Argenti's Palace

[beautifulknight]

The stage is set they say;
They don their masks and shields,
Shadows creep and cover their minds;
Now, what beautiful role shall they play?

𝓜𝓮𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓷 𝓒𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓵𝓮


♫

Comments

INTERIM BATTLE PHASE: HALL OF MIRRORS

[beautifulknight]

[ The attacks continue to land, Sayaka's Agilao striking hard, followed by Falin's unique attack that somehow does its job really well in helping break the foundation of the statue, right after the other, and finally (but fortunatelly) McGillis' strike being the last, though also integral one that causes the marble to truly begin to crumble. ]

...I...

...I-I'm...

[ But, after Argenti says that, voice uncertain in the face of those words, from Falin, Izou, Aerith, as well as Sayaka, and suddenly the marble stone seems to dispel and crack at a faster rate, falling pieces missing everyone else miraculously, but everyone can catch a sight of the Knight in the midst of it...for about a single moment before he falls.

The fog in the area rushes into the greater part of the area, increasing in volume far more rapidly and intensely, cutting off sight of the rest of the room. There is then a heavy wind that all but shoves everyone backwards with the force of a heavy gale.

The 13 mirrors lower and then surround the group into a circular position, reflecting each and every person that they are floating across from. A shimmer of light echoes all around them afterwards, seen even in the fog; it appears some sort of barrier has been constructed over the general spot they have been pushed into. They can’t proceed until they conquer this mid-fight Trial.

It's not exactly clear what must be done at first, but soon, the images of everyone's flowers reflected in the mirrors begin to distort.

Perhaps a character hears a familiar voice that seems to dull their senses, and weaken their will to resist the temptation to lay down their arms, or a sensation that brings on physical weakness as well as a sudden exhaustion to their body, like they're about to fall asleep (take your pick.)

...Except if the character happens to be Fray. He will not be targeted by this woeful spell. Perhaps it is because he's still Brainwashed. Though he will still his "distorted mirror" across from him. In fact, said mirror shines on the dark knight, rejuvenating his current state! Fray now will have advantage on his next roll.

For the others, a shadow then takes the form of a beloved one in the mirror who may clearly the source of this familiar voice. Surely this must be simply someone posing as one dear to them, but...it feels so real.

...But despite this, everyone knows they have to do something:

Everyone will need to roll one 1d20 initially.

Then another or two depending on their initial result. Mechanics are here.

Please respond icly with the character's response whether they are successful or fail, as well as their roll number(s) with it.

For those who fail on all rolls (or succeed), they will receive a response ICLY on what the next step will be and for an immediate reply to the comment! ]

Re: INTERIM BATTLE PHASE: HALL OF MIRRORS

[beathollow]

( initial roll: 20
unnused attack roll: 3

was there supposed to be anything happening? ... she supposes the image of herself, bloodstained and trying not to cry more, is upsetting but ...


...



OH SHIT FRAY. mafuyu's going to instead cast energy shower, fuck- )

INTERCESSION NEEDED

[beautifulknight]

[ The mirror indeed remains.

The self is always the hardest to face, but for those who have battled so hard within their own selves, maybe it isn't always a struggle.

For now.

...In the end, what becomes clear is that Mafuyu will need assistance to defeat this mirror. ]

[destage]

[Sayaka startles, looking at Argenti as he falls--but then the mirrors come into the picture, and perhaps most startlingly of all, Sayaka resists the voice (20). Or at the very least, doesn't fall into any sort of temptation--she feels sleepy, tired with what she's almost certain is fatigue from the battle...

But the shadow, perhaps startlingly, takes the form of someone Sayaka is hesitant to attack.

Makoto Naegi. There's a part of Sayaka that is stunned to see him, to hear him call for her, but...

...Something soft in her expression happens, and she smiles.]

...This place truly is cruel, isn't it? [...] I wish the real you could be here right now. Maybe you wouldn't be happy with fighting, but you always did have a way of making people try to grasp for hope, Naegi-kun.

