸
Code by MisoraUni | Character art by MisoraUni | Background from Unsplash
▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸

 

[Tub2]

Year 1, April 1st.
Time: 6:25 PM

The room smelled faintly of expensive cologne and aged leather, the air thick with unspoken tension. Dylan sat at the head of a long, polished table in her private suite, a glass of untouched whiskey at her side, her fingers drumming against the armrest of her chair. Across from her, a trembling man fidgeted beneath her cold stare, his nervous energy like static in the air—erratic, desperate.

“Explain,” she said coolly, her voice measured, deliberate.

The man swallowed hard, his gaze flickering between Dylan and the two enforcers standing at the door. “I—I didn’t know they’d make a move so soon. The shipment was supposed to be secure.”

Dylan remained still, her expression unreadable. “Yet it wasn’t.”

He flinched at her words, sweat beading at his temple. “Please, Ms. Kato, I just need a little more time to fix this.”

Dylan exhaled through her nose, slow and controlled. This was the third time in two months that a Kurogane Syndicate asset had been compromised under his watch. Incompetence was an inconvenience she did not tolerate.

Her phone buzzed on the table.

Without looking, she picked it up, eyes still locked onto the man before her. A single notification flashed across the screen:

"Urgent! Report to the conference room at 7:00 PM at the Black Spiral. Yes, it’s mandatory."

She clicked the phone off, setting it down with little more than a flicker of acknowledgment. Chess could wait. This was more important.

Dylan leaned forward slightly, steepling her fingers. “You’ve put my family’s operations at risk. That’s not something I overlook.”

“Please, just give me—”

She lifted a hand, silencing him. “I don’t believe in second chances. I believe in results.”

A sharp nod to her men was all it took. The enforcers seized the man by the arms, dragging him from the room as his protests dissolved into panicked pleas. Dylan remained unmoved, reaching for her glass of whiskey but setting it back down untouched.

Only then did she check the time—6:30 PM.

With a quiet sigh, she pushed back from the table and rose to her feet. Chess didn’t make demands without reason. If they called a mandatory meeting, something was in motion. And if she wanted to be one step ahead, she needed to be there.

She made her way to her wardrobe, selecting an outfit that balanced professionalism and effortless dominance—a dark fitted silk dress, Falling down to her ankles where the met her matching kitten heels. Her hair, sleek and pinned back, left no room for disorder.

A final glance in the mirror confirmed what she already knew—she was ready.

With precise movements, she grabbed her coat, phone, and keys before exiting the room.

Whatever Chess wanted, she would hear them out.

But they had better not have wasted her time.
_________

The heavy oak door clicked shut behind her, muffling the last of the desperate pleas that had echoed through the room moments prior. Dylan barely spared a glance back. The matter had been dealt with—efficiently, decisively. Whatever happened next was no longer her concern.

She checked her phone. 6:42 PM.

Her eyes flicked over the message once more before she slid the device into her coat pocket. Urgent. Mandatory. She scoffed under her breath. Everything was always urgent to them. Chess operated under the illusion of control, but Dylan knew better. Power belonged to those who took it, and she had no intention of being at anyone’s beck and call.

Still, she made her way out, stepping into the sleek black car waiting just outside. The drive was quiet, the city lights bleeding past tinted windows, reflecting off the cold glass like ghosts of the world outside. Dylan sat back, resting her chin against her knuckles, her mind already working through possibilities. If Chess was calling its agents in, something was happening. Something worth knowing.

By the time the car rolled to a stop, the time read 7:03 PM.

Dylan stepped out without haste, her heels hitting the pavement with a sharp click. Before her loomed the Black Spiral—
_________

She moved with purpose, weaving through the lounge until she reached the entrance to the room they would be meeting. The heavy double doors stood shut before her, the faint hum of conversation barely audible from within.

She checked the time once more. 7:05 PM.

Late. But only barely.

Not that she cared.

With a smooth push, she stepped inside, unfazed by any lingering glances at her delayed arrival. She met no one’s gaze for longer than necessary, moving to take her seat as if she had been there the entire time.

She crossed one leg over the other, settling in with a slow, measured breath.

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

Hudson Rudrake
interaction: Pumpkid Soviet Panda
location: Black Spiral​

"evening Connor nice to see your here too" Hudson replied the other veteran being the only man he recognised here everyone else being entirely unknown to him Hudson looking over them all with a small hum. mostly kids it seemed oh well he guessed he'd have to play serious dad for a while shame really still, it was what it was. Victor barged into the room in his priestly attire commanding presence that would probably put the new guys in their place to give them a briefing on what was going on, frankly Hudson wasn't too surprised or at least he didn't look it hard to tell when his face was covered by the half mask he wore. right harnessed to their fullest should be interesting the man simply nodded along listening quietly they'd be put into groups to handle things and be given mentoring well Hudson honestly wasn't too sure what else he could learn at his level but hey he wouldn't pass up some pointers and the like always room to improve. “Right then sounds like a good deal to me” Hudson would say not having much else to add

 

[Pumpkid]

Victor Fink

Interactions: Stern LuLuLu Rusty Angel MisoraUni
Tags: Soviet Panda Huntertabbysandshark3 Tub2
​

The first person who catches his eye is a young man. The expression on his face showed his intrigue on the project, yet his words sounded as if questioning Victor's authority. He's not surprised if everyone wanted answers when forming a group is unorthodox. It's never been something the organization has brought up until now. The question Soma brought up is fair, the problem being he didn't know if it's wise to tell the truth. Victor thought back to his past, and for a moment, recalls why honesty is of major importance. He could not afford to contradict himself after the incident. “You're all a pet project if I'm being bold. All of you are of different ranks, devoted to the organization, and amassed quite a reputation on the front lines. However, some of you need help in reaching to your full potential. You have unique skills that could benefit humanity and tip the scales in our favor."

