With the lasers disabled, the group on the third floor splits up further. Dodo, Giffany, Riki, and Astrid head towards the Stellaric Seal - the Control Team and Morgan meanwhile heading for the elevator, jamming the call button. Unfortunately for them, the elevator was still on the way up. Much to 23's annoyance... they would have to wait.
Meanwhile, far above their heads, the elevator continues its upward movement - a low, unsettling hum reverberating through the cramped, metallic box.
Columbo checks the map again. Unlike the prior floors, there... didn't seem to be anything of note splashed across the Director's Office. No warning labels, indications of a dangerous Anomaly or similar guardian. But as the lift slowly begins to grind to a halt, he begins to doubt that out of everywhere, they'd just leave the final chokepoint exposed and ripe for the taking. He nods to Indiana Jones and Tinkaton, who draw their whip and hammer. Behind them, Pea, Dexter, and Nashu draw their guns, waiting to provide cover fire, should it come to that.
The doors slide open, a familiar purple glow creeping into the elevator.
The room was empty, lit by soft glow of the digital aquarium along the far wall and the brilliant whites of the luminescent simulated fish that flickered through to and fro. It seemed that whatever damage Hustler had done to this room over their stay here had been reverted, with no sign of the scorch marks, carvings, or the wreckage of the chandelier that Nashu dropped - much to her dismay. She enjoyed seeing the product of a job well done.
Tinkaton steps out, hammer hoisted over her shoulder. Indiana Jones tightens his grip on his whip. Both approach the Director's desk, no sign of an adverse reaction or strange presence manifesting before them. Columbo remains alert, creeping along the edge of the room while keeping his eye on the others as they shuffle out of the tightly-packed elevator. Grazing his hand softly along the bookshelf, he locates the hidden switch - or rather, the false tome - that reveals the aquarium's secret.
When the aquarium slides open, an alarm blares loud, cutting through the quiet office ambience like a knife to the eardrum as shimmering warning holograms blink into view, shifting the room's cool hue to a deep, ominous red. Columbo leaps backward, hand leaving the switch - but it's too late. Dexter shouts, desperate to be heard over the alarm's rancor as he points towards the ceiling - where twin hatches slide open with a hydraulic hiss.
Slowly, a pair of turrets lower into view, humming as their lights flicker to life. Laser sights focus themselves on the detective and his cohorts, and as the barrels of the ceiling-mounted machine guns slowly begin to spin and rev up... A holographic figure blinks into view in the room's center, framed by her instruments of death.
Hey! You know, I gave you ample warning - more than enough to satisfy our operational safety standards! You might've been able to convince *Spooks to disregard his programming - but if you're not going to follow instructions handed down from your direct superiors, then I don't have a choice!
By order of Director Sinclair... I can't let you reach the Chaotic Seal!
With a foreboding whir, the turrets spin to life, a hail of death descending upon them. Columbo dives for the ground, sliding behind the desk as the twin bullet streams focus on his position, pockmarking the floor behind him in a clean line. Indiana Jones lashes out with his whip, snagging the leftmost turret and yanking hard - jerking the barrel around and scattering shards of glass through the air as the projectiles shatter the faux-aquarium’s glass facade.
Dexter jams the elevator button urgently, his finger hammering the switch over and over to no avail. Looking upwards to see the LCD panel above the elevator now indicating downwards movement, he curses loudly, slamming his hand against the door. The turret to the right suddenly swivels, targeting laser pointing square at his forehead as it homes in on the source of the sound. He points his own gun, firing off a predictably useless shot that pings off the turret’s solid metal construction.
*Mute shakes her head in an inscrutable combination of confusion and disappointment.
Ah, shit.
With a gulp, he makes a dash for the bookcase, shifting it from the wall with Pea’s help and taking cover behind the shelf and books both as another storm of ammunition is let loose, a single shot barely grazing his leg. Indiana Jones’ whip is wrenched from his hand, and he loses control of the rightmost turret - the barrel now turning to face him, swinging the loose whip around the room. He clenches his teeth, out of weapons and options - until Tinkaton leaps in front of the gunfire, deftly swinging her meat tenderizer at rapid speeds, deflecting the oncoming projectiles just long enough for Alan Wake’s diver to stomp in front of the bullets, deflecting them with the metal suit’s thick plating..
*Mute grimaces, flicking her wrist in a clockwise motion as the turret pointed at Dexter’s bookcase takes aim at Tinkaton as well - only to have the expression wiped clean from her face as Nashu swings her bladed guitar through her holographic form. *Mute’s image distorts briefly and flickers out of existence, the gunfire stopping for a moment before she reappears a few feet away, the assault resuming. Nashu rears up for another swipe, but as *Mute floats backwards, pointing towards Nashu. Electric coils slide from panels on the wall, a bright arc of stunning energy streaking towards the Miqo'te and knocking her prone and twitching onto the ground.
Now, *Mute turns the same treatment towards Tinkaton, another blast of electric power arcing towards her - but just as Tinkaton too is hit by the stunning blast... the elevator doors behind them slide open, and with one last pained glance behind her at the elevator's residents, Tinkaton grins and tosses her hammer before falling limply to the ground. The hammer sails across the office towards the lift - and a figure, blurred by the sheer speed of their movements, leaps from the elevator with a midair spin-kick, sending the meat tenderizer flying into the turret aimed at the archaeologist at borderline-supersonic speed.
With a smash and a shower of sparks from the turret overhead, 23 lands on his feet, catching the meat tenderizing and laying it at Tinkaton's side. Morgan and Nancy step out of the elevator behind him - and *Mute suddenly begins to feel far less confident in the outcome of her directive.
Hm. Well, that’s not good.
Regardless of the Occultic Seal’s breakage, I was rather hoping it would serve to delay 2300 and his acolyte further. I’m not sure that the office is equipped with the necessary measures to fend off such a large group of hypercompetent combatants.
Two measly turrets and a few wall-mounted tasers is the best you could allocate? With every step they get closer - and in turn, they open the door for far worse to make contact with the Codex. They’re only one floor below us now, and if they make it past *Mute, their friends below can just restore the Stellaric Seal and…
…Then there’s nothing between us and them. I've made it clear by now, this isn't a confrontation I wish to have.
Now, in my defense - it’s your office security you’re complaining about. Forgive me for not having the time to engineer and install further weaponry while we’re floating in the middle of a esotera-induced pocket dimension.
Furthermore, I had expected that after dealing with a hungry shapeshifter and a class-5 necrotic pseudodeity, the group reaching said office would consist of several piles of mangled flesh and perhaps the detective and your daughter - and at that point I’m certain they could both be safely rendered unconscious.
…At least tell me you’ve finished with… whatever you were building in the Chaotic Seal chamber. I don’t think I can take much more of this.
Oh yes - truth be told, I’m almost hoping they DO advance past *Mute and into the chamber beyond.
It’s like I said, they’ll never expect what’s coming, and the blockade I’ve placed in their way is insurmountable - no matter how many 2300s they bring along. You won’t have to worry about a thing - believe me, what they possess in physical prowess, they lack in nearly every other category. One-by-one, they’ll fall at the hands of my-
Hold that thought. Look, here at the sensors. Something else is… going up the elevator.
If Astrid and the remnants of the Abyss Team are heading for the Stellaric Seal… then who the…?
…Stop what you're doing and get down to that chamber! Now!
In the Director’s Office, the tide had turned somewhat. With one turret disabled - sparking and hanging limply from its mount, *Mute found herself at a slight disadvantage on that front. While she was ready for more tricks like that, defending against any further projectile attacks with more force than that of Dexter’s paltry handgun - the sheer overwhelming number of aggressors were beginning to overwhelm her protocols.
Unfortunately, as Morgan was beginning to figure out, his punches simply glancing through her holographic body - she still had one significant advantage. Until they took out that second turret, they were at a stalemate. He grunts in annoyance, rolling across the floor to avoid an arc of electricity from the wall before jumping to his feet and delivering another kick - predictably phasing through his target once more. How the hell were they supposed to beat something you couldn’t hit?
Suddenly… a ding from the elevator brings the action to a halt, everyone pausing and craning their necks. Nancy, 23, and Morgan glance at each other, Columbo peering out from his hiding place beneath the desk.
The doors slowly slide open, and an unlikely pair emerges.
So this is where you have been concealing yourselves. It is such a shame - it appears as though I am interrupting something of great importance. Namely, your execution at the hand of our mutual enemy. Have no fear, I wish simply to observe your mutually-assured-destruction. Allow me then, to introduce yet another hazard before you resume combat.
This gentleman appears to have a score to settle, and I am happy to oblige his whims for now.
Hmph, do ya ever quit talkin’? Swear to god, all o’ you cats just keep flappin’ yer gums - you an’ the chunky television fella both. It ain’t that complicated, dangit.
Thing is, this lil’ kitty wants to get his hand on that Codex. I admit, it ain’t in my job description. Quite the opposite, if I was bein’ honest. But I ain’t got time to care ‘bout that. He’ll probably stab me in the back, and dangit, I’m probably gonna do the same. That’s part o’ the business, yup.
Yer friends downstairs are in for a heap o’ trouble once the others catch up to ‘em - so I figured while they’ve got it handled, I’d drop by and have a lil’ heart to heart with an old friend.
Nashu. We got business t-
The duo fall silent in an instant as each and every one of *Mute’s weapons - turret and shock coil alike - swivel to face the duo, the barrel of the surviving gun beginning to rev back to life as the targeting laser centers itself on the possessed cat’s face.
Well, upon second thought, I believe that I am not required here. I will allow you to take your revenge in peace.
What? Hey, where’re you goin’?
The red-tinted Spooks dashes back into the elevator, jamming the button as the doors slam close. Gus looks back incredulously, before grinding his teeth and turning to face the others, his fists balling up and clenching with rage. To the surprise of the rest… a slight smile of relief flickers across *Mute’s face for a moment before her defensive fervor returns. With a shout and a forward point, each of her weapons begins firing simultaneously at the janitor, who howls in pain - yet continues his slow advance regardless, fighting against the bullet stream.
