The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Jaywalk he/him]

Author Void invited TVG to insert whoever she would like.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

All my characters are Narrators and the ones who aren't are either incapacitated (Trewee), on CBST (Thought) or wouldn't fit at all (Zoey). I'll think about it though. 

However, do be prepared for the backlash. TLTians aren't always the most accepting of plot. 

[Jaywalk he/him]

When the assassin turned from Aridith’s broken body, the doors suddenly slammed closed, trapping him inside the throne room. A withergeist slipped between the cracks, then dispersed. Its essence floated into Aridith, who opened his eyes and got back to his feet as if nothing had ever happened.

The assassin backed up into the doors. “Whoa...”

Aridith frowned. “It will take more than the Blade of Quidan to fell me. Such trifling attempts are a waste of time.”

The assassin looked down at his sword—gleaming steel with glowing veins of flowing azure. He’d wrenched it from Quidan’s cold, dead hands himself. He’d killed two other Black Holed before this. But now, all that work...was for nothing?

“I have a proposition,” Aridith said.

”Fire away.”

”Take that sword. Raze Universe Hexagon in my name. The people are weak and afraid—of no use to me.”

”I will do no such thing.”

”I disagree.” Aridith leaned forward from the throne, showing eyes devoid of light. “Leave now, and do as I command.” He waved his hand, and a portal opened between them.

Against his will, the assassin stepped through.

[xinoehp512 he/him]

All of a sudden, the ship lurched to a stop. Then, slowly, it began to rise into the air.

Jaxevist ran to the side of the ship, fighting the acceleration, wondering what in the name of Unreality was going on. He slammed into the side and craned his head over the edge.

From the waves was rising a monstrous, holedoid figure with ocean-blue skin and eyes. The Crimson Tide sat cupped within its giant, webbed hands held high above its head.

"By all the threads," whispered Venyera from behind him. "What is that thing?"

"Fate only knows," muttered Jaxevist. "Unless Xirost-"

"It's the Moon," cut in Xirost.

"The Moon?" replied Venyera incredulously. "It's kind of small for a moon, don't you think?"

"Not a planetary moon. It's the name that the native inhabitants of this subverse have given to this creature. It's a legendary protector said to roam the coastline searching for and destroying those who intend harm."

"If we don't intend harm, will it let us go?" asked Venyera hopefully. "If its goal is protecting..."

"'Protector' my huma," said Jaxevist grimly. "See the eyes? Those are thrall-rings if I've ever seen them. Black thrall-rings."

Silence fell among the three for a moment as the others stared at the creatures eyes, rapidly rising relative to the ship as the creature lowered its hands.

"Silence and shadows," whispered Xirost. "You're right." 

"What are we going to do?" asked Venyera softly. "Maybe the Hyxali...?"

"I doubt even flight would get us away from that thing. Unless Xirost thinks otherwise."

Xirost exhaled. "Correct, sir.  Unfortunately. The Moon would swat us out of the air like a fly. Or, actually, not like a fly- we'd be far easier to hit."

Venyera shuddered. "Do you have to call it the Moon? It makes it sound like we're under attack from space or something."

"Don't blame me. I'm not the one who named it."

"Yes, but-"

"Enough with the bickering," interrupted Jaxevist. "Xirost, the master of this... thing would have to be in the city, correct?"

Xirost hesitated, then nodded. "The mental fortitude of a creature of this size would likely require the controlling holed to be somewhere in the city, yes."

"Good," said Jaxevist, narrowing his eyes with determination. "Venyera, ready the Yellows. We're going to see if we can't kill a few more of those Blacks before we leave this place."

******

“Assassin!” called the sciiox. “I come bearing a truce!”

"A truce?" exclaimed Venyera incredulously. "With Blacks?"

Jaxevist would normally have agreed with her, but they were currently being held three hundred feet in the air by a giant sea-creature. Wait, he signed. Talk first. Locate enthraller, perhaps? Then attack.

