keeperoftales: (Default)
Forgotten Tales Mods ([personal profile] keeperoftales) wrote in [community profile] realmofstories2018-11-02 08:01 am

Nightmare on Index Street

Nightmare on Index Street—





After the final hours of Halloween are coming to an end and everyone is slowly beginning to gather their things and return to their homes to prepare for the clean-up to come in the later days, a strange, eerie silence falls throughout the Index along with a mysterious gray fog. It seeps over the ground like a veil dragged behind an invisible bride and soon engulfs the entire city. The sound of hooves clattering over the cobbled streets echo over every street like an army followed by a chorus of loud, high maniacal laughter. In the next instant everything turns pitch black, as if the light of the world had been shut off.

And then just as suddenly, the light returns. But the sight that greets those who bear witness sends chills down every spine. Pumpkins lay smashed along the streets, cobwebs cover almost every window and doorway, and scarecrows swing from nooses tied to various branches. A cold, black frost covers the ground, steam rising from the thin, icy sheet before a new sound echoes around.

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

Big, heavy footfalls and then—
VRRRRRMMMMMM WHEEEEEEENNNNN

An ear-splitting roar of motor and metal as sparks fly from a giant chainsaw. The thing wielding it? A giant skeleton several stories tall, its mouth open wide as another shrieking laugh erupts, its eyes glowing fire. As it laughs, those closest to the abomination scream in terror before it suddenly swings its weapon out, cleaving everything and everyone in its path.

YOU THINK YOU CAN DESTROY ME, OUTSIDERS? YOU THINK YOU CAN BECOME HEROES? I'VE EATEN THEM ALL, DEVOURED THEIR SOULS AND TAKEN THEIR POWER. NOW I WILL TAKE YOU AND YOUR WORLDS! I WILL CONSUME EVERYTHING!!


From its open mouth a black vortex appears, growing larger and larger until it hurls outward to smash onto the street in front of it. At first nothing happens—only a gaping, black hole exists. But then the first claw reaches out, the first tendril, wing, tail, head. Black, hellish creatures rise up and locals scream the words,

"Erasers! It's the Story Eater's minions run for your lives!!"

By now the journals of each Aspect will have begun to burn, a loud buzz drumming in their ears as the Storyteller reaches each and every one of them.



Aspects! The Story Eater has sensed of your arrival and has breached the barrier of this world. It must be repelled, but there are only so few of you and it has grown so strong. We fear you will not survive if you face it now. But with the aid of the one known as the Father of Christmas, you may be able to weaken it enough. Quickly, find his gifts, use your powers, and weaken him until I can write a new barrier to expel him.

Please, hurry!





§ prompts.


¶ I. Unwrap Those Presents! So what are our would be heroes to do? The Storyteller is utilizing the essence of—if you haven't guessed already—Santa Claus to create special presents that will help damage and delay the Story Eater. Again, it won't be enough to defeat it, but it will give the Aspects that extra oomph and time to chip away at that giant HP bar for the Storyteller to do its magic to reconstruct the shield and expel the Story Eater.

There are four types of presents:

  1. Big Red. Big red presents will summon giant snowmen that will fall either on top of or around the Story Eater. They can't really attack, but they will create a lot of ice and snow in attempt to freeze the Story Eater place. It will also help make parts of the Story Eater a bit more brittle, so those who do try to do direct attacks can deal some damage and chip away some of that bone structure. Nothing massive, but at least some cuts and small bones can be hacked off.

  2. Polka Dot Blue. Blue, polka dotted presents come in various shapes and sizes, but they all do the same thing when unwrapped and opened—create a lot of noise. Technically they're choirs singing various Christmas Carols, but doesn't really sound like it up close. Fortunately, they also come with special ear muffs and a small note saying, "Cover your ears before opening," but if disregarded then those who hear it will find themselves stunned and a little hard of hearing for a good while. Closing the flaps will silence the noise. What needs to be done is to direct the opening of the present towards the Story Eater. The "music" will amplify and stun it, giving a few precious seconds of vulnerability.

