octoboltflash

[octoboltflash]

The sentiment of his memory does cause her to let loose a breathy chuckle, the mere thought bringing a hint of warmth to her otherwise void heart-- it's rare for others to extend such a courtesy, and it's a relief in and of itself; for moments such as these to be preserved... even if it's not in her own mind, what matters is that its recollection lives on in someone else's. Maybe one day, she will be fully forgotten within the universe. While that thought is daunting, it's a bit less so when surrounded by those who wish to preserve. "Blind dates, hm?" Acheron muses, violet eyes sweeping across the unfamiliar landscaping about the Terrace; while some sights reminded her of hazy memories in the distant past, there's something completely novel about everything surrounding her-- these are flowers she's never seen before, and these mountains are far more vast than what little she can recall. "I doubt that I would be partial to it, either. Yet there's something intriguing about forging a bond based on first impressions alone, is there not?" "As for enjoyment... I wish I could tell you. I do quite enjoy peaches, although I admit that I barely remember their taste." A gloved hand comes to her chin as she furrows her brows in thought, frowning slightly. "Sightseeing is always exhilarating. I can enjoy the moment without the worry of what comes before or after-- simply... existing. It's a tranquility in and of itself." "I wouldn't be opposed to hearing you regale me with tales of the locality, either." Acheron smiles there, tilting her head slightly. "Someone always needs to remember. To carry those memories forward into tomorrow." @jadeshielded

taken for granite

GHStrings2025 w/ @jadeshielded

[octoboltflash]

Acheron can't help but allow a shadow of a smile to tug at the corners of her lips as her fingers run along the rim of the teacup set in front of her; he's got the right ideas and the right ways of expressing them, and for that she's thankful-- two minds are much better than one, though the content that this "string" requires of them is... nerve-wracking. Yet if it's what's required for her to return to her freedom as a lone wanderer, then so be it. "Perhaps it is cruel. But for myself, I'm simply appreciative that some aspect of the feeling remains-- it means that not everything is lost... and it serves as a reminder that I was once loved in the past." Violet eyes flicker upwards to settle on his face, and she mulls over both the words he's spoken and the entire premise of this "red string". It's forcing them to be actors and forcing them to feign emotions, but... It's quite difficult for a woman whose entire existence remains muted, including any emotion that she's being forced to exude. "I believe this collaboration with you may further serve to remind me of the warmth of love," Acheron speaks in an even tone as she cradles the teacup and brings it to her lips. She may not be able to taste anything within the herbal blend, but she can appreciate the warmth that spreads from her lips and all the way down to her gut. "We have to be convincing, after all." "It's been ... a long time since I've indulged in something as mundane as a date, yet I believe it may be a good place to start. I'm not familiar with this place-- you seem to be the perfect gentleman to ask for a tour through the quieter areas." "Let's share a few memories, shall we? Maybe they won't remain with me for eternity... but I'll cherish them while they last." Acheron's gloved hand curls around Zhongli's at that point, giving an insistent tug as she rises to her feet and flashes him a subtle smile.

@jadeshielded

taken for granite

GHStrings2025 w/ @jadeshielded

[octoboltflash]

If she's to be thrust into a situation as strange and awkward as this one, Acheron can at least be thankful that she's paired with a man of knowledge-- it's difficult to find others of a like mindset, and as she takes his offered hand, she can't help but offer a small, breathy chuckle in response to his words. "Mr. Zhongli... It seems you have a good understanding of the human mind. At one point in the past, perhaps I could offer you personal experience to support or deny your claims; yet that life has long since been gone and buried." With a grace befitting a swordswoman like herself, she quietly sweeps around the table to take a seat next to him; her hand doesn't leave his, however, and she doesn't even seem to realize it. It's comforting, in a way. The touch of another is an experience that can't be compared to anything else, and it's a shame that she's forgotten the feeling of holding a hand in her own. He's warm, and the strength of his grip (though light) suggests that he has plenty of stories to regale her with-- could some of them be from the battlefield? "Our lives remain devoid of meaning from the moment we come into existence-- it is our duty to discover our reason for traversing the universe. For some, that's the thrill of adventure... for others, carving a place for themselves among the sea of souls drifting about." Leaning forward onto the table, she rests her elbow against the surface and her chin in her free palm. "We're all fragile and short-lived, and plagued with regrets. Yet the moments I recall of being kept in someone's heart... they're worth more than anything that this world could potentially offer me... and that is one experience I do not regret." "We may believe these moments of time to be trivial and irrelevant... But fate has brought me to you for a reason. I intend to discover why." Lithe fingers curl around his palm to give a light squeeze, almost as if she's attempting to reassure herself instead of him. "You bring me a sense of warmth, a sense of nostalgia-- perhaps you remind me of someone whose existence has long since left my memory." "You may call me Acheron. You speak of contracts-- tell me then, Mr. Zhongli... what is it that you require of me to fulfill the terms of our 'agreement'?"