Victor moves to the podium and pulls up Soma's profile for all to see. “Soma Barbaro, a wind specialist, rank c. You have a contract with an otherworldly creature. A familiar I presume? It shouldn't be a shock that we keep tabs on everyone. It's what the government does to protect you and normies." He scrolls down to view Soma's chart, his performance. “You're a smart one for keeping to a common rank, but that's unfortunately going to change as of today. You asked if we're worried about the looks we will get from others. We're not worried as there are other motives for this group's existence which is best left unsaid after I know you're all worthy." It might sound ominous or even confusing by Victor's vague explanation, but part of him wasn't sure any of them would even take the job seriously let alone be trusted with the real information. What if they go around gossiping, worrying the entire organization. The fault would be put on Victor with no way to defend himself.

“To answer you last question, I'm just a long time agent who's come out of retirement." His attention shifts to another beside Soma. Her name being Cassandra Fields based on the profiles he's read. “The missions you will receive are not that different. You will train and take on bounties. There will be times where I put you on a dangerous mission, one where higher ranks are required, but given the lack of A ranks you will be put into these situations. It can be for back up as in ward away an infestation of IMPS to keep them from merging or reaching deeper into the city. These are examples, of course, but you will be treated as if you are a special task force and assist A rank missions."

Another voice broke out, the one next to Cassandra. Many sat together as if already acquainted except for the older men and the siblings. Victor recognized the twins all too well. His gaze locked onto them for a long while before Nova took noticed and tilted her head. Victor turned back to the audience, “Case by case basis." He answered curtly. “Is everyone satisfied? Good. The rest of your questions will be answered after we take a little field trip." Victor gestures the group to follow. He was unwilling to give them a chance to respond after his question as he felt it was time to move on. Nothing was settled for Victor, call it being cynical, but he had to make sure the chosen group are capable of whatever King has planned. There were no test results, no interrogations mentioned on the file. King chose these people at random, at least in Victor's opinion. Whatever had King decide on these individuals, he will find out soon enough.

---

The Mansion​

Time: 9:00p.m.

​

Arriving by truck to the outskirts of the city where a mansion sits beside a lake ominously covered in fog. There is nothing around for miles surrounded by nature. The moon is high shedding light upon the scenery. Setting foot before the structure, one could sense a dark presence encompass it. The air felt cold as if Spring has disappeared and winter took over. It was clear the mansion was under siege by Impurities, the question being what level threat takes residence.

Victor holds the cross hanging around his neck, studying the house and hoping he chose the right mission for his division. He has to have faith they will make out out alive otherwise their blood would be on his hands. His intentions were dark, yet needed to find out for himself if they are worthy, and up for the task of being part of the program otherwise they might as well be slaughtered. If not him, then another will throw them to their deaths without a second thought. Every employee under Chess is just a solider with selfish desires, but not all are greedy as some harbored good intentions. A rarity, and indispensable inclined to show promise. Unfortunately, they do not last as the good are always taken advantage of. Victor's job as the leader is to whip these misfits into shape, and rise above the ranks. In other words: The perfect weapons.

The blonde turns to the others, tablet in hand to read the reports of the case they have taken. “This mansion has been around since the 1940's, maintained until a decade ago when the hauntings began. It started with light movements from objects. Slowly, there were whispers, blurs running around the halls. Everyone at Chess knows low level Impurities love to cause mischief. What was once a minor situation turned grave starting with the death of an ill family member. One taste of a soul is all that is needed to start a culling. The way Victor read the case file as if telling a story to scare the group. It was just the reality of how Impurities work, deliberately harming humans for their own gain. As mortifying as it is to recount what went on in the mansion, Victor needed to inform them of what they were getting into similar to a binding contract.

He proceeded, “The first members died then came the next set of families, so on and so forth. They were all unexplained deaths. Authorities dubbed the case to be eerie, but to the public it was a homicide. It was too much of a coincidence for it not to be a supernatural crime scene. Many ghost hunting fanatics were lured here, some died in the process, but most bailed fearing for their lives. The house was unable to be sold and was taken off the market." He looks up from the screen, “Impurities can rapidly grow in power in the city because it's populated, but when isolated in the middle of nowhere, it's hard to find prey. Animals? Sure, but they don't quench their thirst and animals are keen compared to normies. They sense danger and stay far away. That being said, Chess has been monitoring this area carefully sending agents to exterminate and purify the mansion." He turns back to the house, eyes narrowed with disgust. “However, many of our kind have disappeared, never to return. It's obvious they died which makes Chess guilty for sending men to be fodder for whatever the hell is in there. It's unknown if there is a tier two or three taking shelter. I wouldn't overlook the possibility and just stay vigilant when you're in there."

The tablet gets clicked off and stashed away. “For the purpose of this assignment, you will be the ones to exterminate and purify the mansion, if for any reason you are unable to do so, well..." The blonde crosses his arms, eyes dropping to a dark and distant gaze. “...You might as well give up and drop dead. Your teammates are not liable for your mistakes. You shouldn't rely on anyone to help you. In a war, there will come a time where you will stand alone and while strength in numbers is a good idea, it won't always be the case."

