[S] Lunlui; Enter

@Tzivos_DM
-BEGIN-
as you watch your screen, you can see your new human friend babble about with his sprite before heading upstairs and rather easily eliminating three imps who invaded his home
while watching, however, the remaining empty prompt begins to flash and *beep*
unyieldingRecreationalist
Lunlui leans into the screen to examine this new development, almost typing a response before the notification flares to life in front of him. He punches the screen in response, and the reinforced touchscreen cracks a little as the chat comes up. Let's just pretend that never happened, shall we?
@Tzivos_DM
the prompt prominently displays the words -ENTER SERVER USERNAME- sitting atop an empty bar, which sits atop a "random" button
unyieldingRecreationalist
Is this the game? Maybe you need to relogin to the game to start playing with [YOUR BELOVED ALIEN FRIEND WHO'S NAME YOU DEFINITELY REMEMBER].
You click "random".
@Tzivos_DM
the button flashes for a brief moment before the whole prompt disappears and a new one shows up, displaying -SERVER PLAYER IDENTIFIED, AWAITING CONNECTION-
unyieldingRecreationalist
...
Wait a second...
@Tzivos_DM
it only takes a few moments before this new prompt disappears as well and you're greeted with a newly opened chat request
AA: Well hello there!
unyieldingRecreationalist
You suddenly look around a bit nervous, expecting a cursor to come out of the sky at any moment and start tearing shit up.
@Tzivos_DM
AA: furst things furst, this isn't my adorable little buff-blood at the computer right meow
AA: I'm her sprite!
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: What
UR: Where's Sanaht
UR: Who are you
@Tzivos_DM
AA: My adorable little buff-blood is spacing out, it seems
AA: I'm Sanaht's sprite
AA: I was made when Sanaht, or someone else, threw my body and this annoying hawk's into the kernelsprite
unyieldingRecreationalist
You think back to the floating piece of wood you saw on-screen earlier.
UR: Oh, ah, pleased to meet you
UR: 1 guess
@Tzivos_DM
AA: And meow I'm stepping in for dear sanaht while she spaces out so you CAW-n enter the medium
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: Oh
@Tzivos_DM
AA: Furstly, let's start placing down some devices
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: That's not really necessary
UR: 1 don't really feel l1ke play1ng r1ght now
@Tzivos_DM
within a few seconds, you can see a large device with a big tube protruding from the top floating above you and towards your mobile hive
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: Oh fuck
You turn on your engine and swerve the hell away.
@Tzivos_DM
it lands with a heavy *THUD* on a section roof towards the back-end of the mobile hive before you can do anything
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: Well that happened
@Tzivos_DM
all you're doing now is slowly speeding up as more devices begin to float in the air toward your hive
unyieldingRecreationalist
You come back to a stop, seeing how useless driving is at the moment.
UR: No really, you can stop
@Tzivos_DM
a smaller machine with clamps and a sharp needle float above you and with another, lighter *thud*, it lands on the roof
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: Comon, th1s stuff w1ll only fall off later when 1 have to move
@Tzivos_DM
within a few more seconds another large device seemingly materializes out of thin air and is placed in an open space inside your hive towards the back end
and shortly after a small, piano-looking machine is placed nearby
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: Are you l1st1n1ng
@Tzivos_DM
heavy and light *THUDS* shake the mobile hive as the devices land
AA: Moewpe!
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: And d1d that last one just drop 1nside my truck
@Tzivos_DM
AA: Mew're going to need all these devices to enter the medium, silly!
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: What 1f 1 don't really feel l1ke 1t r1ght now
@Tzivos_DM
AA: Mew kinda don't have a choice!
AA: Just peek outside!
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: Hows that
You glance out the window.
@Tzivos_DM
outside you can faintly see the mega-storm you were stranded in many hours ago, but now you can see something else above it
countless meteors are piercing the thick clouds of the storm. and within them you can see equally as many explosions and bursts of bright, red light
After the *thuds* stop, a small captchalogue card with rectangular holes pops out of thin air and floats down next to you
unyieldingRecreationalist
You recall the flash of white you saw at the end of [BELOVED FRIEND]'s game.
