Estylwen

TENEBRAE: The Rebellion of Shadows (Ladies Only)

Post is up! Thanks for your patience. :) All of the scientists are getting ready to leave... That's kinda strange.

TENEBRAE: The Rebellion of Shadows (Ladies Only)

Waterfront Warehouse
Near Northside, Tenebrae
Time: After Midnight
@Lady Seraphina, @Shu

After pacing along uneven cement, staring at the clock for the twentieth time, Arc snatched out his phone.

"King?" He pressed it to his ear, turning his head.

"Hm?"

A stressed hand ran through black hair, hugging the nape of his neck. "Phantasm isn't here. I've tried her phone, text, her tracker is offline. Nothing's working."

"Hm. And Scarlet is off?"

Arc gave an irritated grumble. "Yeah, she's off. But this is suppose to be done by her and Phantasm, now she's a no-show. And you know who she works for."

He could hear a light chuckle on the other end. "No need to be so tense, Arc. I'll look into it."

"I'm not"--an irritated huff--"I'm not tense."

A pause. "She's fine. Don't jump to conclusions without my say so."

Arc shook his head. "I was so sure she would come. Will Scarlet be fine on her own?"

"More than fine. The boss chose her. Just like he chose you."

Arc glanced at the clock again. "Right, right. Then I'll get started."

"Yes, the sooner, the better."

---

Valkyrie HQ
Unknown, Tenebrae
Time: Daytime
@Lady Seraphina

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Phantasm entered Lady Hel's office. Behind the desk, emaculate as ever, sat Lady Hel.

Lady Hel gestured to the small seat across from her. "Do you know why I've called you in?"

Phantasm only eyed the chair, refusing to sit. "No, ma'am."

Lady Hel paused, giving Phantasm a hard look. She let the seconds draw out between them, giving Phantasm a chance to change her answer. When Phantasm remained silent, Lady Hel pulled out a tape recorder, pressed play, and held it up for Phantasm to hear.

Ginny's voice was on the recorder. "--going for another meeting, and I think it's something big. I'm... Ma'am, I'm worried about Katey. She's working outside of the Valkyries and--"

Lady Hel paused the tape, watching the horror etch itself on Phantasm's face. The matriarch leaned back in her chair. "I gave you a chance to come clean on your own. Shame I had to find out my best girl was going behind my back."

Phantasm kept her face as neutral as possible. She could only guess what Lady Hel would do to her.

Lady Hel examined the black lacquer of her nails before locking stares with Phantasm. "As of this moment, you're grounded. Consider your mission regarding this heart forfeit. And if I catch you working outside like this again, there will be severe consequences. Am I understood?"

"Ma'am, please consi--"

Before she could continue, bulging, lethal red eyes blinked open in Lady Hel's dark shadow.

"Am I understood?" Lady Hel said.

Phantasm held her tongue. A part of her wanted to defy Lady Hel and find another way to complete her mission that night. She had made a promise, after all. But she knew her boss. For now, it was best to appear compliant.

Lady Hel gestured to the door as the room lightened, red eyes disappearing. "Out."

---

Section B Corridor, Laboratory of Microreactor Technology
Coastal Waters, Tenebrae
Time: After Midnight
@Shu

Scarlet Shadow found herself in a long hallway, flashing red lights overhead on  each side. The ear-shattering alarm echoed off the cement, causing enough distress itself. But beyond that, it was strangely quiet. A slight wind stirred through the hall, completely void of people.

"Control to Code Red, I'm detecting a large amount of hostiles coming your way from the left." Said a cool, feminine voice through Scarlet Shadow's comms.

A quick skittering of nails on a keyboard. "To avoid wasting time, you'll want to go right down the long way around to the door.

"I've checked the vents as an alternative, but the security system is on high alert. Your best option is to run to the security door via the corridor. It's a loop, so both ways will take you there. However..." She trailed off.

"I'm also detecting other intruders on the right."

Coming from the left, Scarlet Shadow could hear the approach of running boots echoing off the cement walls. In twenty seconds, a batallion of fifteen armed guards would rush around the corner. That would put her within gunfire range without cover.

And on the right, down the hallway and turning the corner twice, Scarlet Shadow would find the two people Madame Fauxpaw warned her about.

"Which way will you take?"

---

Section B-127 & Corridor, Laboratory of Microreactor Technology
Coastal Waters, Tenebrae
Time: After Midnight
Collab: @Blizz and @Estylwen

At the door, one scientist reached for his ID, slamming it against the card reader. The red lasers disengaged as the scientists piled through, and re-activated once they were all on the other side.

"Hey! Don't leave me here!" said the one scientist holding his ankle.

While the other scientists fled down the corridor, one hung back, staring at Ellie, Rainsinger, and the hurt scientist through the laser beams.

"Stay put until security gets here. They'll know what to do with you," he said.

"Seriously, what about me?" said the hurt scientist, wincing.

"Shut up, Chad. We all know you've been holding the research team back anyway."

"You can't leave me here with them." the hurt scientist's eyes flashed to Ellie, horror in his face.

The other scientist was already halfway down the hall. "Just stay put, Chad."

The hurt scientist's face turned a shade paler as he appraised Ellie and Rainsinger, mouth dry. With shaky hands, he pulled off the ID badge on his coat, holding it out to them.

"J-just don't hurt me, please."

