The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

2 hours ago, Thee insane said:

Asher stands up. Then quickly checks to make sure her mask was still on. When it was she sighed. "I think... well it would make more sense if we got a way to separate them from me. Technically they are two different people fused into me." She says still a bit embarrassed,  maybe or guilty. For that little situation...

He nodded, a slight frown taking the grin. “You said Bacon couldn’t - or wouldn’t?”

He wasn’t actually sure who Bacon the Bard was, but a phantom impression was left in his mind. He wasn’t sure where from. Bacon was powerful.

”At least some… procedures, right now, if you wish. If you feel like Cade is taking over, we could establish a code word - or I guess Silver could read your brainwaves - and then the mech - should you be using it, would lock up until Silver senses that you returned to control.”

 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

11 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Oh, I didn’t see that one.”

-

He shrugged. 

Shoe grinned.

"Then where was the other jungle?" Tam asked, exasperated.

-

"Nevermind. You ready?"

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

37 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Torrent turned toward them and grinned. Wind whipped around her. 

“Go home, children,” she called, voice grating. “Leave the adults to their fun.” 

Most of the civilians were gone by now. 

Everet blushed. “I’m not that young.” 
Rebus stood in the corner, eating a brownie. 

24 minutes ago, NameIess said:

Their weapons are magical, and their leaders have long been corrupted by their desire for my power. They will not serve you.

Someone was misrepresenting the power of Narrators. It always gets on my nerves.  Nameless's eye stopped twitching. Looks like they're done. So, what's your guess? I'm going with alternate reality version of Malevolence.

Balitan broke his eyes away from the hologram. "He could be a relative. I never knew my family growing up."

I figured that could be the case, which is why I wrote it somewhat vague as to where the drone was launching Malevolence from. Explanatory comic:

  Hide contents

Malevolence swept the Mordite blade through Rebus's armor in the blink of an eye, then hit the ground hard and rolled, crashed, and tumbled before finally being stopped by a wall just outside the teleportation field. He teleported away on impact.

Rebel nodded. He almost thought that he, too, might be corrupted, but he didn’t, or perhaps couldn’t. “Alright,” he said, walking to the door. “Would using you help you gain power, or shall we attempt the surprise attack again?”

 
“Ah, the god person?” Rebus guessed, “I’m pretty sure that was Narrator-level power - though claiming to be above the Authors in power is ridiculous. You might be family, Balitan. Evil twins are a known literary phenomenon; I have a few myself, with varying degrees of relatedness and inversion. From what I’ve heard of Malevolence’s family, though, you’re probably better off.” 
 

That’s a decent comic - definitely makes it clearer. I like the last panel. 
The blade shredded through much of the armor, but the Nullite plating offers more resistance. As Malevolence teleported away, nanomachines gathered up the Nullite and any stray chips of Morditite, then turned off the teleportation suppression and teleported away as well. The remains of the armor laid on the ground in several pieces, the right arm still holding Rebus’s sword. Rebus’s body, though, was nowhere to be seen; the armor was empty except for a small object in the breastplate. 

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

25 minutes ago, N̶̝̦͝u̶͇̠͒́l̷̺͇͔̩̯̆͜l̸̾̿̓̚ said:

He nodded understandingly. "Good luck." he told Aden, holding out his hand for a handshake

Aden shook back. “Thanks. She should wake up in about ten minutes.”

15 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Shoe grinned.

"Then where was the other jungle?" Tam asked, exasperated.

-

"Nevermind. You ready?"

He looked around. “Dunno. I was playing drums there. There was a cat.”

9 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Everet blushed. “I’m not that young.” 
Rebus stood in the corner, eating a brownie. 

“I’m younger than you are, and yet I’m the adult here,” she informed him. “Well? Shall we fight?”

[Existential]

Just now, Halcyon The Only said:

Aden shook back. “Thanks. She should wake up in about ten minutes.”

19 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

He nodded, moving back to his chair

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He looked around. “Dunno. I was playing drums there. There was a cat.”

She looked at Bat helplessly.

Any ideas?

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

11 minutes ago, N̶̝̦͝u̶͇̠͒́l̷̺͇͔̩̯̆͜l̸̾̿̓̚ said:

He nodded, moving back to his chair

Aden and Irie left. 

9 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She looked at Bat helplessly.

Any ideas?

He shrugged. 

Teleport to a jungle with a temple and a cat? 

-

Aden and Irie headed to the underground garage again. Aden picked a fresh jeep that still had both doors. 

[Keke They/he]

35 minutes ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

He nodded, a slight frown taking the grin. “You said Bacon couldn’t - or wouldn’t?”

He wasn’t actually sure who Bacon the Bard was, but a phantom impression was left in his mind. He wasn’t sure where from. Bacon was powerful.