I wish I could tell you I'm sorry. For everything that happened. For...trying to betray and use you. [Sayaka's expression softens, and Atropos helps support her briefly as she gets up.] ...What I wouldn't give to tell you about the people I've met here. The people I care about. The people who have...done everything to help me become stronger. I wish I could show it to you. I wish I could tell you everything, even if I don't understand it all.

[Sayaka's grip on her knives tightens, and her resolve steels.]

...But you're not real. And you're going to regret taking the form of the only friends I had in that horrible school!

[...Not sure how well the attack will do, granted, but Atropos aims an Agilao at the mirror (3). Also, Sayaka will use Media on Izou, Eli, and Mafuyu.]

INTERCESSION NEEDED

[beautifulknight]

[ The mirror remains and so does the reflection of Makoto Naegi. His soft features do not dull even in a reflection.

For whatever reason, the influence does not return, either.

In the end, the mirror ends up persisting thanks to the miss with those flames. Perhaps it is harder to take down an image of a dear friend.

...So, in the end, she will need help from one of her allies. ]

[vogelfrei]

[ The satisfaction of having given the statue the final push is short-lived. The mirrors descend and McGillis finds himself confronted with a voice more familiar than any other. Gaelio speaks to him as if nothing had ever happened, as if he was still a shining knight, untainted and pure. The forgiveness he'd almost offered and then withheld is suddenly within grasp--

The image of Gaelio solidifies and it's too late for McGillis to avert his gaze. After a lifetime of pretending not to see, he's looking at this bright eyed fake Gaelio head on.

And he knows it's too late. Whether real or fake, McGillis is dead and Gaelio is alive. Their paths are never crossing again. ]

... after I've resisted him all my life, now you dangle him in front of me like he's a gift you can just give away? Please. Don't make me laugh.

[ And he sends another Giant Slice towards the fata morgana of a man he almost loved. (9) ]

INTERCESSION NEEDED

[beautifulknight]

[ Partings are always filled with sorrow, but conflict.

The heart is never so straight and narrow to be set upon one singular path. But the image persists when it still remains.

The reflected Fata Morgana is sturdier than what it may appear. But, perhaps McGillis near not face this phantom alone.

If he had help from another... ]

[bloodweapon]

[Fray's eyes flicker for a moment between red and gold, almost as if he could cast off the Brainwash himself and focus on whatever it is that's happening now, but unfortunately for him, sheer willpower is not enough to cure Brainwash. Instead he turns his attention on the closest person (it's poor Aerith this time) and readies his massive blade for an attack that would undoubtedly do a lot of damage (since he's rolling with advantage)—

And that's about when Mafuyu's Energy Shower hits him and his eyes finally settle back on gold. Fray blinks, taking in their current situation, and decides that now isn't the time to get caught up on what he undoubtedly was doing before the Brainwash was cleared.]

...My apologies.

[Though he can at least offer that. But for now, he turns his attention on his own mirror. He's not entirely sure what's going on at this point, but he doesn't like what he's seeing of the others and these mirrors, and he'd rather take the risk of breaking his own than someone else's.

So he strikes, Thunderous Rage crashing against the mirror with a powerful hit. (20!)]

SUCCESS

[beautifulknight]

[ ...The first victorious strike, when it comes to these accursed mirrors.

Said glass mirror scatters instantly in the face of that crackling, electric but powerful thunderous rage; nothing of it remains, and nothing amiss happens either.

Whenever he has a moment to once again look around, he can see that others still are struggling with their mirrors.

That invigoration hasn't left him, either.

He has the chance to help free others from their mirror prison! (And will still have advantage in his roll to do it.) ]

[fullmoonmutt]

...mom?

[ Yeah, of course, Eli would hear his mom from his mirror. Anything less would have earned immediate suspicion, but when he hears the shadow in the mirror using her voice, telling him to lay down his arms, to stop fighting, he knows. That isn't her.

Eli resists the voice decidedly (20). ]

What the fuck? Don't you even dare to pretend to be her, you piece of shit! She would never tell me to stop fighting!

[ He's going to unleash a whole lot of rage on that mirror. He isn't even going to use an ability. He's just going to attack it directly. RIP. (17). ]

SUCCESS

[beautifulknight]

[ The mirror shatters completely into shards in the face of his conviction.