The rest of the group begins to inch towards the door at the rear of the room, but save for a single, knowing glance, *Mute does not react, continuing her suppression of the janitor. After all, in the presence of an immediate, high-priority threat like a Crimson Eye agent, how could she spare a thought for a bunch of random ex-agents?
Columbo approaches the keypad and punches in S-T-E-L-L-A, the password that’s worked each and every time he tried it before. A sigh of relief emerges from his throat as the keypad lights up in affirmation and the doorway slides open. Before he gives *Mute any time to change her mind, Columbo pulls the others inside, and the thick vault door slides closed behind them, bathing them in near-complete darkness.
Taking a collective deep breath, the group walks forward, the hallway giving way to a much wider chamber. In the darkness, nothing can be seen - save for a figure standing in the center of the room facing away from them, glowing a faint white. Despite their collective weariness, they take a fighting stance, and the figure slowly turns towards them.
Ah, there you are! You know, contrary to our previous interactions, I’ve rather been looking forward to this one.
Here, at the final seal. Or… is it? You seem rather attached to your Stellaric resonances - as though they mean anything at the end of the day. I’m well aware that my ex-subordinates are on their way there right now with Sinclair’s daughter. Perhaps you were planning to save that one for last?
But, you and I collectively know that one way or another, you’ll need to pass through here eventually - and I’m afraid I can’t let that happen. I’m sure you understand, but if you don’t, then surprisingly I don’t care.
I have to say… 1000-B, 7103, 2101, 1011, not to mention 1000 and all the rest you’ve disposed of… You’ve been handling some of the most powerful Anomalies held at this facility with surprising efficiency and ease. In a different timeline, we could have been allies. Quite capable ones too, working in tandem to bring about the goals of the Bureau. But you put a stop to that story before it could begin - practically threw away the whole book too while you were at it.
…But, I don’t need to monologue any longer. I’ve realized by now, of course, that simply putting a big, scary monster in your path is rather ineffective - so I’ve designed a different type of roadblock, something that will ensure the protection of the Chaotic Seal no matter what. Trials of combat, security systems, rearranging terrain… we’ll be having none of that now. Instead…
Let's see how you handle this!
The aberration taps a button on his tablet, and as though they’d taken a flashbang to the face, the group recoils, spotlights bursting to life overhead as their vision - for a moment - is overtaken by searing light.
With the flash, the doors of the chamber slam shut behind them, sealing them within.
After a moment of disorientation, their eyes adjust from the former pitch-darkness to the blazing light - and the Chaotic Seal chamber in its entirety comes into view once more. Lit by intense spotlights overheads, the beams pointed down like twin suns focused intently like spectators upon what lay before the group.
Oh, are you fucking kidding me?
Stray Anomalies, wayward souls, and pathetic interlopers alike! Hello and welcome - to the Bureau of Paranormal Investigation's first annual Chaotic Seal-based trivia extravaganza! Do you think you have what it takes to restore the Chaotic Seal and cripple our collective years of planning?
Physical prowess may be one thing, but you'd best have the brains to back up that brawn - because it's do-or-die, life-or-death, in today's episode of our Bureau's premiere game show:
SEAL
OF
FORTUNE!
The rules, of course, are simple - simple enough for you to understand, surely.
In order to restore the Chaotic Seal, I'll need one of you to volunteer as our contestant! You'd better have been paying attention, because our lucky contestant will get the opportunity to answer 10 questions! Answer correctly, and the seal is yours do with as you wish - and you can trust me to play fair, I have some modicum of personal values.
But! Get 3 questions wrong... and your soul is mine, your life forfeit! One of your friends will have to take your place, one-by-one until the lot of you are dead. Such is the fate of the stupid, really. I would suggest not getting too hung up on it.
Cease your blathering. What if we instead merely beat you until you no longer drew breath? We have defeated far stronger beasts on our journey. Why should we engage in frivolous games?
Hm, yes. That would be a shame - except you're trapped in here, and I've rigged this room with the explosive stores of our entire excavation team. Lay one hand on me - or the seal and none of you are walking out of here alive. Maybe that will serve as sufficient motivation, no?
So, with that out of the way... it's time for our lucky contestant to step forward! Will they succeed and restore the Chaotic Seal? Will they drop dead on the spot so we can all point and laugh before moving on to contestant number two? Let's find out, on...
SEAL
OF
FORTUNE!
Now, let's flash those rules on-screen one last time, for the illiterate among us!
It's time to play Seal of Fortune!
One Living Player must step forward and act as the contestant. They will be challenged to a trivia round, with the results posted in the next story update. They will be asked 10 Questions, drawing from the following categories:
Murderers, Victims, and Cases
The Map
Roles and Seal Powers
Anomalies and Bureau Files
Whisper Valley
NPCs
Guess The Picture
If the contestant gets 8 Questions correct, the Chaotic Seal will be restored. If the contestant gets 3 Questions incorrect, they will be immediately killed.
Discuss amongst yourselves and choose a contestant to represent your team. Choose wisely, as their life - and yours - could be at risk.
I want to make it clear that I am absolutely fucking sick of Nyarlethotep and everything he stands for.
I just couldn't live with myself if any of you died to this shit.
I won't lose to you, you sick fuckin' freak. Lay those questions on me. When I win, I'm making sure you leave this place in a bodybag.
Meanwhile. Riki stands alone in the dimly-lit chamber that housed the now-broken Stellaric Seal, gripping his shotgun. While this was, at the end of the day, a closed room, someone had to stand watch on this end of things until Giffany received the signal - the restoration of the Chaotic Seal upstairs. Then he could turn off the seal, and they could get out of there. Nice and easy. He wasn’t about to complain, if nothing else, it was quiet in here.
Back in the Observatory, Dodo stood by the door, mattress hoisted as he kept watch down the Laser Hallway, keeping his eyes out for an ambush alongside Spooks, cycling through security footage in the hopes of spotting any impending threats. Under their watchful eyes, Giffany and Astrid search through the various files scattered about the Observatory itself, BPI-3550 lying nearby in the corner, head resting upon his paws as his tongue lolls out of his mouth.
Astrid places a file - some documentation about the Traveler’s Lantern - back onto a pile of similarly irrelevant folders, kicking up a small cloud of dust.
I… appreciate you trying to help me. Y’know, to find a… solution. But I don’t think we’re gonna find a whole lot in here. I mean, i’ve spent most of my life up here, and until recently I… didn’t even know about any of this.
It’s… not like I want to die. I mean, I… hope I don’t. I hope I can find a way to keep living, to see the world and everything it has to offer. But if that’s what it takes, then I’m not scared. I mean… look around us. Dad thinks that his “global synchronization” is going to save the world, that spreading magic far and wide is going to bring us into some kind of golden age, but…
This whole experience is like… a microcosm of what that kind of world would be, isn’t it?
All it takes is someone like Hazel, that janitor, Lyra, or even that “scribe” creep in the mask getting the wrong kind of power, and… look where it ends up. Infighting, murder, discrimination… It’s not like we worked together to save ourselves until half of us were already dead. It’d be… just like the world is now, but swap out everything that sucks for a different flavor, right?
I was… kind of hoping that getting really mad, being nasty… that it would make him like, hate me or… something. That he’d just call the whole thing off, disown me, send me on my way. But… ugh. I still… don’t hate him. Not really. I don’t even know how much of this IS him and how much of it comes from that soul, from the original Chaotic seal.
The Traveler…
Well, it doesn’t matter. I think… even if I died here and now, he wouldn’t stop.
If nothing else… we can at least destroy that stupid book and… kill off one source of evil in this world. After that… Well, we’ll deal with that as it comes, right? Maybe it’ll… help you too, get rid of its… influence or whatever. I don’t know, I guess I… relate. You didn’t ask for what happened to you either - or maybe you did, but-
With an abrupt thump, the files near Astrid spill off the table as the room begins to shake - a low rumbling coming from the outside walls. Steadying herself, Astrid grits her teeth until the shaking stops, only an eerie silence remaining.
The Underground (Aboveground?) Lab perks up suddenly, his head rising from the ground and his floppy ears practically pinning themselves to the back of his head. He whimpers, causing Giffany to drop her own file and bend over, gently stroking his head. Dodo turns from the doorway, leaving Spooks to keep watch as he looks around the room, kettlebell flail dangling from his free hand.
After several uncomfortable seconds, the group relaxes, each returning to their former positions - until a monstrous crash shakes the room from the direction of the seal chamber, punctuated only by the panicked wailing of a small nopon, and a cloud of dust and debris billowing through the door.
They rush into the chamber, gripping their respective weapons - as an enormous centipede lowers its head, and a figure steps through the gaping hole in the chamber’s wall.
This post was last modified: Dec 3, 2024 at 3:06 AM by Spooks?.
(Nov 30, 2024 at 2:45 AM)Morgan Wrote:
Spoiler:
(Nov 29, 2024 at 7:28 AM)Spooks? Wrote:
Let me go.
I want to make it clear that I am absolutely fucking sick of Nyarlethotep and everything he stands for.
I just couldn't live with myself if any of you died to this shit.
I won't lose to you, you sick fuckin' freak. Lay those questions on me. When I win, I'm making sure you leave this place in a bodybag.
Well, well! It appears that we have ourselves a volunteer - and how serendipitous too, it's someone I don't like. Well, that's most of you I admit, but my point stands.
Agent Andras - or Agent Morgan, or whatever meatheaded title you've given yourself recently - you seem awfully confident for someone in your position. But, if you're so eager to be our first contestant, how about you join me on stage for our first - and surely not our last considering you're the one answering them - round of...
SEAL
OF
FORTUNE!
Morgan cracks his neck, gently pushing through the crowd and climbing onto the stage constructed before the Chaotic Seal. With a deep breath, he stares the aberration dead in the eyes, approaching the contestant's podium. Whether he succeeds or not... he wasn't about to let one of his friends risk their lives getting blindsided by some stupid quiz. He faced down the Purifier, he beat Hustler's avian lackey into oblivion - this was nothing.