@Tzivos_DM
and the storm is heading in your direction
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: Well sh1t what do 1 do we1rd hawk th1ng
@Tzivos_DM
AA: Be a good troll and climb up to the roof, prefurrably with something heavy, and smash open the lid to the cruxtruder
AA: that's the mewchine with the big tube and valve
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: Someth1ng heavy
UR: Uh
UR: Okay
You quickly throw on a coat and snowpants and get the fuck outside.
@Tzivos_DM
you can see the cruxtruder's tube poking out from over the sides
unyieldingRecreationalist
Separated from your computer you use your phone to communicate with the "sprite"
UR: So you're an 1ntelligent hawk
UR: ?
@Tzivos_DM
AA: I'm actually a mix
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: Huh, what else you got 1n you
You look between the cruxtruder and the toolbox you pulled out...
@Tzivos_DM
AA: I was thrown into the kernelsprite alongside this ~very~ rude hawk after we both died while fighting each other
unyieldingRecreationalist
Then drop it and just punch the damn thing.
@Tzivos_DM
roll athletics
unyieldingRecreationalist
!1d20+5
!roll 1d20+5
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+5) [7+5] : {12}
@Tzivos_DM
your fist barrels towards the cruxtruder's lid, and it -almost- knocks it off, but all you're left with is a very sore fist
unyieldingRecreationalist
Your other fist is feelin fine, though.
!roll 1d20+5
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+5) [8+5] : {13}
unyieldingRecreationalist
Well, now not so much.
@Tzivos_DM
your other fist smashes into the lid and sends it flying like a goddamn frisbee
out of the tube a myriad of purple cruxite dowel come flying
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: Hey look
UR: 1ts you
@Tzivos_DM
a small kernel sprite energetically flies out of the tube as well
once the kernelsprite pops out, a timer on the machine begins to count down
8:00
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: 1s that the countdown to 1mpact
@Tzivos_DM
AA: Good! Meow just head over to the other mewchine I placed on the roof. That's the totem lathe
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: Should 1 bring all these we1rd purple th1ngs as well
@Tzivos_DM
AA: bring at least one
unyieldingRecreationalist
You scoop all the cruxtruders and your toolbox into your inventory and head over to the
Um
Which one was it?
You walk over to a random machine and hope for the best.
UR: 1s this 1t
Tzivos_DM
The only other machine on the roof is the one with the clamps and needle, which the sprite said was called a cruxtruder
AA: yes, that -would- be it, especially since it's the only other mewchine on your roof
AA: Don't furget to take the pre-punched card
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: R111111111ght
Tzivos_DM
AA: Mew'll need it to activate the totem lathe
unyieldingRecreationalist
You look around the machine for a card...?
Tzivos_DM
there isn't a card next to the machine. You faintly remember one popping out of thin air and landing next to you in the passenger's seat
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: Brb
You go and get the damn thing
Glancing nervously up at the sky as you do so...
Tzivos_DM
you find the card sitting on the passenger's seat
unyieldingRecreationalist
You take it and get back up there.
Tzivos_DM
Once more you find yourself standing in front of the totem lathe
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: How do 1 stuff th1s 1n there
You frantically search the machine for an opening.
Tzivos_DM
there are two "openings": one slot for a captchalogue card, obviously the pre-punched one you just picked up, and a space betwixt the clamps where a dowel would fit
unyieldingRecreationalist
You put the card in and, tak1ng the 1n1t1at1ve, pull out a cruxtruder to place in the clamps.
Tzivos_DM
both the card and dowel fit perfectly into their respective positions
below the card-slot you can see a lever
unyieldingRecreationalist
You briefly imagine a scene akin to an old earth movie you once watched, before remembering there's no Yzma to tell you to pull the lever. YANK.