Victor faces the mansion, arm out stretched with two fingers pressed as he conjures up as much mana as he could into his hand. He snaps his fingers after chanting, “Reveal." An invisible cloak falls unveiling what truly lurked around the mansion. Black, webs attached to the estate all around like a virus. Even the grass was covered in puddles of black gunk. The webs pulsed as if alive. A horrific display of an infestation. “This is what happens when you leave an IMP for too long. It's made it's nest which means there might be other IMPS taking refuge here. Of course, that's not something the organization teaches you, is it? All of you are accustomed to taking a bounty, kill the target and reap your reward and rise above the scoreboard. Sometimes you are in groups, given a briefing with not enough context to keep you on a leash. That's not what this program is. You will learn along the way just how dangerous IMPS are."

He points to the mansion. “If you're curious and want to learn more try to survive and I will tell you what you need to know. I will give you instructions on how to purify an infestation. Find and kill the alpha. They have more color on them, red, mostly, and much larger than their friends. Lastly, search for the heart of the webs. It takes the form of a literal cocooned beating heart. Careful, it reeks and seeps miasma. The only way to destroy is by using your magic or an enchanted weapon." Victor steps aside for the squad to enter through the gates. “If you're thinking of splitting up, might be a good idea. Up to you if you want to risk it. Good luck to all of you." The cross is held tighter as he whispers a prayer for them.

 

[Stern LuLuLu]

Soma felt a wave of relief wash over him as Cass and Adam walked into the meeting. He always had a good rapport with Cass, dating back to their childhood, and their friendly banter lifted his spirits. When Adam posed a probing question about Victor, Soma couldn’t help but smirk and reply, “That’s the question of the now, isn’t it?” Liye would give him a simple response “Hi Ad”.

As Victor began fielding questions about the purpose of the meeting, his responses were as elusive as smoke, avoiding any direct answers. Instead, he dropped a surprising bombshell—he finally granted Soma the promotion he had been postponing. Victor even remarked on Soma’s savvy for waiting. Soma caught off guard but also a bit irritated, could only stand up from his seat and muster up a half-hearted, "Not cool." Before sitting back down. Well, his new rank is official now.
Liye, unable to suppress her amusement, let out a giggle, clearly reveling in the unexpected turn of events. "Congratulations! It's about time." she chimed in, her tone playful and light-hearted. Before she would crawl back into her hiding spot.

Soon after answering all the questions, he motioned for them to follow him. Find himself in one of the organization's trucks still a bit irritated as the group departs for the outskirts of the city where a mansion sits beside a lake ominously covered in fog.

When they arrived at their destination Victor stood confidently at the forefront, his voice steady as he shared the tale of their poperation and the storied history of the mansion. Then he showed a display of power and the effects that the imps had on the mansion. Soma leaned back, captivated by every word, his curiosity piqued. While that was happening, Liye flittered down to Soma's bag, diving in and emerging with a small pouch of treats. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she began munching happily, then offered some of the treats to Soma. Soma chuckled and nibbled a few, watching as Liye devoured the rest with glee. Soma thought for a moment this was not just going to be a normal job. The objective was clear imps had been wreaking havoc for far too long, and it was time for the organization to take control but there was more to it. As he started to make his way to the mansion.” A trial run of sorts.”

“I’m open to teaming up with anyone,” he thought, excitement bubbling within him. “After all, we’ll be working as a team from this point forward.”Perched high atop his head, Liye was a bundle of energy, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. As the moment to launch their operation approached, she chirped enthusiastically, “Tallyho!”
What awaited them in that shrouded mansion? Only time will tell.

Spoiler: interactions

Pumpkid Rusty Angel MisoraUni Huntertabbysandshark3 Soviet Panda Tub2

 

[Rusty Angel]

Cass listened, not at all satisfied with Victor’s answers. When he admitted to withholding information until they could prove themselves, she dug her nails into her arm, trying not to let her gaze falter as he went on. Suddenly, all her nerves leading up to the meeting were beginning to resurface. Adam watched her from the corner of his eye before letting his gaze drift back to the table. He only looked up again, briefly, when Soma was suddenly promoted.

A little confused that Victor would describe Soma’s promotion as ‘unfortunate’, but nevertheless, happy for him, Cass turned, smiling excitedly despite the slight pang of envy she felt deep within. When she saw Soma’s reaction to the news, however, the look dissolved, replaced with more confusion. It had been going around for a while that he might be promoted. After all that time, she would have assumed he’d be happy. Glancing back at Adam to see if he was as perturbed by this as she was, she found he was back to looking at the table, as though he had tapped out of listening to whatever else Victor had to say. Leaning back into her seat, she wondered exactly what the King had been thinking when he selected everyone. Herself included.

---

On the ride over to Victor’s “field trip”, Cassandra sat quietly, lost in her own thoughts as she stared out the window. Things were moving incredibly quickly, and with all the revelations of the evening, she was having trouble keeping up. Upon reaching their destination, she only grew more anxious, set on edge by the sight of the looming mansion. As she listened to Victor describe their mission, her apprehension grew, but she grounded herself in determination. This was their first job as a ‘task force’. For all her misgivings, she refused to fall behind too quickly.

Beside her, the scene seemed to be having the opposite effect on Adam. When they first stepped out of the truck, the chill in the air did not set him on edge, rather, he almost seemed to relax into it. He had a cognizance that was completely absent before, his eyes glued to the dark structure as Victor gave them a vague description of what they would be facing. He flexed his fingers, already feeling the flow of mana running through him, eagerness showing on his face in a look that seemed much more awake than before.

He trailed behind Cass, as she stepped forward along with Soma, reaching her hand into her coat to find Florian, gripping its stem tightly as she moved.

“Look alive Adam,” she muttered, speaking more to dissuade her remaining nerves despite directing her statement at him.

“Don’t worry.”