As the first question flashed across the screen, he gripped the edges of the pedestal, a confident smirk crossing his face.
Let's do this.
...What the hell is this? Is this seriously where our R&D budget's been going?
And that's game! Heh heh, let's tally up our final score - and observe just how hard our first contestant flopped! I don't know about you, faithful viewers, but this is the part I've been waiting for!
FINAL SCORE
9/10
Now, would you look at that? I knew of course, that he would fail and-
WHAT? 9/10?
This isn't possible! This guy's dumb a sack of hammers, how did he manage to...? Agh! I knew I should've ramped up the difficulty! What's the Anomaly number of the "Long Stalker"? What's the chemical composition of synthetic Esotera storage mediums? What is Abyss Team Dagon's birth name? What number am I thinking of?
No, no. Calm down, this isn't the end, there's still-
Alright, douchebag, he passed your dumbass quiz. Time to move your ass and let us turn that seal back on - unless you want ol' beako over here to beat your face in.
I do not appreciate the moniker, yet the shared sentiment burns bright within. Begone with you.
No, no. I understand when I've lost. I've never been known to be a liar. I'll happily enable the seal for you. You defeated my challenge fair and square, what kind of coward do you take me for? I'm not one to cheat, after all.
Here, let me just press this button, and...
The Chaotic Seal has been enabled.
Ah, but... you know, I am still going to blow you up. That part wasn't part of the deal - I just thought it would be effective as a deterrent, and to my credit, it was. Now it will serve to deter you from reaching the Codex - permanently.
I would say goodbye, but I suppose it hasn't been good at all, has it?
The aberration presses a button on his tablet, and with a distorted whine, the logo splayed across the screen looming over the contestant’s podium disappears, white noise buzzing across the display as an ominous red counter blinks into view, the number slowly beginning to tick down from five minutes. Dexter turns towards the door, swiping his card and giving it a kick - shouting in frustration and creeping panic.
Hey! You fucking snake! You can’t lock us in here - I don’t give a shit whether it was “part of the deal”, if you tell us to solve your riddles three or you’ll blow us up, that implies that you won’t blow us up if we do it!
Dexter delivers another kick to the thick, metal door to no avail. Indiana Jones, however, reached into his satchel. Since their very first night here, he’d been holding onto a secret weapon, something that he was certain would get him out of a tough bind, as idiotic as it technically seemed on paper. Their opponent, however, had made a crucial mistake. They’d avoided attacking him before because of the threat of self-destruction. Now however, there was nothing to lose.
Besides, Indy thought - Dexter was right. He was a fucking snake.
And he hated snakes.
Like a streak through the air, his arm leaves the bag, belting his object of assured destruction towards their captor. Nyarlathotep’s glowing, red eyes reflect in the projectile’s glassy surface as he watches it fly, both transfixed and baffled at the sight of the crystal salt shaker, filled with long-dead insects and the remnants of a fine white powder. The shaker hits the stage, shattering into countless pieces, its contents spilling out amongst the broken shards.
Hm? Yes, nice try, but I’m afraid you miss-
His eyes widen, the anomalous power of BPI-3143-C drawing them towards the mess of broken glass, insects, and MSG crystals. Dropping his tablet on the ground with a clatter, the aberration dives towards the remnants of the shaker hungrily as the ghost of Ciel manifests, yelling “Here’s your Ciel of Fortune!” and decking him square in the face, splattering his amorphous form into a puddle with her role-enhanced strength.
As he reforms and swipes at Ciel’s smirking, fading ghost, Nashu dashes forward for the abandoned tablet, leaping onstage and sliding towards it. Snatching it from the ground, she leaps to her feet and turns it on, whooping in celebration as she deactivates the-
[ERROR: PLEASE ENTER VALID PASSCODE]
Behind the contestant’s podium, Morgan readies the Void Rifle, taking aim at the leader of the Abyss Team - until he catches Nashu from the corner of his eye, motioning wildly towards the tablet and shaking her head, mouthing the word “password” - before a white tendril knocks her off her feet, catching the tablet in the air and bringing it back.
Snatching Nashu by the leg with the same liquid tendril, and grabbing Indy as well, he dangles them in the air in front of him, screeching with rage.
Do you SERIOUSLY think I didn’t plan for something like this? Oh, you’re bold - all of you! Some real unwarranted bravery on your part, might I add! In case you didn’t notice I’m the only one who can turn this off - so go ahead, try something again. Kill me, lose the password forever, and die like you deserve!
Maybe I’ll even drop a couple minutes off the timer, just for you!
In the Stellaric Seal chamber, two more figures join Lyra, jumping down from the back of her insectoid steed and taking their places at her side. Jack of Spades and Nico, each grinning wickedly with thoughts of sweet vengeance - or in Nico’s case at least, simple disdain for everything the football represented. Astrid stands her ground, eyes narrowing as she stares daggers at Lyra from behind Dodo’s rotund body.
Lyra... You really don’t know when to give up. Look at you, openly working with the Crimson Eye - the red Spooks too. Let me guess, “persistence is the key to discovery”, or “science has no loyalty” or… some other stupid garbage like you usually throw out there.
Look at you, being so brave… but you’re wrong. I don’t have an excuse, and I don’t need one. The fact of the matter - cold, hard and objective - is that I just hate you. It’s never been a more complex formula than that. You and those simpering idiots that worship the ground you walk on have done nothing but systematically ruin me at every turn. My kindred scientific spirits, killed by their hands. My own self, thrown away as a scapegoat, an easy target.
Kyahahaha… It was you that made me this way, all of you.
So it’s simple, really. I retrieve the Codex, and Phenera gets brought back to life by my new benefactor. Jack and Nico kill their respective detractors, and they too, join me in the realm of the living. And finally… I kill you, and I get to watch you die. It’s win-win, if you ask me.
You don’t even know what’s gonna happen if you hand that book over to the cat - or the Crimson Eye! If you think they’ll honor your wishes, you’re wrong
Kyeh, better than working with a bunch of backstabbing brainlets. Whatever awaits, it’s something interesting - which is more than I can say about your friends and their tireless quest for stagnation. Speaking of stagnation… this conversation is getting tedious. You say so much, but your words are alphabet soup - devoid of meaning or conviction.
Oh, but don’t worry. I’ll restore this seal myself for you - after you’ve imploded like a faulty submersible. C’mon, let’s show her the combined power of a REAL research team! Kyahahaha!
In an instant, Astrid’s knees buckle as Lyra raises her arm, Thalassic pressure weighing down onto her body as Jack and Nico advance forward, sprinting towards Giffany and Riki with weapons raised. Dodo swings his kettle bell flail, knocking Nico away as Riki fumbles for his shotgun. Giffany lurches backwards, narrowly avoiding a swipe of Jack’s knife. With a silent hand motion, she manifests her magical chibi servant, sending it towards Lyra in a lunging tackle, knocking her off her feet and breaking her hold on Astrid, who Spooks helps to her feet.
With a crash, the centipede that was once Momoyo reaches into the chamber with a massive leg, plunging it down towards Giffany’s servitor - though the small manifestation darts quickly out of the way. Dodging a few more blows from the monstrous insect, the chibi Giffany reaches out towards its hungry mandibles - and casts a Stasis spell. Giffany grins, blocking Jack’s knife with her handgun and stepping backwards. She may have lost her Chaotic Seal powers, but the mastermind’s lessons were still coming in hand. The beast that was Momoyo seizes up, and with a grinding scrape, slowly begins to lose its grip on the tower walls. With a panicked chittering, Momoyo slides out of the chamber - and plummets from the building, into the bottomless light beyond.
Lyra, shaking with rage, extends a hand of her own towards the chibi Giffany, clenching her fist and imploding it instantly before turning back towards the survivors. Nico takes a swing at Riki again, this time connecting her shovel with his egglike head, sending him sprawling onto the floor. She goes for a killing blow, but Dodo squawks, shoving her backwards and laying into her with the flail. Giffany too, gets the upper hand on Jack, firing a bullet directly into her shoulder as she takes a swing with her knife, causing her to drop it to the floor with a clatter and stagger backwards.
Giffany points her gun once again towards her attacker - only to shriek in pain as Lyra raises her hand again, and she collapses to her knees, indescribable pain coursing through her very bones Beside her, Riki, Dodo, Spooks, and Astrid do the same, overcome by Lyra’s Thalassic power. Nico and Jack steady themselves, exchanging cruel smiles as they slowly move towards the incapacitated trio.
I was going to make this fun, but it seems you’re not even responsible enough to lie down and die like you’re supposed to. Kyehehehe, we’ll just have to make it quick instead. You may have fallen out with your dear old daddy, but don’t worry - at least you’ll be reunited with your mother very soon.
As Astrid’s vision begins to blur, her head pounding from the pressure… she spots something out of the corner of her eye, in the furthest reaches of the chamber. A familiar ghost, beginning to shimmer into view. She squeezes her eyes shut, gritting her teeth. She… knew what she had to do.
Fighting against the weight pressing upon her, all of her muscles burning as though fire had taken the place of blood within her veins, she forces herself forward. Noticing, Lyra eases the force placed upon the others slightly, focusing the majority of her power onto Astrid’s position. She screams, her body slamming against the floor - but she continues inching forward nonetheless, clenching her teeth hard enough that she feared they might shatter in her mouth.
Regaining some semblance of motion, Dodo too notices the ghost in the corner, and turns to face Riki. Struggling, Dodo extends a wing towards the little nopon, gesturing towards his weapon - the shotgun that he himself had bestowed upon Riki long ago. Riki looks from the shotgun to the rotund bird, and with the last of his strength before falling unconscious, presses the gun into his arms.
Enraged by Astrid’s continued resistance, Lyra repeats the process, bringing yet more pressure upon her - but it was too late. With a howl of pain, she forces herself into a pounce - her hand slamming against the seal’s activation panel.As her hand hits the panel, the ghost steps out of the corner.