Tzivos_DM
as soon as the lever is pulled, the clamps tighten their grip on the dowel and begin to spin at immeasurably rapid speeds
the needle slowly descends
as soon as it makes contact with the dowel it begins to move lightning-fast as it carves the dowel into a new shape
it takes a moment for the process to complete, and once it does, you're presented with a wavy, squiggly cruxite artifact
7:00
while the dowel was being carved, Dominica apparently took notice of the events taking place and stepped out of the mobile hive
she stares at you somewhat quizzically while all this happens
unyieldingRecreationalist
You take the artifact and put it in your inventory, then run over to the cruxtruder to check the time. 7 minutes. Good, unless something went horribly wrong, you should be able to "enter the medium" or whatever with time to spare.
?
"Oh, hey Domi."
Tzivos_DM
AA: Good! Meow all mew need to do is place your mew artifact on the cruxtruder
unyieldingRecreationalist
Of course your lusus was going to come out and examine the commotion. But that shouldn't stop you from saving both of your asses.
unyieldingRecreationalist
"Ahh..." You look between your phone, Dominica cruxtruder. "Afraid this isn't from the execs," You explain to her as you place the artifact on the cruxtruder.
(Typo)
Tzivos_DM
as you place the artifact on the cruxtruder, you're briefly blinded by a huge flash of light
unyieldingRecreationalist
"UGH."
You rub your eyes and look around.
Tzivos_DM
as you regain your vision, you can see that the back doors to your mobile hive have been blasted open. In front of you lays a winding obstacle course made out of purple cruxite. The course twists and turns in a spiral pattern above your hive
6:30
unyieldingRecreationalist
"............"
"What"
Tzivos_DM
AA: There's nothing meowre I can do! You need to complete the trial you've been given to enter!
AA: Oooh, isn't this exciting?
unyieldingRecreationalist
You look at the timer, then back at the course. Then at your lusus, then at your phone, then at the course, then at the cruxtruder, and waste a good thirty seconds before tugging on her arm and getting the fuck back in the truck.
"No time to explain, we gotta go!" You point at the meteor in the sky to convince your lusus to get in the truck.
Tzivos_DM
Dominica looks at the meteor and quickly nods in agreement with your idea
AA: Wait! What're mew doing?
unyieldingRecreationalist
You both assume your positions at the head of the car.
UR: DRIVING.
Tzivos_DM
AA: Mew need to CAW-mplete the trial the artifact has presented you with!
unyieldingRecreationalist
UR: I FIGURED.
You hit the gas and get going.
Tzivos_DM
the engine roars to life and the tires squeal as they spin, but you fail to move. The extra weight of the devices and maybe even the obstacle course is weighing you down
unyieldingRecreationalist
You hit your head on the horn for another ten seconds. Then look at your lusus. "Stay here, and try to get this thing moving."
You open the door and head back up.
Tzivos_DM
as you stand on the roof, you can see the obstacle course twisting and turning above your hive. Seemingly at the center and top of the spiral is some kind of platform
unyieldingRecreationalist
Sufferer's bloodied corpse, you can't believe you're about to preform a circus act.
No time to waste--other than the time you've already wasted-- you enter the course.
Tzivos_DM
stepping into the first section of the course you're immediately bombarded with cruxite fists coming out of two walls on either side
roll endurance or athletics
unyieldingRecreationalist
!roll 1d20+5
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+5) [1+5] : {6}
unyieldingRecreationalist
(Fuck)
Tzivos_DM
You're immediately overwhelmed by the fists and sent flying back to the entrance to the course
you can faintly hear the meteors getting closer
unyieldingRecreationalist
You curse and get back up there, the sound of your lusus revving the engine echoing in your mind.
!roll 1d20+5
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+5) [17+5] : {22}
Tzivos_DM
you dash through the fists, running through and dodging some blows while toughing the rest of them out
5:00
as you leave the walls of fists behind you're confronted by a winding set of stairs with cruxite pillars barreling toward you
roll acrobatics
unyieldingRecreationalist
!roll 1d20+1
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+1) [10+1] : {11}
Tzivos_DM
you barely manage to jump over each and every one of the pillars as you climb the staircase. You find yourself standing on a platform raised high in the air above your hive. You've been given a brief moment of respite it seems
4:00
in front of you is a series of floating platforms with holes in them. Cruxite columns are popping in and out of the holes
unyieldingRecreationalist
You eject your toolbox out onto the roof of the truck before continuing onward. No need to have that weighing you down right now.