 

[MisoraUni]

Sinnan De Fiore

▸Location: Black Spiral > Imp infested Mansion | ▸Date: April 1st

▽ scroll ▽

Shortly after the breifing, the bunch of them were carted off to some dingy mansion in the middle of a forest. The forest was a welcome venture, Sinann was observing the trees and the surrounding area of the mansion before looking upon it once Victor did a spell to show just how horrid it really looked. It was then when she started actually listening to what he was droning on about because it was information about impurities she hadn't known before. They can form nests? Hmm. Well, yeah I guess I should have figured that out. It's not exactly far fetched.. "Speaking of imps, I wonder what they feel like based on the tier, like is it fleshy or hairy or a mixture? Or maybe something else?" She muttered that to herself, for no one in particular to hear.

“If you're curious and want to learn more try to survive and I will tell you what you need to know... Find and kill the alpha ...more color ...much larger than their friends. ...search for the heart of the webs. It takes the form of ...cocooned beating heart ...The only way to destroy it is ...magic or an enchanted weapon." Sinann nodded as she listened to Victor's basic instructions. Now that they were given the go ahead to exterminate the imps Sinann peered around at some of the others. Who should I team with?.... Her eyes went back and forth from the icy blonde, the girl he's hanging around, and the newly promoted agent. Icy and the girl he keeps following? And the girl icy keeps following appears to like hanging around that Soma guy so I assume the 3 of them would go together. Then I'll just ask him so they can have one more, he seems talkative. Sinnan walked ahead of the blonde, and the brown haired girl, she heard her say the name Adam in regards to who Sinann had been calling 'Icy' in her head. She'd take note of his name. Sinann unstrapped her weapon from her side and held it in her right hand, a spear but still in it's short form. She tapped Soma's shoulder on his left side. "I'm joining with you guys if that's okay. Name's Sinann. And I've heard you are Soma, correct?" She looked behind herself slightly to the other girl with the nature staff, "What about you? Didn't catch your name yet." Sinann asked while twirling her weapon around like a baton, the crystals on it began to glint with their own light as she did so. It was of course an enchanted weapon, but it isn't always activated as the crystals were dull just moments before she unsheathed it.

Spoiler: Sinann's weapon

▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸
Replying to / Mentions: Rusty Angel | Stern LuLuLu
▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸
Code by MisoraUni | Character / other art by MisoraUni | Background from Unsplash
▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸

 

[Pumpkid]

Draven & Nova

Mentions: Soma Stern LuLuLu Sinnan MisoraUni Adam, Cassandra Rusty Angel ​

As Victor walked into the room, Nova jumped in her seat. Their presence and the way they barged in with purpose was intimidating. She felt like shrinking. It didn’t help with the way they spoke with authority. Draven could hear the footsteps a mile away. He was unfazed by Victor, still wearing his small smile on his face as he listened. Only when Victor mentioned the purpose of the arrangement did Draven react. He was chosen to be in a group operation which to him is concerning. Draven is a lone wolf for a good reason. The only person who knew of what was going on was his half-sister. He would be useless around others. He can already envision all the insults. Sticks and stones, but at least he can choose to leave. However, the moment Victor mentioned money is when he perked up. He would get double the pay if he joined.

Nova was elated for Draven, but she can sense a disturbance in his aura. She would have to ask later, for now, her focus was on the presentation. Her eyes went alight, impressed with Soma’s chart. She glances over at him, barely noticing how his table was crowded. It seems they all knew each other, meanwhile Draven and Raven were the only ones who didn’t familiarize themselves with anyone. At least she has her brother, but for how long? She couldn’t cling to him forever even with how curious she is to learn more about her twin. She caught Victor glancing at her which had her puzzled. Is it because she was about to chat up Draven? Best to be safe and be adamant about what he has to say.

After all the questions were out of the way, it was time to head out. To where? No one knew. Everyone followed without a second thought.

The drive was long, away from the city and into the country. Deep into the woods is where she found herself staring in front of a mansion. She could sense the air was dense and cold. Something was definitely not right. The entire landscape was eerie, but the story Victor relayed was ten times worse. It was like listening to a creepy pasta regarding the mansion’s background. Essentially, their job is to explore a haunted house where a high tier IMP has taken refuge. Yeah, this whole trial thing is going to be something. Nova held herself and shivered. She stares up at the entire structure as if finding her resolve to enter. Why did she accept the task? Simple, Nova wanted to use her magic for good and help rise to the occasion that she can do more to help humans. To her, it was like a chance to be a hero and be great.

Whereas Draven did it for money yet fell on the F rank after a mistake. Draven felt bittersweet when it came to the mansion. The families that have died in vain because of IMPS. In some way, he was glad to be slaughtering evil as an easy job. He just hates the fact that it requires magic. If only normies can handle themselves and see the danger before it happens. Draven flexes his hands, nervous about the mission while Nova is ready for a beat down. She raises a fist then jumps around in a boxer stance while jabbing the air. “Alright then, here we go. This is it. Something super important just fell onto my doorstep? Am I going to take this opportunity to get somewhere? Hell yes! No turning back. I have to purify this house of all evil, for I am a witch of light!”

Draven raised an amused brow and crossed his arms. “Are you done narrating, young warrior?” He teased. Nova’s bubble has popped, she turns to Draven, embarrassed for talking loudly to herself.

Her cheeks grow rosy and rub the back of her head bashfully. "Oh…uh…yeah, I am. Sorry.” As one of the members passes her, she approaches a trio from earlier asking to join. “Oh, it seems they’re sticking together. We should join.” Nova eagerly starts to waltz over when Draven pulls her back by the arm.

“No. We are not joining anyone. It’s best to split up and cover more ground.” He argued.

Nova blinked over Draven’s hold. “What? Why? Strength in numbers.”