@jadeshielded

taken for granite

GHStrings2025 w/ @jadeshielded

[octoboltflash]

Upon feeling the insistent tug of a string wrapped around her finger, Acheron had immediately heaved a sigh; while there's no doubt that Naught could potentially sever such a connection, there-in existed the innate curiosity of who (or what) could be at the other end-- and whatever it was clearly was enticed by her presence and sought to bring the two ends together. Not only that, but the consequences for being hasty and destroying the string... There was too much unknown to make such a reckless move. And so she finds herself here, in what appears to be a bustling harbor. None of the landmarks seem familiar, though that isn't particularly surprising given the state of her memory. It's a bit difficult to weave through the throngs of people without bumping into others, but she manages, coming to stop in front of a quaint tea house that seems to hold only one or two patrons within the building. Piercing violet eyes settle on a man's figure before she glances down at her hand-- sure enough, the string runs straight towards him. The way that her heart leapt into her throat certainly gave the impression that he was someone of interest (though she doesn't appreciate the heart attack that this is giving her). The Self-Annihilator has to suck in a sharp breath to steel herself before stepping through the doorway, a small chime signaling her entrance to the staff. And to him. She's obvious in the way that she stares, not particularly concerned with outward appearances. Surely he's as aware of this as she is, and she takes the opportunity to twist the string in her hand before giving it a light tug as means of gaining his attention. "So, it's you, is it?" Acheron pauses there, brows furrowing as she steps closer to inspect his form. "I've been looking for you. It's about time I've found you."

(This is supposed to have some sort of romantic undertone, right? Aeons, romance has never once been her strong suit or her focus, and this is going to be harder than she thinks it'll be.) "Tell me, sir... Do you believe in love at first sight?" Her eyes fall closed at the question, her arms coming to cross over her chest in a futile attempt at shielding her embarrassment from the other as her face reddens slightly. "Or do I need to walk by again?"

@jadeshielded

taken for granite

GHStrings2025 w/ @jadeshielded

[octoboltflash]

[LANTERNS] - Like a sea, lanterns float up and flood the night sky. Meaning often dictated by color, they contain our hopes for the new year. Gather with those most cherished and wish for blessings.

Something was off.

He had seen her through the crowd and felt the tug, deep in his chest, and his eyes had narrowed instantly. The figure she cut was familiar, almost, and the energy signature one he thought he knew, almost, but when the woman turned to face him the expression on her face was more a mirror than Kevin had been prepared for.

There was a beat of silence, of consideration, before he said, "Excuse me. I must have mistaken you for someone else..."

But that was not quite the sensation he was feeling.

Something was off, and although Kevin's instincts were honed, sharp and fine over millennia after millennia, he could not entirely put his finger on it. He inclined his head, then, as though he was not sure what to do, not sure whether he wanted to excuse himself, he gestured to the stall beside them, a touch awkwardly.

"Have...have you set one of these into the air?"