Konata, now free from Forbidden Actions and with nothing else to lose, slams a smoke bomb against the ground, and the room erupts with a thick, cloying mist as she grabs Giffany, Astrid, Riki and the Underground Lab - and they disappear in the blink of an eye.
The Stellaric Seal has been enabled
Outside in the hallway, Astrid, Giffany, and Riki climb to their feet, looking around as faint tendrils of smoke coil through the air and dissipate. The Underground Lab nuzzles Giffany’s leg, whimpering and panting. They were in pain - but alive, and devoid of Lyra’s presence, even that was fading quickly. Astrid casts her gaze towards the Laser Hallway, still filled with the telltale smoke of one of Konata’s signature bombs. She smiles, silently thanking her friend, before pointing towards the elevator in the distance.
Come on! That’s the Stellaric Seal down, if Chaotic’s back up too then… there’s no time to lose! Besides, we can’t let Lyra catch up!
She takes off running in the elevator’s direction. Giffany and Riki each take a moment, scanning the hallway for any sign of him. Dodo… Whatever the case, it seemed like… he didn’t make it out. With a mutual, sad glance towards the Laser Hallway, the duo joined Astrid, heading for the elevator. Arriving at the fourth floor, they storm out of the Elevator, and nearly recoil at the sight of the Director’s Office - now nearly unrecognizable, carpeted with indistinguishable gore and sparking machine parts. Shaking off the sight and collecting themselves, they approach the door behind the desk, the door to the Chaotic Seal.
Astrid punches in the door code, and it slides open with a hiss - and immediately slides closed behind them, the locks clicking back into place..
Hey!
I don’t know what’s going on in here, but stop that timer!
YOU!?
What are you doing here? You little brat, do you understand what you just did? This room is going to cease to exist in only a few minutes now, and with you in here, then Sinclair is going to… This can’t be happening. I was so close, I was… But if I stop the countdown then… And if I allow it to continue, then…
Cease to exist… so that’s what the timer is for. Go ahead then. Let it blow, I’m dead anyway, eventually. I’m not in the mood to negotiate, we already went through hell to get here, and if you kill me, if… you render his entire life’s work pointless I’m sure dad’s gonna put you somewhere even worse.
...You... No, I...
…His sentimentality towards you always was the weakest link in this operation.
Let it be known that legally speaking for the purposes of future employee review, I am responsible for absolutely nothing that occurs after this point. That’s on his hands now - I did what I could, and if it wasn’t for you, then I would have succeeded. This was a good plan, this was my plan and it worked!
With a press on the tablet screen, the timer deactivates - and with the aberration’s only bargaining chip rendered inert, everyone turns to face him, drawing their weapons. Morgan raises the void rifle once again, and he backs up, eyes darting around the room at the advancing survivors.
Oh. I have to get out of here.
As Morgan fires a shot, he collapses into a pool of white liquid, dropping Indy and Nashu, and causing Riki to yell “cumcum” at the top of his lungs - drawing more than a few strange looks as the pool slithers away, disappearing underneath the door behind the Chaotic Seal.
Lyra coughs, frantically calling for Jack and Nico to look around the smoky room, to search for any sign of Astrid or her posse. They couldn’t have gotten far, there was no way she managed to slip out of her grasp - that stupid little friend of her was dead - she watched it happen with her own eyes. There’s no way she was thwarted by a ghost, she was the Bureau’s best and brightest, she couldn’t fall for a trick like that.
The smoke begins to clear, and she squints through the dense clouds to see… only two figures remaining, silhouetted against the long hallway that led beyond the Observatory. Dodo turns to Spooks, his lone remaining companion now that Konata had spirited the rest away, and solemnly nods, squawking in the secret language of birds.
[!TRANSLATING!]
[TRANSLATION COMPLETE]
…Are you sure? I can activate the mechanism, however I predict a 98.3% chance of-
Dodo squawks again, an exact repeat of his earlier request. Spooks frowns, hesitating - but as the smoke fully dissipates and Lyra cries out in anger, directing Jack and Nico towards them, he returns Dodo’s nod, hurrying out of the room and leaving the avian protector alone. He closes his eyes, his head sinking low as he feels the weight of the firearm in his hands.
Then, his head snaps upwards, his eyes burning with indignant rage. Since the moment they arrived, since the moment he’d learned about what this Bureau - and Dr. Orpheus - had been doing to his kind, he’d been waiting for this moment.
He cocks his shotgun. He wasn’t trapped in there with Lyra and her followers.
They were trapped in there with him.
There you are. What in the unholy hell were you thinking? You have some serious explaining to do.
I’ve allowed you to expend countless Bureau resources, and for what - some kind of… game show? And this stunt of yours with the explosives, even if she WASN’T directly in the room, do you have any idea what kind of structural damage that could’ve caused? Astrid, she could have…
Yes, yes, whatever. Go ahead, dock my pay if you have to - what am I going to do anyway, buy myself a yacht and go sailing into the sunset? The point is, your daughter ruined my last chance at stopping their advance. The seals are active once more, the Codex is exposed, and the flow of Esotera is significantly inhibited. So, if you would, stop complaining about my own efforts and focus for a second - because the worst case scenario has regrettably come to pass.
Atop the glassy platform at the tower’s highest point, two figures silently wait, tracing the ascent of the surviving members of the Investigation Team with their eyes as though awaiting the arrival of a guest.
Together, the survivors climb the boundless, glassy staircase towards the radiance above - besides Riki, who lags behind as he awkwardly helps Spooks clunk his way up the steps. They break through the cloud barrier, continuing step-by-step as the sprawling pale gives way to a soft, gentle blue sky, framing the locus of the sprawling red tubes that stretch through the facility.
Director Sinclair’s hologram flickers slightly, and he closes his eyes, sighing deeply. His brow furrowing with an incalculable frustration for but a moment, his gaze turns back towards the staircase as the telltale clatter of footsteps on glass heralds the approach of the others.
The inevitable end.
...Welcome.
I've been... expecting you. Observing your progress. Astrid. Detective. Agents Andras, and Vassago and... Well, you're all here - minus... one.
Despite the loss of Agent Baal, you managed to systematically re-engage every seal, defeat nearly every Anomaly in the facility - in straight combat for the most part, no less. You've repelled a rogue researcher, and several members of the Crimson Eye... You even passed my associate's... ridiculous excuse for a security protocol.
I... apologize, by the way. For his actions afterwards.
...
...But, I suppose we're past apologies now. I somehow doubt you're here to apologize and accept my offer. You're here for the Codex, aren't you?
Indeed. Sorcerer of the Old Chaos, we've come to slay you where you stand and retrieve the relic which lies beyond your bloodstained soul. You shan't remain in control of our fates for but a moment longer - so deliver the forsaken tome unto us, should you wish to see the sun rise once more.
No, I... wouldn't go that far, but...
It's over, dad. I know you're... not gonna listen to me, you haven't so far... but we're taking that book. And we're destroying it. The world doesn't need something like that in it, no matter what you're planning to use it for - and the fact that we're standing here now... means that we're not taking no for an answer.
...That's about what I expected. I was hoping I wouldn't have to see you here, Astrid. That you'd stay back, stay safe, give up and see the light. We could've started from zero, like nothing ever happened - but instead, here we are. Somehow though... deep down I knew this would be the case. You're more like your mother than I could've imagined, always willing and ready to jump headfirst into danger...
Against my better judgement, I'm... proud of you. In the time I've been gone, you've grown more than I could've imagined you ever would.
Dad... I'm not looking for your approval. I don't need it, I know... I'm doing what I believe in. I just... want this to be over. The Killing Game, the Codex, Global Synchronization, Whisper Valley...
I know why you're doing this, you've told me time and time again - but if you really care about me, if there's... anything left of the dad who watched the stars with me every night, the dad who always knew my favorite flavor of ice cream, the dad who'd stay up telling me stories about the magic of the world - the real, small, fleeting glimpses of magic that made life so special...
Astrid, you know-
Please. I made it here, standing across from you on top of the world. I can... find another way to keep going, to keep living and thriving. You're wrong. I was never trying to throw my life away by trying to stop this. It's... the opposite. The murders and the monsters and the Crimson Eye, it's been scary but... looking around, exploring, learning the secrets of this place, of magic and the world... it's the first time I've really felt like I've been living.
I've read your files, I've listened to your recordings, and I... remember Konata's Somatic dream. I know what happened to mom, and I know why you blame yourself, why you think you have to make it "mean something", but... I know she wouldn't want this, for you to keep using that thing. You think you have it under control, but look what happened, what it created even with seven seals fighting against it.
So... just hurry up. Tell your sidekick to stop us, set up another trap, a big fight, whatever. Get it over with, because we'll keep moving no matter what.
...Astrid, I'm under no delusions.
With the Esotera flow to the Azathoth Project sealed, I'm well aware that whatever Chaotic magic I could conjure would be limited at best. The majority of our energy reserved, diverted to simply sustaining this place. Between the Investigation Team, our Central Facility employees, and the spirits you've dragged along with you... I know we're overwhelmed.
...Seeing you here, having overcome everything I could throw at you, everything I believed would've stopped even our most hardened agents... I've been a fool - and for once... I'm going to trust you to make a choice for yourself. Evidently, I can't shield you from everything, not anymore.
So go ahead. Take the Codex. Destroy it if you want.
No, no, no - Director, I mean this will all due respect, but are you going insane? Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea how much effort I've put into keeping the Codex contained, how much effort I've put into poring over each and every page of that thing, turning hexes and spells into comprehensive code? You're going to throw away all that effort, all that research?
You're mental, that's what you are! If you would've let me obliterate them to begin with, we wouldn't even be in this mess! Your sentimentality is insufferable, how on earth can you throw away TWENTY YEARS of scientific advancement for some stupid girl?
Does that mean... you're going to stop this? That you'll... come home and together, we can... find another way?
...Stop this?
Oh, sweetie... You can have the Codex. You can destroy it, burn it, tear it to shreds. Do whatever you want with it, provided you don't let it fall into the wrong hands - and no, Agent Nyarlathotep, I'm quite far from insanity.