Tzivos_DM
roll athletics then acrobatics
unyieldingRecreationalist
!roll 1d20+5
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+5) [14+5] : {19}
unyieldingRecreationalist
!roll 1d20+1
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+1) [14+1] : {15}
Tzivos_DM
You deftly manage to hop from platform to platform, all the while dodging the columns which practically fly out of the holes
3:00
unyieldingRecreationalist
Your heartbeat sounds like a cross between hoofbeats and pulsating motor oil.
Tzivos_DM
you're confronted by more winding stairs this time, however, the stairs appear to be in some broken state and there are bars suspended from the ceiling above the large gaps in between the stairs
Fatigue begins to remind you of its dreadful presence as you climb
roll endurance and acrobatics
unyieldingRecreationalist
"Oh, comon!" You jump over the gaps, only using the bars when you're absolutely sure that you can't make the distance.
!roll 1d20+2
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+2) [17+2] : {19}
unyieldingRecreationalist
!roll 1d20+1
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+1) [20+1] : {21}
Tzivos_DM
you power through the wear-and-tear and jump over the various gaps until you come face to face with a massive gap between you and the platform leading to the next section
A bar is suspended from the ceiling, and next to and above it are various holes in the walls and ceiling
roll acrobatics and endurance
unyieldingRecreationalist
You sneak a glance back up at the meteor, then drop any remaining items you might have on you over the side, back up for a run, charge and jump.
!roll 1d20+1
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+1) [2+1] : {3}
unyieldingRecreationalist
!roll 1d20+2
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+2) [12+2] : {14}
Tzivos_DM
You run forward and jump with all your strength, tripping on the last step and beginning a plummet to what surely must be your doom
your perception of time slows as adrenaline pumps throughout your body faster and stronger than ever before
you can see your sprite dashing through the air after something
That something is dominica, who apparently kept a closer eye on you than you thought
all around her, small meteors are raining like fiery hail
she's jumping and dashing her way through the obstacle course towards you at immense speeds
unyieldingRecreationalist
You scream and call out her name--or try to, but it just comes out as "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
Tzivos_DM
she crashes into a wall with all four hooves, leaving cracks throughout it as she makes one final leap toward you
unyieldingRecreationalist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY3XiM7oGj0
Tzivos_DM
She grabs your hands and uses her momentum to propel you forward towards the platform at the top of the stairs
you're flung right onto the platform
you can see Dominica begin a long descent back down to the ground
she's preparing something, it seems
unyieldingRecreationalist
You right yourself back up and look over the edge, moments before she hits the ground. No, NO.
Tzivos_DM
But before she can do anything else, a small meteor comes flying like a bullet and flies right through her chest
you can barely see the light fade from her eyes as she falls
unyieldingRecreationalist
"NOOO!!"
Tzivos_DM
the sprite, which was still chasing her throughout this whole ordeal, continues flying towards her
it fails to slow down and collides head-on with Dominica's body
the sprite explodes into another blinding burst of light and continues to fall
1:30
unyieldingRecreationalist
The flash momentarily blinds you, adding to the tears welling up in your eyes.
The sprite--does that mean she's still alive?
If she is, she won't be for much longer if that meteor hits.
You turn around and continue onwards.
Tzivos_DM
in front of you is one final obstacle.
unyieldingRecreationalist
Please be okay, lusus.
Tzivos_DM
it twists and turns, but you can see its end
unyieldingRecreationalist
You flip on your imaginary sunglasses.
LET'S FUCKING ROLL.
Tzivos_DM
in front of you lays a series of five trenches dispersed throughout the long path ahead. A No Man's Land lay between each trench, and in each a different sentry stands guard
unyieldingRecreationalist
With your imaginary sunglasses hiding your tears, you charge through the course, with the plan being to punch the sentries before they can act as you pass by.