A familiar prickle raced up the expanse of her spine for reasons unknown, and the unsettling feeling set her into high alert-- it was rare for such uncertainty to strike her in a world where her emotions remained muted and faded... yet all it takes is a turn of her head to spot a flash of white hair that makes her blood turn cold. In the second it arrives, however, it dissipates. This is not the person she once knew, and this is not the person her sword clashed with. They may sport the same appearance, and they may have the same eyes, but their soul is not identical. The reminder plays over and over in her head as he approaches, and Acheron can't completely stifle the desire to shift into a defensive mode; her hand rests on Naught's hilt, though she shows no intention to draw the blade. "Ah... you do look familiar. A coincidence," She muses, tilting her head in order to inspect every inch of his face-- the slope of his nose, the high set of his cheekbones, and the lackluster light that remained in his icy blue eyes... her skin crawled, and she stifled her discomfort with a clearing of the throat. "I haven't, not yet. I was inquiring about the significance of the colors," Acheron takes the opportunity to distract the both of them, pointing at one of the green lanterns. "From what I've learned, this one inspires 'good health'." She moves to the next, a red hue. "This one, wealth. The yellow, good luck. And the next..." A white lantern, devoid of any designs. "Grief, and mourning. I believe this is the one I'll pick." A long pause follows, her gloved fingers running over the surface of the lantern she retrieves. "Which fits your wishes most, then?"

[octoboltflash]

[KAMERA BOOTH]

"I had told them not to run off too far..." A green-haired man sighs to himself, looking to the crowd of faces enjoying the festival with their own circle of friends and family. He scans the environment, narrowing his eyes if it would help him discern the little silhouettes of the people he's waiting for.

The creature on his shoulders, a white snake with pink humanlike eyes turns its head towards him. "Just ssset up the Kamera already! We can test it with a photo of just ourselves, to see if that 'filter' works properly."

His expression of concern is replaced with one that is more relaxed. "Alright, Changsheng, I suppose you have a point. I've never used one of these before, so it might take some tinkering around..." The man leans over and carefully turns a knob on the Kamera, getting ready to adjust the settings when he hears a set of footsteps. A lady with dark purple hair with white highlights, stopping near where he stands.

"Hm? My apologies, miss. You may use the Kamera first, if you'd like. I'm waiting for a few people anyways." He takes a step away from the device, gesturing to it as a sign of courtesy.

She's enamored with the pristine white serpent that coils around the unfamiliar man's neck, piercing violet eyes settling on the scales that spanned the expanse of its body. Sure, Acheron had seen plenty of snakes in her time venturing throughout the galaxy-- but to see one capable of communicating in this manner? Consider her interest piqued. If she's staring, she's yet to realize it, completely enthralled by this new discovery of hers. But his voice finally breaks her concentration, and she clears her throat before ducking her head slightly in acknowledgment. "No, I had no intention. Though your companion has inspired me. Could I trouble you for a photograph?" This too would fade in time. Yet a physical manifestation of this moment will preserve it for eternity, and for that she is grateful. It's no Light Cone, but a different type of nostalgia fit into a tangible object. A different sort of significance, and a different sort of cherishing.

[octoboltflash]

[BURNING INCENSE]

This curiosity of what it means to cherish perished loved ones has taken hold of Seele in a rather iron grip.

She felt like an interviewer and a child all in one. An interviewer trying to get to know the many celebrities of the cosmos by asking the direct and juicy questions, and a child asking Nat what it means to 'die'.

But she wanted to know, it was a curiosity spoon fed to her mind by whoever created this festival. She had already gone to ask one about his opinion on the matter, so would it hurt to ask another?

Maybe this answer will give me new perspective, too?

So this time, she walked up to a woman, a woman who seemed mature and experienced just...as a whole. That woman, was Acheron.

Seele asked, making sure to properly weigh her words in doing so:

"Um, hey? Question...what does the burning of incense mean to you...?"

The hazy, fading memories of Izumo that remained held no rituals that she could remember. None that celebrated the dead, and none that celebrated the living-- perhaps it was a result of her fragmented conscience, or perhaps those things had never existed at all; though every fiber of her being wished to recall... Acheron knew that it would never return to her. Despite the inability to visualize the intricacies of her home world, therein lied a sense of nostalgia in the way these offerings were presented. At some point in time, she would have been able to indulge in the scents and lose herself in the details of the world around her. Yet now, with every last aspect of her existence fading, she can only rely on what her sight brings her. No taste, no smell. These things were gone-- and they would not come back. So when a young woman approaches her, Acheron's brow is raised slightly. It's a question she doesn't know how to answer, simply because she might as well treat this instance as the first time she's participated in such a festival. Her silence stretches on just a beat long enough to become slightly awkward, and she peels her gaze away from the other almost in shame. "I can't give you an answer," She replies simply, the flickering of flames casting a dark shadow over her features. "At one point in time, I'm certain I could have." "My heart weighs heavy for reasons unknown. It's the only knowledge I have of this moment."