”Sure. Drop the coat, shortstack.” Linus ordered smoothly, snatching the ID out of the poor bastard’s hand. ”Drop it on the ground, and get lost.”

The scientist paused before reluctantly peeling off his coat. "But I paid good money for this."

”Tough.”

As he tossed it in Rainsinger's direction, he winced, disturbing his ankle. "Ah, ow. Nope. I think I broke something."

"I don't know why you two are here," he said, eyeing the door nervously. "But I wouldn't uh, recommend staying here longer than a few minutes."

"Unless you're here for my research," he said, laughing nervously. "Which I hope you're not. It's not very interesting, just microchip interfacing with the local marine life."

”Yeah yeah. Get lost.”

Both of them made their way to the door as Linus dropped the lasers with the stolen ID. He more or less blended in, given the scuffed up coat. If anyone asked, he’d say he lost his ID during a predicament. 

”Okay, kid. Now what?”

”First, we gotta figure out where everything else is. Then we grab the tech.”

They did blend in to the bustle of scientists flowing through the large, looping corridor of metal and glass. At their feet were lines of paint, blue, green and red. They were faded from the traffic and seemed to indicate a type of map. But without a legend, the most they could do is randomly pick a line and follow it.

As they moved through the long corridor, they saw a group of security guards. And, standing at a shorter height in the middle, held by the arm, was Dream. She looked a bit ragged, bullet proof vest and weapons removed from her stolen security uniform. And it was unclear whether she was leading them, or if they were leading her.

Dream's mouth parted in shock at recognizing Ellie, but she firmly clamped it shut and moved her gaze away.

The guard holding her noticed. "Huh? Are these the ones?" He said sharply, gesturing to Ellie and Linus.

"No," Dream said, looking directly at them. "I've never seen them before in my life."

"Alright, keep moving." He said, pulling Dream gruffly across the hall.

As they passed by Ellie and Linus, Dream eyed them again. She seemed to be in a tight bind, but if these guards were focused on her, maybe reaching the heart would be easier for them. Of course, she had no idea how she was getting out of this one.

--

That was, of course, until the alarm rang, plunging everything into red lights and chaos.

--

The guards surrounding Dream Joe's into action, some racing down the hall, other taking defensive positions around the group. The one holding Dream pressed an arm into her back.

"Up against the wall, come on." He said, wrapping one wrist in a thick shackle.

Dream craned her neck back. "Stop. You're making a mistake."

He gave a sour grin, tightening the shackle on her other wrist and pulling her off the wall. "That's where your wrong. Your 'friends' you were gonna show us have been found. And now we're taking you and them in."

Dream glared, testing the steel binds that kept her hands behind her back.

The guard snickered. "What, you don't like that? Thought your little plan to buy time would work?"

Another guard laid a hand on his colleague's shoulder. "Hey, knock it off."

He gestured to Dream. "Put her with the rest of the scientists in case we gotta evacuate."

By that point, the hallway was clear of all personnel. Except for Ellie and Linus, of course.

One of the guards looked over, waving his hand down the other end of the corridor. "Hey, get to your muster point before they lock the place down."

Dream's eyes widened. The direction the guy was waving was the exact opposite to where the heart.

When Ellie and Linus didn't automatically start running, the guard rolled his eyes.

"Someone go escort them." He said.

Two of the guards nodded to each other and broke off from the main group, approaching Ellie and Linus.

Dream had enough. She raised her foot up a few inches, where a ball of light formed, and slammed it onto the metal floor. Light shot out in a shockwave, distracting the guards as it boomeranged back, forming an arc that started a few feet in front of Ellie, and formed a light bridge over the guards.

"Go! Straight down the hall and to the right. The big metal gate!"

Shocked faces snapped to Ellie and Linus. If they jumped onto the bridge, it would mean they were Dream's friends after all.

But if Ellie and Linus let themselves get escorted away, they'd be on a one-way ticket out of a heart.

--

@Shu, @Blizz

Elevator to Section A:
Unauthorized Access Strictly Prohibited

A metal panel screwed overhead on the south side of Section B, sitting over a large, metal, high-security gate.

The door itself, at a height of eight feet, slick metal and studded edges, was unmanned. All of the scientists and guards within had fled, leaving the door in a deactivated, locked state. It didn't have a handle or knob, but instead had a console pad to the side of it that seemed to have a flimsy cover.

Only special ID cards would work with this door, ones with VIP access. Unfortunately, there were no VIP personnel in Section B. Guards had an override code if two or three worked together, but this was usually used in emergencies only as it was a time-consuming process.

The door itself bound the entrance shut with small little pins all along the left edge of the door, like a standard bolt lock. If a strong enough force hit the left side enough times, it may cause the pins to bend and break off, opening the door.

Alternatively, pulling the cover off the console pad, a number of wires poorly put together could be easily re-wired, short-circuiting the door and causing it to open.

TENEBRAE: The Rebellion of Shadows (Ladies Only)

I've updated the 0th post on the IC with updated stats, history, and current point knowledge. Feel free to check it out as a re-cap whenever you have a moment. :)

Notoriety starts to kick in between 30-50 points, and we'll start seeing perks and conditions.

TENEBRAE: The Rebellion of Shadows (Ladies Only)

Post is up! If you would like any changes made to better suit how the protagonists get to the lab, I'm happy to edit. Let me know if any changes need to be made. :)

Thank you so much for your patience, I will endeavour to not create such a long wait for any future posts. This was a big one, though, clocking at over 30,000 characters. I tried to limit and cut down, I really did, but there was a lot of action and dialogue to get us on the way to our first mission.

