Newton turned his eyes over to Mystic. "So, what do you want us to do, boss?"
Mystic nodded at Exodus, and turned to Newton. "Destroy the portal of course. It's a magical mainifestation, so it can be weakened and disripted by physical and magical attacks. Meanwhile, Newton you're going to have to crush it shut. If we can weaken it enough that Newton can collapse it, it will shut itself. Of course there's a very slim chance that it will explode and take the dock right off the map, but I'm nearly certain we can avoid that." Mystic blasted through the skylight with a ball of flame and dropped in on the the few snakes not fighting it out with those who would enslave their kin.
He laid down a few blasts of flame as the last large reptillians leaped onto ships from the dock. The remaining snakes were very surprised as they were washed with flame from above. They turned and came at Mystic, with swords and knives in their hands and their fangs extended.
Sting leapt into the midst of the onrushing snakes, letting loose a burst of spines and following it with a series of slashes.
Most of the snakes stopped and swiped at him with their claws, causing him to stagger back.
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
[ QUOTE ]
Mystic nodded at Exodus, and turned to Newton. "Destroy the portal of course. It's a magical mainifestation, so it can be weakened and disripted by physical and magical attacks. Meanwhile, Newton you're going to have to crush it shut. If we can weaken it enough that Newton can collapse it, it will shut itself. Of course there's a very slim chance that it will explode and take the dock right off the map, but I'm nearly certain we can avoid that."
[/ QUOTE ]
A plan! With the possibility of annihilation! I love it! He flipped a quick set of gravity bubbles around Mystic and Exodus, and bubbled Sting after the first set of Snakes caught him. Newton winced as the insectoid stumbled back. Sting looked pretty rocky.
Newton floated above the level where he thought the Snakes could reach although he had no idea if the reptilians could launch themselves into the air and threw one of his singularities at the portal. He gasped as the singularity quickly became overwhelmed. Oh, my, he muttered. He started generating more of them and there seemed to be no affect on the portal. This is not a good thing, he murmured, sweat pouring down his face.
[ QUOTE ]
Newton floated above the level where he thought the Snakes could reach although he had no idea if the reptilians could launch themselves into the air and threw one of his singularities at the portal. He gasped as the singularity quickly became overwhelmed. Oh, my, he muttered. He started generating more of them and there seemed to be no affect on the portal. This is not a good thing, he murmured, sweat pouring down his face.
[/ QUOTE ]
Black fire flickered around Exodus's hands and in her eyes. "As the Magician-Priests of the Pharoah were schooled in their arrogance, so shall these worshippers of false gods be...." With the buildup of dark power, Exodus let loose upon the the portal.
It flickered, trembled slightly, but stood strong.
"It may take some time." Indeed, as it had in Egypt. That Showdown hadn't decided things either, but neither than had the full power of the One God been brought to bear. Yet.
Together we entered a city of strangers, we made it a city of friends, and we leave it a City of Heroes. - Sweet_Sarah
BOYCOTT NCSoft (on Facebook)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/517513781597443/
Governments have fallen to the power of social media. Gaming companies can too.
Sting took the time to hurl a handful of spines at the offending portal, having no idea if his little attack would do any good. Then he turned his attention back to the snakes...lots of snakes.
A wide cone of spines knocked several of them down as he tried to keep them off of Mystic and the rest.
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
[ QUOTE ]
"It may take some time."
[/ QUOTE ]
Well, the Lord makes things happen in her own time, Newton said, a slight mocking tone in his voice.
Straining, he started pushing junk through his singularities. Forklifts, burnt out cars, empty helium tanks, sofas, and random crates started appearing in the portal. The portals glow was flickering as each item struck it.
Cmon, its time for the Wall of Jericho to come tumblin down! the green-haired mutant said.
Mystic threw spell after spell at the portal, his flame enshrouding it and slowly weakening it. But then something odd happened. Just as he was seeking to overcome the magic, he realized he could feel it.
"STOP!" Mystic cried, waiting for the assault on the portal to die out. He then held out his hands, and willed it shut. The portal blinked out of existence. The magic was the exact same kind as was given to him by the tome. He looked at the others, as surprised as they were. He caught glimpses of undead running amok on the ships in the harbor, flames covering those Arachnos brave or stupid enough to keep up the fight, and tall, reptilian creatures appearing out of nowhere to slaughter the defenders and release the cargo.
