Crimson Flame

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

Lucian started to stir, his eyes fluttered open. He sat up and stretched. It took him a minute, but by the time he was fully awake he realized, he was not in his bed. Or even on the Destiny Islands for that matter.

He stood up slowly, rubbing his eyes as he tried to get his bearings and figure out what was going on. Then, he looked down, he gasped at what he saw. Beneath him was a colorful mosaic. A beautiful image of a woman, her golden hair done up, dressed in an elegant blue ballgown. Lucian stared at the mosaic for a moment, his heart racing. The woman in the mosaic was someone he knew all too well. His mother.

“Mom…?” He whispered.

The mosaic seemed to glow faintly, as though responding to his presence, and Lucian’s heart pounded even harder. What is this place? he wondered. He looked around, but there was nothing. No walls, no sky, no nothing. Just him, and this mosaic of his mother.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “Alright Lucian, don’t panic… There has to be a reason for this.” Slowly, he began to walk forward. His mind racing with thoughts at what this could possibly mean.

Umbra Rose Condos

I’ve barely posted…

Umbra Rose Condos

Kai Nereus

Name: Kai Nereus
Image/Appearance:

Appearance: Kai has an athletic swimmer’s build, with glistening, iridescent scales covering his lower body and tail. His skin has a healthy, tan that has a slight sheen to it. Up close, his skin appears smooth and almost glows in the light, but to most people, it just seems like a natural, flawless complexion. He has long flowing aqua colored hair that falls to one side, and is short on the other side, and striking teal eyes. His tail is adorned with intricate green and turquoise hues. He has fin ears that are the same colors as his tail. He wears a flower crown and a simple shell necklace.

In his human form, Kai stands at around 6’0”. His eyes become a natural brown color, and his hair becomes chocolate brown. He often dresses tank tops and bathing suits. He always looks like he’s going to the beach. He wears shades of blue and teal.

Race: Merman
Racial Traits: Aquatic Physiology: Can breathe underwater and swim with incredible speed and agility.

Hydrokinesis: Can manipulate water, controlling its shape, movement, and pressure, both in and out of the water.

Enhanced Strength and Agility (in water): Kai is stronger and faster when submerged.

Siren Song: His singing voice can charm or calm those who hear it, though its effects are stronger underwater.

Bioluminescence: His body emits a soft glow in the dark, especially in his fin-like ears and tail markings.

Requirements: Saltwater: He needs to spend a lot of time in saltwater to maintain his health.

Humidity Control: On land, he needs a humid environment, as being in completely dry areas for too long can weaken his health.

Fresh Seafood: His diet consists largely of fish and other sea creatures. He loves sushi

Personality: Kai is charming, curious, and affectionate. He’s deeply drawn to human culture and fascinated by the way land-dwellers live their lives, even if it sometimes confuses him. Kai is naturally a free spirit, loving adventure and exploration, yet he’s also cautious, having been warned his whole life about the dangers of humans. He has a hopeless romantic side, dreaming of finding someone to share his life with, though he struggles with the fear of being truly vulnerable.

Kai is naturally social and befriends people easily, especially with other monsters in the condo. His curious nature means he often finds himself asking questions or poking his head where it doesn’t belong, which can sometimes get him into tricky situations. Despite his desire to explore the human world, he sometimes feels isolated due to his need for water, which makes it harder for him to fully fit in with the land-dwellers.

Background: Kai grew up in a hidden underwater community where merfolk thrived, safe from human hunters and pollution. As a young merman, he would sneak to the surface, fascinated by humans and their way of life. His curiosity wasn’t always appreciated by his family and peers, who warned him about the dangers of interacting with land-dwellers.

When tension between the merfolk and humans started to rise, due to human interference with the oceans and growing awareness of supernatural beings, Kai was sent to live at the Umbra Rose Condo for safety. Now, he balances his desire to explore human society with the need to remain hidden, trying to find a place where he can truly belong.

Building: 3
Floor: 3rd floor
Room Number: 305

Room Description:

Kai’s room is a perfect blend of the aesthetic of his ocean home, and modern conveniences. The main feature is a large, saltwater pool, taking up the majority of the space, complete with smooth stones and softly glowing sea plants.