Now, mission heart is a go, congratulations!

Everyone is currently in Section B of the lab. In the next few days, I will draw up a map for us to better visualize the layout of the floor, and plan how to get to the heart. Right now, every protagonist is in a conflict. Ellie's cornered by frightened staff who are not expecting anyone to use an elevator that's been 'out-of-service' for years. And Phantasm and Scarlet Shadow have spooked an entire room of staff members. Dream also has guards being sent to hunt her down. The guards are fully loaded and trained like police officers and are able to arrest and have licenses to kill.

We also have more game points being added to the protagonists, and a little more of an explanation on them.

Let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything.

And thanks again for waiting. <3

TENEBRAE: The Rebellion of Shadows (Ladies Only)

Cloud Gate
Loop, Tenebrae
Time: Late Morning
@Lady Seraphina

As Phantasm let her hair loose, Myriad couldn't help but stare. It was like staring in the mirror—the two women seemed so similar now. Their hair was the same, wild and free, wreathing and beautiful.

"Katey," she mumbled, eyes turning up thoughtfully.

She was finally seeing the real Phantasm. With a small pull, she tugged her own mask to the side, revealing large eyes and a slender nose, and tesseract irises. She knew they were difficult to look at.

DIfficult too, to stare too long at the intensity of deep, hurricane eyes. Myriad scrunched her eyes shut, for both of them, and smiled.

"Sure, Katey. Friendship names are cool. Tell me mine after your mission, 'kay?" she said.

She slid the mask back over her eyes, clipping it into place under the wreath of flaming hair.

"Good luck, my friend."

—

"She's not our friend, Myriad," Arc said.

He stood over her, arms folded while she fidgeted in the last folding chair. The streamers and decorations were gone, along with the cake.

"You were listening in, weren't you?" her lips pouted.

"I got clearance from Control, yes."

"Jealous?" she teased.

"What could I possibly be jealous of? You're going to be the one jealous when we're all fine and you're a crying mess when our operation is complete."

Myriad huffed, rolling to her feet. "I haven't the faintest clue what you're talking about."

A hand pressed on her shoulder, and she fell back into the chair. There was a dark look on Arc's face.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. She's on the list. It's only a matter of time."

Myriad stared up, the denial stubbornly plastered to her face.

"She's a good person. She can help us better like this."

"You know why we can't do that."

Her voice shook. "But she can, she—"

"Boss needs her for Operation Suzy, Myriad. And you will help me when the time comes."

"But she"—sharp inhale—"she'll be—"

A hand on both of their shoulders. As if he had been there all along, Chronos had his eyes locked hard on Arc, with the definite 'shut up' attitude in his demeanour.

Arc narrowed his eyes at Chronos, then turned away from both of them. Over his shoulder, he said softly. "You're not making this any easier for her, Chronos."

Chronos simply stared back at him, slowly patting Myriad's shoulder.

"Mr. Chronos?" Myriad asked.

He studied her expression, seeing a brave face mask the guilt.

"Do you, uh," She smiled despite the tight voice. "Do you have any more of that cake?"

---

Love Street
Lincoln Park, Tenebrae
Time: Late Morning
@Lady Seraphina, @Blizz

"That's for you darling."

"Thank you, ma'am." A shocked voice.

Two twenties and a crisp one hundred dollar note, more in tips than she had made in two weeks. It was enough to make a girl cry, and as Rainsinger and Lady Hel left separately, Serena excused herself to the back room where she wiped away watery eyes threatening to burst.

Tonight, it would be homemade lamb chops and herb garlic cream, with a plentiful helping of the expensive drink she'd stored for the past year. Tonight, it would be a beautiful night.

---

Gray Dragons HQ
Unknown, Tenebrae
Time: Evening
@Blizz

Adrenaline shot through his veins like ice through a cooler as he watched his own folly. An old tin cup rolled into the clearing, the one his foot clumsily knocked over as he clamoured closer from behind the creates. Ellie's eyes whipped over.

"Takeda?"

The doctor's eyes widened. He was caught red-handed. But this was his chance to warn her. Frantically, he gestured with his hands, mouthing silently to run.

No amount of silver-tongued words could undo the fearful picture Ellie painted in Akihiro's mind, with black stormy skies and ocean waves cutting away the land. There was a reason they—no, he labelled certain meta's as 'alpha's'. The protocols he wrote surrounding them could fill an entire encyclopedia. And then another.

Then, cold blue eyes turned his way, and Akihiro shrank behind the crate. Rainsinger had spotted him.

Akihiro panicked. He had no idea what this meta would do to a spy. He had to get out of here. Maybe with Rainsinger's eyes fixed on him, Ellie would get the hint and make a break for it as well.

His ankle twisted the dirt as he coiled to sprint, but just as he was about to run, an alarm rang on his phone.

Pale as a ghost, the doctor checked his phone. Sure enough, a red dot glowed on a grid map near Tenebrae's water edge. This meant one thing, and one thing alone—Ellie, Dream and the doctor were officially out of time.

"M-mister Rain, uh, singer?" the doctor edged out from behind the crate. "Please, you need to, uh, I mean, it would be, uh, nice? If you l-let Ellie go. Before the h-hear—I mean, uh, my microchip—is gone."