[octoboltflash]

[DRAGON DANCE]⠀/⠀from a distance, he watches as the performing crew argues amongst each other, tempers running high from stress and urgency. it's understandable——they've been working hard on this very critical show and suddenly one of the most important members suffers a freak injury rendering him unable to perform at the last second. another's situation isn't too different, taking him out of the show as well. and now they're left shorthanded, but with a show that definitely couldn't be canceled, lest the spirit of lantern rite suffer an irredeemable blow.

in his line of work, these things happen too. quick fixes, emergency deadlines, sudden setbacks that seemingly can't hope to be recovered from. some of them have set him back too ; some have set the company back as a whole. but all of this, even failure here and there, is still better than the alternative: a stagnant, unchanging bottom line.

he smiles, two-toned gaze soft where it hides, as poorly as ever, behind colored lenses. in their frustrated chaos, rapidly descending to a hopelessness befitting nihility, he sees opportunity more comparable to some other path——whether that was preservation, or trailblaze, or even elation fell to the eye of the beholder. he sees a chance for great chance, unprecedented change——and not far away from him in another direction, a force that excelled at causing just that.

head tilts, rolling leisurely along neck until he can look the dark-haired woman's way. broody as ever, that impenetrable emanator, even when there were celebrations to be had and vicissitudes of life——supposedly——to enjoy. her expression barely changes, and she doesn't even show any sign of noticing him, so he'll have to be the one to break the ice. "how about it, friend? don't you happen to excel exactly in making the impossible, possible? with just one act. . . i'm sure you wouldn't have any problem turning their fortunes around."

In essence, the entire debacle unfolding before her is reminiscent of IX's outlook on the universe-- despite their best efforts and their hours of preparation, it's all for naught in the face of destiny interfering with their plans. While there are those who can effortlessly pluck at the threads of fate, these souls are not of that subset; and as such, they flail and fumble in a desperate attempt to mend the situation that seems hopeless. Not unlike her own fight, she supposes. To rage against a being with no form, tainting all in THEIR Shadow in the same way that her existence had been. A strange, twisted since of "optimistic" nihility-- a living, breathing oxymoron. Though all is lost, what matters is the journey to the end; not its inevitability. The dancers' hours of grueling practice have provided them with experience that cannot be replaced. Regardless of whether their performance succeeds, those moments-- though fleeting-- will remain etched in their souls as a fond memory of time spent together. Much like her time with companions from the past, and much like her time with Nameless girl who fearlessly ventured deep into the depths of IX.

Her reverie is not meant to last long, however, as a familiar voice breaks into her thoughts with little effort. The gambler who staked his life on mere chance has managed to find his way to her once again, and she sets her piercing gaze on his visage without hesitation-- he's nearly see-through, as he was before, filled with an emptiness he desperately chases to fill. Perhaps, with time, he'll find his purpose... and at the Horizon of Existence, Acheron believes that Aventurine has finally grasped the beginning of understanding his actuality in this universe. Or she hopes, at least. As much as she can still hope. "You overestimate my capabilities," Acheron huffs in her usual flat tone, one hand resting on her hip. "I wouldn't say that fortune bends in my favor." A pause follows, her fingers tapping on the end of Naught's hilt. It's nearly hesitation that flashes across her features, head tilting slightly to make an attempt at judging her companion's goal. "The regrets they face are inevitable. You intend to make a fruitless gamble on whether or not I hold the ability to change their fate?"

Neither of them can escape what's been preordained for them. Yet it doesn't stop them from trying, and the human spirit has always been indomitable. "Very well. I have one condition-- you accompany me. Your flair for the dramatic may serve this troupe well. All or nothing, correct?"

[octoboltflash]

❄️

she can be a terrifying lady but you know what

she deserves it for the hell she put him through.

without hesitating, sampo winds up and Throws !