”At least some… procedures, right now, if you wish. If you feel like Cade is taking over, we could establish a code word - or I guess Silver could read your brainwaves - and then the mech - should you be using it, would lock up until Silver senses that you returned to control.”

 

Asher nods. "He said he wouldn't. He said "im not a therapist, ill just take the pain away until your with someone who can properly help. And cade doesn't really bother unless I am welding a weapon. And if I am not... well he shouldn't be an issue." yeah. Besides unless you are ready to fight there ain't nothing interesting happening. also pyk. Since I opened the pathway its... well gonna stay open. So you can hear us. And ashers thoughts. what my thoughts? I necer agreed to that! you... it was an emergency decision. Besides it couldnt hurt. Pyk is kinda like alex. Alex- don't talk about Alex. 

[Existential]

Just now, Halcyon The Only said:

Aden and Irie left. 

He shrugged. 

Teleport to a jungle with a temple and a cat? 

-

Aden and Irie headed to the underground garage again. Aden picked a fresh jeep that still had both doors. 

"Hey Ria, do you think this might fix some of the pains and things she's been having?" he asked, hopeful

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He shrugged. 

Teleport to a jungle with a temple and a cat? 

-

Aden and Irie headed to the underground garage again. Aden picked a fresh jeep that still had both doors. 

She sighed. It was super vague . . . but she'd probably traveled to more vaguely-defined places before, anyway.

She took them there.

"Is this is?" she asked Elliot.

-

She got into the passenger side.

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

2 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“I’m younger than you are, and yet I’m the adult here,” she informed him. “Well? Shall we fight?”

Everet blushed again. "I don't know. I always left before this point." 

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, N̶̝̦͝u̶͇̠͒́l̷̺͇͔̩̯̆͜l̸̾̿̓̚ said:

"Hey Ria, do you think this might fix some of the pains and things she's been having?" he asked, hopeful

“It’ll at least help.” 

Five’s eyelids fluttered and she woke up, smiling at Starlight. “Did it work?”

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

She sighed. It was super vague . . . but she'd probably traveled to more vaguely-defined places before, anyway.

She took them there.

"Is this is?" she asked Elliot.

-

She got into the passenger side.

“Yup. Dunno where the cat got to, though.” 

He went back to playing drums.

Bat turned toward the temple, made of orange ish stone and covered in moss and vines. 

Just now, Dragonheir said:

Everet blushed again. "I don't know. I always left before this point." 

“Yes, then! Fight!” She darted forward, stabbing at Torrent. 

Torrent ducked, sending a gust of wind that knocked Soliel into a building. 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Yup. Dunno where the cat got to, though.” 

He went back to playing drums.

Bat turned toward the temple, made of orange ish stone and covered in moss and vines. 

"When you say 'cat' . . . actually nevermind. You wanna stay here or go back to the cabin?"

[Existential]

3 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“It’ll at least help.” 

Five’s eyelids fluttered and she woke up, smiling at Starlight. “Did it work?”

“It did, Five.” He said with a smile “Ria, do you think we should try a contact test or is that too soon?” He asked eagerly

[NameIess]

37 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Rebel nodded. He almost thought that he, too, might be corrupted, but he didn’t, or perhaps couldn’t. “Alright,” he said, walking to the door. “Would using you help you gain power, or shall we attempt the surprise attack again?”

I can drain their strength and add it to my own, as I did with those who tried to steal me.

37 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

“Ah, the god person?” Rebus guessed, “I’m pretty sure that was Narrator-level power - though claiming to be above the Authors in power is ridiculous. You might be family, Balitan. Evil twins are a known literary phenomenon; I have a few myself, with varying degrees of relatedness and inversion. From what I’ve heard of Malevolence’s family, though, you’re probably better off.” 

I would agree on both points, except to point out that Malevolence still does not know his real family.

"I guess it could be." Balitan scratched his head. "Maybe I should look back into finding my parents."

40 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

That’s a decent comic - definitely makes it clearer. I like the last panel. 

Thanks!

40 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

The blade shredded through much of the armor, but the Nullite plating offers more resistance. As Malevolence teleported away, nanomachines gathered up the Nullite and any stray chips of Morditite, then turned off the teleportation suppression and teleported away as well. The remains of the armor laid on the ground in several pieces, the right arm still holding Rebus’s sword. Rebus’s body, though, was nowhere to be seen; the armor was empty except for a small object in the breastplate. 

Several small drones appeared, scanning the battlefield. One approached the armor, running a scan over it, pulling free the small object with a tiny mechanical arm.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

16 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

"When you say 'cat' . . . actually nevermind. You wanna stay here or go back to the cabin?"

He didn’t seem to be listening anymore, playing an especially tricky but satisfying riff. 

12 minutes ago, N̶̝̦͝u̶͇̠͒́l̷̺͇͔̩̯̆͜l̸̾̿̓̚ said:

“It did, Five.” He said with a smile “Ria, do you think we should try a contact test or is that too soon?” He asked eagerly

Five paled. 