For seconds he stared, as the fight ended, and the ships began turning about, heading back to Mercy Island. He watched the reptilian creatures as they began to disembark the ships, much to the dismay of the snakes on board. They carried boxes with unknown cargos. There were ten of them, that Mystic could see.
Six wore priestly robes, one wore a vest, but was difficult to see, and thats when she wasnt invisible. The last three wore the garb of a scientifically advanced culture.
Newton sat in exhaustion. He glanced up at the departing boat, and then over at Mystic. Any idea if what we did was a good thing or a bad thing? Who were those people on the boat? And most importantly, does anyone have a candy bar or something to munch them. I hurried out so quickly, I didnt grab anything.
Newton walked back into the Two Six. He waved at the small imp sitting behind the desk. The crisis was over, the portal shut, and the Zigg situation was reported to be under control. Something about Tyrant, but Newton had faith that other heroes would take care of that.
He chuckled as he went over to the refrigerator behind the front desk. That fight would probably make front page news, where the summoning of the snake god which would probably have destroyed the world wouldnt even the paper.
That was just part of the Two Six luck. Not that he really minded, though. He pulled out a Mountain Dew and the makings for a hoagie. Or, here in Paragon City, was it a sub sandwich or a grinder
Alfred was very confused. How was he able to just switch off the portal? He locked himself in his office for many hours, pouring over the book and other resource material. His research turned up a number of interesting things about the lost city of Atlantis in the notes he had accumulated over decades of study.
The writings and verbal stories he had accumulated from isolated cultures along what he had figured might have been the bordering areas painted a picture, but one that he had not had reason to believe in until the docks. As he began pulling out pictures, and posting notes and papers on his wall, his mind reverted back to who he was before the tome, before the magic, and before Paragon city.
Mystic wasnt there, in that room, only Alfred. Oh
and an imp snacking on a sandwich. I didnt let you in, how did
the door is shut.
I poof! There was a BAM and a small column of red flame erupted through a cloud of black smoke and Satanz was on the other side of the couch in an identical ball of smoke. The office suddenly smelled like burning rocks.
Alfred sighed and turned back to his work. It would have been more disturbing to try to remove the creature than just let him sit quietly, getting ham sandwich crumbs on his couch (which was in need of a vacuuming anyway).
It was quite a while before he had laid out a series of stories and dates on the wall, then gone and gotten a sharpie to draw the coast of Portugal and Italy and Greece. Then he drew the coast of North Africa. He placed the excavation site on the map, and connected the dots.
It was on an entire continent, not just an island.
Sandwich in hand, Newton knocked on Mystics door, opened it, and found the older man pouring over a world map. Boss, I
whew! What stinks?
At any rate, I was wondering what we should aim for next. I have a couple different things going that inquiry into Judge Wonker, for one. And we still have the Lizard Hydra thing going. He looked at Mystic. Also, someone is going to have to tell Azuria that she didnt use good judgment with the Snakes and the calling of their god. I elect you for that, by the way. Newton grinned. She likes you, I can tell. He leaned against the doorframe. Oh, and more seriously, SHE really does like you, I can tell. You might want to do something about that. He jerked his head upstairs. Dont mind me, I just meddle.
The smell is the Imp. Alfred didnt look up from his work. He let Newton go on. Until hed finished. Then he turned to face him.
I have no idea whom youre speaking of. And weve settled the matter of the lizards, they were intended to be food for these creatures. Now all we have to do is find a way to get rid of them in the next week or so before they become a part of Kings Row permanently. Whats really giving me trouble is this arc.
Alfred stepped back away from the board. If these five authors are basing their work off of the same spoken myth, than we could have almost a Lovecraft type of scenario brewing. Its possible that this big void of information regarding our own past on this planet might well be filled by a very dark story. If thats the case
well, I dont need to tell you what THAT would mean.
The mage turned back to Newton.
~~~In Kings Row~~~
How many Lacerta made it through the gate? The Avatar of Mu stood nearly eight feet tall, still wrapped in the vestments of the priesthood, which covered his headmarkings.
The Flame of Mu knelt before him, in an abandoned portion of the sewer. Behind the Flame, were the rest of those who had come through the portal. The Biotech Archon and the Force Tech Guardian led the Technocracy troops. The Consort-Inquisitor and Striker-Serpent were the ranking infiltrators. Flame, Wrath, Voice, Slayer, Darkness, and other priesthood also filtered in.