The dry area is decorated in shades of blue and teal, with soft furniture and magical windows that display beautiful ocean views. The air is always humid, making it comfortable for Kai to move between water and land without feeling dried out. There’s a small kitchen, equipped to provide him with fresh seafood, and a cozy lounge area for guests. His room is magically bigger on the inside.

The Amazing Spider-Twins

Noh-Varr stood on the battlefield, surrounded by the bodies of his fallen crew. His mother, his father, and his girlfriend, everyone he had ever loved, lay dead at his feet. The sky above him was dark, swirling with the aftermath of destruction, and standing before him was the man responsible for it all—Dr. Midas.

“You failed them, Noh-Varr,” Midas sneered. “You couldn’t protect them. You never could.”

Noh-Varr stood frozen, his fists clenched, his body trembling with rage and guilt. “I tried… I tried to save them…”

Midas stepped closer, towering over Noh-Varr. “But you didn’t. You let them die. And now, you’re all alone.”

Gert was trapped in a nightmare where she was completely alone. Old Lace, her loyal dinosaur companion, was nowhere to be found. Her friends had abandoned her, their voices echoing through the dark, empty space around her.

“You’re not useful without your dinosaur,” a cruel voice taunted her from the shadows. “You’re just average… No one really wants you around.”

Gert stood there, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, trying to fight back tears. “That’s not true… they care about me… don’t they?”

“Everyone else around you has Superpowers. What exactly do you bring to the table besides that dinosaur? I’m sure even that boyfriend of yours just feels pity for you. He knows he can do better.”

Molly sat on the ground in what appeared to be a dark twisted version of her old family home. Her parents stood before her, their faces looking down on her in disapproval.

“You’re not a hero, Molly,” her mother said in a cold, stern voice. “You’re just a child playing pretend. No matter how strong you think you are, you’ll never live up to our legacy.”

Tears streamed down Molly’s face, her usual cheeriness crushed under the weight of their words. “I… I’m trying so hard… I just want to help people…”

Karolina and Caty turned to see Ty and Tandy teleport in. Karolina ran up to them, giving them a hug, sensing they were their real friends and not some nightmarish doubles. “Man, am I happy to see you guys. I was worried it was just Caty and I trapped here.”

“How’d you find us?” Caty asked as she walked over.

“Y’all are like family now. As long as I’m trying, I can sense you no matter where you are.” Ty said with a smile, just now realizing how much he’s grown to love this group.

“We are family.” Tandy corrected.

“So that means you can help us find everyone else? Can you take us to Danny? I’ve been worried about him.” Caty pleaded.

“Already on it.” Ty enveloped them in his cape and transported them over to Danny and Chase.

Meanwhile, Danny and Chase were catching their breath after their encounter with Nightmare. “Well… that was definitely something…” Chase remarked.

Danny nodded. “Oh yeah, a nightmare demon forcing you to face your guilt and trauma. Amazing experience. 10/10 would do it again.” His tone was dripping with sarcasm.

Chase chuckled. “Heh, so Spider-Man. What are we gonna do now? We’re still stuck in high school…”

Sure enough, right on cue, Ty, Tandy, Karolina, and Caty teleported in. Danny immediately ran over and gave Caty a hug. “Oh thank God!” He let go for a second to ask, “Wait… you’re not a Nightmare-induced illusion, are you? Ugh, whatever, this whole experience was awful.”

Chase breathed a sigh of relief, glad to see more friendly faces. “Hey, you found us. You have no idea the shitshow we just went through.”

Caty was so happy to see Danny. His warm and very real hug almost made her forget about what she had gone through in this nightmare. “If you can’t tell your twin from an imposter, we’re gonna have some problems.” She said with a laugh, but she was at least partially serious. “But yeah. This is enough horror for one night. Let’s find the others and get out of here.”

“If we even can get out of here,” Tandy said.

“So who’s next?” Ty asked, ready to take the group to their next destination.

“Molly. She may be brave, but she’s still the youngest.” Karolina answered.

But before they could head out to find Molly, another couple found them.