Actually, I've had... a moment of clarity. I don't care what happens to the Codex.... Not because of anything we've talked about here today, not because of you, or the Investigation Team, or some sort of moral revelation. No, you can take the Codex...
Because I don't need it anymore.
W-what?
In case it didn't become clear while your friends saw fit to peruse my classified documents... The Azathoth Project, the very purpose of the Codex's containment and our research here at the facility... It always was just a simple prototype - and you've all been an excellent help, running through our largest test run yet while you've climbed this tower.
As we grow closer to securing our new power source in time for the World's Fair, the Codex has become superfluous, more of a risk than anything worth having now that its contents have been fully digitized. Of course, we needed to run a few more tests, before we continued work on the final product - and I believed we've accomplished that quite well.
What... What the hell? I thought you said you trusted me to make a choice, to fend for myself and-
And I do, sweetie... But this isn't about you anymore. Your ascension of this tower should've taught you a thing or two. You've seen - fought, even - the sorts of things that go bump in the night. You've watched your friend fall into the clutches of the Crimson Eye and their augmented operatives - and they're only growing more powerful, more resourceful. Their knowledge of the esoteric only exponentially increasing.
The cat, I'm afraid, was let out of the bag a long time ago. It's our job to regain control of it - no matter the cost.
You seem to be under the delusion that destroying the Codex will suddenly solve everything, make the world right and purge humanity of the forbidden knowledge that now seeps through every aspect of our society behind the curtain, out of view from the average citizen while simultaneously and imperceptibly pulling their strings.
Without the Bureau to control and distribute Esotera to the general population, they'll become as cattle, ripe to be preyed upon by those with access to the supernatural. To synchronize the world with Chaotic power, is to create a world where all can learn to overcome humanity's boundaries, to defend themselves against the dredges of the occult and create a brighter future for all.
As much as I liked to lie to myself, I'm not sure this ever was about creating your ideal world. It's about creating everyone's.
So... Goodbye, Astrid. I'll see you soon, once this is all over. Once you see more of the world, and come to the very same conclusion I have.
When we can walk together, in the glow of heaven's light.
Ah, now would you look at that. Our Director hasn't forgotten the mission after all. Well, I'm quite glad you got to have your little family moment while you could - before the truth came out - but now that I'm no longer under his watchful eye, I can finally do what I've wanted to do for quite some time.
"Just take the Codex", he says! Destroy the Codex! Regardless of what he may feel personally, the Codex is an artifact of great importance, with still more secrets to extract. Well, I'm sure he won't complain either way if personally return both the book - and his memory-wiped, loving, precious daughter - to his hands after I wipe the rest of you from this face of the earth.
Even if it collapses this entire realm, with the last of the Azathoth Project's power, I'll-
*honk*
...What in the world was that?
Suddenly, bursting from a temporal anomaly behind the aberration, a spectral goose manifests, landing on the glassy flooring and breaking into a sprint towards the Codex. As the others watch on in horror and Nyarlathotep swivels around, eyes widening, the goose smashes through the glass with a swing of its head. Turning to face the onlookers, the goose honks once, before gripping the book within its beak and continuing its sprint towards the edge of the platform.
Hey! Fuck everything else - someone get that goose!
Moving as one, as though possessed by a single-minded force, the group - Nyarlathtotep included - hurtle themselves in the direction of the waterfowl's trail, grasping and reaching for the book before its holder manages to flee by wing into the endless sky beyond. Another spectral figure manifests then, closer to the goose than any of its pursuers. Skidding across the sleek floor, the figure snatches the goose by the neck, hoisting it from the floor with a strangled honk.
The ghost of Hazel Nolen, the Ultimate Serial Killer, brings her blade to the bird's neck, slicing it cleanly and splattering blood across the goose's pursuers as the book tumbles to the ground with an unceremonious thump. She tosses the goose over her shoulder, lifelessly plummeting off the platforms edge as she reaches downwards, picking the Codex Nocturnum from the ground and turning towards the others.
They take a fighting stance, Columbo grits his teeth, expecting the worst - but instead, she just smiles. A smug, superior grin that crosses her face... as she extends a hand - and the Codex - towards the detective. Cautiously, keeping his eyes on her blade, he steps forward - and a shape rises up from beyond the platform's guardrails, floating in the air with an ominous, red glow.
Hazel turns to look, withdrawing her hand slightly - before a black streak zips past her from behind - and she disappears, evaporating in an instant with the telltale sound of a meaty smack. The Codex Nocturnum falls to the ground once more, and the figure comes to rest beside it.
My apologies, "sexy", but I am afraid you have something that belongs to me.
Too long have I waited, watching and observing your superfluous human drama. There is a 98.6% chance that I find the whole thing terribly tedious - yet I have correctly calculated that passive observation past a certain point would serve as a far superior means of obtaining what is rightfully mine.
As it has turned out, my faith in Dr. Orpheus was misplaced, and so too was my belief that one of the dead would accept the terms of my pact and deliver me the Codex - though Dr. Crane at least had the capacity to dispose of one of your number. Truly, a worthwhile disciple - one of far more strategic value than that of my master's chosen student.
And now... after millennia, the Codex has finally returned to its rightful place between my paws.
Forgive me, beast of Liturgic persuasion, but I am afraid that it is my time to finally do what I've wanted to do - since the collapse of mankind's oldest civilizations, since long before any of your oldest ancestors were even a faint glimmer in creation's eye.
Take a moment - the last that moment of consuming despair that you shall be permitted - before your very souls, the flame that kindles your existences are torn asunder and consumed by the maelstrom, the endless dark that's been sealed for so very long!
This post was last modified: Dec 14, 2024 at 8:37 AM by Spooks?.
Suspended in the air by the cat’s magic, the terrible Codex’s cover opens - its pages flipping at a fervent pace as winds begin to whip around the tower’s peak, the group shielding their eyes while they struggle against the violent gale. The sky darkens to an ominous sanguine tone, black tendrils emerging from the Codex’s pages and wrapping themselves around the feline servitor as it cackles, screen-like face beginning to distort in bursts of color.
A maelstrom of shadow swirls around the little cat, the outer layers of its robotic body beginning to crack and rupture as something inside begins to grow in size. Above the platform, the colossal machine, the Azathoth Project’s prototype, begins to rattle and creak on its supporting chains, outer panels tearing themselves from the machine and swirling towards the storm’s center, being consumed piece-by-piece by the Codex and its wielder.
See? You idiots, do you understand what you’ve done? You should’ve laid down and died when you had the cha-
A massive steel panel smacks into the aberration, cutting him short as it splatters him, knocking his fluid body off the tower’s edge and sending him plummeting downwards into the clouds below. This time, Riki resists the urge to say anything - no matter how much it gnaws at him despite the current situation. The survivors grip the guardrails on the platform’s borders, fighting hard as the storm - and whatever is forming in its center - only continues to grow more and more massive in size.
Gorged upon the world's magic the Scribe had begun to change.
The body was not intended to harbor such power.
His flesh ruptured and darkness spilled forth. A mockery of life.
Long claws, to seize his ambition.
A thousand eyes, to inscribe all fates.
Vast wings, to taunt those still within the depths.
Eternal life, unshackled from the earth.
All together, not in bountiful chaos, but wrapped in boundless dark.
Mere puppets, dangling from their blackened strings.
An a low, incomprehensible, rumble emanates from the chimeric abomination's jagged mouth - a deep, rhythmic language long lost to mankind. It raises a titanic hand to the air, crumbling shards of the platform's glass scattering to the wind. A swirl of darkness appears upon the platform as it chants its dark incantation, coalescing into a familiar form.
Ahahahaha! Perhaps this is a more digestible avatar - though I have few words to speak with the likes of you. Aha! Such a cheap shot you took, detective - yet still a futile endeavor nonetheless. As you can see before you, I have attained the freedom and power I long sought!
Thousands of years, trapped deep within the earth, sealed within that accursed place.... Ah, but I knew it to be merely a matter of time. Whether by the hands or mortal man, or by my own will - I would be free one day.
Of course... I was rather hoping that my own child of the dark would be the one to take the Codex, to surrender herself as my vessel. Such a pity, her change of heart. Together, we could have devoured the stars themselves - as is the wish of the endless dark that stretches far beyond your realm, the destiny etched in the margins of fate since the Progenitor first touched the Scribe's mind.
Ah, but the servitor and infernal machine both shall serve as a worthy vessel nonetheless. My glorious return, ushered in by the products of your pathetic Bureau's hubris. Ironic, isn't it? Ahahaha...
You really should have listened to your Director, you know. His plan to reset my containment would have worked - without even the slightest of what you would call "hiccups". I would have been relegated to countless more years, sealed away to be used as a glorified textbook.
But... as I said, there is little purpose to dialogue exchanged between us.
The masked figure dissipates, and the goliath begins to move once more, casting its monstrous gaze towards the survivors.
Darkness begins to flood up the tower's edge, first wispy - then as though floodgates had opened, encroaching on the platform like the rising tide. Giffany raises her hand in the air, scrawling sigils in an attempt to harness the overwhelming Occultic power - though the few spells she manages to cast are snuffed out, absorbed by the unholy titan, Sigils begin to manifest around the survivors, and they find their bodies locking up - a familiar, agonizing process they'd seen countless times before.
23 attempts to move his arm, to break free of the spell and rush forth - but he too is immobilized, casting a sad gaze towards Nancy, Morgan, Nashu, and Tinkaton as the dark continues to rise, engulfing them whole. Riki, Astrid, Spooks, and Columbo, unable to move or speak, similarly share a final look of resignation, as they too are swallowed. Dexter casts his gaze downwards, before wrenching his head upwards, struggling against the spell. Noticing the ghosts of Pea and Alan Wake, there with him at the end, he smiles wistfully, before the everlasting shadow rises to meet them too.
And then... there was peace. Cold, quiet darkness, punctuated only by the rumbling chants of the biomechanical abomination.