Tzivos_DM
the first sentry comes to life in the split instant you enter its territory. It draws forward a cruxite blade and swings horizontally at you. The blade extends to cover the entire No Man's Land as the swing continues
roll acrobatics to dodge
unyieldingRecreationalist
!roll 1d20+1
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+1) [17+1] : {18}
Tzivos_DM
you duck and slide under the sentry's attack
unyieldingRecreationalist
You enter the Troll Matrix.
unyieldingRecreationalist
!roll 1d20+14
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+14) [11+4] : {15}
You give it a good wack and continue on.
Tzivos_DM
the sentry crumbles as your fist makes contact
in the second No Man's Land, the second sentry awakens and instantly begins to rain down a hail of cruxite bullets
!roll 1d20
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20) [4] : {4}
Tzivos_DM
roll acrobatics to dodge
unyieldingRecreationalist
The sound of your pulse has changed from a horsepowered metaphor to fuckFUCK,fuckFUCK,fuckFUCK,fuckFUCK.
!roll 1d20+1
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+1) [1+1] : {2}
Tzivos_DM
the spray of bullets is inaccurate, but still sufficient to blast you back into the trench
0:45
you can hear and see larger meteors crashing down all around you
the sounds of explosions all around you are almost deafening
unyieldingRecreationalist
You let out a groan of pain before righting yourself and climbing back up, your vision blury from--something in your eye.
!roll 1d20+1
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+1) [7+1] : {8}
Tzivos_DM
!roll 1d20
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20) [1] : {1}
Tzivos_DM
the second volley of bullets is even worse than before and you manage to dodge and get past the sentry. As you run past, a basketball-sized meteor barely misses your head, smashing into the sentry and smashing it to pieces
unyieldingRecreationalist
Today was not a good day to wake up.
Tzivos_DM
entering the third No Man's Land, your next opponent stirs and begins to prepare a massive piston aimed at the ground
roll athletics to dash forward before the attack begins or endurance/acrobatics to bypass the attack
unyieldingRecreationalist
!roll 1d20+5 Athletica
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+5) [17+5] : {22}
unyieldingRecreationalist
You hit the piston in the side, grab the robot, and fling it into the next sentry.
Tzivos_DM
the penultimate sentry immediately activates upon your presence and projects a wall with small shapes and holes in it. The wall immediately begins barreling towards you
roll acrobatics to dodge through the holes
unyieldingRecreationalist
!roll 1d20+1
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+1) [16+1] : {17}
Tzivos_DM
maintaining your momentum, adrenaline coursing through your veins and pushing you further and further, you dive through one of the holes in the wall and make it past the sentry
0:15
Tzivos_DM
the final sentry bursts to life as it dashes at you with fists of cruxite at the ready
roll initiative
unyieldingRecreationalist
You leap over to the final sentry, preparing to grip the robot in your fists.
!roll 1d20+1
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+1) [11+1] : {12}
Tzivos_DM
you manage to edge the sentry out in terms of speed
you've got first move
unyieldingRecreationalist
Time to grapple a botch.
Tzivos_DM
roll athletics
unyieldingRecreationalist
!roll 1d20+5
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20+5) [17+5] : {22}
Tzivos_DM
!roll 1d20
Tyche[Dice]
(1d20) [4] : {4}
unyieldingRecreationalist
You plunge your fists into the robot, the wires electrifying your flesh. With a flourish, you spin and throw the robot off the course into the meteor swarm.
You follow the path shortly after.
Tzivos_DM
the path is open and before you lays a pedestal with a single button on it
0:05
unyieldingRecreationalist
Dafaq
Wait
THIS IS ULTIMATE TROLL NINJA WARRIOR, ISN'T IT
Tzivos_DM
0:04
unyieldingRecreationalist
You waste four seconds on the thought before pressing the button like a champ.
Tzivos_DM
0:03
0:02
0:01
you slam your palm down on that button like no other champion ever did before, and as soon as you do, you're blinded by one, final burst of light
=Lunlui has entered the medium=
-END-