"A truce?" he called out to the sciiox. "You'll forgive me if I am - let's say- a bit skeptical, given the reputation of your masters."

The sciiox made a coughing sound. The equivalent of a sigh among their kind, according to Xirost. "My master has decided to put revenge aside in favor of potential alliance. Apparently, he is in need of someone with your... skills."

"He wants me to do a job?" Jaxevist shouted, genuinely surprised. "I killed his family!"

The sciiox flicked his tail- the equivalent of a shrug. "He must have been impressed."

Jaxevist leaned back from the railing, astonished. He knew that the Black members of his kind were cold, but this... this was something else. He shivered. He didn't even want to know what a holed like that would ask of him.

Found them? he signed.

I think so, signed Venyera. See that Black a little farther back down the dock?

Jaxevist glanced at the figure out of the corner of his eye. Yes. We good to go?Venyera nodded subtly and retreated.

Excellent, thought Jaxevist. Out loud, he called down to the sciiox, stalling for time. "How much are you willing to pay for my service? I don't come cheap."

The sciiox flicked his tail again. "My master's plans are his alone. But I would think that sparing your life should be sufficient."
Come, on Venyera, thought Jaxevist. "I'm a Red. My life is cheap."

"Oh?" The sciiox smiled. "Are you sure?"

Jaxevist heard a rumble beginning behind him and smiled in relief. "Very."

From behind him, a loud voice cried out "Fire!" With that, dozens of fireballs exploded fowards, towards the dock, the people on the dock, and the entire rest of the city.

As the fiery projectiles of death detonated, the grip on the ship slackened. Now! thought Jaxevist forcefully at the dozens of Hyxali drones in the hull. With a hum, their wings sprang open and began to beat in sync. With a pop! the valves in the bottom of the ship opened, letting the thrust push down on the now-freed giant's hand and lifting the ship into the air.

Jaxevist laughed at the dumbfounded expressions of the sciiox on the docks below. "So long, suckers!" he cried. "See you never! I hope you all-"

"SIR!" screamed Xirost. "THE MOON-"

All of a sudden, something crashed into the ship. Holed of all colors went flying, most of which luckily got a grip on ropes, planks, or some other attached item. Most; but not Jaxevist, who flipped over the railing and tumbled towards the ground below.

-----

Jaxevist awoke with clouded vision. He tried to reach up and clear away, but his hand wouldn't respond.

That's odd, he thought deliriously.

From his midsection came a pulse of energy that washed over his body, healing cuts and fixing bones. He sat up, groaning, as pain spiked through his body before fading to a dull ache.

"Oh, yes," he muttered. "Healing is a wonderful power."

"I bet it is," said a voice wryly from above him.

Jaxevist jerked his head up. There was the sciiox, looking remarkably calm considering the circumstances. Besides him stood a couple other sciiox- presumably some of his inferiors. Up close, Jakevist couldn't help noticing the black thrall-rings banding each of their irises, marks of their forced servitude to a Black holed. Likely they were servants to Aridith himself.

"So," said the sciiox. "How about that truce?"

"Truce?" said Jaxevist slowly, searching the skies for his ship. At last he caught a glimpse of it- far out to sea, flying slowly away.

"Yes," continued the sciiox. "Considering your current situation, perhaps you will reconsider our offer?"

Jaxevist scanned the dock, but there was no easy way to escape- and he was too weak to escape anyways. There was only one thing left he could do.

"Well?" prodded the sciiox.

In response, Jaxevist raised a trembling hand and summoned his sword of gleaming steel and glowing veins of azure. The Sword of Shadows. The Blade of Quidan.

"There will be no truce," he said quietly. "I will kill you all."

-----

Shadow consumed Jaxevist's vision as he spun like a whirlwind through the guards, cutting them down like a reaper cuts wheat. Behind him the fallen began to rise again, the dark power of his sword possessing their bodies and turning them against their former comrades.

As his thoughts sank beneath mindless destruction, Jaxevist swept through the streets of the city at the head of an army, murdering everyone who stood in his way.