Columbo drifted through the cloying dark, his senses suffocated, his mind unsure of whether he was still even thinking. If he felt anything, it was cold, like nothing he'd ever felt before. A hopeless, forlorn emptiness - yet... comforting, in a way. There was nothing to worry about, there was nothing at all. Nobody to fight for, no life to save. No mystery to solve, no escape to be had. Nothing to be done... but to drift onwards, to let everything go.
Suddenly... he feels a warmth in his hand, spreading up his arm as for the first time in what felt like years to the eyes of someone lost in the dark... he saw a glimmer of light. The spear, infused with BPI-1000's power glows in defiance of the encroaching dark. Despite his killing of DXHustler, despite everything, whatever power lingered within was screaming out against this oppressive force, as though the memories of the warrior within still shone through.
He grips the weapon tight... and slams the shaft of the spear against the ground.
The shadows dispelled and the abomination caught in a moment of surprise, the survivors catch their bearings, the light restored to their eyes with a great and sudden ferocity. Climbing to their feet, they turn to face the monster before them. Morgan cracks his knuckles as 23 draws his blade, Tinkaton hefting her meat tenderizer onto her shoulder.
Riki and Giffany give each other a knowing nod, joined by Alan Wake and his diver. Dexter slowly rises, helping Pea up as Spooks rushes over to check on Astrid - who needs no help, standing up all on her own, facing down the monstrosity clinging to the platform's edge. Nashu too, rises to stand tall, pulling her guitar from her back and unsheathing the blade hidden within.
The Codex Demon's protestations fell on deaf ears. This wasn't the first time they'd dealt with some hopped-up psycho.
Lyra, DXHustler, god knows how many others, all corrupted by Esotera's influence - driven to madness by the promise of power, survival, or revenge. This thing might've been more powerful, more ancient. It might've had a mastery over the dark, it might've had the whispers of the Codex at its beck and call...
But it was just another monster, another demon grasping blindly in the shadows for a foothold. And as Columbo held the Liturgic spear before him... his face hardened with determination.
Third time's the charm.
The monstrous construct before them rose a hand, bringing it down upon the remainder of the Abyss Team - but with a point of his finger, Alan Wake's diver rushes forward, tanking the blow with its metallic body, holding back the immense claw as sparks flew across the platform. Giffany tries again, weaving another Stasis spell and locking the beast's hand in place. The demon roars, a distorted, horrible sound, as it attempts to undo her spell - though each attempt fizzles out in the shining light, her own sigils holding true as its left claw slams roughly into the platform, immobile and still.
Across the platform, 23 sprints around Nancy, Morgan, Tinkaton, and Nashu, slicing down tendrils of darkness as they manifest and hurtle towards the unsuspecting survivors. The beast raises its other hand, chanting in the same deep, incomprehensible language as before, manifesting several smaller servitors akin to the red-tinged Spooks, but Nancy backs up her partner, her capture devices flying fast and loose as she deters the horde, sending them one-by-one to meet the reaper in the Holding Cell.
Like before, the demon brings its hand downwards in a mighty slam - only to have it parried by Tinkaton, who raises her hammer in defiance, clashing against the claw as Morgan leaps forward, running up its arm and clocking the massive beast square in the monitor-like face, sending it reeling backwards. Nashu, with a quick affirmative glance towards 23 and Morgan, follows suit, sprinting up the creature's arm - only to leap off to the side, swinging her guitar and severing the esotera-feeding tubes attached to one side of the monstrous construct.
As Giffany holds its other limb in stasis, Riki has a similar plan. Slapping on the Raptor Mask, he runs up the petrified arm, taking aim with his claws at the tubes on the demon's left side - though he finds himself snatched out of the air by a tendril of Occultic power. The tendril squeezes, applying an immense force - before Spooks wheels at his maximum allotted speed level towards the grasping appendage, electrifying it with his taser and giving Riki a moment of freedom - just enough to leap forth and slash the tubes on his own side.
The demon howls again, Esotera spewing forth from the point of injury. In the platform's center, Indiana Jones, hearing Astrid shout a cue, readies his whip. Lashing outwards towards the monster, his whip wraps itself around the neck-chain holding the Codex. Dexter and Pea grab the whip in tandem with the old archaeologist, yanking towards the platform's surface. Its power supplies cut off, its head crashes downwards towards the platform with a mighty slam, almost sending the rest of the survivors off-balance.
Columbo approaches the entity, spear drawn, A weak, flickering form appears beside him.
Ahahaha... Yes, I acknowledge your power. Well done! Now, don't be rash, as I had done with Giffany before - I can make a deal with you, my new child of the dark.I can teach you such things - the secrets of magic, how to resurrect the dead... I'm sure there's so very many you'd like to see returned to the world of the living, no?
Aha, we can learn so much together, it would be such a shame if you-
Columbo roughly shoves the cloaked manifestation aside with a swipe of his spear, approaching the demon as Indy and the gang held it tight.
Ignoring the creature's protests wholesale, Columbo twirls the spear in his hand, approaching the Codex - now dangling limply from the chain around the titan's neck. As the beast's three eyes widen in a mixture of surprise and - for the first time in its existence - abject terror, he takes a deep breath, raising the spear.
A moment of strange, uneasy quiet overtakes the rooftop platform as the spear’s tip pierces the Codex’s cover, a dribble of black liquid running down the weapon’s shaft. The monstrous mechanical beast clinging to the tower’s side shifts its gaze towards the book around its neck. Its eyes twitching in disbelief, a strangled, distorted sound buzzes from the depths of its throat. The force of its titanic arms weighing down upon the survivors lessens, its metallic, steel-hewn claws falling limp, crashing against the glass platform.
The warped, unsettling noise emanating from the abomination trails off, and Columbo is thrown backwards, his hands losing their grip on the spear as a mighty torrent of black-and-red energy bursts forth from the Codex, punctuated by the wailing of hundreds - thousands of once-trapped souls as the power of the Codex twists and writhes in long, tendrils of shadow and flame, streaming forth before dissipating into nothingness, dissolving in the morning light.
With a mighty creak, the codex demon motionlessly slides backwards, toppling downwards into the clouds, its massive form too, dissipating and leaving behind only the small Spooks body, tumbling with the spear and vanishing from view. Dexter steps up to the platform’s railing, squinting as he watches the little cat’s lifeless body vanish into the distance. He sighs in relief - before yelping and gripping the rail tight as the platform begins to violently shake. Astrid almost tumbles to her feet, but she catches herself, holding onto Spooks’ cape.
W-whoa!
Ah, shit… If this place was some kinda magic construct propped up by your dad’s machine… Now that it’s up in smoke, what the hell’s sustaining this tower?
That is a simple question, [AGENT DESIGNATION - DEXTER HEXLEY]. The answer is that devoid of Esotera supply or the Azathoth Project’s execution of Chaotic-based processes, there is currently nothing ensuring this distorted facility remains in one piece.
Now, now - I think we should all just settle down for a minute. After all, there’s no situation where blindly panicking helped anyone, now did it? How about we-
You seek a solution? Then stop wasting your breath - and run!
As the shaking ramps up in intensity, the group takes his advice, taking off down the glassy stairway. Giffany looks back to the platform and quickly sprints back, scooping up the Underground Lab like a sack of potatoes before joining the others, the platform cracking and shattering behind her. One-by-one, the steps collapse behind the survivors as they dash for the relative safety of the tower. With a collective leap from the last step, they land on the ledge behind the Chaotic Seal chamber, Giffany dropping the dog as it barks and wags its tail. At least from here, she’s pretty sure he’ll be able to follow.
The group turns their eyes forward towards the seal chamber proper, as another violent spasm shakes the tower, sending them tumbling through the chamber’s door, back into the elaborately-decorated game show set - and the door slams shut behind them, electronic locks engaging. Morgan jogs over to the door to the Director’s Office - but not fast enough, locks engaging there as well, trapping them within.
Teeth clenched, he turns back towards the other survivors standing in front of the stage - and behind them, the screen flashes to life, a familiar timer blinking an ominous red.
Mother fucker. No, no, no... Not this shit again...
No... we didn't come this far just for... this to happen again. Where's that tablet Dad's stupid sidekick had? Spooks, you can override this, right? C'mon, there has to be something, something we can do!
As if answering her prayers... a ghostly shimmer begins to appear in the air above the stage... and the speakers begin to play as the spirit manifests in its entirety.
Your wish... will be my command, for every princess needs their fairy godmother.
Ohohohoho.... with a drop of mayhem... a pinch of disorder... and just a hint of...
chaos....
Ladies and gentlemen, heteromorphs and ghosts...
Oh my god. Seriously, not the time!
The fairy godmother winks at Dexter, and with a flick of her magic wand, the locks on the door disengage with a clunk.
The tower’s stability further threatened by the impending explosion, the group quickens their pace towards the Director’s Office, their hurried footsteps squelching on the carpet of gore that used to be the facility custodian. Tinkaton presses the elevator button… and the doors do not open, nor does the button’s light come on.
Grunting in frustration at yet another elevator failure after the debacle with *Mute, Dexter lightly shoves Tinkaton aside and grabs a twisted metal bar from the ground, a remnant of the AI’s weapons. Shoving the bloodied scrap into the elevator doors, he wrenches them open and peers down the gaping elevator shaft, catching himself and leaping back when another tremor hits, narrowly avoiding a fall.
Suddenly… Riki has a realization. Devoid of the Codex’s curse, the “forbidden actions”... nothing was stopping him from using as many masks as he desired.
Slapping on the Mask of the Forest, he leaps into the shaft, Astrid letting out an exclamation of panicked surprise - before she leans over the edge, and sees him gently gliding down to the power room. A moment later, the elevator hums to life, and they hurry inside, cramming into the small metal box. Bursting out on the third floor, the group feels another quake, the elevator cables snapping behind them with a ghoulish grinding sound as the fourth floor collapses above.
Before any of them can react to the close call, the explosives in the Chaotic Seal chamber detonate with a deafening book and ceiling above begins to give way, long spider-like cracks running through the concrete above. Columbo yells for them to follow, rushing down the hall and pointing towards the door to Water Filtration, which slides open to reveal… the long, twisting rows of shelves - the inner depths of the mysterious library.
