A dark gray square with rounded corners comes into focus.
You see a green flashing vertical bar in the upper lefthand corner. Letters form behind it as it moves from left to right across the screen.
Check: Status Ballistic Engine... ...Status: Unresponsive
Check: Ping Pilot... ...Ping: 999+... ...Status: Disconnected
Check: Final data packet sent engine defense....
Displaying: Contact. Multiple combatants. Origin: Various. Extrapolating. Denizen? Nightmare? Dreamwalker? *Signal Lost*
Check: I99 database: Dreamwalker....
I99: Dreamwalker... ...Emissary of Soul Forge Abner.
I99: Dreamwalker Origin... ...Various
I99: Dreamwalker Activity... ...Low
I99: Dreamwalker Danger... ...High
I99: Dreamwalker Danger... ...High
I99: Dreamwalker Danger... ...High... ...Dreamwalker Danger... ...High... ...Dreamwalker Danger... ...High... ...Dreamwalker Danger......HighDreamwalkerDanger......HighDreamwalkerDanger...HighDreamwalkerDangerHighDreamwalkerDangerHighDreamwalkerDangerHigh....
...End Query
Access: Shield Core... ...Activate
Access: Anti Air Batteries... ...Activate
Access: I99 Engines... ...Activate
Access: Rangefinder... ...Target...
...Hope.
The scene goes blank.~
Check: Status Ballistic Engine... ...Status: Unresponsive
Check: Ping Pilot... ...Ping: 999+... ...Status: Disconnected
Check: Final data packet sent engine defense....
Displaying: Contact. Multiple combatants. Origin: Various. Extrapolating. Denizen? Nightmare? Dreamwalker? *Signal Lost*
Check: I99 database: Dreamwalker....
I99: Dreamwalker... ...Emissary of Soul Forge Abner.
I99: Dreamwalker Origin... ...Various
I99: Dreamwalker Activity... ...Low
I99: Dreamwalker Danger... ...High
I99: Dreamwalker Danger... ...High
I99: Dreamwalker Danger... ...High... ...Dreamwalker Danger... ...High... ...Dreamwalker Danger... ...High... ...Dreamwalker Danger......HighDreamwalkerDanger......HighDreamwalkerDanger...HighDreamwalkerDangerHighDreamwalkerDangerHighDreamwalkerDangerHigh....
...End Query
Access: Shield Core... ...Activate
Access: Anti Air Batteries... ...Activate
Access: I99 Engines... ...Activate
Access: Rangefinder... ...Target...
...Hope.
The scene goes blank.~
You see a woman in armor walking along the sandy beaches of Nautilus Island.
The violet mist that surrounds her seems to grow thicker, obscuring your vision of the shoreline. Her pale gray cloak billows in a breeze you cannot feel as she strides with purpose. Her footsteps leave light impressions in the damp sand. The smell of salt and seaweed fills your nostrils, and you feel the cool ocean spray on your face.
After a short distance, the woman turns inland, leaving the beach and the sound of crashing waves behind. The sandy terrain turns to lush vegetation, and she enters an overgrown forest. Audible whispering grows louder and more distinct, causing her to quicken her pace. The spirits of the dead are restless, and she can feel their presence all around her.
As she navigates through the forest, the woman comes across a row of stones, their dark magic still palpable even after all these years. The stones look like twisted, gnarled fingers reaching up from the ground, and she can feel a sense of dread wash over her. Despite the ominous warning signs, she presses on, knowing that she must confront the source of the evil magic and put an end to it.
The woman takes a deep breath and steps forward, feeling the air grow colder as she crosses the threshold. The whispers grow louder, and she feels as though she is being watched by unseen eyes. She knows that whatever lies ahead will not be easy, but determination to see it through to the end outweighs her cowardice.~
After a short distance, the woman turns inland, leaving the beach and the sound of crashing waves behind. The sandy terrain turns to lush vegetation, and she enters an overgrown forest. Audible whispering grows louder and more distinct, causing her to quicken her pace. The spirits of the dead are restless, and she can feel their presence all around her.
As she navigates through the forest, the woman comes across a row of stones, their dark magic still palpable even after all these years. The stones look like twisted, gnarled fingers reaching up from the ground, and she can feel a sense of dread wash over her. Despite the ominous warning signs, she presses on, knowing that she must confront the source of the evil magic and put an end to it.