There is something to be said about someone who has a great strength of will.

But...

That isn't the case for everyone. In fact, when he manages to look around, he will find others in the same predicament as he is (or already noticed)

Some are struggling. Some will need help for sure. Should he go ahead and endeavor to help them, he will feel strength returning to him in great amounts (Eli will now have advantage in his rolls when rescuing others from their mirror!) ]

[bloodandstars]

[ The song has silenced and her mind is her own again. The shadow is crumbling. That means there's not much left in their way, right? Not much left except these little mirrors. And if this annoying reflection of Argenti thinks she's afraid to face herself, it's got another thing coming.

And if it were her in the mirror... that would be fine. But with that (1) roll, there's only one person it could be. The little fox girl looks up at her with solemn and worried eyes, the sternest look she can muster on her small face. "Miss, are you ignoring me again? I told you! About the hugging! You can't just fight everything, miss. Even you. Especially you." ]

Stupid... little fox... and your stupid little daydreams. Now is not the time, Kippa.

[ It's an illusion... isn't it? But Kippa's arcanic powers have done stranger things before. Kippa reached her when she was dead, when they were beyond the seal on Golga. Maika can't stop herself from reaching out to touch the surface of the mirror.

There's no need to roll with disadvantage on this one after a crit fail. For one moment in her life, Maika Halfwolf has no intention whatsoever to attack. ]

INTERCESSION NEEDED

[beautifulknight]

[ A pity isn't it.

The cute little fox girl remains soft and innocent...so dear to Maika that there is no way she can think of harming her, right?

And well, the mirror still remains.

As unfortunate as it is, Kippa apparently is also just far too cute to hurt. Even a reflection of her. ]

[gardenful]

[ What greets Aerith in the mirror is someone she thought she would never see again, standing before her. He looks so real, down to his casual stance and easy smile. She feels an exhausted sort of relief at seeing him, the desire to lay down her arms strong and nearly overpowering.

However, she manages to resist (11). ]

Sorry, but you're gonna have to be a lot more convincing than that. The real Zack wouldn't let anything like this stand. He'd jump out of that mirror and join us.

[ Though there's a soft smile on her lips, there's a somber quality to her tone that betrays the impact that just seeing his reflection has on her. It really is a miracle she was able to resist.

But she has to. For Argenti, for herself—for Zack, too. It's why she faces the mirror with a quiet determination as she directs a Makouha at it, hitting it with Bless damage (14).

While her attack is successful, she grips her staff so hard her knuckles turn white... any incoming buffs or healing are out of the question, at least for now. She needs a moment. ]

SUCCESS

[beautifulknight]

[ She reaches success soon enough.

But, Aerith finds that other people are not as successful in their endeavors.

Should she look around, she'll discover that others are still entrapped by their mirrors. Though, she has the opportunity to assist as well.

She will gain advantage on helping others' in destroying their mirrors (by attacking the mirrors of others! Feel free to do it in real time to any comment available where someone has not destroyed a mirror.) ]

[cirquedesang]

[After being all but herded into the circle of mirrors, the way forward is clearly obvious. They'll have to break their way free, keep fighting, shatter whatever it is that will be shown to them-- (1)

'Celeste. Rest.'

Exhaustion hits him with enough force to make him crumple to his knees. The man in the mirror looks down at him fondly, but chidingly as if his voice hadn't been the catalyst to him falling for this falsely restful state.

'You know I hate having to make you.'

He knows. And yet every time his sire flits back into his life, he has to make him pause. Has to remind him he has all eternity. He doesn't have to push himself so hard. Why would now be any different?]

INTERCESSION NEEDED

[beautifulknight]

[ It's never too late for a rest, isn't it?

Well, even so, that doesn't help him out here now, does it?

...Even so, emotions are hard things to contend with.

It appears Celeste will need help in breaking this mirror. ]

[kandata]

[Kirumi sees in the mirror...a strange amalgamation of people. Including herself. There she is, standing in middle of the mirror, with a nondescript bunch of arms and heads behind her. Countless -- were she to count, she'd get to about thirty. The people most important to her, coalesced into one mass, and from the looks of it, it's a tiny, tiny, tiny portion.