  3. Orange Gift Bags. Large gift bags with black ribbons tying them close will unleash an explosion of pumpkins once opened. These pumpkins will rise into the air laughing before raining down in a wide area and explode on impact. So be careful! These will need to be brought over near the Story Eater to deal damage.

  4. Black Envelopes in Black Stockings. These gifts are a bit harder to find, but it's also easy to notice a giant sock hanging from somewhere and a black envelope sticking out of it. They're up high, so some climbing or flying will be required. But once reached, opening the envelope will produce one of two cards. A card that is labeled "TRICK" can be used and thrown at the Story Eater. The card will expand in size and turn into steel to slice at the Story Eater, dealing a lot of damage. A card that is labeled "TREAT" can be used to help heal or boost those fighting, even allowing characters to immediately learn abilities that could help with the fight.

And around all these presents will be Erasers trying to reach and destroy them first. Some will be easy, but some may require a bit of fighting, so be prepared!


¶ II. Erase the Erasers. Erase the Erasers. The Erasers are pouring out of the black vortex and it seems as if there's an endless army of them. They are going after the citizens, so try to intercept them and defend the populace. They come in all shapes and forms, some even looking like creatures straight out of the lost stories themselves. Alternatively, try to see if you can plug up that massive hole. Perhaps a few well placed snowmen and pumpkin bombs? The gifts will also be effective against the Erasers, although it might be a little overkill.



¶ III. Help the Injured.The site where the Story Eater’s avatar landed has been reduced to rubble, and the monster is bent on more destruction as it plows through the city, any citizens caught in its wake bursting into torn pieces of ink and paper. Not everyone’s essence or heart is geared for offense, and there’s more than one way to help save the day. Those who still wish to help can try to save those who haven't been lost, or perhaps heal them if they have the knowledge or power at their disposal. Don't forget there are magical healing potions that everyone received on their first day, and it's not too difficult to find more, possibly buried underneath the rubble. Finally there are the "TREAT" cards that could also be used to help heal the injured.


¶ V. Wildcard. Make up your own prompt! Especially in regards to the festival, anything can really happen.


[Mod note: Refer to the accompanying Game Notes for more information!]
starseeing: (092)

[personal profile] starseeing 2018-11-09 04:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ What an... interesting title. A disciple. A disciple of what? Or if whom? So many questions , but now’s not the time to ask them.

She hears it too, and at the corner of her eye she sees a shift in the shadows of the alley. Ophilia’s grip upon her staff tightens, and she takes a step back. Her role is rarely that of the attacker, but her movement shouldn’t be taken as cowardice or retreat. She intends to stay, and to help. ]
—It comes!

[ And so it does, emitting a ferocious cry before the Erasers barrels out of the shadows. This one crawls on all fours, hauntingly humanoid, before it whips out a limb at them. ]
starseeing: (093)

[personal profile] starseeing 2018-11-09 04:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She blinks at she feels the wetness from his blood fall onto her, and as it slides off her cheek it parts the dust that’s caked there. This isn’t the first time she’s had someone defend her from a fatal attack, and it most likely won’t be the last. She remembers Olberic, as sturdy as a fortress and as strong as a sentinel, taking the blow meant for her from a private, and H’aanit, the fearsome huntress worth an entire battalion, block the deadly fist of a rock giant for her. They are incredible people, resilient and impossibly strong, and with this act this stranger has made it up the ranks to sit beside them in Ophilia’s mind. ] No, I am fi—

[ Another drop of blood falls, and she stops as worry for him overtakes her as she looks up at him. ] But you... you, sir, are hurt!

[ Her staff is broken within the rubble, and while it’s helpful for augmenting and concentrating her power, she doesn’t need it for actually practicing it. It’s just that she’s not sure how much she can do at this point. ] We must— ah, [ She looks to her side seeing if she can move one of her arms out, but it’s caught underneath a slab of bricks. It doesn’t hurt, but that’s perhaps the more worrying part about it. Still, if she could help with moving some debris, maybe she can crawl out from underneath him. But there’s nothing; she pinned. ] —Perhaps there is a way to call someone to help us out from here.
twilightskey: (I have to know)

[personal profile] twilightskey 2018-11-09 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah... you're right.