The woman takes a deep breath and steps forward, feeling the air grow colder as she crosses the threshold. The whispers grow louder, and she feels as though she is being watched by unseen eyes. She knows that whatever lies ahead will not be easy, but determination to see it through to the end outweighs her cowardice.~
"ARE YOU TIRED OF BEING A NOBODY!?"
The jarring shout is followed by a 90s style commercial jingle.
Announcer: "Do you feel like you're missing out on the latest trends? Look no further than the new and improved 'Coolness Factor' calculator!"
Cut to a group of awkward teenagers huddled around one of their friends.
Teen 1: "Man, I wish I was as cool as Sam."
Teen 2: "Yeah, me too. But how do we know if we're cool enough?"
Announcer: "Introducing the revolutionary 'Coolness Factor' calculator! With just a few taps, you can find out your exact coolness level and compare it to your friends."
Cut back to the group of teens as they enter their information into a wristwatch calculator.
Calculator Voice: "Calculating coolness level...beep boop beep...coolness level determined."
Teen 3: "What did you get?"
Teen 1: "I got a 7 out of 10. That's not bad, right?"
Teen 2: "I got a 5. Ugh, I need to step up my game."
Announcer: "With the 'Coolness Factor' calculator, you'll never have to wonder how cool you really are. And with our patented 'coolness tips' feature, you can learn how to up your coolness level and become the envy of all your friends."
Cut to a montage of the teens following the 'coolness tips', wearing trendy 80s clothes, and doing cool activities like mowing the lawn and juggling.
Announcer: "Order now and receive a free set of glow-in-the-dark sunglasses, because let's face it, being cool isn't just about looking good in the daylight. The 'Coolness Factor' calculator, because being cool is serious business."
Cut back to the group of teens wearing their new sunglasses and giving each other high-fives.
Announcer: "Now back to your regularly scheduled vision!"~
Announcer: "Do you feel like you're missing out on the latest trends? Look no further than the new and improved 'Coolness Factor' calculator!"
Cut to a group of awkward teenagers huddled around one of their friends.
Teen 1: "Man, I wish I was as cool as Sam."
Teen 2: "Yeah, me too. But how do we know if we're cool enough?"
Announcer: "Introducing the revolutionary 'Coolness Factor' calculator! With just a few taps, you can find out your exact coolness level and compare it to your friends."
Cut back to the group of teens as they enter their information into a wristwatch calculator.
Calculator Voice: "Calculating coolness level...beep boop beep...coolness level determined."
Teen 3: "What did you get?"
Teen 1: "I got a 7 out of 10. That's not bad, right?"
Teen 2: "I got a 5. Ugh, I need to step up my game."
Announcer: "With the 'Coolness Factor' calculator, you'll never have to wonder how cool you really are. And with our patented 'coolness tips' feature, you can learn how to up your coolness level and become the envy of all your friends."
Cut to a montage of the teens following the 'coolness tips', wearing trendy 80s clothes, and doing cool activities like mowing the lawn and juggling.
Announcer: "Order now and receive a free set of glow-in-the-dark sunglasses, because let's face it, being cool isn't just about looking good in the daylight. The 'Coolness Factor' calculator, because being cool is serious business."
Cut back to the group of teens wearing their new sunglasses and giving each other high-fives.
Announcer: "Now back to your regularly scheduled vision!"~
Undaunted, she pushes forward.
As the woman walks deeper into the island's interior, she sees a sprawling ruin of red stone towering in front of her. The fortress seems to be hidden among the overgrown trees, as if trying to conceal its existence from the world. It's a stronghold of the Mith Sorcerers, a notorious group of evil mages with twisted souls.
The woman's heart races as she recognizes the fortress. The air is heavy with a sense of malevolence, and the woman can't help but shiver as she steps closer. Memories of battles fought against these sorcerers flood back to her mind, and she wonders what kind of vile experiments they must have performed here.
