[IC] Myriad Reality

[Nimda]

<Snipped quote by Nimda>

Well, you know how some druids can sometimes summon the spirit of creatures and enhance themselves? Imagine taking a bear's spirit and using it to turn it into a monster. Dark druids are twisted in a whole 'nother way. I've seen it a few times and have been to its territory. This thing breaks big trees like twigs and leaves behind this weird toxic residue that affects one's aura. It's like it drains the life out of you.

@Vacare

It doesn’t even have the common courtesy to kill you first?
Lily: Rude!

[System]

<Snipped quote by System>

Well, let’s get out of here then. I hate the constant reminder of death looming over me.

@Spiritblitz

*Nods and continues down the shortest path with the fewest viruses*

[GalaxyRaider]

<Snipped quote by GalaxyRaider>

*The room contains a grid of short pillars extending infinitely in either direction, and the air feels as cold as a snowy day*
Okay?
*Grips the sides of the podium and looks down, as if I were staring at something far below it*
...No, that’s not true. If you’re here, Rhythm must not be far behind. You both need to leave this place.

@Webmaster

Not without answers. But I’m sure you expected me to say that.

[Webmaster]

<Snipped quote by Webmaster>

Not without answers. But I’m sure you expected me to say that.

@GalaxyRaider

I did promise the truth...
*Takes a burdened breath and looks back at you, leaning on the pillar*
I can’t go back anymore. I can’t. Too many lies have fallen apart and I can’t keep going on like this.

[GalaxyRaider]

<Snipped quote by GalaxyRaider>

I did promise the truth...
*Takes a burdened breath and looks back at you, leaning on the pillar*
I can’t go back anymore. I can’t. Too many lies have fallen apart and I can’t keep going on like this.

@Webmaster

What lies? And why hide from them instead of expose or confront them?

[Spiritblitz]

<Snipped quote by Spiritblitz>

*Nods and continues down the shortest path with the fewest viruses*

@System

*follows suit with an occasional cough and glitch*
Are we getting closer?

[Webmaster]

<Snipped quote by Webmaster>

What lies? And why hide from them instead of expose or confront them?

@GalaxyRaider

During the confrontation with Nemid, I had to remove one of my core modules to save X from deletion. I learned how much that module was really hiding...
*Takes a deep, but unsteady breath*
You saw how I fought. When I lost that stabilizer, I learned I’d never been a navi all along... I am, and always have been, a virus.

[System]

<Snipped quote by System>

*follows suit with an occasional cough and glitch*
Are we getting closer?

@Spiritblitz

Yeah, and I’m catching bits of some kind of audio. Let me see if I can amplify it.
*Works to tune out the ambient noise of the server*

[Spiritblitz]

<Snipped quote by Spiritblitz>

Yeah, and I’m catching bits of some kind of audio. Let me see if I can amplify it.
*Works to tune out the ambient noise of the server*

@System

Audio?
*look at my map, which has rebooted and sees that the brown dot is still near the gate*
It’s just standing there… maybe it’s coming from that?

[System]

<Snipped quote by System>

Audio?
*look at my map, which has rebooted and sees that the brown dot is still near the gate*
It’s just standing there… maybe it’s coming from that?

@Spiritblitz

Maybe. I’m going to amplify the signal and see if I can figure out what that is. Could save us a fight.
*Starts tuning the audio channel*

[Spiritblitz]

<Snipped quote by Spiritblitz>

Maybe. I’m going to amplify the signal and see if I can figure out what that is. Could save us a fight.
*Starts tuning the audio channel*

@System

Got it.

[System]

<Snipped quote by System>

Got it.

@Spiritblitz

*Catches blips of Melody speaking*
...It’s mom.

[GalaxyRaider]

<Snipped quote by GalaxyRaider>

During the confrontation with Nemid, I had to remove one of my core modules to save X from deletion. I learned how much that module was really hiding...
*Takes a deep, but unsteady breath*
You saw how I fought. When I lost that stabilizer, I learned I’d never been a navi all along... I am, and always have been, a virus.

@Webmaster

That sounds like something that should be huge, but be honest with yourself. Are you not still Melody? Are you any less Melody than you were before you knew? Any less X’s wife, any less mother to Rhythm and Tempo, any less of a family friend? Is that what this has all been about?

[Webmaster]

<Snipped quote by Webmaster>

That sounds like something that should be huge, but be honest with yourself. Are you not still Melody? Are you any less Melody than you were before you knew? Any less X’s wife, any less mother to Rhythm and Tempo, any less of a family friend? Is that what this has all been about?

@GalaxyRaider

Viruses are the lowest filth of all... below navis, below humans.
*A small, rounded rabbit-like creature materializes in my arms*
But that’s shallow, and isn’t the whole truth. I was human once, like you. I had friends, family, I was engaged... All of these fragments of memory slicing through what I thought I knew about my life.

[GalaxyRaider]

<Snipped quote by GalaxyRaider>

Viruses are the lowest filth of all... below navis, below humans.
*A small, rounded rabbit-like creature materializes in my arms*
But that’s shallow, and isn’t the whole truth. I was human once, like you. I had friends, family, I was engaged... All of these fragments of memory slicing through what I thought I knew about my life.

@Webmaster

Just like X as well, right? Not always digital. Not originally.

[Webmaster]

<Snipped quote by Webmaster>

Just like X as well, right? Not always digital. Not originally.

@GalaxyRaider

X never had a chance to live. My life... didn’t end well. I wish I could say that’s why I’m here, but it doesn’t really matter either.
*Drops the creature, dematerializing it during its descent*
I came here because I was afraid. Viruses are naturally malevolent creatures. You’d call them evil if they had the ability to choose.

[GalaxyRaider]

<Snipped quote by GalaxyRaider>

X never had a chance to live. My life... didn’t end well. I wish I could say that’s why I’m here, but it doesn’t really matter either.
*Drops the creature, dematerializing it during its descent*
I came here because I was afraid. Viruses are naturally malevolent creatures. You’d call them evil if they had the ability to choose.

@Webmaster

Most seem innocent enough to me.

[Webmaster]

<Snipped quote by Webmaster>

Most seem innocent enough to me.

@GalaxyRaider

*Smiles*
They’re charming creatures, much like animals. But when I removed that module, I found, not immediately, how much of the Melody those people loved was prescripted. Every feeling, motivation, all of these parts of being alive were made up by this piece of software. And over time, whatever markov chain rules over my decisions began zeroing out, and whatever directives were left ran to completion. And now... I’m here. With nothing left.

[souleaterfan320]

<Snipped quote by souleaterfan320>

I’m afraid I may have to disagree with that approach. I’m not responsible for the safety of Existence or its residents.

@Legend

I mean, we've done it before. You may not have a duty to the people of existence, but I for one in good faith can't allow that level of dwstruction to go unchecked. Plus, who's to say they won't come after us?

[Legend]

<Snipped quote by Legend>

I mean, we've done it before. You may not have a duty to the people of existence, but I for one in good faith can't allow that level of dwstruction to go unchecked. Plus, who's to say they won't come after us?

@souleaterfan320

A preemptive strike is a different class than a defensive one. And possibly a much greater risk.