“I didn’t join to make friends even if it is a nice thought. You know why I cannot work with others.” He remembered without saying what exactly he was hiding.

Nova frowned, wanting to convince him. She squeezes his arm and speaks softly, “Draven, I’m sure everything will be okay. I got your back. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Draven stood quiet as if contemplating on a decision, but ultimately rejected the idea. “If you wish to go with them, by all means. I can explore alone.” Truth be told, Draven felt safer with his sister there to do the work, but at the same time, she would be safer without him.

Nova being the kinder of the two, looks between him and the group. “Alright,” She sighed. “Let’s go alone, but if someone tries to join, we are not saying no. It’s dangerous for them to work alone when they ask for help, got it?” Draven had to chuckle and put his hands up in surrender. It’s not like he was binding her to a contract, but he expected her to at least have some understanding in which she still has yet to learn about him.

---

[Entrance/Foyer]



[Halls/Corridors]

​

As they entered the mansion, signs of dark webbing could be spotted all around the entrance. Regardless of being called webs, they looked more like a hive fort than anything. There were two stairs leading to either side. The west wing and the east. No light to illuminate the room except for the moonlight peering through the windows.“Hachi Machi, it’s so disgusting, and creepy.” Nova shuddered and stood close to Draven as the webs throbbed. “I don’t like this at all.” She whimpered.

Draven gave a consoling pat on the head.“You’re fine. You can overcome whatever lies await, champion.” He chidded. “I can’t see what you see, but I can hear the grotesque noises around the mansion. Something is definitely here and its noises are…jarring.” He furrows his brows listening closely to anything unusual. “Let’s start heading to the East wing.” Nova nods and follows her brother to the east side of the corridors to investigate.

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

Hudson Rudrake
interaction: Pumpkid Soviet Panda​

Hudson listened, the answer to the questions satisfied him well enough that he didn't really have anything to add not that they'd get a chance too since they where already heading off too there first job it seemed that suited Hudson just fine he was hoping for a bit of action anyway made sure he didn't get too rusty. He smiled this was gonna be a pretty good day hopefully he got to know some of the new guys before anything bad happened.
---
the team arrived by truck too the mansion place looked sufficiently haunted it has the aesthetics for it anyway Hudson having spent the trip cracking corny jokes and sharpening his anchor blade his sense of humour having not been dulled by year of this sorta stuff even if it got fairly predestrian still. Least they knew exactly what they where supposed to be dealing with that made life a lot easier alphas web heart purify the place don't die and get more info simple enough job one he'd done at least a few times in his life. "Well splitting up doesn't sound all too bad of an idea so long as we keep to small groups anyone else wanna tag along? connor how about you? Should show the new guys how we handle these situations at least"

 

[Stern LuLuLu]

As Soma approached the ominous mansion, he was joined by Cass and Adam. Cass, always the prepared one, readied her weapon, while Adam strolled beside them, a newfound determination gleaming in his eyes. Soma noticed a shift in Adam from earlier, and a wave of relief washed over him. It felt good to have them both by his side for this haunted mansion operation. He flashed them a reassuring smile. “Let’s make a memorable first day as a team—just not too memorable if you catch my drift.” He said with a smile trying to lift some spirits a bit more. Liye would speak up seeing the other two. ” Forward”.

Just as they neared the imposing structure, a voice called out from behind them. A newcomer had joined their group—Sinann. And asked to join their Mary band. She tapped Soma lightly on the shoulder, introducing herself, and asked to join their merry band. “Of course! Nice to have you.” Soma replied with enthusiasm. “I’m Soma, and this here is my partner, Liye.” Liye, ever the reserved one, merely stared at Sinann, too shy to offer a greeting. Soma chuckled softly, “Don’t mind her; she’s just warming up to you. You’ll get used to it. I will let the others introduce themselves.”

With a keen eye, Soma watched as Sinann brandished a staff, ready for action. Feeling the adrenaline build, he reached into his bag and pulled out his combat knife. The day didn’t call for his sword to be serviced, but he would have to make do. As he strapped the knife to his side, a sense of this was not just about the mission to face the unknown.


As two more individuals made their way toward the mansion, anticipation crackled in the air. Soma inhaled deeply, steeling himself for what lay ahead, before releasing a long, measured breath. Upon entering, the atmosphere felt oppressive, stirring an unease within him. “The wind in this place feels terrible,” He would say to the group.

Liye wrinkled his nose in response. “It’s so icky,” he agreed, glancing at the other pair as they moved away. With a friendly wave, Soma called out, “Good luck, you two call my name out to the winds for emergencies. The same goes for you, Miss…”.His mind was blank, not knowing who she was but she did make an entrance showing up to the meeting late.

Turning back to his group, Soma’s expression was resolute. “Since we already have a team on the ground floor, let’s head upstairs.” He began ascending the staircase, a hawkish awareness settling over him as he navigated toward the west wing. With every step, the air seemed to thicken, urging caution as the mansion’s secrets beckoned from the impure shadows.

Spoiler: interactions

Rusty Angel MisoraUni Pumpkid Tub2

 

[Rusty Angel]

As the mansion loomed ever-closer, Cass took a deep breath. She nodded to Soma, less receptive to his playfulness in light of the danger awaiting them. When he mentioned making their first job 'not too memorable', she straightened, fiercely determined to make sure things went as smoothly and safely as possible. "Right. No fooling around. Everyone stay on guard."

Behind her, Adam simply nodded, "Don't die."

Both ready to face whatever lay ahead, their demeanors were momentarily broken when the girl who sat next to Adam during the meeting (introducing herself as Sinnan) joined their party. It was only then that Cassandra realized she completely forgot to introduce herself to everyone. She had been so stuck in her own head on the ride over, she just sat without saying a word.