And Kirumi is staring at it, wistful]

The people who matter to me the most...

[This isn't really something pretty to see, but it's got Kirumi's guard down. She wants to strike at the mirror, but she's hesitating]

INTERCESSION NEEDED

[beautifulknight]

[ Kirumi sees so many reflections that it is understandable her hesitation is truly something that cannot be considered unreasonable.

But it is fact that without moving forward one cannot hope to gain anything.

Or, in this case, the path that has yet to be revealed to them.

She will need help in breaking her mirror for sure. ]

[imperiosity]

[There’s a sense of elation when the marble comes crashing down, although that’s quickly banished by the wave of fog that comes rolling in. That alone would have caused his mood to plummet, but that’s quickly replaced by a sense of disbelief, because this is a voice he hasn’t heard for years.]

…Mom?

[Unfortunately, that means he’s not shaking free from this (3) right now, stunned as he is by the appearance of the woman in the mirror.]

INTERCESSION NEEDED

[beautifulknight]

[ That familiar long hair and gentle expression cannot be no other. Indeed, maybe it is a relief to see someone who has not been glimpsed in so long.

Or heard, for that matter.

The fact remains is that it is also a paralyzing element...and Aaron will find himself stuck.

As well as in need of help. ]

[ledbythewind]

[It's been seven years. Seven years since a blue-eyed boy with tousled hair had come crashing into the window of his guest room in Lhant and held out his hand even as Richard had turned away, told him to leave. But he hadn't left, had shoved his way into Richard's life and saved him again and again, told him that Richard was his salvation just as he was Richard's.

(Richard wonders if Asbel ever truly understood the depths of what he had meant when he said that Asbel had saved him)

The man before him looks to be the spitting image of the Asbel he loves, but those blue eyes are empty rather than warm, their depths cold and emotionless.

This isn't Asbel (12).]

So you would use his face to try to betray me? I must commend you for the audacity.

[His voice is quavering just slightly, though. Perhaps that's why, when he moves to strike this "Asbel" down, the blow goes wide (1) and doesn't connect.

Or perhaps he missed on purpose despite his words.]

INTERCESSION NEEDED

[beautifulknight]

[ Asbel with his bright eyes looks back on over at Richard, smiling to mirror a somehow near-accurate facsimile of Richard's dear and beloved friend.

The nerve indeed, but perhaps the blow that goes wide is indeed indicative of the lack of will in destroying even this reflection.

The mirror remains and so does proof of Richard's unwillingness to hurt someone who saved him. Even if it is just a fake. ]

[goei]

[He's not going to be manipulated again, Izou resolved after he's regained his bearings from stabbing Mafuyu. He grips his sword again, confident and calm as McGillis makes the statue crumble.

But then, the mirrors descend and he hears a voice he hasn't heard in ages.

Aniki, haven't ya done enough?

He freezes up. His brain tries to resist it, but he couldn't have anticipated this (6)]

... Kei?

[A young man, barely old enough to be called an adult, who looks very much like a less scruffy Izou stands in the mirror. As the vision fully shimmers into focus, Ryouma and Takechi stand behind him, and other more distant familar faces behind them still.

We're grateful for all your hard work.

Says the image of Takechi, looking at him with pride.]

Sensei... Ryouma... I... I'm so tired.

[Of course ya are. Ain't it time for you to rest?

Ryouma says in an accent Izou hasn't heard from his mouth since they were still young and only imagining the hard work of changing the country.]

But I... I gotta...

[And yet, his sword feels impossibly heavy in his hands. He removes one hand from the hilt, placing it on the glass, where his brother mirrors the action.]

Kei, I never even got ta see what kinda man ya grew up into. I wasn't around ta keep an eye on you... 'M sorry...

INTERCESSION NEEDED

[beautifulknight]

[ Dear brother, where are you? The answer to that is abundantly clear, the mirror showing well that family member who has been lost to the other man for so long, speaking those words. But not only that...

Those other dear loved ones stand apparent as well.

Yes, isn't it time to rest?

Perhaps it is indeed time for him to put down his sword.

...Clearly Izou is in need of assistance. ]