Author Topic: Magical Lotus - Episode 1 (Complete)  (Read 59952 times)

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #480 on: August 10, 2011, 05:34:11 AM »
>Do any of these voices seem to be coming from the gray figure?
>Regardless, shield our eyes. But keep our ears peeled.

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #481 on: August 10, 2011, 11:10:48 AM »
>Do any of these voices seem to be coming from the gray figure?

>Not as far as you can determine.

>Regardless, shield our eyes. But keep our ears peeled.

>You throw your free arm in front of your eyes, bracing yourself against you're not sure what. You hear Myoren say, in a slightly strained voice, as though he were lifting something heavy, "Here goes!" Seconds later, you hear another one of those massive shattering sounds, but this time, with an accompanying visual effect. The darkness itself falls to pieces around you, falling to the ground like shards of an enormous mirror hit by a hammer. And you actually CAN see ground now, or rather, a floor, of white tile, and a red carpet under your feet. The black shards fade away into nothingness once they touch the ground, revealing a sea of faces surrounding you. Faces you know, friendly faces. Fellow students of Mayoiga High, people around town, people from your past that you haven't seen in years. Doctors that treated Myoren, old friends of your parents, people you met on vacations, there must be hundreds lined up on either side of the carpet, on either side of you. In the forefront of this crowd are faces more familiar, mostly the faculty and fellow students you're friendly with, but also the likes of Aya, Koakuma, Momiji, and all them, to a man, smiling at you.
>The room you find yourself reminds you very much of Mayoiga's indoor gym, minus the banners. And it is indeed brightly lit, the roof being missing and revealing open sunlight, after all. Strangely, this does not hurt your eyes at all. It actually reminds you of the light of the 'sun' of the Between; very warm and inviting.
>At the end of the red carpet sits a small staircase, only four steps, leading up to the gym stage. On the stage sits a small marble column, about 4 feet high, with a velvet cushion resting atop it. It appears a staff, or baton, of some kind, rests atop it, but you cannot discern any details beyond its' violet coloring from where you are. And standing around the column are Rin, Myoren and Marisa.

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #482 on: August 10, 2011, 11:17:35 AM »
>"And this is?"

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #483 on: August 10, 2011, 11:24:26 AM »
>"And this is?"

>"The end result of your choice." Myoren replies from the stage.
>Marissa continues, "You rejected the darkness, and held true to the person you are. But that doesn't mean you get to walk away empty handed."
>Rin takes over, "Dere is power t'be found here. It's true, you coulda had more power'n some Gods, had you chose the darkness."
>Myoren: "But that doesn't mean choosing the light leaves you with nothing beyond warm feelings and friends. There's power here, too, and that's what this is." he gestures to the staff in front of him.

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #484 on: August 10, 2011, 11:33:54 AM »
>Examine the scepter.
>"What is it, exactly? May I ask what it does?"

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #485 on: August 11, 2011, 05:39:25 AM »
>Examine the scepter.

>The rod is somewhere between a foot and a foot and a half long. It is a straight cylindrical shape, colored a light violet color, capped by a small gold-colored counterweight at one end. The other end, which you'd guess is the 'top', has a stylized lotus flower on it, it's pink and white petals surrounding an oddly faceted jewel in the middle of it. The center of the rounded stone is a vivid purple, but there are six equal segments of the jewel surrounding the purple core, each of them colorless.

>"What is it, exactly? May I ask what it does?"

>The three of them exchange a look with each other before Marissa answers, "We're... not entirely certain, really. We have insights here, but no more real knowledge than you do."
>Rin continues, "But we're pretty sure that once you touch this staff, you'll get the power you wanted."
>Myoren concludes, "Believe me, we'd love to be able to answer that, and all your questions, of which we're sure you have many, with certainty. But we can't. However, unlike that fake Marissa, we can at least tell you why, and it has to do with what we are. Or more accurately, where you are."

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #486 on: August 11, 2011, 06:00:46 AM »
>"Then I shall have to accept that, won't I? Please explain."

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #487 on: August 11, 2011, 06:15:25 AM »
>"Then I shall have to accept that, won't I? Please explain."

>"Now, normally," Marissa begins, placing her hands upon her hips. "this'd be waaay out there, but given the day you've had, it's probably gonna sound par for the course."
>Reimu, who's standing a few feet in front of you to your left, pipes up then. "This.. is you. We're inside you, Byakuren. Inside your soul."
>Yuyuko, standing next to her, nods. "Everything that's happened since you put that ring on has happened within your own soul. Has been manifestations and expressions of the forces within you."
>Reisen, standing across from Yuyuko on your right, grins slightly. "We're the light side of yourself. You were able to come to this place only after you rejected the darkness."

Hello Purvis

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Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #488 on: August 11, 2011, 06:23:20 AM »
>"Mmm. I see. Explain what you mean by light and darkness in this case?"