[He didn't know what exactly it was he had just received, but he knew she was right. They would have to figure it out when their lives weren't in peril.]

[He turned to her.]
Are you able to fight? [Not that he doubts her ability, he just doesn't know if she had any prior fighting expertise that were taken away like his had been, or if her Essence granted her any fighting abilities.]
twilightskey: (My heart belongs to me!)

[personal profile] twilightskey 2018-11-09 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[Fortunately there were plenty of other presents littering the area, including another one of those loud, carol-singing presents. Now that he knew what they did, Roxas ran over to it and scooped it up, pointing the top part of the present away from him as he looked back to the fight.]

[Two more Erasers were definitely attracted to the fight, making Roxas grit his teeth. He looked over at Rokurou as he fought off the first Eraser.]


Get back!! [Because he was going to open this once Rokurou was out of the blast radius.]
sparrowrain: (pic#12644160)

[personal profile] sparrowrain 2018-11-09 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, the first I can understand.

[ She's actually rather impressed at the plans, and the first seems most logical, if they had any information about where the Erasers might travel. Still, that's kind of a minor point, because they can be placed strategically in areas that would likely see the most traffic. But, she's almost more interested in this augmenting strength business. ]

But I didn't know anyone could do something like... changing my strength. Pinning the boxes to the enemy sounds like a much more interesting way of going about it.
alittlebadluck: (pic#12646644)

[personal profile] alittlebadluck 2018-11-09 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[her hand swishes back at her tail, pushing her skirt down and looking a bit embarrassed also.]

It's okay. They're new to me too. I'm not used to having ears like this let alone a tail! It has a mind of it's own too.

[she assured him it was okay. She could be found touching her own ear or petting her tail absentmindedly. Mostly because they were so soft and new.]
chippedsoul: (wonder of my world)

[personal profile] chippedsoul 2018-11-09 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[A shrug.] A side effect. [HE GUESS. It just sort of happened and he doesn't really get it either.] That was quite a storm you created.
scrutinies: art: https://www.zerochan.net/2370188 (10)

[personal profile] scrutinies 2018-11-09 08:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[Cyrus has stopped short just before the edge of the ice, though it seems to be intent on spreading a bit further. He loosely curls his fingers into a fist and brings it to rest just beneath his chin, thoughtful.]

Incredible! They're entirely frozen— which means they'll shatter, if we're so inclined.

[He thinks they may very well be.]

Ice can be an effective weapon in and of itself, but it seems this time, it needs a little helping along! I've nothing more than a book and a pipe, but your swords ought to do the trick!

[His enthusiasm hasn't wavered in the slightest since they started.]
chippedsoul: (reach out)

[personal profile] chippedsoul 2018-11-09 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[Less questions works for him. He puts himself between the Eraser and Ophilia]

Careful. [There may be more lurking around than this one. As the Eraser makes the first strike, the Disciple deflects it back with his sword. It doesn't clean cut, but it was enough to injure the Eraser, causing it to recoil. This was not the sword he was used to, and the blade was not of the best quality, but it'll have to make do.The Eraser roars in anger as it charges forward again.]
scrutinies: art: <user name=isacoque site=tumblr.com> (12)

[personal profile] scrutinies 2018-11-09 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[It is going rather smoothly— sooner or later, their luck is bound to run out!

He takes her suggestion to heart immediately, and starts in that same direction.]


A marvelous idea! They outnumber us, but knowing where they hail from can only give us the advantage!

[They're covering ground quickly now, and as they reach the building with the spire, he's quick to hold the door open for her, ushering her inside. Manners are still important!]
sparrowrain: (pic#12603974)

[personal profile] sparrowrain 2018-11-09 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Not really!

[ she shouts back as she slips the ear protectors on. Ah, these will make those things a lot more tolerable. ]

You're not going to be okay with just that though!
sparrowrain: (pic#12644160)

[personal profile] sparrowrain 2018-11-09 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ she pauses, actually putting some thought into how it feels, it's kind of like... ]

It's like a coat of some kind, I guess. I don't really feel like a bear when I'm wearing it. But I don't know if I really feel like myself.
slovenlyserenade: (Default)

[personal profile] slovenlyserenade 2018-11-09 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[Now, he's not sure that's the case- that if he stops playing they'll regain movement. Back home, some of the music required constant playing, and some didn't. But they're about to find out which it is.]