You could easily tell the priesthood from the others. In addition to the face paint which was two purple Vs over the face, one larger than the other, they wore fancy coats with hoods, all purple and blue. Additionally, the religious were called of Mu once they reached Acolyte status. The Technocracy were simply covered in tiny tech gadgets. Their names reflected station. The infiltrators were all young. Their leader, Consort-Inquisitor, commander of the Black Guard, was promoted due to her brutality and devotion, and not to skill or prowess that shes demonstrated. Her face bore black tattoos, as did the rest of her scales. Her Katana, a human weapon from ancient times, rested on her back.
The flame of Mu answered, A handful, twelve, maybe more.
And we are in a city of champions of humans? The avatar watched heroes engage the shambling dead from doctor Vahz.
Yes, Master. This is what I have come to understand. The Flame did not look up from his station.
Very well, we shall make use of Lord Recluses hospitality, but leave a beacon here, someplace safe. I intend to station the cult here. Additionally, there seems to be a better supply of dead here. The avatar watched as one of the young heroes heading down the hallway toward them as the Lacerta began moving toward the exit that led to Recluses ship. He raised his arm at the young hero as their eyes met, and sharp needles flew out, imbedding themselves in the neck of the hero, right below his bright yellow mask.
Immediately the young hero froze, paralyzed from the poison. Bring him with us, we will require nourishment for the trip ahead.
[ QUOTE ]
I have no idea whom youre speaking of. And weve settled the matter of the lizards, they were intended to be food for these creatures. Now all we have to do is find a way to get rid of them in the next week or so before they become a part of Kings Row permanently. Whats really giving me trouble is this arc.
[/ QUOTE ]
The Judge Wonker one is my personal grudge. The crooked judge who sent me here. THAT Judge Wonker. Blue Steel is looking into it, too. Newton frowned. Somewhere or another I missed the creatures=food part. Of course, thinking of them as food makes me want to barf, so maybe I just put it completely out of my mind. But, yeah, we do have to find a way to get rid of them.
[ QUOTE ]
Alfred stepped back away from the board. If these five authors are basing their work off of the same spoken myth, than we could have almost a Lovecraft type of scenario brewing. Its possible that this big void of information regarding our own past on this planet might well be filled by a very dark story. If thats the case
well, I dont need to tell you what THAT would mean.
The mage turned back to Newton.
[/ QUOTE ]
Newton looked at him completely blankly. Im assuming death and insanity. Lovecraft always means death and insanity, the green-haired mutant said. Maybe Ragnorak? The Apocalypse? Newton sat down heavily in a chair. Im sorry, Inferno. Spell it out to me. I dont do mysticism or esoteric puzzles very well.
Quite frankly, it would mean a very dark god thats living on this planet deep in the ocean somewhere that these creatures somehow have not just a spiritual connection with, but share DNA from as well. A missing link between Dinosaurs and humans that evolved and shot off from reptiles to form all kinds of mammals. The simple reason we havent found the missing link would then be because its buried at the bottom of the ocean and even if we did wed hardly recognize it. Mystic looked at Newtons expression.
Alright, in simple terms, it means that these events suggest that dinosaurs didnt stay the same all those billions of years. It suggests that they mutated, some in good ways, some in very bad ways. As the face of the earth changed, they didnt die out all at once, we only found fossils from certain time periods because of cataclysmic events that occurred wiping out a lot of various life forms from those times. Really they lived on, until the climate and food type caused them to slowly go extinct. But in that time they mutated into a great many types of creatures. From them evolved a humanoid creature that resembled a snake or lizard or perhaps even some other kind of reptile. This creature lived here. Mystic pointed to Atlantis on the map. Science has taught us that Atlantis was an island or city on a small mass of land. This would mean it would have to be within sailing distance. But the new information Ive recently gathered, suggests that it might be an entire continent.
The magic I wield comes from the lost city, in one form or another. The magic wielded by those reptilian creatures does as well, which is why I was able to close the gate through sheer will. Those reptilians wore this ancient symbol which I found in these texts taken from Orenbega who were at war with the followers of Mu. This group is also known as the descendents of Mu, and they often try to mutate themselves in such a way as to resemble snakes. Indeed, even the snake creatures at the docks wore these pendants, which also hold a symbol of Mu, which they revere as a snake god. However, by looking at the symbol the snake creatures wore on their pendants, and comparing to the symbol on those reptilian creatures they summoned through the gate, its pretty easy to see that the reptiles wear a symbol which was the basis for the snake creatures pendant. Suggesting that the snake creatures possess a much more recently formed theology. Mystic was pointing at pictures and underlining things like crazy, not even paying attention to whether or not Newton was following. Its all very simple, but the repercussions of this discovery could be devastating to our concept of Earth for Humans, and it creates many questions regarding the vast difference between four continents of humanity and how this Island may have connected at least three of them.