“We could try. I’m not sure if the pain was due to chemicals, the machines, or her own brain manufacturing it. Up to her.” 

Five squeezed her blanket harder. 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He didn’t seem to be listening anymore, playing an especially tricky but satisfying riff. 

She sighed and sent him back anyway. No use in letting him get attacked and killed.

"So . . . everyone good to go in, then?"

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

She sighed and sent him back anyway. No use in letting him get attacked and killed.

"So . . . everyone good to go in, then?"

Beosta nodded, drawing her crossblade. 

“Yeah,” Bat said, kind of wishing he had a weapon. 

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

20 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

“Yes, then! Fight!” She darted forward, stabbing at Torrent. 

Torrent ducked, sending a gust of wind that knocked Soliel into a building. 

Ah, because it’s water… taking the necklace off would help - if she knew how to walk and breathe, that is. 
Everet flew and ran intermittently to her side. “Are you alright?” 

7 minutes ago, NameIess said:

I can drain their strength and add it to my own, as I did with those who tried to steal me.

I would agree on both points, except to point out that Malevolence still does not know his real family.

"I guess it could be." Balitan scratched his head. "Maybe I should look back into finding my parents."

Thanks!

Several small drones appeared, scanning the battlefield. One approached the armor, running a scan over it, pulling free the small object with a tiny mechanical arm.

“Alright. Let’s attack.” Rebel’s utility fog, now built up significantly, surrounded him. It ate through the door almost all the way, then blasted through the remaining material and into the room beyond. 
“That makes it even more likely, Nameless. Let’s see how he takes this…” 

The armor is relatively active, though clearly damaged. Tron lights flickered on and off, though the actually lights seemed fully functional. The small object turned out to be a large red button, reading, “Turn off teleportation shielding, then press. Honestly not a trap.” 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Beosta nodded, drawing her crossblade. 

“Yeah,” Bat said, kind of wishing he had a weapon. 

Shoe nodded and followed Beosta's example, pulling out his battle-ax.

Tam led them into the temple.

Edited February 12, 2025 by Through The Living Glass

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

33 minutes ago, Thee insane said:

Asher nods. "He said he wouldn't. He said "im not a therapist, ill just take the pain away until your with someone who can properly help. And cade doesn't really bother unless I am welding a weapon. And if I am not... well he shouldn't be an issue." yeah. Besides unless you are ready to fight there ain't nothing interesting happening. also pyk. Since I opened the pathway its... well gonna stay open. So you can hear us. And ashers thoughts. what my thoughts? I necer agreed to that! you... it was an emergency decision. Besides it couldnt hurt. Pyk is kinda like alex. Alex- don't talk about Alex. 

Pyk hesitated. “Well… do you have any idea of how to begin to separate you three?”

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Ah, because it’s water… taking the necklace off would help - if she knew how to walk and breathe, that is. 
Everet flew and ran intermittently to her side. “Are you alright?” 

“Fine,” she said, shaking her head. “Owch.” 

Torrent sent a strong, rather pointed gust at him. Soliel yanked him to the side, nearly falling over, and then charged her. 

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Shoe nodded and followed Beosta's example, pulling out his battle-ax.

Tam led them into the temple.

He just pulls out his battle ax  

It was dark. Yes very very dark and creepy and hissed in the dark and bird calls from outside despite the still quiet as a tomb inside mmmhmm with torches on the wall that somehow still burned. Offshoot halls went this way and that, but they were quite thin indeed. 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He just pulls out his battle ax  

It was dark. Yes very very dark and creepy and hissed in the dark and bird calls from outside despite the still quiet as a tomb inside mmmhmm with torches on the wall that somehow still burned. Offshoot halls went this way and that, but they were quite thin indeed. 

Of course. From the Bottomless Muffin Bag™

Spooky, Shoe said.

"Definitely."

They kept walking down the main hallway.

[Existential]

20 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

He didn’t seem to be listening anymore, playing an especially tricky but satisfying riff. 

Five paled. 

“We could try. I’m not sure if the pain was due to chemicals, the machines, or her own brain manufacturing it. Up to her.” 

Five squeezed her blanket harder. 

“What do you think, Five?” He said, holding out his hand, giving her a warm smile

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

5 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Of course. From the Bottomless Muffin Bag™

Spooky, Shoe said.

"Definitely."

They kept walking down the main hallway.

Oh of course  

They began to hear chanting from deeper in the temple, up a flight of stairs. 

1 minute ago, N̶̝̦͝u̶͇̠͒́l̷̺͇͔̩̯̆͜l̸̾̿̓̚ said:

“What do you think, Five?” He said, holding out his hand, giving her a warm smile

She shrank back. 

“I… I don’t know,” she whispered.