PHASE I [ 9 00 ] You open your eyes, and there is a chicken pecking at your face. It's not a very happy chicken, either, but if you can manage to fend it off, then it will be clear that you are in a village. It is... medieval-esque, in that video game sort of way; the details don’t seem too clear, but if you look to your left, there’s a cow! And to your right, a well! Ignore the clear evidence of modern technology in the buildings such as lights, gas, and 21st century plumbing; CERES is dedicated to authenticity.
Looks like the new ViViD level has finally been released, and everyone is invited to play, whether they want to or not.
The game (because this time, that's surely what it is) will start simple. Everyone begins in the same place and every NPC villager will say the same thing: to get out of here, you have to go through the caves. They’ll shove a stick at you (“take this, it’s dangerous to go alone”) and off you go, into the caves… !
Which are full of tiny rats and more chickens. They will try to fight you, but it’s really not very effective when they’re perfectly small and average (especially when everyone still has their typical powers and abilities -- CERES didn't mess with those at all this time). The caves are winding and circular and maze-like, and to make matters even worse, the only ones around are the other poor saps stuck in this situation.
But if you kill enough of the rats, you’ll get to hear the satisfying level up jingle. Congratulations! You are now level 2. It's probably satisfying just for a minute or so until you finally find your way out of those maze like caves and -- You're back in the village again. Great.
PHASE II [ 930 ] You’re carrying a bag. No matter what you do, you can’t take it off, either; it’s stuck with you through thick and thin. But it is awfully heavy. Maybe you should actually open it and see what’s inside?
The problem is, it’s going to take a while.
The bag has clearly tapped into its true hammerspace nature; there are items for days in there, and they’re all very, very strange. You might end up covered in hats of all sorts, buried in logs as you pull out one after another, or look like you have an odd fetish for pickaxes.
Maybe there’s 1/3rd of an evil turnip, half a piece of pie and an egg.
Geez, what in the world are you supposed to do with all of that?
PHASE III [ 1200 ] Eventually, you make it out of the caves the right way despite the harassment of the rats and chickens and the fact you'll keep perpetually getting lost. Hooray! You come out into a large, peaceful, scenic meadow, with a small river bubbling off to one side, and a house.
You'll immediately notice that there’s a bridge to cross the river, but there’s someone standing in the way of that bridge. When you approach to go past him, no matter what you try to do, you won't be able to. Asking him why he won't move will only get one thing in response -- “Bring me a fish. Cooked.”
Then he’ll shove a fishing rod at you and expect you to get to it. You can’t attack him, you can’t get past him -- looks like the only thing to do is to catch and cook that fish. Time to sit back, relax, and get to work. Or maybe you’ll team up with someone else and be the person in the house making sure that the fish gets cooked properly. For some reason, if you leave it too long it turns right into a pile of ashes.
Weirdly though, no matter how good you are at cooking or fishing usually, it’s as if you’re right back at the metaphorical level one. Any sort of seasoning or effort to cook it faster falls flat and in the end you'll only be able to place the fish in the pan and set it on the stove, whole. This may take awhile.
And if you try to cross the river itself, well... no, really, don’t try to cross the river.
At least if you get eaten, you’ll just respawn back in the village, but do have fun traveling through the caves again!
PHASE IV [ 1430 ] You made it through the caves. You made it across the river (with a slightly burnt fish). You’ve made it to the wide open world, and you can finally adventure to your heart’s content. You take a step forward on the road and --
A message pops up, bright red and in your face.
[ Restricted Area: Members Only ]
No matter what you do, you can’t go past that point. In fact, if you’re not careful and you’re going too fast, you might run face-first into it like it’s an invisible wall (which it is).
Then, just like that, you're back in the village. Again. Only this time, there's a nice, blinking message -- Pay a small subscription fee to access member's content. Oh well. No big deal, you can just start again.
Except then you see a cool sword and when you try to pick it up, you'll get that same message, and end up transported back to the village yet again. And again, with some shiny new armor. And again, with that attention-grabbing NPC over there. Looks like you're caught in an infinite loop here but no matter how much you inspect the pop up, there's no... actual way to pay the subscription fee (and why would you want to?). But at least you have company, because you can't be the only person who thought that sword was cool.
(It was really, really cool.)
BONUS [ xxxx ] What’s that on the ground in front of you? It looks like… some bunny ears? Or maybe it’s a chicken head, or a pumpkin head. Either way, the moment you touch it, you have a strong need to put it on your head -- and once it’s on, it’s not coming off.
To make matters worse, each hat has an effect associated with it; the bunny ears will, in fact, randomly turn you into a cute fluffy bunny for anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour before you pop right back to yourself, whereas the pumpkin hat will, in a complete reversal, turn you into Cinderella for a bit -- complete with beautiful ball gown and the ability to talk to all of those cute fluffy bunnies.
Also the rats will love you, so maybe you should go back to the caves again.
Meanwhile, the chicken hat won't transform you into any odd creature, but it will inspire in the people wearing them a very real, persistent desire to build a nest. This will involve picking up twigs, trash, shiny things and whatever else catches your eye to try to build a nest out of it. You'll also try to pick up whatever food you find on the ground to eat, have the weirdest desire to lay an egg, and basically have all sorts of odd chicken-like instincts inflicted upon you.