Nico and Alex burst through the door, following a blue light that was leading them to the group. “Thank God we found you guys. Y’all were the biggest cluster, so we headed to you first. Are you guys okay?”

“Physically I’m fine. But I’m sure facing your trauma and fighting off some nightmare demon can’t be good for the psyche…” Danny quipped.

“Same here,” Chase added, rubbing the back of his neck. “This nightmare dimension is pulling out all the stops on trauma.”

“Tell me about it.” Nico said, looking at Alex before turning back to the others. “This freak definitely knows what triggers us.”

“Yeah… Experienced something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.” Alex added.

After comforting Molly, the main group continued on to find the others. Nico suggested that they find Gert next. They arrived to find her all alone, voices echoing in the dark. Nico approached first.

“The Gert I know would’ve told those disembodied voices off. Ty, are you sure you teleported us to the right Gert? This isn’t another nightmare fake, right?”

“Nope. She feels like the real deal. But y’know, what? You’re right about this not being the Gert I know.” Ty added with a smile, understanding what Nico was trying to do.

“Alright, alright. I get it.” Gert conceded before hugging Nico. “I was caught off guard and then figured why fight? My friends are coming to get me.”

They arrived on the battlefield where Noh-Varr’s nightmare had been. Kate was glad to see the group. She thought she and Noh-Varr would have to search for them on their own. “So everyone really is here. Now that we’re all together, where’s the boss and how do we get out of here?”

“That’s where I come in.” Suddenly, an orange portal opened in the sky above them. It was as if the man on the other side had been waiting for this exact moment to act and introduce himself.

He floated through the portal, revealing himself. He was an older gentleman with a goatee and graying streaks in his hair. His outfit seemed almost otherworldly—like something out of a Shakespearean play fused with futuristic elements. He wore a blue blouse, midnight black pants, and a vibrant red cape that billowed dramatically behind him.

Doctor Strange

This was the last straw for Nightmare. He stepped through a green portal, revealing his true form to the group. “Strange… You’re not supposed to be here.” He spat, his voice dripping with venom.

“Neither are these kids. Let them go, Nightmare, before I show you why I’m the Sorcerer Supreme!” Doctor Strange replied, his tone firm.

“What’s a Sorcerer Supreme?” Tandy asked, turning to Nico.

She shrugged. “First time I’ve heard of it. Any knowledge from the Gibborim, Alex?” She turned to see Alex looking a bit annoyed, but she brushed it off as they were dealing with an irritating situation.

Alex shook his head, trying to regain his composure. “But from the way he’s boasting, I’m guessing he’s the greatest sorcerer in the world or universe.”

Nightmare hissed at Strange, his green eyes burning with malice. “They and their fears are mine! Delicious, delicious fears.” Nightmare licked his lips, savoring the thought of the terror he had consumed, but his hunger was insatiable.

Doctor Strange sighed, his expression softening for a moment. “I thought I’d ask nicely first.” Then, with a swift motion, Strange ripped a hole in the fabric of Nightmare’s dimension, one large enough to allow everyone to escape. The sheer force of the spell caused Nightmare to cry out in pain, as if his very essence was being torn apart.

“Quick! Everyone, into the portal!” Alex yelled.

“Wait! I kind of want to watch this,” Nico said, watching in fascination as Strange continued to battle Nightmare.

“Are you mad?” Kate asked incredulously.

“More importantly, where’s Nathan?” Caty asked, realizing for the first time that he was missing. She turned to Ty, panic rising in her chest.

Ty furrowed his brow, trying to sense Nathan’s presence. “I can’t feel him… That means he’s not here. He should be fine… I hope.” Ty answered, though his voice lacked its usual certainty.

Reluctantly, Caty jumped into the portal, hoping she wasn’t abandoning her son-in-law. As she crossed through, she felt an odd sensation, as though her soul was returning to her body after a long absence. The experience was surreal—cool and eerie, yet strangely comforting.

One by one, the others followed her through the portal. “Come on, Nico! We gotta get out of here. We can learn from him later.” Alex urged, trying to pull her away from the spectacle.

Nico sighed before reluctantly jumping in with Alex, the two of them disappearing into the rift.