Trying to save face, she offered a polite smile when Sinnan asked for her name. "Sorry I didn't introduce myself sooner. I'm Cassandra. It's nice to meet you Sinnan." She sped up to walk beside the two ahead of her, "Call me Cass."

Adam's eyes trained on Sinnan's weapon as she twirled it, immediately curious about it's magical properties. He moved forward, matching pace with their newcomer. "Hey. Cool trick with the water earlier," he dipped his head, mirroring Cass and Soma's warm welcome to the girl, "I'm glad you decided to join us." While his greeting was more or less a response to Victor's order to 'get along', he was actually a bit excited that 'water girl' had chosen to team up with them. He looked forward to seeing what else she could do.

Once inside the dark structure, Cass immediately felt overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere. Chills ran down her spine, and she took a moment to lean on Florian, steeling herself against the dark. In an instant, her nerves dissipated, and she moved with fervor, nodding in agreement with Soma and Liye's assessments of the place. "You said it. It looks so much worse on the inside."

When Soma called out his farewells to the two who had been sitting alone and the girl who entered the meeting late, she couldn't help adding, "Be careful!" as a wave of concern washed over her. She hadn't even met everyone yet. What if someone didn't survive? And hadn't Victor said there were people ranking from F through A? Was it really fair to put lower ranks through this?

But it's probably a stretch to assume I'm any better off... Sighing, she looked around, letting her eyes adjust to the light. If anyone went off on their own, it was probably because they knew they could handle themselves. Besides, their mentor wouldn't really send anyone in here just to die.... Whatever the case, she needed to focus on the task at hand. The sooner they could get this finished, the better!

Nearby, Adam was taking a closer look at the 'webs' Victor warned them about. "So this is what will be surrounding the heart?" he wondered aloud, examining the hive-like substance with a mix of awe and disgust, "Hm. It's not exactly what I would call 'webbing'. I wonder how the IMPS make this stuff."

His fascination grew exponentially as he studied it. What if he were to touch it? Would it feel every bit as dismal and heavy as the rest of this place? No sooner had the thought entered his mind, however, that Cass practicality materialized beside him, apparently finished worrying over whatever occupied her mere seconds before. She gripped his shoulder with her free hand, giving him a firm, "Don't."

"I wouldn't have," he protested. A full conversation seemed to pass between them as they stared each other down. It ended with Adam crossing his arms over his chest and turning back to the group with a look of mild irritation. Cass let him go just as Soma took it upon himself to head their charge, suggesting they go upstairs.

"Good idea," she paused to address the remaining members of the task force who had yet to move on, "Good luck. I hope we can all properly meet each other soon." With that, she fell in step at the rear of their party with renewed purpose and a sense of dread that refused to go away.

Meanwhile, Adam's anticipation was growing with every step. "Sense anything in particular on the wind, airhead?"

Spoiler: Interactions/Mentions

Stern LuLuLu MisoraUni Pumpkid Soviet Panda Huntertabbysandshark3 Tub2

 

[MisoraUni]

Sinnan De Fiore

▸Location: Imp infested Mansion | ▸Date: April 1st

▽ scroll ▽

Soma introduced himself and Sinann nodded, "Nice to meet you Soma... aaand Liye." Sinann bent forward a tad to look at Liye a little closer "She's cute." Sinann waved at the little familiar then continued walking with the group.

The girl with the nature staff introduced herself next as Cassandra. Sinnan shook her head a bit and waved her left hand breifly, "Don't worry about it, at least I know who you are now! Nice to meet you Cass." Sinnan smiled at the girl.

At Adam's mention of her 'cool trick' Sinann let out a slight giggle. "You call that a cool trick huh? That's just a simple little thing I do when I don't feel like getting water the normal way." She returned his greeting a similar way, "I am also glad I joined ya. Can't wait to see what you all can do." She turned her head to look at the grandiose doors of the mansion as they happened upon them.

Sinann felt an uneasy amount of pressure upon stepping into the mansion. "It feels damp but not in a good way... egh-" She waved towards the others before they split off and said "No dying got it? I look forward to working with you all after this."

Her eyes wandered to Adam. "You just took the thoughts out of my mind, seriously.." She said while dipping down to peer at some of the web like gunk near a corner. "Maybe it comes out of their mouths?..." She stared at the substance for a bit almost wanting to- Oh? She heard Cass confront Adam regarding the goopy webbing. Cass doesn't look too happy about us touching it. But what would happen though? She peered at Cass and Adam for a few seconds. "Let's go exterminate this place mhm." She swiftly backed up and away from the web-goo, and placed both hands onto her weapon so as to bind herself.

Soma mentioned they should start upstairs and she followed with Adam in front. With every step they creaked and croaked. She tapped Adam on the shoulder and whispered. "I would've definitely touched that stuff if Cass didn't interject. It's taking every fiber of my being to not touch it to see if it does anything..."

"I've also wondered what imps even feel like too, to be honest. Like what are they really made of? Is it just dense miasma or is it some other substance? I just feel like if we know what they are truly comprised of it would be that much easier to exterminate them, you get what I mean right? I want to cut them in half and see what's inside them. And there's also different types so are they all different on the inside? Why do they need mana? How did they come to exist in the first place? And what really is the place they come from? I've never heard an official name for it. And why can't it be sealed off? There must be a gate of entry somewhere that the higher ups haven't told us about right? Is this just information that only the higher ups know? Because that Victor fella told us how to get rid of the infestation. How much do they not tell lower ranks besides just using magic to kill the imps that they can handle? I feel like this isn't really fair. If they are using us to kill these things shouldn't they teach us everything they know about them so far??" Sinann got that all out quite rapidly then suddenly stopped herself from voicing her curiosities any further and caught her breath.