Acheron remains as rigid as a statue as the snowball makes an unceremonious "thwap" noise as it hits her square in the middle of the back. Anyone who was normal would likely yelp, jump, or at least make some indication of the fact that they had just been assaulted, but... She opts for only tossing a look over her shoulder, unsettling eyes sweeping across Sampo's form. Ah. This guy. She almost feels a little bad about what she's got in mind. The Self-Annihilator doesn't hesitate as she marches through the snow, in a straight path to come to a halt directly in front of Sampo. A grunt is all she offers in acknowledgment before ducking down to sling him over her shoulder with ease, carting him around as if he were nothing more than a cardboard box to be moved. It's a short trip, though. To a massive pile of snow, one of which that could almost be considered a hill in and of itself-- and she counts to three in her head before hoisting him above her head... and shoving him head-first down into the frigid substance. "That's for the car."

[octoboltflash]

True to her luck, the car lurches forward once, twice... and comes to a complete standstill. Despite her best efforts of slamming on the pedal, it doesn't budge-- and Sampo's eagerness to jump out of the vehicle is enough to make her question whether or not she should stay. But she won't abandon a comrade in need. Ol' Betsy has been a valuable asset to them, and Acheron has never been a woman to willingly leave an ally behind. Thankfully, her sword is positioned conveniently next to her seat, and she grabs the scabbard for a brief moment. What is she doing? Is this even going to help? Whatever. Go my Naught.

Roll: 1d20 = 20....... Uh oh.

In a flash of movement, she jams the sword down into the pedal, effectively breaking it.... and the car lets out something akin to a scream before FLYING forward. Acheron is also screaming, for what it's worth. Sampo had pointed out a sign, that's true-- and she tries desperately to weave through the narrow lanes while they're accelerating at an alarming rate. The brake clearly isn't working, thanks to her katana, and she's kinda not sure what the hell to do. "Sampo." "WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. NOW."

Looming ahead of them is a concrete barrier, and over the edge... a long, long fall to the streets below.

@huuuugestmoney

'Slow down?' she queries, as though Sampo is speaking an entirely foreign language, one even synesthesia beacons can't contend with.

"Yeah, as in, tap the brakes maybe!??"

She is not so inclined, it turns out.

"Huh? Visitors…?"

The sirens wail louder - closer.

Ah. That kind of visitors.

Wait. That kind of visitors?!

Sampo pales.

Seriously?

Penacony is far too rife with potential to see himself cut off from it so soon thanks to a brush with the local authorities. It's a businessman's paradise! A run-in with the Hounds is ab-so-lu-tely out of the question.

Any ideas, Acheron asks.

"Yeah," Sampo fires back, chancing looking back over his shoulder in his seat, and glimpsing the flash of colourful lights reflecting down the narrow alleyway behind them. He has an idea, all right: "… Step on it!!"

…

The vehicle sputters in sudden protest.

"Whuh-?"

… It rights itself fast enough, thankfully, but it's cause enough for concern.

... Are they. Are they low on fuel? Is that what this is? Or is the vehicle sick to death of being abused? Sampo couldn't rightly blame it if so. Okay. Well. Either way, time enough to deal with that later if they make it out of this in one piece.

"Okay, change of plans - ol' Betsy is clearly not havin' a good time, so we haveta make the best of it. See that sign up there? Think that's for a parkade. Maybe we lose 'em in there?"

And failing that, Sampo tucks and rolls and leaves Acheron to the mercy of the authorities, heh.

[octoboltflash]

Eden cocks her head, pretending her stare is anything more than selfish.

"You remind me of someone I once knew." Her glass set down, she hovers in front of the dark woman's curtain of hair, as if discerning her recognition upon each strand. Honeyed eyes fill with wonder.

"Your family name wouldn't happen to be Mei, would it?"

The soft, soothing lilt of an unfamiliar voice immediately draws her attention-- Acheron turns to face the source, and finds herself looking ... confused, and completely caught off guard by the proclamation. "... How did you know that?" She blurts out in an incredulous tone, her brows arched high enough into an expression that really doesn't fit her normal demeanor. "It was, at one point. Not many are... aware of it, though."

There's an odd sense of deja vu here, and she takes a step back before bringing a gloved hand to rub at the bridge of her nose. "It's not the first time I've heard this. I assure you-- I'm not the person you once knew. Though that begs the question..." "Who are you?"