Waving the group into the gloom, the doors slide shut behind them, and for a moment… they’re at peace. No more collapsing building, no bombs or rampant anomalies, just a quiet moment to catch their breath - until the Library too begins to shudder as the realm continues to unravel, books clattering about on the shelves, some falling to the floor with a thud.
Wait - I thought this WASN’T part of either facility, I thought it was like… some other, third place. Are we seriously not even safe here?
Nay, this place… It reeks of the selfsame magicks of the baleful tower - a place touched by the sorcerer’s hand. Tome upon tome of nonsensical print, formed from the old chaos and sealed away to all but the privileged Librarian.
Oh, so that must be why your friend could find whatever he was looking for - if it’s a construct like the tower, he must’ve been attuned to it. Hehe, that’s pretty inventive, I’d think it was kind of cool - if it wasn’t probably the result of some horrible experiment~
Yeah, okay - I’m sure Dodo’s real happy that we’re figuring out how his shit works, but I’m pretty sure he’d be happier if we weren’t fucking dead! Can we hurry u-
The shaking returns, cutting him off as they break into a run, following Columbo’s lead as the Dodo mask leads him forward, towards his exit point at the outside gatehouse. Suddenly, he stops in his path, Nashu bumping into his back as she too comes to a halt. The ground before them rumbles and tears, opening into a vast rift, books tumbling inside as they back off. Columbo glances around, sweating behind the mask.
Looks like they’d have to improvise.
He turns to the right, ushering the group down yet another corridor, in search of a different door, when the winding shelves begin to collapse inwards, showering the group with books as they teeter over towards them. With a clang, the Deep Colossus and Alan Wake catch the falling bookshelves before they crush the survivors. Struggling under their weight, the writer urges the rest to go on without him - this is his penance, after all, for his earlier horseplay. With a nod of acknowledgement, Columbo guides the rest forward to a random door.
With the restrictions on their powers lifted… he’d just have to find another door - one that bypassed the encroaching chaos. He throws open the door, and the group dashes into…
…The Black Forest
Giffany steps forward into the woods, allowing the Underground Lab to scout it out, nervously glancing backwards at the rest of the group as she keeps an eye on the dog. This was dangerous territory. The rest follow behind, the Library quickly becoming an unappealing place to spend their time.
Glancing around the forest, Astrid remembers something.
Hey… wait a minute. Detective, can you… show me what you found in the library?
Columbo shrugs, handing over the file. She reads it up and down - the report on her mysterious affliction. Gripping the paper, she turns to the south and points.
Right… That’s what I thought. If I can survive by… draining Esotera, then that means…
C’mon! We have to hit up the Esotera Lab! If I can grab a few of those useless Anomalies in there - like that stupid chicken video game, then maybe, at least for a while, I can…
As if sensing exactly what she meant, the Underground Lab barks, before hurrying to the south. Following the dog, they arrive at the Esotera Lab, where Astrid hurries inside, scooping up the box of useless object-based Anomalies before hurrying out to rejoin the others. Columbo pauses, asking if she’s doing okay. She nods, smiling - before a shudder ripples through the forest ground, and Columbo jams the Silver Key into the door, giving it a turn.
As the ground of the forest too begins to rupture and crack, they rush inside, Nashu slamming the door behind them as they make another trip through the shelves. Columbo grimaces, the Dodo mask giving no sign of the gatehouse door nearby. He leads the group to another door - and another place. The group bursts through door after door, running through library hallways and distorted areas, dodging falling rubble, treacherous chasms, and toppling bookshelves as they go, desperate to escape in one piece.
Suddenly, upon entering the Library through the Boathouse door, Columbo finds himself perking up, the mask tingling gently against his head in some… strange, intangible way.
This was it, he was right where they needed to be. No signs of further destruction, no sudden quakes. He takes off running around the corner, allowing the mask to guide him onwards - the rest of the gang hot on his heels - until the final doorway comes into view, the light of the outside world shining brightly, cutting through the library’s gloom like a knife.
"The hopes, their dreams... The iron-clad faith of a world suppressed.
All towards a weapon to counter the Scribe's dark power."
...Not exactly the Liturgic weapon of legend, but it certainly seems like this has done the trick, hasn't it? I always thought it was a curious thing, your transference of BPI-1000's power into this weapon, a weapon once developed - by yours truly, of course - to do precisely the opposite. It's quite a remarkable weapon. I can feel 1000's power inside. Dormant yet burning with that same heavenly light nonetheless.
You again? You're one persistent son of a bitch.
Persistent... yes, I suppose you could say that. I've been "persistent" since you were still just a face on the television screen, pointless, banal filler for people to gawk at in-between commercial breaks. I've poured blood, sweat, and my entire soul into this Bureau's research. I threw away my body, spent years working in the shadows to advance our agenda, and I've personally written and documented an incalculable amount of Anomalies in our quest to understand the secrets of the Codex.
And in such a short time, you've undone much of our work. Killed our anomalies, ran our Central Facility into the ground... Destroyed the relic that our organization was formed to research. Of course, Director Sinclair wasn't lying - the physical contents have been digitized, but it's the principle of the thing, really.
You know, he really does want to help people, regardless of what you think of his methods. Unfortunately for you, I operate under no such pretense. Were you to ask me on a better day, I would claim that this world is stagnant, progress ground to a halt, desperately in need of a shake-up, a change which we shall bring about. However, this is currently quite possibly the worst day of my entire life.
So, more than anything else... I simply want you all dead - no matter the cost.
The spirit within this weapon, the Liturgic entity that once dwelled within 1000... Dormant though it may be, that simply means it's waiting as it had for millennia prior, waiting for a proper host to bring about its age of reckoning, to return light to the world and vanquish its adversaries. Your pathetic "Hustler" wasn't able to gather enough Apostles, enough Esoteric power to fuel their ascension to a higher power.
But... with my own Liturgic power, the overwhelming essence that makes up my current being, I believe my very existence should serve as more than enough to grant me everything I need to strike you down where you stand.
Abyss Team Nyarlathotep? No, let's drop the childish pretense of "codenames" for a moment - after all, I believe this is the last time we'll be seeing each other, save for perhaps the deepest pits of hell - though I assure you, I'll be arriving much later than all of you.
My name is Dr. Nikolai Rosenwood.
BPI Senior Research Lead, Abyss Team founder, and by the power of the absolute radiance within this spear...
The spear vanishes from his hands, and the aberration begins howling in unseen pain, twisting and writhing as he melts into a violent, thrashing puddle. Morgan pulls out the Void Rifle, pointing the barrel straight at the screaming mass, taking aim for the kill shot - when another tremor, the largest thus far, sending him lurching backwards, sending the rifle skidding along the ground. Cracks begin to spread through the floor, growing larger the room shaking as Chaotic light bursts forth from every crevice.
Seeing her precious weapon clatter to the floor, Nashu reaches for the rifle - but as a crevice tears its way towards her, the rifle teeters over the edge, plummeting into the oblivion below. She lunges forward, grasping - only to be roughly yanked away from the edge by 23, who points towards the now-unguarded doorway, his calls to hurry drowned out by the low rumbling that permeated the shaking room.
She sighs. That's what she deserved for trusting it with Morgan. She supposed... she could always find another one. One day. But that day wouldn't come if they hung around in here.
Together, the group bursts through the door, feeling the cool air of the outside world against their skin as they topple out of the gatehouse into a pile on the grass - and around them, the endless white sky begins to encroach further, sweeping inward with blinding brilliance.
After what feels like an eternity of blinding light... Astrid's eyelids flutter, her body shifting as she lifts herself from the ground, her back now soaked by cold, morning dew. She rubs her head, a chilly, autumn breeze sweeping past her and lazily blowing her hair. Sitting up, she glances around her, a feeling of relief washing over her as she sees the others - alive, each in a similar situation to her, slowly regaining consciousness and righting themselves.
Beside her, Spooks' monitor flashes back to life, his digital eyes swirling with disorientation. She smiles, patting him gently on his boxy head and helping him back onto his wheels as she herself stands upright. With a deep breath, she turns away from the gatehouse - and towards the Central Facility. Despite everything... it was still standing, framed by rising sun bright overhead, painting the sky with a soft, welcoming orange - a stark contrast to the gloomy days and nights that she'd gotten used to.
For the first time in 20 years, Whisper Valley was at peace.
For just a moment, she wonders what's become of the inside.
Of Lyra, of the Seven Seals, of Nyarlathotep and the Anomalies spirited away to the Holding Cell. Of her Observatory, and the quaint mountain path she walked every day to the Library in the facility proper. She exhales, turning her gaze back towards the others, now all returned to consciousness and taking in the very same view. Around Giffany and Riki's feet, the once-Underground Lab runs in circles, tongue flapping in the breeze as he enjoys the outdoors once again, for the first time in years. Pea's ghost passes Dexter one final can of ginger ale, giving him some parting words as he slowly begins to fade...
"You've still got so much more to do out there. Write that book, get that success you deserve. I'll read it whenever I can.
See you at the world's fair."
Nancy, Morgan, Nashu, and Tinkaton let out a collective rallying cheer, rejoicing at their escape - and the resounding conquest of the obstacles in their way. Nearby, 23 watches, his mask concealing the relieved smile on his face upon seeing everyone safe. Columbo laughs at Spooks' disoriented demeanor, while Indiana Jones continues to stare wistfully back at the facility, imagining all the treasures left behind.
Dexter breaks apart from the group, joining her.
So, uh.
We'd better hit the road. Before your dad sends his goons to come and grab us or... something. Not to put the fear of god in you or anything, but I'm sure by now he's probably figured out what we did. We "know too much", or some shit like that, we're "too big of a threat".
Besides, you're here and considering you're half the reason he's doing any of his wacked-out magic stuff, I can't imagine it'll take 'em very long.
Yeah, I... guess so.