"Gosh I went on and yapped too much at you, sorry..." She said still in a whisper tone. Sinann itched the back of her neck and went silent for the rest of their hike up the decrepit stairs.

▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸
Replying to / Mentions: Replying to / Mentions: Rusty Angel | Stern LuLuLu | Stern LuLuLu | Huntertabbysandshark3 | Tub2 | Soviet Panda
▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸
Code by MisoraUni | Character art by MisoraUni | Background from Unsplash
▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸▸

 

[Soviet Panda]

Connor rode in silence to the mansion, doing his best to ignore Hudson's constant quips. It was hard though, the man just couldn't sit still once he got going it seemed. But soon they arrived and they all piled out of the van that had transported them. The mansion itself wasn't much to look at, and it's appearance didn't improve when the illusion was lifted. He'd seen the strands before, how couldn't he when he's been working at Chess for as long as he had, but no one had bothered to tell him what it was and it had never been this bad. He listened with a keen eyed interest as Victor told them what their mission was to be. Go inside and clear the rats nest out, as it were. Easier said than done, he was sure.

"I think we should." Connor replied to Hudson. And with a hand lightly resting on the hilt of his sword, he strolls through the gate and into the Mansion proper. While the young 'uns decided to go exploring upstairs, Connor somehow doubted the nest would be up there. If he had to guess, the imps would want it somewhere dark and away from everything. While the attic did fit this criteria, it felt wrong. Imps crawled up, so it made sense that they'd make their homes somewhere down first. "Basement," he told Hudson confidently, already strolling deeper into the manor in search of a way down. Fancy places like these tended to hide how to get to places that weren't often used, such as the basement.

 

[Pumpkid]

Victor Fink

​

Time: 9:10p.m.

Note: You may use the IMPS as you see fit for your character to fight if you have them encounter your character in your post or I can move them for you. Up to you, let me know. I recommend sticking to any Tier 1 IMPS.

P.S: I forgot to add this to the lore but since thankfully no one has killed anything I can tell you as it didn’t cross my mind. When an IMP is vanquished they disperse and drop colorful marble called a core. Depending on the tier or race if it is a hellhound it is green, a Hellcat is blue, and an Imp is red, avian is yellow and siren is purple. They are kept to trade for currency or for enhancements. This will be a sign of proof of slaughter. If the energy is strong it's fresh, if it's weak it's old. More will be added in Lore.

Victor stared at the mansion as if it were a piece of art, waiting for his squad to complete the mission or at the lease, walk out to forfeit. Anything was better than death, and if he was being honest with himself, he would never let his agents die. He wasn’t a monster, he was a priest for a reason. He cared too much, though he closed his heart for the most part. He has total balance between his work and personal life after his mistakes in his youth. The job the group is willing to take on will challenge their humanity, their endurance, and power. So much is on the line, and Victor needed to make sure King was making the right choice.

​

The night grew silent. Not a sound from the chirping crickets, nor the rustling of trees. The mansion has made its mark, capable of warding off the smallest of creatures, and announcing its dark presence through the mansion. After patiently waiting and hearing no cries of horror, Victor decided to spy on his crew. He removes one of his gloves and bites the tip of his index to draw blood. One drop over the singular glyph he made with his heel, and calls, “Spectator!” Emerging from thin air is a flying eyeball with wings. “I have colleagues inside that mansion. I need you to keep watch over them.” The spectator nods, facing the structure and sensing the other’s signature for an estimation. It splits into three smaller ones then sends them off to stick with one of the groups, making sure to observe out of sight.

The West Wing
Team A: Soma, Sinnan, Cassandra & Adam

Tags: Stern LuLuLu MisoraUni Rusty Angel​

As Team A makes their way through the West side of the wing, they will discover the hallways covered in dusty frames of old family photos and paintings of random people from the 18th century. Some were landscape portraits just to fill in the walls and some were covered up. Underneath, family portraits but noticeable that none of them were all the same people, like a collection of victims framed as trophies.

Each room looked the same. a bed, a dresser/ wardrobe with tall, arched windows to peer out of. Two rooms were decorated for children from the size of the bed to the carpet below with puzzles scattered across. Of course some had their own bathrooms, but if one were to look in toilets, they were covered in hive webs. Toy chests, jewelry and anything left behind from the previous owners remained.
Of course, walking through the nest of IMPS means no one is in the clear but instead alerts the residents. Should they open any room, they might encounter an IMP hiding under the bed, hanging from the walls. In the moment, an IMP stalks from above with quiet footsteps. Their eyes focused on one tasty creature that is Lyie, yet the group in question are a buffet for them. Their mouth salivating, yet their eagerness to spook is stronger. They faze through a room where a music box begins to play and fill the silence.

Another peeks around the corner, watching the group. Before they are spotted, they hide in the shadows and bang on the walls. A frame falls off, breaking upon impact. The picture inside is a picture of a mother and her daughter holding a beige, plush rabbit with a blue bowtie and white polka-dots on it. The IMP scurries away making a demonic chuckle. Their presence now known to the group just as the IMPS know their home is being trespassed. It was time for everyone to play.

A low growl emits through the halls, footsteps heavy. Further down the hall, the team will run into this mystery IMP.