At least you look festive!
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shady af is his middle name. engrave it on his tombstone
It can't be severed. It needs to be attached, so they can see what's inside. [ normally he'd be all for decapitation but. he waves a hand. ] It doesn't really matter though.
[ then why did he ask in the first place???????? ]
ugh okit kun if you die i die too thats the name of the game pits my tombstone nxt to yours
Maybe this place is really messing with his person. ]
Hm? I thought you wanted to know what's inside. Huh.. [ Ugh, Yamato you shouldn't do something anyone asks but when there's a strange feeling between him and another person? He has to comply, even when it's like this because maybe in time he'll learn that there are lots of Okit-kun's out in the world. ]
I could use my vessel, I've been told to be careful when messing around with things here. Please set it down for me.
no that's too sad....
No, that's fine. It's not important. [ He'd say it's because he'd feel bad for trying to do that to Yamato, but it's probably because his attention's moved on to better things. like back to the sword... 'vessel'? at Yamato's side. ]
... [ that sword sure looks familiar, but. his hand reflexively goes to his waist where his should be, if he didn't wake up in ViViD without it. ]
but.. listen, does my death quote not tell you what i live for
If Souji isn't careful, there seems to be something oddly disgusting that wants to crawl out from the bag. It's form sounds squelchy and looks gross and even seems to be trying it's best to get out. Where did that come from? It's worrisome, but Yamato takes a quick step back and he holds out his vessel — a blade that the other should know so well. ]
What.. is.. that.
[ Yamato has many questions but they don't seem like they're going to be answered today. Maybe Souji should just close it? Or they could let it come out, it's pretty weird but Yamato has seen weirder things. ]
damn it... why did i look it up. im ten times sadder than before
the munhe's missed before. His gaze stays zeroed in on the blade in Yamato's hand, but then the question finally gets him to look... down... ]Huh. So living things can come out too? [ That is so not the point probably. Souji pauses, the Like Like gains an inch of freedom from the cavernous bag prison it comes from -- it's almost out -- it's almost out!!! ]
[ AND THEN IT TOPPLES OUT onto the ground between Yamato and Souji and it's ready to swallow EVERYONE. Souji reacts immediately, slashing down with his stick in true Tennen Rishin-ryu form. ]
[ but it's just a stick so it doesn't do shit. uh oh ]
ugh dont be sad its my destiny so if you try to die.. pls tell me so i can die too
Ugh, the Like LIke isn't having it and if Souji isn't careful, the Like Like is trying to eat the stick! Just, when will it chill out? ]
Huh, not so fast!
[ A quick step forward and he hits at the Like Like with his own vessel, the monster flashing red for just a moment and then turning back to it's original disgusting gravy color and gooping around. The unsettling part about this is that it's waste is all over Yamato's blade, making the uchigatana have to swing his vessel to the side to remove it's muck. A quick wipe on his hakama to get it officially off, he notices that the Like Like seems to Like Souji enough to try and go back near him.
Just, hey why? ]
no yamato???? embrace your new life and companions without him???
[ but like like's coming back, and this would be a pretty lame way to die, wouldn't it. ]
Hah. [ sighs.... and sweeps up the bag with one hand. ] Stab it again and toss it in here.
[ or maybe yamato should just leave this guy to die??? he wouldn't blame him if he did tbh. his level of trust in the good graces of strangers is abysmally low, even if they're strangers wearing shinsengumi robes and waving around his sword. ]
UGH NO STOP ID LEAVE THEM 4 U OKITA KUN JUST WTF why do u and kash always leave me
Huh? Do you think it would go back inside.. I wonder if... [ Very soft voice. ] Okita-kun would do the same... [ Ah yes, Yamatonokami 'I talk about my masters as if they're dead and sometimes I can hear their voice' Yasusada is here and for your amusement. Anyway, looking at the Like Like that's making it's way towards Souji without a doubt that it's hungry, Yamato realizes he has his own bag.
Maybe.. this could be used to their advantage? Using his vessel, he decides to attack at the monster once more as it flashes red from the critical hit, it's boucing away before it slowly melts down into an oozing puddle to show it's defeat or maybe.. it's waiting for their guard to come down. ]
Eh? Is.. that it? I'm.. [ . _ . ] disappointed..
muffled linkin park in the bg.... sorry yamato we're just 2 fragile for life i guess
It's too bad a horde of those didn't come out, huh? [ is he being sarcastic.... his lips quirk up into a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes (with one eye on the hopefully dead rpg-monster-of-the-week though just in case). ] But you did well.
I wouldn't have done it any differently.
ugh just listen here turns off your radio non eof this,! okwell give me tb before you die
Huh? I can do better, that wasn't even a real fight.. Do you think we can get more to come out? [ Shake, shake. Please come out. ] Maybe we have to use your bag? [ A pause as he looks up at the other. ] I've bee told to always do my best, no matter what. I'm a little embarrassed from doing just that is enough to make the monster become a puddle of nothing so maybe if something more threatening comes out, it could even be more fun?