I... didn't really think about that, but... you're probably right. I just... need a moment, to say goodbye. It's been a long time since I've left this place - despite everything, in a weird way, it's... still home.
Still, how are we going to leave?
We're... pretty far from anything, at least according to the maps in the Library. Walking would take... days, and it's not like we have any supplies...
Ah shit, we'll have to worry about that later! Look - I think we're too late!
From the distance, down the singular road through the winding forest... a large, blue van comes hurtling down the road, coming to a screeching halt before the survivors, who swivel to stare down the ominous vehicle.
Unable to see a thing through the deep, tinted windows, the group takes a defensive stance, Tinkaton, Nashu, Morgan, and 23 drawing their respective weapons and awaiting the flood of Bureau troops surely waiting to swarm out the rear doors.
Bring forth your strongest, foul minions of the wicked sorcerer! We have slain monsters aplenty, condemned a greater demon back to the pits of the abyss - mere man threatens us not, be it one, or one hundred!
But... there is no response. No horde of armed soldiers, no warning alarms or suppressive gunfire. Instead, the driver's side door opens with the telltale clunk of the handle. The survivors tense up further, their eyes locked on the door - as a single figure steps out, slowly surveying the group...
...And sharing a knowing smile with Pea's fading ghost, before he disappears into nothingness.
The Central Facility... feels like ages since I've been back here. Never thought I'd be back - at least not like this.
But... a friend of mine told me that you guys could use some help, and it's the least I can do - especially after everything I put him through.
You guys... look pretty rough, but I'm not really surprised, not after everything that's happened. BPI-1000, breaking Sinclair's science projects, and a Killing Game on top of it all. That sure takes me back - for better or worse.
...Huh. Something about this place feels... different somehow. What exactly did you...?
Well, there's plenty of time to talk about that later. I've got a big blind spot after your tenth night for... obvious reasons. No hard feelings; trust me, it happens - but maybe you could help me fill in the blanks?
Hop in, let's get outta here.
Wait... where are we going? Won't dad be looking for us?
Yes, I do believe we may need to take steps to avoid the Director - I've never known him to just give up, a trait that... Well, isn't always particularly convenient to be on the receiving end of, something we've seen first-hand by now more than enough times~
Partridge. Good to see you in one piece. Shame about the whole... Liturgic possession situation - my guy did his best to help you, for what it's worth.
Anyway... we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it. Don't get me wrong, he probably will come after you - definitely will, actually... but I've got my methods. I don't think he'll be much of a problem. The World's Fair's only two years away, after all. Can't see him pulling away from his "master plan" with any real urgency, not when you've probably forced him into a corner by wreaking havoc on his home base. He might be a chaos wizard, but he's not omniscient. Not yet.
Now... c'mon.
You all look hungry, and while it's uh, not exactly my ideal restaurant of choice...
As the van drives away into the distance, a long figure steps out from his hiding place behind the gatehouse, watching it disappear into the distance like a blue speck - until he was sure he was well and truly alone. After all, he was sure the others wouldn't exactly have a... positive reaction to his survival.
Maybe Dexter - but he wasn't about to take his chances with the catgirl, not after she blew his coworker away. He wasn't about to mess with the woman in blue either, she was bad news.
Fishing around in his pocket, he pulls out his cell phone, holding it skyward in search of a signal, any signal. Surely now that the Occultic bubble trapping them in here had burst, he'd finally be able to contact HQ, maybe get a lift out of here or...
Nope. Zero bars. No chance of contacting the Crimson Eye, no chance of... even calling a cab, really.
...
Well, he supposed it was time for Plan B.
He dragged himself back from the underworld - and he sure as hell wasn't about to miss this week's Wine Club meeting.
In the aftermath of unthinkable odds, a young woman finds herself alive.
The destruction of the Codex Nocturnum caused the [NOCTURNUM] coding program to completely dissolve. This, in turn, rendered the SPC-TR Hacking Device powerless, alongside any influence or physical manifestation on its host. In other words, Giffany was no more.
None of this was without consequence, of course. The young woman still sustained injuries, and while the worst of them vanished with her old form, she could still feel them on her body, lingering faintly. Harnessing occultic esotera in the unsynchronized body had its own complications too. At the "core" of herself, the young woman felt a sense of... emptiness. A space where something had been spent or lost. Between being Abyss Team "Alhazred", a player in the Killing Game, a conduit for chaotic esotera, and a brief child of the dark, she had been well and truly changed.
Still, she was alive. Unlike a past self, she wasn't keen on taking this fact for granted.
Leila Caster takes a deep breath.
Alright, I let the lab have a quick run. He should be back in a minute, but if not, I've got treats to call him back.
Astrid... Listen, I know we couldn't find many more answers for you back in the facility, but we were rushed in a death trap. You've got Columbo to help you out too, but... If you ever need an esotera expert, please reach out. I don't think I'll be done researching it just yet, and without the "actually completely evil" Bureau watching over my shoulder, maybe I'll actually be able to do some good for you.
I know I've said it a million times already, but... Thanks, everyone. You saved my life in more ways than you could ever know. Whatever happens next, I'm in your corner - and I mean it this time.
Oh good, the lab's back! Haha! Glad he returned, I was bluffing about the treats.
While we've got some downtime... Come on, Riki. There's a certain bird we should go memorialize.
This post was last modified: Jan 16, 2025 at 4:51 AM by Morgan.
Bravely, they continued on...
Do you know these people, Hector?
Just the guy in the red shirt... he's from back then.
Sorry to barge in on you so suddenly. I understand you must be very busy.
Oh, please, don't start with that. What do you want? Are the big, bad, BPI thugs here to take away my sunday paper?
Oh, certainly not, sir. Actually, we've been looking for you-
Should we be worried? I thought we weren't going to have any more trouble with you people.
We gave you what you want years ago. Our lives have nothing to do with yours.
Believe me, I'd leave you both well alone. I know that's what you want, but its not up to me.
Fine. Do what you're gonna do. Not like we can stop you.
Columbo places a large briefcase on the center table with a thud.
...The hell is this? This is-
Marth's dying wish.
Dying!? Who are you? What do you know about them?
I'm afraid it's true, Ms. Griffin. My associate and I were with them when they passed.
The last thing they said they wanted was for us to bring you these documents.
Inside the case you'll find each and every last file on the Mask of the Warrior of Pengellert, as well as every contact I know in the BPI who's willing to help you expose the coverup. With our testimonies, you'll be able to reverse your academic discrediting and go back to your normal lives.
Tch. This is just like them. I'm not buying the selfless act.
How come every time Marth makes a mistake, they have to come right back at it with this holier-than-thou attitude?
H-Hector, please. Isn't this what you wanted?
We've been grumbling around since forever wondering what could have been if Marth never sold out.
I don't care. If this is their way of saying "I fixed it" one last time, then I don't want it. I'm sick of them thinking they can control every part of my life. This "gesture" doesn't mean anything.
You two... get out of my house. I never want to see you again.
Take it back.
What?
I said take it back. I'll leave, but you're taking that case and you're going to think over what you're going to do with it.
I'm not going to pretend like Marth didn't fuck up. Trust me, I've had my fill of that for a lifetime. I understand exactly where you're coming from.
Marth's final wish wasn't to get you your job back.
Maybe it's what they would have wanted, but what they decided to give you was a choice.
Think on it. If you like living a quiet, obscure life, then you can be satisfied knowing that this time it was your choice.
If you want your life back, then this is your one and only opportunity, and you should fight for it.
Fight as hard as you can. Fight until your knuckles bleed and your lungs ache.
There's meaning in that.
...
Anything left to take care of? I've got to get going soon and see the wife, she's probably worried sick.
Uh, no, I don't think so. I mean, I need to borrow Spooks for something soon, but I know where to find him. Did you destroy that tape?
Yes, [AGENT DESIGNATION: MORGAN]. I've also located the Anomaly you were interested in tracking down, he should be located in the Maryland Facility.
Good. That means you and me are settled, Columbo.
...I really can't thank you for everything you've done for me. Really. I couldn't have done it without you.
I could say the very same about you. We should collaborate again to prepare for the World's Fair. Sinclair is still out there.
I was thinking the same. I'll be doing anything I can to put a dent in whatever's going on over there. If we don't stop sinclair...
That can wait for a little while.
What are you going to do in the meantime?
I was thinking of opening a private detective agency. "Dojima Detective Agency" sounds cool to put on a business card. You?
Oh, you know, more of the same. Don't get yourself killed without the team behind your back.
Headfirst is the only way I know how to live. No promises.
Goodbye, Agent Morgan.
Goodbye, Columbo.
...
Work is never over, I guess.
...How do I get to Maryland from here?
I'll figure it out. No time to lose.
Quote:
The following recording is archived by the Dojima Detective Agency. If found, please return to their main office located in Philidelphia.
MISSION LOG: 0001-A
DISPATCH: MORGAN
LOCAL TIME 7:48 [MARIA] Good morning, Agent. Any progress to report?
[MORGAN] Nope, none to speak of. Sun's up, if you haven't noticed. [MARIA] Sorry to keep you out all night. You haven't met the target yet?
[MORGAN] Just because he's part of the Crimson Eye doesn't mean he's nocturnal. Might have been a waste to case it all night. [MARIA] Today's a Saturday, right? Do they make their operatives work on weekends?
[MORGAN] Hell if I know. I didn't join up when the janitor asked. [MARIA] ...What?
[MORGAN] I didn't tell you about that? I guess it was a pretty long week. Lots going on.
[MORGAN] How's your nephew doing? [MARIA] Better. I think they're taking him to a psychiatrist soon. I'm just glad the Amnestics didn't stick.
[MORGAN] Yeah, no kidding. That would have been bad. [MARIA] ...Still nothing on the target? This is boring.
[MORGAN] I guess I could stand to hire a few more operatives. I wonder if 23 would help. I wouldn't even have to pay him.
[MORGAN] Oh, I think I see him making a bomb in his garage. I'm gonna go deal with that. [MARIA] Good luck, Agent. Glad to see you back in the saddle.
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