The Basement
Team B: Hudson & Connor

Tags: Soviet Panda Huntertabbysandshark3​

It's no surprise Team B were onto something. Their years of experience gave them an upper hand. The darkness is where the IMPS prefer. Cold, and uninviting. The entrance to the basement was found through the kitchen. Inside the fridge is nothing but spoiled food, rusted pots and pans hanging from the pot rack over an island table. Inside the cupboards were canned foods from years ago. Some are still edible like beans, peas, and corn. The kitchen appeared more like a chef’s kitchen which is not a surprise considering cooks are needed for such a home.

The most disturbing part of the kitchen were hints of dried blood stains. The real estate agents are doing their best to cover up a murder, but with the internet and its rumors, no one ever did. Something stuck out from under the fridge, a bloodied knife and two hacked off fingers hidden in the gap sides of the fridge where most don't check. It was blue and rotten from hiding for five years. It was hard to tell if it was chewed off by an IMP Or chopped off without inspecting it closely. There would be some bite marks that say otherwise.

Across the kitchen, beside the empty meat locker, there is a wooden door leading downstairs. The basement, only it was more than that. It was a cellar too. One step inside and it was frigid enough to send a cold shiver down one's spine. Should the light be switched on, there will be barrels and cases of wine left unopened, possibly potent and ripe for the taking. The family must have been heavy drinkers or perhaps the ones before as alcohol was imperative to everyday life. Not only is alcohol found in the basement, a huge hole covered up half-assed by a carpet. A draft coming through and if uncovered will find the burrow deep as an ant colony will go and as freezing as the room is now. Who knows how long and deep it is, but it was wide enough for Connor and Hudson to explore.

Whatever lives in the burrow, is most likely the cause or perhaps just a bunch of IMPS who have improved their tunnel systems through the years. The further in you are, the more likely to encounter corruption. Growls and grunts echoing through the tunnel. The weird part is the singing.

The East Wing
Team C: Draven & Nova

Note: I changed Nova's dialogue color because I noticed a lot of blue, which isn't bad, but it's just in case I ask for a collab in the distant future if there ever will be one. Also, sorry for the constant change in background, trying to figure out what fits.

The twins wandered through the east side of halls finding nothing but black webbings, paintings and photos framed on the wall. Dried up plants in the corner, another broken pot with soil scattered. The plant that resided inside withered into ashes between the floorboards. Nova looked around, nervously. Anything regarding creepy is a big no for Nova. She would much rather be in her room locked away with a cup of coffee streaming her favorite shows. Unfortunately for her, she was stuck between her fears and ambition to see things through like a true hero. She holds onto Draven as he navigates through the darkness. Had it been daylight, she would probably slow them down. Thank goodness for his prowess in shadow magic.

“This place is so…dark and mysterious. Scary, sure, but it feels like there is more to this place. The pictures tell a story and it's so..” Nova stops and stares at one of the pictures. “Sad.”

Draven keeps his ears open for anything unnatural coming their way. There are a bundle of growling noises from various IMPS. It was an infestation and many have taken residence. The one sound that stood out among the rest was the pitter-patter scraping against dirt and the shaking earth with it. He wondered if it was just another IMP, or a higher tier. His best bet is to make sure there is a nest in the east wing, at least.

“That's just part of the darker side of IMPS Victor was talking about. This whole trial thing is about something more. The fact that we did not know about it until now is concerning. Nests, heart, possession, infestation. These are all serious symptoms of which we as agents never heard of. Chess is sketchy, and you wonder why?” Draven’s words were bitter as if spitting venom towards the government that pays him.

“I mean…yeah it's weird that Chess keeps things on a low profile, but maybe it's to avoid deaths and keep everyone safe?” Nova has doubts Chess would go so far to keep secrets because they were selfish. She believed their cause is just and only certain few can learn of the truth to keep them from scaring folks away from the job. It might sound suspicious, but it would be the right call, and as long as they try to protect people, it's all that matters, whether through money or something else.

Draven says nothing. Nova was being naive and there was nothing he could do about it, having tried before, but part of him admired her for having faith that he does not have. Maybe under different circumstances, he would be thinking the same. As they enter a room, they find nothing but a bedroom and the next was the same. Dusty and outdated, yet to Nova it's charming. The sound of flapping catches Draven’s attention, yet he finds no malice from the creature. The spectator did nothing, ceasing its flapping. He can see it through the dark. It was not an IMP he recognized. Nova moved ahead to explore the rest of the halls. She reaches for a door knob when Draven grips her wrist. “There's an IMP inside. It's waiting. Be on alert.” He whispered, stepping back for her to prepare. Nova nods in acknowledgment. She puts on Apollo, holds the knob and takes a deep breath.

As the door creaks open, she looks around the dark room, illuminated by the moon. The chill in the air is evident and dense. Something was in the space with her. Carefully, she looks around with her guard up. Her focus was unbroken. Draven stood in the hall listening carefully. The IMP observes Nova from above, making sure to land on the dresser quietly before pouncing and making a roar at its attempt. What came after was an explosion of fire echoed throughout the mansion and the squeal of an IMP.

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

Hudson Rudrake
interaction: Soviet Panda Pumpkid​

With them actually getting to worm hudson jovial attitude faded away to one more serious locked in as some say, it seemed none of the newbies had taken the offer to join the two old veterans leaving it just them too heading towards the basement through the ruined kitchen it would see everything having rotted leaving Hudson to hum a little bit. “Hmm hopfully we can get this sorted quickly and make sure the other don’t get themselves killed speaking of that guess someone was already killed here“ hudson commented gesturing over too the blood and then the knife under the fridge with a bit of a huff wow they really didn’t try did they?

The poorly canceled hole in the ground was uncovered with ease Hudson pulling the carpet off it and looking down the hole, “well guess we’ve found the nest. core probably gonna be down here and alot more imps after you then Connor ” Hudson commented.