[octoboltflash]

✰ LANTERN RITE 2025 ! – reblog & send to earn Peace Talismans.

[XINYUE KIOSK] - Back again, Xinyue Kiosk’s keeping up the competition, offering sweet treats, savory dishes, and even refreshing veggies for all those looking to share a snack.

[TEA TASTING] - Third-Round Knockout is once again bringing the new year on with plenty of new tea options for all those caffeinated connoisseurs that want to branch out. Including, for the first time in quite a while, specialty imports all the way from Natlan!

[DRAGON DANCE] - Uh-oh! It seems like the main crew that would lead the dragon dance are two members short, and need two sets of hands NOW! Grab someone and help keep this dance from falling through.

[KAMERA BOOTH] - Liyue is as scenic as it is busy. Several Kamera’s are set up on the docks, surrounding mountains, and some of the best balconies in the area. Make a memory with someone important to you, or keep the lens' attention for yourself!

[LANTERNS] - Like a sea, lanterns float up and flood the night sky. Meaning often dictated by color, they contain our hopes for the new year. Gather with those most cherished and wish for blessings.

[FIREWORK SHOW] - While noisy, fireworks are an incredible display of beauty and color. Make your mark on the new year with a bang!

[JADE HEARTS] - A popular shape for a popular stone in the land of Geo, these Jade Talismans sold quite well. Now, they’re made as a profession of love and desire to ring the New Year in with the company of another.

[BURNING INCENSE] - Even with all the raucous celebration, it is always important to find a quiet moment and remember those who now belong among the stars.

[TOUR GUIDE] - With as many sights to see as Liyue has, join up with a group of strangers to garner the best sights across the city and countryside!

[GIANT JENGA] - While not necessarily a Liyue classic, a recent uptick amongst the younger generation has brought this classic game to the port, and with blocks bigger than ever! Will you best your friend, or will all the pieces come crumbling down? 

[RED ENVELOPES] - Customize your own envelope as a gift to those most cherished. Whether you slip in some mora or a confession of love, even the smallest of envelopes can be life-changing!

[SNAKE PETTING] - As the mascot animal of the year, an exhibit has been set up with several non-venomous and super friendly snakes, if you’re not afraid of these scaly babies.

[JADE MYSTERY] - Shitou is running a special promotion! Guess the correct Noctilucous Jades to find out what it is, just don't gamble all of your mora away...

[octoboltflash]

The bustling crowds of Liyue's storefronts provided quite the challenge to navigate for those who were not already familiar with the city's layout. With the clamor of merchants calling for patrons to examine their wares, advertising with vigor to anyone who would listen, it was nearly impossible to focus on anything... and though Acheron normally preferred the serenity of a secluded, homely spot to relax... this place held a sense of nostalgia that she couldn't put her finger on. Her steps remained hesitant, almost as if she felt like she didn't belong as she dipped in and out of throngs of visitors; a gloved hand remained clutched around the wrapped hilt of her odachi, a desperate attempt to make sure that she didn't accidentally bump someone with its saya. It didn't help that she got several strange looks-- after all, what was an unfamiliar face doing with a weapon that large? Not that it mattered. The Self-Annihilator's eyes, though weary, glimmered with the faintest hint of conflicted recognition as she gazed at several wares that had reportedly been 'imported' from a nearby nation-- Inazuma, or so she had heard. Gloved fingers traced an idle pattern over a table that held several different items; a few books, written and distributed by Yae Publishing House. Several 'lucky charms' that looked eerily similar to ones she once held when in Izumo... At that point, she couldn't keep a wistful smile from stretching across her features. It was almost as if she were inching closer to something she could almost recall in striking detail. But as always, it remained just out of reach-- a hazy shadow, just outside the bounds of clarity. A sigh escaped her before she straightened her posture, gaze sweeping over the remainder of the crowded street. Games, prizes, food stalls... Would she even have enough time to get through all of this? The children gathered around a booth for tossing rings at bottles certainly seemed amusing enough, and Acheron crossed her arms over her chest before opting to enjoy the moment-- a long, long time ago, the children of Izumo would be just as enthusiastic over a cheap prize won by hard effort. @anamnemetic

ready for another dance, memokeeper?

lantern rite w/ @anamnemetic

[octoboltflash]

send ❄️ to throw a snowball at my muse

[octoboltflash]

The roar of the battlefield is all that drums in her ears, and the most that she can offer to Lyney in way of support is the sharp edge of her blade. If she wants him to be reunited with her, then the best way she can show it is to cut down everything in her way— their way. And to that end… she removes Naught from its sheath once again.