GuyYouMetOnline

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Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #489 on: August 11, 2011, 06:26:36 AM »
>"Actually, might we be able to do this later? Rin's kind of in trouble right now, and I'd like to save her before it's too late."

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #490 on: August 11, 2011, 06:56:38 AM »
>"Mmm. I see. Explain what you mean by light and darkness in this case?"

>You hear Aya's voice from behind you, "As you know, all that live have two forces within their hearts: the light and the dark. Yin and Yang, Virtue and Sin, many other names people use for the same basic principal. Good and evil also works, but you generally don't like using terms that black and white."
>Minoriko, standing between Reisen and Nitori, continues, "Your case here, however, was a bit different than other people's. The seed of darkness within you, which you were forced to conquor, came from your heart, yes. But there was also a part of it that did not come from you."
>Patchouli, standing next to Reisen, continues, "The darkness is alone. It has no sense of attachment, of affection, of kindness. It is selfish and ultimately self-destructive, thinking only of itself. Whereas the light is this," she says, spreading her arms wide. "Light is never alone. Light is hope, light is love, family, friends, joy."
>Rin continues, "The darkness would have had you believe that there was no hope for this world, that whatever was coming would destroy our world, and there was nothing we could do about it. There was... IS... a part of you that accepted that, that took up the mantle of the Dark Lady, who tried to salvage what she could of this world. But we're not sure if she became completely corrupted by the darkness around her or not. We can't know; you rejected that part of yourself." Strangely, her speech is perfect here, no trace of her flawed speech patterns.
>Myoren continues, "You chose to believe there was hope, to not give up on your love, both for your world and those you cared for and cared for you. That's the light within your heart. That's what led you here.
>Marissa's grin turns a little regretful. "We're not sure if this makes all that much sense to you, but remember, we're just aspects of your own soul. You're questioning yourself here. And there's a whole lot that we don't know. It's almost too much for a human."

>"Actually, might we be able to do this later? Rin's kind of in trouble right now, and I'd like to save her before it's too late."

>Letty, standing next to Nitori, answers you. "We don't know. You don't know. Remember, we've no more idea about how much time has passed than you do."
>You hear Koakuma's voice from behind you, "We also don't know if you can find your way back here. It was a pretty monumental and unique event that led you here in the first place. You wouldn't have a clue how to duplicate it, or even if you need to."
>Myoren gives you a sad smile. "If we had to guess, given that this has been your inner war, we're still in the same heartbeat as when you put that ring on your finger. By the same token, it could be the middle of next month, or years later. But there's just no way to know for sure."

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #491 on: August 11, 2011, 07:08:41 AM »
>"I suppose, then, I need to learn more. I'm not quite so ready to cast away a part of myself as being without use or redemption."
>Grab that sceptre.

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #492 on: August 11, 2011, 07:27:10 AM »
>"I suppose, then, I need to learn more. I'm not quite so ready to cast away a part of myself as being without use or redemption."
>Grab that sceptre.

>You extend your hand to take up the lotus-topped staff, but a black-gloved hand reaches out and intercepts yours. Turning you head, you look full into the face of Dark Lady Byakuren, now sporting a pair of black feathered wings.
>"A choice made cannot be unmade. You have rejected me, turned your back on the darkness. So be it. The fate of the world rests in your hands now, not mine. But I can still help you, if you're willing to listen to me. I know the source of your power, I know how you can strengthen yourself. I can help you give your world the best chance you can give it, if you're willing to listen to me. And I know, you've seen what I would have done. What I would have become. You don't have all that much reason to trust me. But you must trust me. Your power is the antithesis of your enemies, and it is strong, but it's not enough. As it is, it's not enough to defeat what's coming. I can tell you how to get stronger, how to battle your enemy as best as you can." She pauses, then waves at the people around me. "And if you won't believe me, ask them. You might believe I'd lie to you, but they won't. And they will know. Ask them if you can trust me, if you must."

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #493 on: August 11, 2011, 07:28:57 AM »
>Consider for a moment.
>"You understand, then, what I will ask in turn?"

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #494 on: August 11, 2011, 08:26:02 AM »
>Consider for a moment.
>"You understand, then, what I will ask in turn?"

>She seems to consider that herself, for a moment, before answering. "As best as I can."

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #495 on: August 11, 2011, 08:31:53 AM »
>Nod, and hug our lame evil doppelganger.
>Then grab that sceptre.

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #496 on: August 12, 2011, 05:17:21 AM »
>Nod, and hug our lame evil doppelganger.
>Then grab that sceptre.

>Quickly you embrace your black-clad self, and take a hold of the purple scepter. A sensation of... It's hard to desribe, really. Almost a sense of completion washes over you, of serenity and empowerment at once. The staff feels 'right' in your hand, like a long lost friend, almost. The vivid purple core of the gemstone in the center of the lotus flares once, seemingly in recognition of your touch.
>Seconds later, a strange noise comes from beside you, where your twin stands. Glancing to look, you see her wings are starting to dissapear, dissolving into wisps of black smoke that vanish into thin air. The Dark Lady regards her vanishing appendages with an expression of detached surprise. "In retrospect, I probably should have seen that coming, too."