Caty awoke in the real world, her heart still racing from the ordeal. She looked around, relieved to see Nathan sitting on the couch, waiting for them. “Took you all long enough.” Nathan said with a grin, his voice warm and teasing.

“How did you get out?” Caty asked, getting to her feet and rushing over to him.

“I faced my nightmares. No fake one was going to hold me for long. I tried to find a way to you all, but somehow, I broke through the dimension and got back to my body. Is everyone okay? How did you escape?” Nathan asked, his tone shifting to concern.

Caty gave a relieved nod. “Some Sorcerer Supreme named Strange. He’s fighting on our behalf. Do you know him?”

Nathan shook his head, his brows furrowed in confusion. “Not from my future. Almost everything from here on out is news to me.”

As the group settled down, still recovering from the nightmare realm, Chase approached Danny. “You doing okay, man? That was… rough, for both of us.”

Danny gave him a tired but grateful smile. “Yeah, it was rough. But we made it through. Thanks for helping me back there.”

Chase grinned, giving Danny a playful nudge. “Anytime, Spider-Man. You’d do the same for me.”

Danny chuckled softly, the weight of the nightmare world slowly lifting now that they were back in the real world. “Yeah, I guess I would. But still, I don’t know if I could’ve done it without you. That whole thing with Skyler… it really got to me. I thought I was past it, but seeing him like that, saying all those things…”

Chase nodded, his expression softening with understanding. “Hey, no one’s ever fully past their stuff, man. I had my own nightmare to deal with. My dad… well, you know how that goes. But the important thing is, we didn’t let it break us. We came out stronger.”

Danny sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I just didn’t expect it to hit me that hard, you know? I’ve faced real villains, but the stuff from my past… it still lingers.”

Chase leaned in closer, his voice low and reassuring. “That’s normal. We all have things that stick with us, no matter how much we try to leave them behind. But that’s what makes you strong, Danny. You’ve got this huge heart, and you care so much about everyone. That’s why you’re Spider-Man. You take all that pain and turn it into something good.”

Danny smiled, the weight on his shoulders easing just a bit more. “Thanks, Chase. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Chase shrugged, a playful grin returning to his face. “Probably trip over yourself more often. But hey, that’s what I’m here for—to catch you when you fall.”

Danny laughed. “You’re such a dork.”

“Yeah, but you love me for it.” Chase teased, nudging Danny again.

Danny blushed slightly but nodded. “Yeah… I do.”

Meanwhile, Caty and Karolina embraced, happy to finally be free of the nightmare realm and back in each other’s arms. “I’ve had enough scares for one Halloween. I hope that Strange guy is okay.”

“I’m sure he is,” Karolina answered confidently. She then glanced at Caty with a concerned look. “But are you okay? We didn’t really talk much about what you went through.”

Caty hesitated, her voice less steady. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just… I thought I was going to lose you. I couldn’t let that happen again.”

Karolina hugged her tighter, smiling reassuringly. “You’re never going to lose me. No one can stop Spider-Woman and Lucy in the Sky!” Her voice was bright, but she couldn’t help hiding her own worries. Could Nightmare’s words have affected her more than she thought?

“Do you still want to go to the party?” Karolina asked, trying to lighten the mood by changing the subject.

“Actually… yeah. I think I need it more than ever, but I want to wait until I know Strange is okay.”

And so, they waited. Who would win this fight for Halloween? The Strange Sorcerer Supreme or the Ruler of Nightmares?

Find out next time on The Amazing Spider-Twins!

ᴘᴋᴍɴ : Quest for Life and Death

Julien struck his pose instinctively as soon as the camera was raised, his body moving with practiced ease, like he had done this a thousand times before, which in all honesty, he had. But the unexpected click before he even had a chance to fully set himself caught him off-guard.

“A candid! You know, I don’t usually allow those, but you’re cute, so I’ll make an exception.” He winked, flashing a grin. Julien adjusted his golden scarf to catch the light better. He heard the man’s question, and chuckled it wasn’t the first time someone had asked if he was famous, and it amused him every time.

“Darling, I’m far more than just local.” He winked with a big grin on his face. “I’m a star on the rise! You got to photograph Julien Lafleur before he became a household name. Lucky you. Remember the name, you’ll be hearing it a lot.”