It took about an hour, but Mystic had cleared a section of the Two Six of debris and dirt. Where desks were pushed up against a wall and had things stacked on them randomly, now they were pushed into a semicircle and had things stacked on them purposefully. Books, with colored ribbons, maps tacked to the wall in such number as to make finding a bare spot difficult, and a timeline chart running down the side suggested that Mystic was officially obsessed with his latest project.
He sat and poured over books. He scribbled notes, wrote out theories and went about disproving them. And then he came to one inescapable conclusion, he needed to speak with the witch. He quickly double checked his rifle before placing it back into its hiding spot in a pseudo dimension. He did the same with his grenades and bow, to ensure he wouldnt be caught unaware. Then he kicked himself for having prematurely returning the sword. That would have come in handy, he commented absently as he stood there in front of his satchel of books, wrapping his cloak around him and mentally preparing for his trip to the recently recovered, magical land.
If there was one thing that could be said about Croatoa, it would be that it is a magical place. Some of the magic was enchanting, some mysterious, and more yet was maligned and dangerous. The witches were already wary of Mystic, hed put a few of them down right out of the air when he had been there before. They knew him by appearance and reputation, and did not interfere with his activities unless he interfered with them. The ghosts shied away from his aura.
He spent three days looking through libraries, searching old homes and speaking with the War Witch and had become only slightly closer to understanding what he was looking at. He would have to travel to Orenbega now, it held the key. I fancy I would have gotten a great deal of use out of a flat there should I have followed up on that notion when I had it, he thought, only partially kidding, to himself.
He left a message on the main channel for the Two Six, but there was no immediate response. They were all busy or perhaps theyd just had enough and moved on to other assignments, not bothering to check out with him first. In either case, he fully expected he would be entering the familiar city alone, in search of the history of Orenbega in whatever form it may still exist. An ancient city filled with sorcerers and demons and ghosts guarding secrets of history. A twisted, extreme sports version of archeology worthy of Indiana Jones style moviemaking was never how he saw his life going.
Nonetheless, he headed to where his message said he would be entering Orenbega, reasonably certain he would be going it alone. And as he flew, he thought of his previous experiences and hoped that things would go more smoothly than usual, but realized that probably wouldnt be the case.
((OOC: Ok back: I didnt want Av/Mystic to be all alone
))
[ QUOTE ]
He left a message on the main channel for the Two Six, but there was no immediate response. They were all busy or perhaps theyd just had enough and moved on to other assignments, not bothering to check out with him first.
Nonetheless, he headed to where his message said he would be entering Orenbega, reasonably certain he would be going it alone. And as he flew, he thought of his previous experiences and hoped that things would go more smoothly than usual, but realized that probably wouldnt be the case.
[/ QUOTE ]
Sting leaned against the rock that was one of the hidden doors to the city of Orenbega.
Heya boss. Sorry I went missing for a bit there - just needed a little R-and-R. He held up a fancy looking radio/phone. Saw your request and thought Id stop by and see if you could use a hand. Not that I really relish the idea of taking on these Circle dudes but I didnt want you to go down there by yourself. He smiled at Mystic, a bit of his smugness returning.
Lead the way
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
The entrance was heavy oak and had withstood the constant siege of time with fortitude, maintaining some the elegance it must have had when first hung. Mystic could see the magic flowing through it like tiny rivers. Almost imperceptible to most mages, these lines only denoted that the wood was crafted with magic, not protected by an active spell. The door yielded to Mystics will, and allowed entry. One step and they were in the caverns under Talos Island.
These caves were additions to Orenbega, carved in their image, but without the power of the Dark God behind them. They were crafted by the same type of magic, but filtered through a human soul. They contained no malice. Mystic led the way through the quiet halls until they came across some robed figures standing guard over a death mage summoning spirits. A bright flash of light and heat, and some screams of the impaled later, the summoning stopped. The duo found themselves in a room full of bodies and a porthole that led to Orenbega.
We are looking for a library that has been untouched for quite a while. Its in a deserted part of Orenbega that was originally used as the staging area for the attack against the original inhabitants. There is a ziggurat where a scholar and mage named Khezidzi reportedly documented the invasion and subsequent sacking of Orenbega. It is here we will find clues as to the origin of the magic used by these strange new creatures we encountered on the dock. With that, the mage strode toward the portal.