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #497 on: August 12, 2011, 05:53:28 AM »
>"Ah well. Now, what do we do next?"

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #498 on: August 12, 2011, 06:37:10 AM »
>"Ah well. Now, what do we do next?"

>"I'm afraid it's going to be you very soon. It seems that you and I can't coexist, now that both of our choices are set in stone." She pauses, looking you square in the eye. "Will you believe me? Will you trust me?" Her wings are half gone and going.

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #499 on: August 12, 2011, 06:38:19 AM »
>"I will trust you. But I will need you to do the same."

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #500 on: August 12, 2011, 06:53:42 AM »
>"I will trust you. But I will need you to do the same."

>Your other face grins lightly. "Of course. You hate lying to anyone, and you'd never lie to yourself."
>Only a quarter of her wings remain when she continues. "You've been told your power come from the light, that love can save our world. I can't speculate about the latter, but the former is true. And this is the light, this is your power. It is the people within your heart, the people whom you care for, who care for you. The more people you love, the more people that love you, the more powerful you will become. The power you'll have when you leave this place will be great- more than enough for the Youma that you saw before you came. Enough to thwart the efforts of your enemy for some time to come. But their leaders, their generals, are beyond you right now. If they come through, if they can bring their full power to bear against you, you will fail, and this world will fall. Before that happens, you must brighten your heart. This crowd of figures here MUST grow, if you've any hope of winning."
>She pauses then, considering her next words. Her wings are completely gone, and you notice her hands and feet have started to fade, all four nearly half gone. "And because I know you, I feel I must say this. You are a spiritual person, you believe the heart surpasses the flesh. Physicality and sensuality are not as important to you are they are to others,  but you live in a physical world, and many- most, I dare say- people around you are grounded in the flesh. Do not forget that aspect of life, of love."

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #501 on: August 12, 2011, 07:00:34 AM »
>"I'll see what I can do, and I understand your last point. It's not a standard I hold against others."

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #502 on: August 12, 2011, 07:16:48 AM »
>So go forth and seduce, Hero of the Light! The world is your harem, and all its peoples await your embrace!

>She nods. "Of course, you wouldn't. And it's one of the many things that seperates our world from theirs, as well. Life takes so many forms, our people are all so different. One human is drastically different from the one standing next to him and yet, at heart, are they not so much alike? It's such a paradox, but it is merely life."
>Her feet and hands are gone now, her calves and forearms dissipating.

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #503 on: August 12, 2011, 07:21:18 AM »
>Goddamnit Lancer
>"We will be fine."

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #504 on: August 12, 2011, 08:24:15 AM »
>I'm afraid he might be a wee bit out of your league, but dear lord, what a lay he'd be...

>Her form continues to fade. You don't suspect she'll last much longer.

GuyYouMetOnline

  • Surprisingy not smart for lynch dodging
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #505 on: August 12, 2011, 08:58:26 AM »
>"Thank you for your advice. I may not approve of your methods, but it seems that we both want to protect this world, and I intend to do just that. Farewell, my other self."

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #506 on: August 13, 2011, 02:47:16 AM »
>"Thank you for your advice. I may not approve of your methods, but it seems that we both want to protect this world, and I intend to do just that. Farewell, my other self."

>The Dark Lady looks at her fading right arm, then her brow creases in concentration. "I gave up everything I was, my very soul, to try and hold onto a sliver of heaven in the guts of hell. I may even have succeeded, we'll never know. You're the one now who must go on to face the ultimate danger." Her right arm seems to reconstitute itself fully, but at the cost of her other extremities. Her dissipation accelerates. "What faith I have, I place in you, my twin star."
>She lightly touches your face with her now gloveless hand, then quickly lurches forward and kisses your lips, briefly, but firmly, before pulling away, smiling, only her face and arm remaining. "Farewell." she whispers, and then she is gone completely.

Hello Purvis

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  • Hello Jerry
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #507 on: August 13, 2011, 02:53:40 AM »
>Well that was weird.
>"You'll be here with me. Do not worry."

Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #508 on: August 13, 2011, 03:20:29 AM »
>Well that was weird.

>Perhaps not so much as other things that have happened today, but by itself, definately weird.

>"You'll be here with me. Do not worry."

>You hear Yuyuko's voice from the crowd. "I wonder if we'll see her again. Her existance was strange, at least as far as we can understand."

GuyYouMetOnline

  • Surprisingy not smart for lynch dodging
Re: Magical Lotus - Episode 1
« Reply #509 on: August 13, 2011, 03:35:02 AM »
>"She still exists, I am certain. She is, after all, a part of me."
>Examine the scepter. Are we getting any sort of idea of how to use this power we're supposed to have now? If we don't: "Can anyone here aid me in the use of this power?" If we do: "If there is nothing more to be done here, then I must go now and save my friend. How would I go about leaving this place?"