-----

Jaxevist stood in the middle of the throne room, surrounded by corpses. He looked around, dizzy with shock. 

So many dead... he thought. Thank goodness his crew had escaped. If he'd killed them as well...

He turned from the pile of corpses to leave and begin making his way to his prearranged rendezvous point when -suddenly- the door slammed shut, crashing from the ceiling to the floor. Jaxevist jerked to a stop, staring at the door for a moment, then whirled around.

Dark essence came from everywhere, pouring into the dead king. His eyes flew open, injuries resealing with some dark substance - as though he were Red instead of Black.

In moments, it was finished. Aridith pulled himself to his feet as though nothing had happened.
Jaxevist backed up in horror, slamming into the doors. "Wha..? How...?"
The king frowned. “It will take more than the Blade of Quidan to fell me. Such trifling attempts are a waste of time.”  

Jaxevist looked at his blade. Such power... With this, a man could face an army- and win. It had taken him monts of searching to find it, years of training to wield it. Even still, he could only use it alone for fear he would destroy any who fought with him. 

And it still wasn't enough.

“I have a proposition,” Aridith said.  

"You think I'd listen to you?" growled Jaxevist. "You're a monster. Your entire race is arrogant and heartless beyond belief. And you're the most heartless of them all. In fact-"

Aridith calmly raised a hand and made a motion towards Jaxevist. Dark vines constricted around the assassin's throat, strangling his words unsaid.

"I said," continued Aridith calmly. "I have a proposition for you."

Jaxevist struggled against the choking vines, but they were wound too tight. "Fine," he rapsed at last. "Fire away."

Aridith waved and the vines retreated. Jaxevist gasped, relieved. The monarch waited a few seconds for his breathing to subside, then continued. "Take that sword. Raze Universe Hexagon in my name. The people are weak and afraid—of no use to me."

Jaxevist gaped. "The Hyxali? You want me to kill the Hyxali?"

Aridith gazed at him impassively.

"No," said Jaxevist, shaking his head. "I will do no such thing. The Hyxali are practically the most peaceful beings on the Threads. You can walk in and take a few dozen drones or workers and they won't even raise an alarm. Heck, they'll volunteer. The only thing they'll ever get upset over is if you try to bother one of their queens or princesses- whom they need to survive as a species! There is literally no reason to kill them!"

"I disagree." Aridith leaned forward from the throne, showing eyes devoid of light. "Leave now, and do as I command."

All of sudden, Jaxevist felt an enormous pressure grip his eyes. He gasped, falling to his knees, as two black thrall-rings manifested in his irises - one in each eye.

"Impossible," he whispered.

Aridith waved his hand, and a portal opened between King and assassin. Against his will, Jaxevist stepped through.  

 

Edited January 6, 2020 by xinoehp512

[Jaywalk he/him]

Jakevist came out in the square of a small village. People were going about their business as usual; no one seemed to notice him.

[NameIess]

Except for one man, who promptly fainted.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

He fainted because he had been bitten by a withergeist. 

[Jaywalk he/him]

His body quickly dissolved, and Jakevist was a bit creeped out by the sight.

[xinoehp512 he/him]

Jaxevist cut up and down the rows of workers and drones. Nobody lifted a finger to stop him. None even tried to run away. They just kept on doing their jobs until they were killed by a swift stroke from his sword.

These ones didn't dissolve, of course. Why destroy the body when you could raise it for your own purposes?

He hated himself for being the vessel of this destruction. But he had no choice, no control. He couldn't even shudder as their insectile bodies crunched under his feet.

In no time at all, the entire village was dead. Jaxevist stood in the center, sword hand dangling, stunned by just how easy it had been.

But this was only the beginning.

The sword crackled with dark power as each and every fallen Hyxali rose, bidden by the sword's command to join the ranks of Jaxevist's army.