((sorry was out of town and missed the post on the 13th)
Newton sat in the empty courtroom. The night court room was undergoing reconstruction a large, violent criminal had broken out of his bonds and had decimated it three nights previous. The jury box was still in good shape. He had made himself a little stake out area there two days ago. It was now littered with his empty Mountain Dew cans, Ho-Ho wrappers, and Big Mac containers.
Newton had started his own little investigation into Judge Wonker. His friendly little singularity was hovering around in the judges chambers. So far, the judge had spent done nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing relating to the Family, however, had crossed Wonkers desk, either, though.
He checked his watch and swore. If he hurried, he would still be able to meet Mystic in Talos Island. He hoped some of the others would show up there as well he wasnt relishing invading Orenbega as a duo.
Newton used his gravity control to pick up his litter, and he deposited it all in a near-by trash can. Sighing, he glanced out the window, picked a spot, and then threw himself through a wormhole and headed towards the tram.
- - - -
The phone on Judge Wonkers desk rang. The older mans eyes widened slightly when he saw which line it was coming across. hello? the judge said cautiously.
Its all right, Mortimer, the deep voice at the other end of the phone said. The heros wormhole is gone. We can speak freely again.
Wonker smiled in relief. It was good that the Family had their own gravity controllers. That Newtons Apple is irritating me, Angelo. Lets see if we cant do something about him.
- - - -
Newton appeared directly over Mystic and Sting. Mystic pushed the door open, and the pair walked through.
Newton floated down, and tried to push the door open. It wouldnt budge. Newton frowned. He quickly keyed his comm unit. Mystic, Sting, you got room for one more? The door wont let me in. He stopped for a moment. Maybe the door was trying to tell him something
The blue robed mage stopped just shy of the portal when he heard the com go off. "Room for one more? Of course." Mystic tried to reach out and open the door from the inside, but there was little connection. When he tried an incantation though, he felt it open. "There, did that work? There's only one tunnel and we're at the end of it, where the portal is."
The door opened magically, and the chubby hero jogged down the corridor. He was out of breath when he got to the end. "Sorry I'm late," Newton puffed. "Give me a moment and I'll be ready..."
Newton took a couple deep breaths and then nodded. "Okay. Ready to follow your lead, boss."
"Just a second," Newton said as he stopped Mystic from going through the portal. He threw gravity bubbles up around the other two heroes. "Better to be safe than sorry," he grinned and threw a bubble around himself too. "We should be ready now."
"Once we step inside, there's absolutely no going back. I hope everyone understands that." Mystic gave his best solemn look through the energy bubble. Then, with one quick incantation and a single protection spell, he stepped through the portal into a small stone room.
The room was empty except for two pillars near the only exit, a small door. Torches sat idly on sconces on the inside of the pillars. Light crept in from the hallway outside the door. The tan bricks looked black in the shadows. The light blue light of the portal flickered again as someone else came through behind Mystic.
The mage crept to the hallway and looked. He could see several Behemoth Overlords walking down the hallway toward the small little room with nowhere to hide. Quickly Mystic sprung into action by spinning about and holding his hands up. In a whispering voice, yet still managing to sound like he were yelling, he cried GO BACK! GO BACK!
Go back where? You said there was no going back! The portal isnt lit from this end.
Mystic turned back to the hallway to check the progress of impending death as it meandered toward them. There was only a Death Mage remaining, and soon he was walking directly into a wall and out of Mystics sight. The mage turned back to the others and shrugged.
Upon floating down the hallway a bit, he realized that his view was blocked, and there was another hall that the demons and mages were now walking down.
[Back for a week and a half yo, agian, pushing this along at my own pace, jump in if you wanna]
[ QUOTE ]
"Ok, close the portal. Any idea how we might do that? And an attack on the Zig? That doesn't sound good. But then again, I've been on the inside a few times - not quite sure why anyone would want to attack it."
Exodus spoke, voice rumbling like low thunder. "Let us move with haste. Before they summon this false deity.... and it decides it does not wish to leave."
[/ QUOTE ]
Newton leapt out of one of his singularities. Oo, when she talks like that, I get the shivers, he said. But I agree with her. The Snakes may be okay, but, boy, I really dont want to have to force a god back into its own dimension. Those stories never end well for the foolish mortals.