The Shadow Knights' team was on their way to the lab. That meant the Knights had a critical head start. Akihiro fidgeted nervously, eyes shifting from Rainsinger to Ellie. If Ellie and Dream didn't make it to the lab in time, the possibility of a lab-wide lockdown from the Knight's intruders would make reaching the lab's entrance impossible.

---

Oakstreet
Near Northside, Tenebrae
Time: Evening
@Shu

The dripping of rain from an overhead pipe came into focus first. Then, the faint scent of gasoline caused the Triad's eyes to flutter. He lifted his face from a greasy back-alley puddle, spitting violently and groaning. He rolled to his side, feeling the bruise forming on the side of his head, and cursed.

Dragging himself to a sitting position, he pulled a phone from his pocket, tapping the screen and pressing it to his ear.

"So?" said a sharp voice on the other end.

"Jiǎo tà shí dì. She did exactly as you said, and we're now able to proceed with Shan Chu's wishes." the Triad said.

"Good. And what about you, Pak Tsz Sin?"

"I'm fine, sir."

"Of course you're not. I can tell in your voice."

He hung his head. "She will be in danger now, Fu Shan Chu."

"From who, us? You volunteered for this meeting knowing it would go in this way. Grow some backbone."

An unsteady pause, the Triad's eyes shifting away. "Sir, has the team left yet?"

"You still think you can save her. That will kill you if the master finds out."

The Triad dutifully nodded. "Thank you, sir. I will be careful."

He heard a disbelieving huff on the other end. "Whatever. Get a move on if you want to be with Hung Kwan and the rest."

"Yes sir."

He slumped his chin on a raised knee as he pulled the phone away. Fu Shan Chu always saw through him. Over the years, his knack for reading his gang members had only increased, but it was sharp as ever back when their original master died, along with the majority of the Red Lotus Triad. He was there that night. He remembered when he fled the building, and his eyes met hers before a group of Triads attacked Kara, distracting her from pursuing him, and killing him.

By all intents and purposes, he should be dead by her hand. And when that knife pulled across his skin, he thought for sure she would finish the job. But instead, he was left in the gutter, dried blood on his neck. And his sweetheart? She was long gone.

That's why Fu Shan Chu held the new master's hand back when the remaining members re-organized themselves. The master's only interest was in putting the souls of the Red Lotus Triad to rest by killing Kara. But when the master voiced his wish for blood atonement, the deputy also raised his voice in Kara's favour. And there was only one man alive who survived Kara that night. Why else would a de-moted, run-away, barely-saved-from-a-Triad's-death-by-swords paper fan be sent to reason with the Triad's grief?

The Triad sighed, pulling his limbs in closer. He knew what was at stake, especially if the master caught wind of his personal wish. But he also knew the prize when he saw that terrifying whirlwind of blades and blood tear through his gang members. No one on the planet had the talents she possessed, never mind the superpower behind it. And no one possessed the despairing fire he saw in those eyes when her stare trapped him that fateful night.

Anyone who wanted her dead was a fool. But he remained silent. Only the deputy, Fu Shan Chu, had an idea, and if anyone else caught on, he was a dead man. And if that happened, he wouldn't be there to delay the Triad from throwing every hitman in the world at Kara.

"Quán lì yǐ fù." he muttered as he rolled to his feet, and limped deeper into the darkness of the alley.

---

Rooftops
Unknown, Tenebrae
Time: Evening
@Shu

Circling the fading Tenebrae skies, a single crow spotted her mark and glided onto the shoulder of a hooded ninja.

"My dear, it's been a while." Madame Fauxpaw said in a high, croaking voice. "Did you enjoy your time at the jade palace?"

She clicked her beak. "I was caught up earlier; I wanted to talk about your mission tonight."

Her lower lid curled up in a smile. "Of course I know, dear. I also know your competition. But don't worry, this classified information is at the request of Master Shen—you won't be charged for it."

"Your competition consists of two women, both vigilantes. The first has adaptable strength and speed in her body."

"And the other specializes in non-direct combat."

A black beak preened the feathers on her wing. "But alas, information is best coupled with thorough recon. Continue your work, my dear. You always did things thoroughly."

She leaned in to whisper in Scarlet Shadow's ear. "Be careful, and take the heart quickly."

With a flap of her wings, Madame Fauxpaw flew into the darkening skies and was gone.

---

Sewers
Near Northside, Tenebrae
Time: Evening

Dream

Dream lay crushed against the wall of the sewer, costume hanging off her in shreds and a hand pressed over her ribs. The two cyborg Hunters stood over her, weapons ready.

"Why," She said, her breath ragged. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because we enjoy it," said the giant, punk-vested cyborg to the left. His smaller partner nodded.

"Oh yes. The extra little kick"—her shock bracer knuckles pounded together—"from a meta's powers lets them experience emotions, and pain, sharper than the average human being."

She stooped down to squeeze Dream's cheeks with a hand, talking to her as if Dream was some kind of pet. "Making you that much sweeter to toy with."

Dream jerked her head away. "Don't touch me."

The giant cyborg's voice was mocking. "What, you thought we did this for some noble cause?"

Dream coughed, glaring up. "My entire life is ruined because of you."

"Ah-ha, I see. This isn't actually about noble causes, is it?" A devilish grin contorted his face.