Edited January 6, 2020 by xinoehp512

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

TVG smiled in satisfaction from her desk. Plot had come to TLT and the anarchists could do little about it. Her own character had been prosecuted for her dealings in Plot hundreds of pages ago and now two of her fellow Authors were following in her footsteps. 

Edited January 6, 2020 by Shard of Thought

[Jaywalk he/him]

Author Void tapped on TVG's door. "Sometimes you just gotta do something a little different."

- - -

Universe Hexagon was in a state of unrest. A representative from the government was sent to inspect the carnage, and perhaps discern where the bodies had been taken. But there was no trace of the Hyxali, save for the enchanted bloodstains on the ground. "No clue what happened," Nile radioed back to base. "Must've been cannabilism or something."

"We hear you, Operative Nile," the radio said back. "A bonejet is en route to pi--" The voice cut off, replaced by static.

"Hello?" Nile said. "Anyone there?"

After a few moments of radio silence, a different voice came through--a woman. "Nile? Nile, is that you?"

"Cassandra! It's me!"

"We have reports of another attack going on about thirty miles south from you. The bonejet's coming to take you there, along with some reinforcements."

"You're sure it's the same thing?"

"Of course not," Cassandra said. "We have no idea what in Hyxlia's cursed name is going on! That's why you're on the job."

The bonejet emerged from the pink clouds, diving down to Nile's truck. "Fair enough," Nile said to Cassandra as it lowered its repulsorlift. He jumped inside. "I'll get to the bottom of this, don't you worry."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

TVG smirked. Personally, I find mere characters less interesting than Narrators, and though I will need another representative here when Sophie leaves (I'm honestly running out of names for my vessels, aren't I?) I don't intend to make one who has much of a personality.... As she thought about it she realized that her new Narrator, in theory, might learn of CBST and become jealous that his or her sisters got to be so full of plot. That could be a god storyline. Unfortunately, she couldn't think of a good way to fit it in now, as Sophie was still here. Poor Sophie. TVG hoped she'd find that CBST was a much more hospitable place than this chaos-filled thread. In addition, she also considered the fact that she usually liked to be somewhat in control of the plot, and now only was the current storyline rather confusing, but she had no real idea where it was going as opposed to Fallen and CBST which both had docs over 50 pages long full of her plotting. 

If I come up with a character idea, I'll join you, but until then... She shrugged. Characters make a story. Sometimes I get characters like Ember who can stem from a single idea and turn into something absolutely exquisite, but this needs a little more thought. 

[Jaywalk he/him]

"Understandable," Void said. "But the characters are me, and I am the characters. We are inseparable."

[xinoehp512 he/him]

4 hours ago, Jaywalk said:

Author Void tapped on TVG's door. "Sometimes you just gotta do something a little different."

- - -

Universe Hexagon was in a state of unrest. A representative from the government was sent to inspect the carnage, and perhaps discern where the bodies had been taken. But there was no trace of the Hyxali, save for the enchanted bloodstains on the ground. "No clue what happened," Nile radioed back to base. "Must've been cannabilism or something."

"We hear you, Operative Nile," the radio said back. "A bonejet is en route to pi--" The voice cut off, replaced by static.

"Hello?" Nile said. "Anyone there?"

After a few moments of radio silence, a different voice came through--a woman. "Nile? Nile, is that you?"

"Cassandra! It's me!"

"We have reports of another attack going on about thirty miles south from you. The bonejet's coming to take you there, along with some reinforcements."

"You're sure it's the same thing?"

"Of course not," Cassandra said. "We have no idea what in Hyxlia's cursed name is going on! That's why you're on the job."

The bonejet emerged from the pink clouds, diving down to Nile's truck. "Fair enough," Nile said to Cassandra as it lowered its repulsorlift. He jumped inside. "I'll get to the bottom of this, don't you worry."

Jaxevist stared up at the strange vessel descending from the sky. He recognized what it was- that was simple. Bonejets weren't exactly the most uncommon thing across the Threads. What he didn't understand was why humans would get involved in the current conflict. Last he'd checked, their closest homeworld was on a different Thread entirely, more than a thousand subverses away.

