Vanquished - Titanius the Ancient Dissonance | Page 39

Finally defeated huh? Well it was a damn good battle, still he wished he could have returned home properly instead of having to just stand here and wait for the inevitable end of self-sacrifice. Even though he was afraid, Vas just clutched hold of his throwing knives and smiled. He couldn't shake it off, couldn't get rid of the feeling of battle that coursed through his every fiber. He enjoyed watching the battle's climax, for what very little that he did to contribute in the end. He was late to the party and better yet, only did the bare minimum to help. What kind of hero was he? Not one at all...

However, even though he did so little, Vas was willing to do what was right in the end. He lowered down onto his knees on the ground and merely awaited his time to come. That meant another NPC could meet salvation in his stead, right? These tattoos on his body, they were almost like sins, like he was the worst piece of garbage in the whole universe of this Brave New World, Terrasphere.

"Do better than me, whoever you are. I'm giving up one of my nine lives here for you, better make yours a god damn good one. Don't be some criminal, don't hurt others unless you have to. Let me bare the pain for you... it's what I deserve in the end. Heh, oh-- and always keep moving forward."

--Self Sacrifice for an NPC to survive--​

 

A small, tender smile crossed Lycia’s mouth as her sister squeezed her hand. She thought for sure @Milah would laugh at her. There were a few others whom were laughing the minute Ivan said something about staying behind, still more barely acknowledged the mage and instead pushed past him, heading to the portal without a backwards glance. They were selfish. It was the immediate thought that skittered across her brain. If they had numerous lives and these NPCs didn’t, then they should take the fall.

That’s what heroes would do.

These NPCs thought them heroes blessed with immortality, so strong that they could easily take down an ancient evil, but yet, when put to the test of their wills and strength, they ran and didn’t look back. It made the kitten Felis frown. This was a game, after all, so why not take the plunge? If there wasn’t something amazingly cool behind this second door, then the option never would’ve presented itself! Hadn’t these people ever played videogames before?

She gave a small snort as the NPCs began to file through the portal. She stayed by her sister’s side, ears perked forward and tail gently swaying back and forth. She was tired, exhausted really, but looking at those whom limped past her, badly bruised or bloody or missing limbs, she couldn’t help but think that they were doing the right thing. This wasn’t a game to those people and they had families, lives, and homes to get back to. She and Milah could just log out whenever they wanted and never deal with the consequences of their actions if they didn’t want to.

They wouldn’t do that, of course, but the fact that they at least had the option was more than enough to make her try to convince her sibling to stay. Thankfully, it hadn’t taken very long. If they were really Princesses from a slaughtered clan here to get strong enough to retake their throne, then they needed to act like that. And being a princess included sacrifice...at least, that's what the Disney movies said.

I think we’re doing the right thing, Lycia whispered to her twin before giving her hand a gentle squeeze. Mom and dad would be proud! Well...after they got over us playing an illegal videogame. She giggled, the lighthearted sound foreign in the gloom and darkness of a fallen tyrant.​

 

If black bags underneath dull eyes weren't enough to express how tired Comet was then certainly her zombie-like walk towards Alric would. She shivered - now pale as the moon, and suffering from a cold sweat - from head to toe. Her muscles weakened with every step. A sensation once ignored during battle due to numbness that quickly began to dissipate after victory. The wave of engulfing darkness hardly left her soul. Comet would feel forever touched by the ancient evil in unwanted ways, but also knew there'd be another team like her own should the same situation ever occur again. Angels like Des Weiss. Saviors like Kyupin. Friends like Alkaid and Mags and now Alric who she stood before.

Though they all aided in her survival one way or another the pink-haired woman knew only she could carry herself all the way. For once an completely different aura surrounded Comet. Her stance natural and prideful and courageous rather than a practiced, confident posture. Her eyes weren't the usual boring dull but a brilliant one full of life. She'd experienced the part of her always trying to break through the tough shell built as a form of protection from the outside world. Just temporary. Just once, but it was there. And in the moment Comet couldn't tell if she was afraid of this new and improved version - or admiring it.

"I'll be sitting with you, then," the pink-haired woman slowly shuffled down onto her knees, out of breath. "You helped me out there today. Made me realize... a lot of things. I didn't realize how much you - and other people - cared about me. I should appreciate that more often," she paused to offer a hint of a sincere smile that reached the rest of a glowing expression. "After some rest I wouldn't mind spending more time together. I think it's a good idea." a vocal promise to the rest of her friends, but extended solely to Alric for now, she felt no sort of insecurity rise to conquer her heart. No sort to drive her away from a now imminent death. A chosen death that the two willingly waited for while the rest passed through the portal. Something that Comet would undoubtedly do without a second thought yet her mind fought against the idea, seemingly opposed.

@Alric Stalwart

 

Greedy, ravenous jaws would not further consume the virtual paradise that had become a haven for escapism. No barriers protecting this world from reality would shatter. The dictator of dissonance drew its last breath and the portals of corruption had long since been closed.

Natural order would fall back into place; the world would continue to turn like it should. However, this fantasized worlds inhabitants were needed to ensure this outcome. Unlike players, they weren’t immortal.

Every decision, every action, was capable of causing a butterfly effect. Dying as a martyr was a noble cause. A lot of people fantasize about it and painted beautiful stories around them. They were labeled as heroes. But when it came down to facing to Grim Reaper the cold truth began to sink in.

She was terrified: absolutely petrified at the thought of being a selfless hero. It was only human nature to waver when faced with impending morality. Her mouth dried as she watched denizens file through the portal.

Beneath her the ground began to destabilize.

Depression. Why, why? After all of their hard work why did they have to die? An unbearable weight crushed down her chest as she numbly guided at non-playable character toward the portal, a silent force driving her forward.

Anger. As she watched the single soul she escorted toward the portal eagerly rush forward without a single look back she silently seethed. There was no gratitude, no remorse; the resident only cared about their own fortune.

Bargaining. If only, if only, if only.. Please, someone, allow her to live. If she did then -

Denial. No, she would not die here. There had to be another way out. As Titanius began to crumble she sprang forced. Wind caused her to jump higher and higher, her gaze sweeping the distance as she tried desperately to find a hidden exit.

Acceptance. At last she stopped struggling. This process of trying to outrun the collapsing beast was futile. She would be reborn and able rejoice over the lives she was able to save. The mission had been successful. She had to remember that, while scary, was only virtual reality.

Out of breath, the woman stopped in her tracks. Below her the ground began to crack and then shattered. Millions of different emotions, different thoughts, flashed through her mind. In the end she didn’t try to fight the gravity that pulled her body down into the black abyss below.

Her eyes squeezed closed. When she opened them again her personal Shangri La would be restored. Right?