"You wanted a logical explanation, not for the countless metas hunted under your nose," his grin twisted. "But why you were singled out. Is that right?"

The look on Dream's face only made him laugh.

"Kid, hunting you down was nothing personal. You were just the next lead we fished out, like a pool of hacked credit cards."

He shrugged, disinterested. "You're just an unlucky card."

Dream shifted, wincing in pain. "Great. So what now?"

The giant cyborg chuckled as he bound Dream's hands and slung her over his prosthetic shoulder. "We're taking you home, of course. After teaching you some manners, you'll be sold, and we'll be rich."

"Manners?"

He mused, bouncing her on his shoulder. "An immediate surrender would have been better for you. Now? You get to see what we do to ungrateful toys."

The other Hunter spoke up. “The torture chamber?”

“Perhaps. She hasn't struggled in the past five minutes. So as a reward, I say if she begs us to stop, maybe we’ll make it a little easier. Just a little.”

Dream glowered. "You're monsters. The lot of you."

They laughed. "Not the first time we've been called that, and it won't be the last."

Her limp posture on the cyborg's shoulder could barely contain the rage boiling within her. From the corner of squinted eyes, she could see the Hunters' gaze on the tunnel in front of them, not on her. And as they walked, she saw a broken gate, and beyond it, a waterfall.

Dream's tied hands shook as they balled into fists. And, timed in the off-balance between their next step, light exploded from her palms as she shoved off the cyborg. The force was enough to throw him forward, and send her sailing through the air toward the gate.

"Stop right there, kid," came a threatening growl behind her. She looked to see the two Hunters with their weapons at the ready.

"Save your torture for someone else," Dream said. And with a single wave, she fell back, following the waterfall into darkness.

—

She woke up spitting salty water as her body came to rest in the shallows. It was pitch black; she couldn't see the hand in front of her face. She could, however, hear the rushing of water behind her and feel the current pressing her against a slope.

Coughing and clutching her chest, Dream crawled out of the water, feeling the floor until she came across a curved wall with a rusted texture.

Another pained cough, holding up a weak hand. Her surroundings lit up as her fingers ignited. Behind her appeared to be a docking bay, and in front of her, a huge, rusted vault door.

She must have fallen quite a ways. This wasn't in any sewer system she knew. Checking her phone for guidance, she found, to her dismay, it was waterlogged. She reluctantly slid it back into a wet pocket.

The gate wasn't locked, and after a few minutes of cranking the rusted wheel, Dream pulled the 10-foot door open and stepped into a decaying metal corridor, cobwebs lining the edges. Her hand brushed against a tube on the side of the wall, clearing the dust away.

Laboratory of Microreactor Technology, Section E-49, Conveyor Chute

This was the place. The depths of it, at least. Tearing open the zip tie around her wrists with a broken wall pipe, Dream stumbled deeper into the abandoned section of the laboratory and searched for a way deeper into the lab.

---

Laboratory of Microreactor Technology
Coastal Waters, Tenebrae
Time: Late Evening
@Lady Seraphina, @Shu, @Blizz

A light flickered from a computer within the depths of the lab. A system detection. There was no longer any external security system, thanks to King Astra's interference.

So, a new automated system was dispatched in its place. A robotic, razor-sharp, quick swimming security system.

Satisfied, the internal system deactivated the alert and went back to sleep.

---

Location: Unknown
Tenebrae
Time: Late Evening

Astra

"Corva, we need to talk."

Astra's figure filled the doorframe, arms crossed. She turned to face him, seated at the head of the Knight's Control tower. From the anxious glances around her, she gave a wave of her hand.

"Give us a moment." She told her assistants, and they pulled off their headsets to sneak around past Astra. He watched them go and pulled the door shut.

"You didn't acknowledge Phase II's completion. The beacons are set up in all twenty locations, each one is online and configured." He said. "You watched the entire thing from my retina cam, but didn't say a word over the comms."

His head cocked to the side inquisitively. "That never happens."

She huffed, tossing jet-black hair back in a disinterested manner. "How can one complete Phase II when Phase I isn't even started?"

He studied her for a moment, "Ah, so that's what it is."

"For Heaven's sake, I can hear everything rattling around in that skull of yours."

"My apologies, Corva." He said, taking a step toward her. She was seated in a business-like fashion in her leather chair, sleeveless black garb and bikini-styled bottoms clothing her pale, glasglow body. A full-body cloak hung from her shoulders, a large hood shadowing her eyes. A mask was absent from her face, as it had been for the past five years.

"You know everything in this brain of mine, but I can only hope to figure out your secrets," he said, stretching a hand out to her. "Tell me what's on your mind, my rose."

Her eyes simply narrowed at him. "You're hopeless."

"Please?" he kept his hand out, a sad smile on his face.

She rolled her eyes, taking his hand and standing. Together, they faced the mega computer that spanned the entire wall of the control tower.

"I stare at this screen day in, day out," she said softly.

Astra kept his silence, eyes on the slender-framed woman.

"I've lived here, behind the front lines, for three years, four months and six days. It's enough to almost make me forget what happened five years ago," she said.

"And?" Astra asked.

"I'm not getting any better sitting here in a soft, sickly sweet chair."

"So you're leaving?"

A pause.

"Corva?"

She turned her head. "Operation Phantasm."

Astra took a step back, pulling his hand away. "No."