But those wonderings were, of course secondary to the desire constantly pulsing in his head- to destroy the Hyxali, completely and utterly. If the humans wanted to get in the way, then they would suffer the same fate.

Edited January 7, 2020 by xinoehp512

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

TVG winkled her nose, amused at the character's arrogance. 

[Jaywalk he/him]

14 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

Jaxevist stared up at the strange vessel descending from the sky. He recognized what it was- that was simple. Bonejets weren't exactly the most uncommon thing across the Threads. What he didn't understand was why humans would get involved in the current conflict. Last he'd checked, their closest homeworld was on a different Thread entirely, more than a thousand subverses away.

But those wonderings were, of course secondary to the desire constantly pulsing in his head- to destroy the Hyxali, completely and utterly. If the humans wanted to get in the way, then they would suffer the same fate.

Nile spied a man standing alone amidst the carnage, clutching a blade glowing blue. “Land there,” he told the pilot, readying his gauntlets. “He’s the leader—I can tell.”

[xinoehp512 he/him]

Jaxevist leaned on his sword, black lightning crackling down its length. All over the city, hundreds of dead Hyxali workers and drones rose, joining the ranks and files of their already-fallen brethren.

They look like they did before, noted the part of Jaxevist's brain that was still his own. Except for being dead... they look the same. Would it even matter if they were alive? It couldn't be the first time Hyxali were used for war. With their lack of individuality and perfect willingness to follow orders...

Probably no one had ever tried to use them to attack other Hyxali, though. In fact, Jaxevist had to wonder if anyone else had ever tried to attack the Hyxali as a group at all. If it's as easy as this, probably a good thing they haven't. Otherwise the Hyxali would be long dead... 

Of course, if the Hexagon subverse had been destroyed long ago, then Jaxevist wouldn't have had to do it himself. Had to destroy each and every one of these peaceful workers, so innocent of any crime except that of supposed 'weakness'. Sure, Aridith might have killed him straight off, instead- but death would have been preferable to this.

 

Edited January 7, 2020 by xinoehp512

[Jaywalk he/him]

The repulsorlift lowered Nile down to the ground. He met the eyes of the assassin across the bloodstained field, then his gaze fell to the sword he carried. That was...the Blade of Quidan! How in Hyxlia’s void-stained teeth had he gotten ahold of that?

The other soldiers dropped down from the bonejet. “Bad news, men,” Nile said.

”Not just men,” one of the soldiers corrected—a woman.

Nile cleared his throat. “My bad. Anyway, looks like we’ve got a heck of a fight ahead of us. You’re sure you can deal with this.”

The woman pulled a metallic brick from her belt, which promptly unfolded into a crystal-lined minigun. “I think we can take em.”

”Very well.” He ignited his visor and locked on to the assassin’s weapon. “Cassie,” he said through the radio, “we could sure use some more back up.”

“More?” she asked.

Nile didn’t respond. Instead, he raised his gauntlets, and charged into the fray.

 

[xinoehp512 he/him]

 

Articus stared at the glowing, blinking dot on the holo-map of the Web. He swore he could feel a vein in his eyeball pulsing in sync with its neurotic rhythm. 

Besides him, the radio crackled on. A panicked underling. "Sir! Something's happened. One of the border worlds-"
"I have the holo-map up, Pallor," interrupted Articus wearily. He sighed. "I see it."
"What are we going to do, sir?" asked Pallor, still in that panicked voice of his. 
"Investigate," said Articus simply. "And hope."
-----
Nile knelt on the ground, prodding the oddly-colored splotch- all that was left of what had once been a productive farming settlement.