“And what about you?” Julien asked, clearly sizing the other man up. “You don’t exactly look like the type who spends his nights snapping photos of glitzy events. What brings you to this fabulous soirée?” His eyes sparkling with interest.

Umbra Rose Condos

Name: Kai Nereus
Image/Appearance:

Appearance: Kai has an athletic swimmer’s build, with glistening, iridescent scales covering his lower body and tail. His skin has a healthy, tan that has a slight sheen to it. Up close, his skin appears smooth and almost glows in the light, but to most people, it just seems like a natural, flawless complexion. He has long flowing aqua colored hair that falls to one side, and is short on the other side, and striking teal eyes. His tail is adorned with intricate green and turquoise hues. He has fin ears that are the same colors as his tail. He wears a flower crown and a simple shell necklace.

In his human form, Kai stands at around 6’0”. His eyes become a natural brown color, and his hair becomes chocolate brown. He often dresses tank tops and bathing suits. He always looks like he’s going to the beach. He wears shades of blue and teal.

Race: Merman
Racial Traits: Aquatic Physiology: Can breathe underwater and swim with incredible speed and agility.

Hydrokinesis: Can manipulate water, controlling its shape, movement, and pressure, both in and out of the water.

Enhanced Strength and Agility (in water): Kai is stronger and faster when submerged.

Siren Song: His singing voice can charm or calm those who hear it, though its effects are stronger underwater.

Bioluminescence: His body emits a soft glow in the dark, especially in his fin-like ears and tail markings.

Requirements: Saltwater: He needs to spend a lot of time in saltwater to maintain his health.

Humidity Control: On land, he needs a humid environment, as being in completely dry areas for too long can weaken his health.

Fresh Seafood: His diet consists largely of fish and other sea creatures. He loves sushi

Personality: Kai is charming, curious, and affectionate. He’s deeply drawn to human culture and fascinated by the way land-dwellers live their lives, even if it sometimes confuses him. Kai is naturally a free spirit, loving adventure and exploration, yet he’s also cautious, having been warned his whole life about the dangers of humans. He has a hopeless romantic side, dreaming of finding someone to share his life with, though he struggles with the fear of being truly vulnerable.

Kai is naturally social and befriends people easily, especially with other monsters in the condo. His curious nature means he often finds himself asking questions or poking his head where it doesn’t belong, which can sometimes get him into tricky situations. Despite his desire to explore the human world, he sometimes feels isolated due to his need for water, which makes it harder for him to fully fit in with the land-dwellers.

Background: Kai grew up in a hidden underwater community where merfolk thrived, safe from human hunters and pollution. As a young merman, he would sneak to the surface, fascinated by humans and their way of life. His curiosity wasn’t always appreciated by his family and peers, who warned him about the dangers of interacting with land-dwellers.

When tension between the merfolk and humans started to rise, due to human interference with the oceans and growing awareness of supernatural beings, Kai was sent to live at the Umbra Rose Condo for safety. Now, he balances his desire to explore human society with the need to remain hidden, trying to find a place where he can truly belong.

Building: 3
Floor: 3rd floor
Room Number: 305

Room Description:

Kai’s room is a perfect blend of the aesthetic of his ocean home, and modern conveniences. The main feature is a large, saltwater pool, taking up the majority of the space, complete with smooth stones and softly glowing sea plants.

The dry area is decorated in shades of blue and teal, with soft furniture and magical windows that display beautiful ocean views. The air is always humid, making it comfortable for Kai to move between water and land without feeling dried out. There’s a small kitchen, equipped to provide him with fresh seafood, and a cozy lounge area for guests. His room is magically bigger on the inside.

Sum up your week in roleplaying in just 3 words

Need to reply

Umbra Rose Condos

So, um… I’m considering joining too…

@Mistress Dizzy Hi. Not to step on your toes, but I’m also considering being a Merman. 🧜🏼‍♂️

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

Robbie Daymond

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

While we wait... howabout another game. What about voiceclaims?

@Sadu

I have no idea for Lucian. I’m looking for something sweet and wholesome.