He could see the full-bodied Knights emblem cascading down her back as her gaze followed him over her shoulder. Her dark lipstick pressed as she stared darkly.

"I'm serious."

"But why?"

"The day we discovered the Valkyries froze all police investigations on Cassandra Latham's file, I had a feeling this would happen."

Astra watched the brows furrow on Corva's pale face, and he inclined his head. "Are you saying this because she's on the list?"

"It's because she's not ready to be on the list."

Realization dawned on his face, and he smirked. "Sentimental, are we?"

"Don't ridicule me, King Astra." she gave him a cool glance. "If we play our cards right, she will have a shot at a normal life."

"All for one meta?"

"It's more complicated than that."

"It always is."

She turned away. "We can discuss this in further detail later. You have a mission to prepare for."

Astra searched her face, then sighed. "If that's what you wish. But I haven't approved this. Not until you really tell me what's going on."

A cold tug at her dark lips. "Very well. Until then."

---

GAME POINTS

@Lady Seraphina, @Shu, @Blizz

Congratulations! Juicy points have been earned by our protagonists.

Ellie confronted her fears and met Rainsinger.

+1 will point earned.

Scarlet Shadow refused to work with the Triad.

+1 will point earned.

Phantasm caught a private investigator's eye at Cloud Gate.

+10 notoriety points earned.

Dream fought off the Hunters.

+1 will point earned.

These points have been applied to your stats.

Notoriety points affect the world around you, how people view you, and your infamy. It leads to buffs, conditions, and permanent perks.

Will points are critical for the final boss.

Keep taking action to discover other types of points!

~ * ~

Chapter Two - Struggle Underneath

TIME SKIP: 12:00 AM

@Lady Seraphina, @Shu, @Blizz

The skies faded to darkness, and a cloudy, black uncertainty blocked out the starlight as the clock struck twelve.

---

City Hall
The Loop, Tenebrae
Time: Midnight

Astra tapped his comms. "Chronos, Myriad, are you in position?"

"Yes, we're just searching for any late-night employees." Myriad buzzed in his ear.

He nodded. "Wonderful. Keep me updated."

"Yes sir. Over and out."

He stepped forward and looked over the sea of police cars. The choppers overhead turned, and three spotlights snapped to his position, illuminating the dark Knight. He could hear frantic shouting and the sound of guns being unholstered.

Astra, cloak flapping in the midnight wind, simply cocked his head forward.

"Well, let's get this show started."

From his shadow, black ooze spilled out, forming 8 foot long tentacles. The black ooze speared the rudder of the choppers, causing flight failure. Pilots made their emergency ejections as the choppers fell, one of them setting fire to the sea of cop cars.

The officers began their assault, lighting up the night in a cacophony of bullets. Astra dodged to the side and a black wave rolled forward, pushing the majority of officers, cars and flaming choppers to the other side. They looked at him with terrified faces as the ooze suffocated them against metal and concrete.

As the wave released, one of them pointed his gun. "S-stay where you are, terrorist!"

Astra smiled, silver mask glinting in the firelight. "Oh, I'm flattered you recognize me."

Another step forward, python-like tentacles whipping out. "Now, if you could all do me a favour and head home"-the officers' knees buckled as tentacles constricted and squeezed-"before I break something?"

With cries of fright, the police officers struggled against the tentacles, kicking enough to break free and scramble away.

"Get back here, fight for your city!" The leading officer called out. He and a handful of officers held their ground despite the vice-like grip of black ooze threatening to snap their legs in two.

"C-call the military," was all the run-aways said before they disappeared down the opposite street.

The leading officer heaved in surprise as the black tentacles shifted, suspending him by the ankles. The officer tried to aim at the ooze with his gun, but another tentacle wrapped around his trigger finger, keeping it in place.

"Now, now, officer," Astra said darkly, putting enough pressure on the finger to almost dislocate the joint, and the officer yelped. "Don't make my job any more difficult."

"Go to Hell." The leading officer spat out, half-delirious with the blood rushing to his head.

Astra just laughed, tossing the officer back, watching him roll haphazardly in ooze and concrete.

"That's my home," he said.

His eyes shifted to the remaining police force, seeing the pale expressions on their faces. He released the tentacles from their feet, gesturing with his hand.

"Leave." He said. Their reluctance caused his eyes to roll.

"So noble. Listen, I can give you another demonstration,"—the tentacles swirled irritatedly around them—"or you can follow your companions and leave City Hall."

They stared at him, jaws set.

He sighed. "Alright, then."

Black tentacles constricted around the officers, throwing them against the front of City Hall. The large pool of darkness around Astra's feet grew, more tentacles with razor-sharp tips rising, poised and ready to strike.

"Another demonstration it is."

---

Section C-13, Residential Deck, Laboratory of Microreactor Technology
Coastal Waters, Tenebrae
Time: Midnight
@Blizz

What looked similar to a five-story hospital complex, the front of it jutting out of the cliff face was the underwater research facility Takeda had fretted about.

Circling the facility, with metallic teeth and red eyes, swam 12-foot long robot sharks, reacting to every moment in the waters with bloodthirsty intent. Their numbers, easily visible, were five in total. They would pose a problem if Ellie and Rainsinger were to get inside through the easiest point of entry.

Section C's observation deck was the entry point Doctor Takeda recommended. From the front of the visible five-story lab, it was near the bottom on the side. One could see a circular dome jutting out of the cliff, and one could gain entry through the open hatch and wet deck at the bottom.