He stood up, pushing the button on his radio to give his report to the people back at Farpoint. "No sign of any inhabitants. Several blood stains on the ground- it looks like there was a fight- but no bodies. Most of the buildings have been pretty much completely reduced to rubble. No clue what happened. Over."
After a second or two, the response came back, though it was patchy and static-filled. "No bodies, blood stains, *kzzsh* reduced to rubble, check. Any *kzzsh* or  *kzzsh* marks in the area? Over."
Nile frowned. "Do not copy. Please repeat. Over."
"*kzzsh* bodies *kzzzzsh* rubble *kzzzzzzsh*"
Nile sighed. This radio was useless at trans-verse reception  "Just... send reinforcements, alright? Over." It would take a day or two for them to arrive, but hopefully they'd bring a better radio with them.

" *kzzzzsh*  hear you, Operative Nile," the radio said back. "A bonejet is en route to pi--" The voice cut off, replaced by static.

"Hello?" Nile said, without much hope of response. "Anyone there?"

After a few moments of radio silence, a different voice came through--a woman. "Nile? Nile, is that you?"

Nile's face brightened. "Cassandra! I can't believe... It's me! How...?"

"Princesses have their ways," she responded. "Especially the daughters of Hyxlia." He could hear the smirk on her face. "I'll tell you about it later. Right now," she continued, her voice becoming serious, "I have some sobering news. We have reports of another attack going on about thirty miles south from you. A bonejet's coming to take you there, along with some Hyxali reinforcements."

Another attack. Nile's gut twisted. "You're sure it's the same thing?"

"Of course not," Cassandra said. "We think so. But we have no idea what in Hyxlia's blessed name is going on! That's why you're on the job."

The bonejet emerged from the pink clouds, diving down to Nile's truck. "Fair enough," Nile said to Cassandra as it lowered its repulsorlift. He jumped inside. "I'll get to the bottom of this, don't you worry."

-----

Nile spied a man standing alone amidst the carnage, clutching a blade glowing blue. “Land there,” he told the pilot, readying his gauntlets. “He’s the leader—I can tell.” 

The repulsorlift lowered Nile down to the ground. He met the eyes of the assassin across the bloodstained field, then his gaze fell to the sword he carried. That was...the Blade of Quidan! How in Hyxlia’s name had he gotten ahold of that? The most Nile had even heard of it was through whispered legends. It was so shrouded in mystery, nobody even knew what it did. All they knew was that it was powerful.

The other soldiers dropped down from the bonejet. “Bad news, men,” Nile said.

”Not just men,” one of the few human soldiers corrected, gesturing towards the worker Hxyali.

Nile cleared his throat. “My bad." Right- workers were considered female, even though they couldn't reproduce. "Anyway, looks like we’ve got a heck of a fight ahead of us. You’re sure you can deal with this?”

The worker pulled a metallic brick from her belt, which promptly unfolded into a crystal-lined minigun.  The soldier next to her grinned. “I think we can take em.”

”Very well.” He ignited his visor and locked on to the assassin’s weapon. “Cassie,” he said through the radio, “we could sure use some more backup.”

“More?” she asked, a tinge of worry entering into her voice. "How... how bad is it?"

Nile didn’t respond. Instead, he raised his gauntlets and charged into the fray. 

-----

Jaxevist faced the incoming human-led Hyxali troops impassively, sword arm dangling by his side. Internally, he sighed. Of course the humans would choose death. Of course.

As the first human began to charge towards him, Jaxevist raised his blade and sent a single command to his army.
Attack. 

The air filled with the hum of a thousand wings as his resurrected Hyxali took to the air, ready to kill. Ready to destroy.

Edited January 10, 2020 by xinoehp512

[+Doomstick he/him]

Please spoiler those @xinoehp512 (or as I prefer to call you, Skinoef)

[Jaywalk he/him]

The bonejet fired a volley of missiles at Jaxevist.

[Lunamor she/her]

Luna attempted to roll in on rollerskates.

[Jaywalk he/him]

The pilots of the bonejet were so enthralled by Luna’s performance that they ran the bonejet into Jaxevist’s army.

[Lunamor she/her]

Luna did a flip.

[Jaywalk he/him]

One of the pilots jumped out of the wreckage, then called out to Luna. “My love!”