Well, you see--

[But he stops abruptly as the Erasers start to move, immediately putting the flute to his lips and picking up where he left off. So, yeah, this might be tough. Though not impossible. It just means they will have to time this right, with Ophilia opening the bag, then the both of them running away right after. It's a little inconvenient to not be able to physically participate, but this will still come in handy.]
slovenlyserenade: (pic#12604320)

[personal profile] slovenlyserenade 2018-11-09 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[All that thrashing and stumbling about? Really inconvenient with them huddled on the ground below to avoid fiery pumpkin guts raining down on them, and the Story Eater noticing them. Its feet stomp around wildly, narrowly missing both of them a few times, but the movements are too erratic to chance trying to sprint away while it's like this. Then a chunk of the megapumpkin's shell lands directly in front of them, flames spitting out and everything.

And Capell stares at it, at what very well could have landed on their heads.]


I think we should move...
starseeing: (094)

[personal profile] starseeing 2018-11-10 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
[ Of all the things to do in a time of battle.... well, she's not going to complain as she rushes by him, quickly climbing up the stairs to the top of the building, and she rushes to the edge. Here the wind whips her hair about her face as she looks around the town, and it's obvious as to where most of the battles are taking place from where smoke rapidly rises into the air. The Story Eater has left a clear path of its destruction, and it's not stopping.

Ophilia brings a hand to her mouth to hide a gasp, but her horror is given away by the look in her eyes. All of this destruction, all of those homes lost, and the natives here, too... so many must be injured. Or worse.

She turns to Cyrus once he makes it to the roof, her expression desperate, but no less determined. ]
We must stop them.
hatesviolence: (☣ this is my last time she said)

[personal profile] hatesviolence 2018-11-10 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
[....Uh huh. He's just going to stare at him long and hard before he looks back forward. Still not sure if he should really trust him, but... Well he does seem different now and is helping him.

Besides, if he does something stupid again, he can just punch him. Even if his strength output is definitely not as strong as it normally is, would still hurt.]


Yeah, it was. [A small frown.] Didn't know I could do anything like that... Really makes me feel like I'm in some video game...

But guess it helped some.
hatesviolence: (☣ don't put your life)

[personal profile] hatesviolence 2018-11-10 06:13 am (UTC)(link)
[...Huh. Yeah he's not sure he follows, but he's just going to nod, anyway.]

Still cool, though, and probably'll be useful for things like that. I'll have to remember that if I see a bear that it might be you.
hatesviolence: (☣ break away from everybody)

[personal profile] hatesviolence 2018-11-10 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Yeah, shit hurts. But... ...Hm. He doesn't feel anything broken—but he's going to need to channel some of his essence's power to really get the strength to push everything off him.]

I don't think we're completely buried... [A small shift upward and there's the sound of some debris falling away, clattering down.] Hold on, lemme try something. [A small pause.]

And if I zap you, sorry. Still trying to figure all this essence crap out.

[And with that he's going to close his eyes, take a deeeep breath, and then HRAAAGGGGHHHH!!!

Okay, maybe not quite like the Hulk, but he's going to suddenly push himself back, using both his natural strength and channeling his essence to push against the tons of weight trapping them. At least those pieces can be moved, and they slowly begin to shift and fall around and behind him. Sparks start to form around him as his anger begins to light up, a focused rage towards the debris around them. And once he feels he is able, he's going to form a fist with one hand...


....And then just punch through the pieces above him, sending them flying off and bringing in some more light and, more importantly, more...mostly fresh air. More good news, there aren't too many layers on top of them, so it's just a matter of Shizuo using that Frankenstein monster strength to push, punch and move all that shit off them, and soon they are mostly free. More good news, some locals have rushed in to try and help other victims in the area so they'll be heading their way to help. Which is definitely good because although Shizuo got them this far, help would be greatly appreciated.]
Edited 2018-11-10 06:29 (UTC)
starseeing: (055)

[personal profile] starseeing 2018-11-10 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ Well, that clearly is a problem.