Section C went deep into the cliff face for 100 metres. Doctor Takeda said it was a residential area and recommended dowsing every room in sleeping gas before entering. However, when Ellie began moving through the rooms and corridors, she found it covered in a thick layer of dust, and water dripping from the ceiling. Parts of the section were partially submerged in water. The Residential Deck must have been abandoned years ago.

Ellie would want to make her way to the opposite end of the section where a room labelled 'Section C-127' held an elevator. Along the way, she would find abandoned lab coats, decayed toothbrushes, and old ID badges. The elevator would take her to Section B-127, the Research and Recreation Deck.

—

Section B-127, the Research and Recreation Deck
@Blizz

As the elevator doors opened, Ellie and Rainsinger saw a long, dark corridor filled with aquatic test subjects in low-lit tubes. At the end of the corridor, they saw a barred doorway filled with crisscrossed, high-voltage red lasers. And between them and the doorway, a handful of scientists and bodyguards that, when the elevator opened, immediately looked her way.

One of the scientists dropped their clipboard in fright, shrieking. The four other scientists shrank behind the three bodyguards, who quickly surrounded Ellie and Rainsinger with hands on their holsters.

"Who are you? Where's your ID badge?" they demanded.

One unbuttoned their holster, suspicion in his eyes. "Hands where I can see them. No fast movements."

—

Akihiro chewed his nails, eyes on the glass screen in his cramped, dark apartment room. He had a GPS signal on Ellie but knew the cell service was lost deep below sea level. Once Ellie was below the water, all he could do was wait.

A part of his screen was lit up in blue and red as his system attempted hacking the research facility, but as it wasn't his field of expertise, it was taking a while. Not to mention he was going toe-to-toe with one of the highest security labs in the world. The system buffered at 51% completion, searching for a way to decrypt the next access port.

He mumbled anxiously and went to put on a pot of coffee, rubbing the sweaty curls off his forehead. This was going to be a long night.

---

Section B-13, Laboratory of Microreactor Technology
Coastal Waters, Tenebrae
Time: Midnight
@Shu

Scarlet Shadow, fully loaded with necessary mission gear, comms, and dressed from head to toe in an exo-aqua suit, boarded the submarine with her pilot. They quickly dove into the depths of Tenebrae's waters and headed for the lab 500 meters out.

It stood out against the dark waters. Five stories of steel and reinforced glass, lights within the hallways, people in white coats walking here and there.

The pilot killed the sub's lights and came in slow, however, the sub was detected by the automated security system. From behind, massive, sharp teeth tore into the hull of the submarine. Water gushed in through the widening holes.

"Get out of here! I'll blast the gates open." the pilot said to Scarlet Shadow, pushing her into the escape hatches.

The shark bit down on one of the loaded bombs, causing the sub to explode, but not before two warheads fired off. Scarlet Shadow used her super-speed to narrowly miss the worst of the shock waves as she swam out of harm's reach. Watching the crumpled remains of the submarine and shark sink into the cliff's chasm, she made her way to the loading bay door. She swam through the bent, broken panel, reaching the wet dock of an empty loading bay. Removing the aqua suit inside, she hid it in an old crate and slipped into the air ducts.

Time passed as she navigated the air ducts, avoiding the automated security system until one of the systems, a robotic wasp, caught her by surprise. Even after crushing the bot, more homed in on her location, until she was forced to make an emergency exit.

However, when she landed in what should have been a dusty storage closet, she instead found herself in the centre of a huge, occupied lunch room. Slack-jawed, spat juice, and dropped forks were the initial reactions as scientists and security guards alike rushed to their feet.

"Intruder!"

"Alert control!"

Scientists fled through the left sliding steel door, heading to the control room to alert the rest of the lab.

The security guards, totaling eight, pulled out their handguns and tasers, moving quickly to surround the intruder.

"Put your hands up!" they shouted.

If Scarlet Shadow didn't move fast, the lab would be alerted and her eight guards would quickly turn into 100, and an impossible lock-down would encompass the entire lab, barring anyone from reaching the heart.

---

Section B-54, Restricted Corridor, Laboratory of Microreactor Technology
Coastal waters, Tenebrae
Time: Midnight

Dream

"Miss? Excuse me, miss?"

Dream looked up from her mop and bucket. Her costume was switched for a gray, large-fitting custodian jumpsuit with a hat over her black bonnet.

The security guard stared her down. "No one's allowed in this corridor, miss. It leads to a hazardous chemical spill."

She scratched her head. "Chemical spill? I don't remember anything like that." Coming up through Section E, she only came across half-finished projects, garbage, and piles of dust.

The guard gave her a disapproving look. "It's in everyone's policy booklet, didn't you read it?"

She mentally slapped herself.

"Oh. Well, uh," her mind scrambled. "I'm the newest member on the team."

He shook his head. "Recruit or not, there are no exceptions. I'll have to talk with your manager. Let me see your ID."

The jumpsuit she scavaged from Section E lacked an ID card. If she wanted to play the recruit right, she'd have to lie. Her eyes shifted to the side. "That? I lost it."

The guard narrowed his eyes. "You lost it...?"

"Yes. Thankfully someone else let me through the door so I could start my work."

The guard took a step back, eyes studying her. "Right. And it's a beautiful day under the sea for hard work, right?"