[ Where are the TERA BAMS or maybe FFXIV BAMS? Come on now, give them a strong opponent. ]
So does this mean you're skilled with the blade too? I have a feeling that technique you did before with the stick would have been more effective if.. not a stick. It was also.. really familiar.. I wonder why.
wow no way find another souji to get coughed on!!!!
Really. [ Souji says, not actually surprised. ] I'd still have been able to kill it with a stick. Tennen Rishin-ryuu is just as effective even with wooden sword.
[ a little put-out that he wasn't able to one-hit ko it. he glares down at the puddle. ] That monster's just weird.
NO WTF PLEASE COUGH ON ME!! HOLDS YOUR ARM ugh YOU USE TO COUGH!!
Hm.. Maybe if you used my vessel, you could try again as well? I don't mind besides.. anything that happens here won't affect us. [ Grabbing his vessel to hand over to the other for him to use. NOT TO STEAL!!! ] This place isn't real and we should be out of here soon.. so you should still protect yourself no matter what, just in case something else was to happen.
[ Though that puddle.. it shakes a bit. ]
here come closer so i can stab u with this syringe and get u vaccinated
Hah? You're offering your sword to a complete stranger? [ nevermind that yamato used the word 'vessel'..... that's weird yo ] Is that because you trust me, or you're just not afraid of me?
[ sounding peevish... he'd probably find fault in either reason tbh ]
no wtf i dont want that i want tb :( sits down.. tears up..
[ He still has the weapon held out for the other to use. ] I don't mind you using me, you know? I might not do you so well because not many people [ re: not just anyone ] can use this specific blade but to protect yourself should be enough, right?
[ A pause, he can here that annoyance in his voice which makes him raise a brow. ] Forgive me.. if I have upset you. I'll try to avoid doing that in the future but please do take my vessel for now.
yamato.......... pls.... why are u crying
Vessel, tsukumogami? You're one weird kid, aren't you. [ pot kettle black...... ] I'd remind you that this was your choice, but -- I don't intend on letting you regret it.
[ he can use you well, okay yamato??? and once the vessel's in his hands, it moves fluidly to his dominant hand. It feels right, like he's always wielded it before. Which actually answers none of his questions, besides the one: 'So it's really my sword, huh?' Though with this many hints in one conversation, he should really be connecting some dots by now. But tsukumogami, what is this supernatural spirit shit. ANYWAY, the like like seems to be slowly reviving for
this thread's conveniencebecause it's unstoppable, apparently, but Souji doesn't intend to waste more time dithering about. ][ ugh finally TIME TO KILL SOMETHING!!! and true to his word, Souji uses his trademark triple-thrust move, because he's a show-off, and he really wants this thing to die already...... and swords :'( how he's missed them since he's woken up in the ViVID. the like like.... goes back to mush. ]
So, what do you think? Well enough, huh? [ don't brag souji............. ]
bc... i want tb.................... pls gib
The move that's performed in order to kill the Like Like that finally mushes up and disappears in a matter of moments brings the uchigatana to blink once and then twice, in all honesty, he shouldn't be having a hard time taking this in like he's been having with (PMK) Souji himself. Maybe Yamato just needs to be comforted towards many things but this, there has to be a reason for this. ]
Huh..?
[ As if he wasn't paying attention, he continues to stare as he speaks up again. ]
That move, where did you learn that?
no...... sit in that corner and think of ur sins
[ jk because at this point, Souji finally connected those super obvious dots. So... he's a sword, huh........]
Hah? If you recognize it, then shouldn't you already know? Especially if you're what you say you are. [ a sword....... wearing the shinsengumi haori..... Souji holds out Yamato's vessel for him to take back. ] I don't really understand, because this sword is definitely mine, but...
[ Souji shrugs. he's not so low that he'd rob him.... maybe kill him, if this conversation veers into that direction but hey never rob!!! ]
ugh okita kun wtf......... ugh......................
...
[ A pause as he looks at the vessel handed back to him, a brow raised and he's layered in confusion. It's funny, he found this to be a joke at first and they were doing nothing but playing around with bags they couldn't let go of. Though, the expectation that is sought in him makes his lips come to a pause as he doesn't say anything. Thinking of what could happen and he does speak, finally. ] That vessel.. is yours?
[ Though, that can't be right, there's already one here? Kashuu didn't warn Yamato that stuff like this happens!! He didn't? Yamato is already obsessed why do yawl hurt him. ]
Ah, this place.. ViViD is really funny. .. I didn't think it could do something like this.. [ A blink as he looks off to the side. ] It can't.. can it? Would this be considered a cruel joke..
[ Looking at the other's hand on the vessel. ]
... That blade. Do you know it's name?
[ UGH! NONE OF THAT DEATH! ]
thumbs up....... live on...............
...Yamato no kami Yasusada. [ His eyes drift back down to the blade. ] I don't know about tsukumogamis or anything like that, but I know the name of my own sword.
[ and it is really unfair that he woke up in ViViD with a stupid stick, ugh ]