Her purple blur of speed tinges red as she sends another slice through the center of the Meks. The resulting explosion of fire and thunder obscures her location for only a moment before she cuts through the smoke to land another decisive blow against the mek that remains disabled.

She’s not unscathed, but she barely feels the bleeding cuts across her arms. The crimson blends in with the rest of her appearance, only a part of her white hair stained red.

@spidergourmet

one life for one world

GHOverture24: Sword of Fate - Week 3

[octoboltflash]

As expected, it's always the calm before the storm. In the moments between life and death, when a soul drifts in the abyss, there is nothing to greet them but deafening silence. That same quiet is what meets her now as her hand slowly moves to grip the hilt of her odachi, eyes falling closed for the few precious seconds they all have before the chaos of battle erupts like a flame.

It doesn't matter who- or what- stands before her. All will eventually rest upon the earth, and her sword exists only to cut; what purpose does a weapon hold if it is not used? Existence is fleeting and short-lived-- but she will fulfill her role to the end, ushering wandering souls to a better fate... and such kindness extends to her enemies as well. "This is where it ends." Arcs of purple lightning leap from the edge of Naught's saya, humming with a crackling, vibrant energy. It's the only warning given before Acheron leaps forward with a sudden movement, her sheathed blade slicing through the air with breathtaking speed. The biggest hulking creature is her initial focus, sparks flying as her blade makes contact with the glowing yellow shield-- every movement flashes bright with the might of her thunder, almost as if her steps were choreographed long before this war took place. A sidestep, a duck, a counter; this battlefield has become her canvas, her odachi acting as her brush as she seeks to paint the ground red. Everything comes to a near halt as she lowers herself into an offensive stance, a faint scarlet hue beginning to creep up the expanse of her arm-- it moves almost as if it's a living thing, enveloping more and more of her until it covers the entirety of one limb. The color drains from her hair much in the same way life would bleed out of a wounded soldier, her eyes falling shut as her figure becomes haunted by the glow of crimson that radiates from her. A single, fluid motion and her blade is unsheathed high above her head- as she swings it, the slice cuts through not only the fabric of reality, but through the very core of her enemies, each strike leaving behind a lingering trail of blood-red light... as if she were severing the very threads of life itself.

Naught has received its name for a reason, functioning as a harbinger of destruction and despair. Her pallor slowly returns to its normal shade, the crimson begins to fade, small veins of scarlet slowly shrinking into nothing as Acheron moves to sheath her odachi once again.

She's no longer human, she's long since come to accept that. Perhaps she's not the only one to realize it-- a ravenous beast in the midst of chaos, fangs dripping red with blood that isn't her own.

@starlitpaths @unfxllenone @spidergourmet @dewdrip @feliscus

one life for one world

GHOverture24: Sword of Fate - Week 3

[octoboltflash]

Leaning against the nearest wall, Acheron's sword lay propped up next to her as her eyes swept across the growing crowd of soldiers-- at least... those that weren't trapped on the other side of this strange bubble. It's almost as if they're stuck in the equivalent of a bubble universe from the Sea of Quanta, though she knows that this is different. To be reduced to mere actors in a stage play, yet still experiencing the full scope of emotion associated with pain and loss... a cruel fate. Her gaze settled on each one of her companions for a brief moment, her lips thinning into more of a grimace than anything else. These sorts of things, she had become used to. But the others still retained their humanity and at least some shred of their hearts, though it may be damaged. It was still theirs to nurture and grow, and to protect. To that end, she'd lend her blade. Another shouldn't fall to the death she's been resigned to.

@feliscus @dewdrip @unfxllenone @spidergourmet @starlitpaths

one life for one world

GHOverture24: Sword of Fate - Week 3