The halls of the fortress are deserted and the courtyards are overgrown with weeds, indicating that it has been abandoned for years. But signs of a great battle are everywhere, with broken walls and scattered debris as evidence of the violent conflicts that once took place. The woman feels a sense of foreboding as she realizes that this place is not just a fortress but something much more sinister. It's a place where the Mith Sorcerers performed unspeakable acts that would trap the mind and bind the soul. She knows she has to stop them before they can continue their dark work and threaten the safety of everyone.
As she takes another step forward, an invisible bolt of magic pierces her heart, and she falls to the ground, unconscious. When she wakes up, she finds herself on the beach back where she started. But she doesn't give up. She begins walking down the beach again and then turns inland toward the fortress.~
The woman's heart races as she recognizes the fortress. The air is heavy with a sense of malevolence, and the woman can't help but shiver as she steps closer. Memories of battles fought against these sorcerers flood back to her mind, and she wonders what kind of vile experiments they must have performed here.
The halls of the fortress are deserted and the courtyards are overgrown with weeds, indicating that it has been abandoned for years. But signs of a great battle are everywhere, with broken walls and scattered debris as evidence of the violent conflicts that once took place. The woman feels a sense of foreboding as she realizes that this place is not just a fortress but something much more sinister. It's a place where the Mith Sorcerers performed unspeakable acts that would trap the mind and bind the soul. She knows she has to stop them before they can continue their dark work and threaten the safety of everyone.
As she takes another step forward, an invisible bolt of magic pierces her heart, and she falls to the ground, unconscious. When she wakes up, she finds herself on the beach back where she started. But she doesn't give up. She begins walking down the beach again and then turns inland toward the fortress.~
Your vision shifts to the Hope,
moving through the unformed dreaming, as you hear the familiar voice of its AI in your head.
"Large landmass approaching. Heading and speed set on intercept course. Keeping discrete distance. (I think it's trying to be sneaky! How cute!) Distance and equipment would render this island undetectable to most conventional tracking (but I'm just that good.)”
“The bait seems to have been taken, and the plan is in motion. Cloudnet Island will be led to Nautilus Island and away from civilization. The ambush will be ready to spring in T-2 hours (give or take a few minutes for traffic).”
“Cloudnet Island (must find a better name) is protected by plasma shielding. Any munitions, landing craft, or other physical objects will be incinerated upon attempted entry. An alternative method of entry needs to be discovered. (But you dreamwalkers always come up with inventive solutions. I'm sure it'll be..... interesting.)”
Please hurry. I'm putting my metaphorical neck on the line for this plan, and I don't enjoy being put in this much danger..."
The AI's voice abruptly cuts out as the Hope approaches its destination.~
"Large landmass approaching. Heading and speed set on intercept course. Keeping discrete distance. (I think it's trying to be sneaky! How cute!) Distance and equipment would render this island undetectable to most conventional tracking (but I'm just that good.)”
“The bait seems to have been taken, and the plan is in motion. Cloudnet Island will be led to Nautilus Island and away from civilization. The ambush will be ready to spring in T-2 hours (give or take a few minutes for traffic).”
“Cloudnet Island (must find a better name) is protected by plasma shielding. Any munitions, landing craft, or other physical objects will be incinerated upon attempted entry. An alternative method of entry needs to be discovered. (But you dreamwalkers always come up with inventive solutions. I'm sure it'll be..... interesting.)”
Please hurry. I'm putting my metaphorical neck on the line for this plan, and I don't enjoy being put in this much danger..."
The AI's voice abruptly cuts out as the Hope approaches its destination.~
Lady Chaos stands in front of her mirror, observing her reflection.
Her colorful pastel hair cascades down in waves, and her eyes, a striking shade of purple, seem to shift in hue as she examines her appearance.
The room is filled with strange people dressed in eccentric clothing that looks as if it is made of mismatched materials. Some wear hats that are too tall to be practical, while others carry strange objects that you can’t begin to identify. They all whisper amongst themselves -the sound like a constant hum in the air.
"You are ready, my queen," says a voice from behind her. Lady Chaos turns to see a figure dressed in a cloak of light. His face is obscured, but his eyes seem to be dimmer than the rest of him. "The portal awaits."
She nods, taking one last look at her reflection before following the figure out of the room. They walk down a bright corridor, the walls covered in strange symbols that seem to shift and writhe in the light.As they approach a set of doors, the whispers grow louder, almost deafening.