Ophlia nods quietly before she speaks again. ]
Alright.... Are you ready?

[ She'll wait for an indication. And then assuming that he is: ] Run!

[ With that she'll open and toss the bag at the Erasers, turning to sprint away. They'll be able to feel the heat of the fire from the explosions, feel the quake of the aftershocks against their backs, and hear the wheezing screams of the Erasers as they make their getaway. ]
starseeing: (credit to tiannya @ tumblr!)

[personal profile] starseeing 2018-11-10 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ Without the need to heal him, she'll focus her skills on supporting him. Which means it's buff time!

It's simple work to cast a spell of protection over him, but he clearly won't need it for now. Instead, she'll give him a boost in another way: he may feel a surge of power course through his muscles, as well as his focused increased. Every detail of the enemy, from its movements to the crooks of its joints, may appear emphasized. She's increased his accuracy and strength, and he'll find that he might want to unleash the extra energy she's given him upon the enemy. Every attack of his will feel as if he's slicing through butter, and not the armored, shadowy flesh of an Eraser. ]
starseeing: (058)

[personal profile] starseeing 2018-11-10 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ Meanwhile Ophilia can only gape at him as he exerts his strength, the rubble falling away as he pushes himself off of her and the ground. Entire slabs of brick and wood shed off of his back, and then he simply punches the rest away, leaving Ophilia to continue looking at him slack-jawed. This is a feat of no ordinary man, not in the slightest. ] How.... [ She murmurs to herself, but then quickly discards the remainder of the thought. She knows how, or, well, partly. Either he's a native of some story here or an Aspect, and his strength is inhuman because magic. Simple answer, yet unsatisfying.

She didn't know how starved she had been for air until he clears most of the pile atop of them, and as if suddenly remembering that she's still in a very dangerous situation, Ophilia scrambles to out from the pit they had been in, nursing her injured arm. She looks worse than she actually is, covered in ash and dust, but he looks worse than her.

She's just about to ask after him when two of the locals rush up to her and help her out, stabilizing her once they hoist her to her feet. This way, dear, and let's get you off the battlefield, mm? and have some water are all distantly heard even as she looks back at the man she had once been fighting with. Or... no. The one to whom she had just been a burden in a fight. If she had not been so vulnerable, so weak, he could surely have kept the Story Eater engaged for quite some time on his own. He could have saved more time for others to evacuate their homes, but now...

This is not a battle for the likes of her, especially not with such powerful enemies abound. Lowering her head, she lets herself be escorted to the medical tents. ]
starseeing: (095)

[personal profile] starseeing 2018-11-10 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
....Support. [ Ophilia replies delicately, unable to hide a soft cringe. As much as she would like to consider herself a "fighter", she really isn't-- or, well, not here exactly. Not without all of her usual abilities (but that may change soon enough). ]

I can augment your physical abilities, heal, and defend you. [ She's got that down at least! But a roar around the corner hints that they might not be alone for long. ] But as for fighting these monsters... [ She looks to him, apologetic. ] That, I must leave to you.
starseeing: (008)

[personal profile] starseeing 2018-11-10 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
Doesn't it? And perhaps a bit safer, I might add. [ So that they're further away from the enemy. ] Supporting a fighter is more of my specialty than... actually engaging in combat. [ She adds quickly, sheepishly, but then begins to walk towards one of the buildings. ]

Come, let us find a vantage point.
rokubro: (‡ 098)

[personal profile] rokubro 2018-11-10 09:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Rokurou takes a glance—and sees that present. He just takes one final swipe to send the Eraser back a few paces before dashing off to the side and away from the blast radius. Well he hopes. HE'S COVERING HIS EARS, ANYWAY.]

Go for it!
rokubro: (‡ 076)

[personal profile] rokubro 2018-11-10 09:01 am (UTC)(link)
I'd probably feel the same way if I were in your place. [A light chuckle.

Okay. BACK TO BUSINESS.]


So that stocking right? Hm... Maybe I can shoot it down.

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