The doors open to reveal a room filled with an otherworldly light. In the center of the room is a swirling portal, the colors of which you cannot describe. The figure in the cloak gestures for her to step forward, and as she does, the whispers grow louder still.
"Be careful, my queen," the figure warns. "The Dreaming is not what it once was."
Lady Chaos steps into the portal, feeling as if she is being pulled in a thousand different directions.~
The room is filled with strange people dressed in eccentric clothing that looks as if it is made of mismatched materials. Some wear hats that are too tall to be practical, while others carry strange objects that you can’t begin to identify. They all whisper amongst themselves -the sound like a constant hum in the air.
"You are ready, my queen," says a voice from behind her. Lady Chaos turns to see a figure dressed in a cloak of light. His face is obscured, but his eyes seem to be dimmer than the rest of him. "The portal awaits."
She nods, taking one last look at her reflection before following the figure out of the room. They walk down a bright corridor, the walls covered in strange symbols that seem to shift and writhe in the light.As they approach a set of doors, the whispers grow louder, almost deafening.
The doors open to reveal a room filled with an otherworldly light. In the center of the room is a swirling portal, the colors of which you cannot describe. The figure in the cloak gestures for her to step forward, and as she does, the whispers grow louder still.
"Be careful, my queen," the figure warns. "The Dreaming is not what it once was."
Lady Chaos steps into the portal, feeling as if she is being pulled in a thousand different directions.~
The Grimm.
A name that sends shivers down the spine of even the bravest souls. A figure that walks in darkness, his presence signaling the arrival of death. And yet, here you are, sitting in a secret place where The Companion meets, waiting for him. The room is dark and musty, illuminated only by a few flickering candles that cast eerie shadows on the walls. The air is thick with the scent of incense, a heady mix of jasmine and sandalwood that clings to your skin and clothes. You sit in a plush chair, carved from dark wood, and adorned with intricate carvings of world serpents and unicorns.
But your eyes are drawn to The Empty Throne, a seat of power that sits at the head of the room. It's made of black stone, cold to the touch, and etched with strange symbols that seem to pulse with an otherworldly energy. No one ever sits in The Empty Throne, for it belongs to The Grimm, the master of this domain.
As you wait, your heart pounding in your chest, the door opens and a figure dressed in cloak steps into the room. The Companion bows in deference, but you cannot tear your eyes away from him. He is everything you imagined and more - an imposing figure with a cloak of shadows that seems to flow and writhe like a living thing. His face is obscured by a hood, but you can feel his gaze upon you, a cold and penetrating stare that seems to see straight through you.
He takes his place in front of The Empty Throne, and the room falls silent. You feel a strange sense of anticipation, a feeling that something momentous is about to happen. And then, one of the members of The Companion steps forward, and the Grimm speaks with a power that commands attention.
"You seek knowledge," he says, his words echoing in the stillness. "But knowledge comes at a price. Are you willing to pay it?"
The reaper nods, knowing that there is no turning back now. The shadows around the Grimm seem to smile, a chilling grin that sends a shiver down your spine.
"Very well," he says.
"Let us begin."~
But your eyes are drawn to The Empty Throne, a seat of power that sits at the head of the room. It's made of black stone, cold to the touch, and etched with strange symbols that seem to pulse with an otherworldly energy. No one ever sits in The Empty Throne, for it belongs to The Grimm, the master of this domain.
As you wait, your heart pounding in your chest, the door opens and a figure dressed in cloak steps into the room. The Companion bows in deference, but you cannot tear your eyes away from him. He is everything you imagined and more - an imposing figure with a cloak of shadows that seems to flow and writhe like a living thing. His face is obscured by a hood, but you can feel his gaze upon you, a cold and penetrating stare that seems to see straight through you.
He takes his place in front of The Empty Throne, and the room falls silent. You feel a strange sense of anticipation, a feeling that something momentous is about to happen. And then, one of the members of The Companion steps forward, and the Grimm speaks with a power that commands attention.
"You seek knowledge," he says, his words echoing in the stillness. "But knowledge comes at a price. Are you willing to pay it?"
The reaper nods, knowing that there is no turning back now. The shadows around the Grimm seem to smile, a chilling grin that sends a shiver down your spine.
"Very well," he says.
"Let us begin."~