Dream kept her silence. His stance, and the specifically asked question, made her feel like he was saying something in code. Had he caught on?

"Miss?"

She abruptly turned away. "I'm busy, and I will report you if you interfere with my work."

He stepped forward, pressure in his voice. "Answer my question."

Silence again.

He made an irritated noise, hands on his hips. "You really have no idea how things work down here, do you? 'Lost' ID, you're in a restricted area, and a blatant refusal to answer the security question that's in a real employee's handbook."

Dream sweatdropped. "Now, I can explain—"

He simply raised a hand to stop her and pulled a pair of handcuffs off his belt. "Ma'am, I'm putting you under arrest for suspicion of espionage, fraud and theft of property. You have the right to remain silent, and to request the presence of a lawyer."

As he grabbed her wrist, she reflexively swiped with her other hand, a streak of light morphing to smash him across the jaw. He fell to the floor, and she began dragging him into the abandoned corridors of Section E.

A few minutes later, she emerged dressed in a loose-fitting security guard uniform, bulletproof vest, walkie and handgun strapped to her utility belt. She moved swiftly down the hall into the main part of Section B. If they were watching the cameras in the restricted area, she only had a few minutes before a security team was dispatched to her location.

She had to find the heart. Or else, tonight would turn out ugly, fast.

TENEBRAE: The Rebellion of Shadows (Ladies Only)

Another new post, exciting stuff is going on! >w>

TENEBRAE: The Rebellion of Shadows (Ladies Only)

Location: Unknown, Tenebrae
Time: Late Morning
@Lady Seraphina

"I suppose this is one of those times when I'm supposed to let the subject drop? Yeah well, I've never been very good at that. So who's this queen and why isn't she on the throne anymore? Where'd this 'new king' of yours come from?"

Myriad smiled teasingly. “What, you mean they don't teach this in Valkyrie class anymore?”

Arc gave her a warning look, and she shrugged nonchalantly. “What? She has a right to know. Besides, you explain it better than me.”

Arc rubbed his temples. “You're a constant pain in my side, you know?”

He turned his silver eyes to Phantasm, leaning forward. “Alright. Phantasm, you'll like this story. The queen, Chronos and I were causing some problems for you people. Many clashes led up to a fateful day. Against the black of night, Hel and the queen with their small armies faced off in a battle that caused the city a year’s worth of construction. I'm not sure how, but we withdrew as the dawn broke, and she told us ‘If you see a Valkyrie, consider them as family.'

“King Astra changed that when he took charge, but, Chronos, well,“ Arc glanced at his second-in-command, wording his words carefully. “He has always been most dutiful towards her.”

Chronos cleared his throat again, closing his eyes and turning away. Arc and Myriad shared a worried glance before Myriad’s eyes darted around desperately, and she found the sparklers. When Chronos took them from her, the only noticeable change she saw was the mist in his eyes as he stabbed the cake. The click of a zippo, and a fizzle of party lights filled the room.

Arc folded his arms as he stood beside Phantasm, watching the sparks fall like comets. His voice was hushed, eyeing Chronos. “As for the king, he stepped up because he needed to when she was no longer fit for duty. Where he came from before that is anyone's guess.”

Myriad was standing beside Chronos as he put the zippo away, giving him her best smile before peering at Phantasm. “You're right, Mr. Chronos. We're here to celebrate our new collaborator, not make her cry.”

When the conversation shifted to Phantasm's 'snorkel device', Arc explained it, and Phantasm added, "Easy for you to say, you aren't the one that has to wear it."

“Actually, you'd be surprised,” Arc said. "There have been many devices that have blown up in my face, and it's always from misuse."

At the offer to go back home, Phantasm paused, facing Arc with hard eyes. "A question before I go Arc, what was that stuff you let loose at Haven? Two of my girls breathed it in. Do I need to be worried about them, is there something that need be done for them, or is it too late for them and I should skip to the vengeance fuelled making you dead now?"

Arc stared at Phantasm for a moment before lifting a gloved hand. The weave around his fingertips came undone as dust rose, spinning off until it dissolved the whole finger of the glove. In his cupped hand, he held out a small pile of what looked like ash, or dust.

“This is what they breathed in, and it's processed like any foreign contaminant in the body. It will be flushed from their system after twenty-four hours.”

He gave the dust a small shuffle in his hand. “In short, yes, they’re fine.”

Phantasm glanced at Myriad. "Would you mind stepping out with me? There's something I'd like to ask you."

Myriad chortled. “Of course I'm going with you. What kind of host would I be if it were otherwise?”

She hummed as she stepped through the gateway, "Though I don't know who's the host today. Is the one who serves cake the actual host? Or is the friend the host?"

Phantasm followed her, and as the portal closed, Phantasm turned back to smirk as Arc. "I'd try some alovera on that stuff. Works wonders."

Arc simply narrowed his eyes, arms folding over his chest. Myriad could be heard giggling as the gateway shrunk and disappeared, and Arc's eyes flickered to Chronos.

“I swear, I'll kill them both.” He said, throwing his hands up and walking away.

—

Cloud Gate
Loop, Tenebrae
@Lady Seraphina

Standing under the mirrored bean, Phantasm turned to Myriad. "What's your group, the Shadow Knights', relation to the Valkyries? Chronos spoke like they're friends but I've never heard anyone back home mention you before. These people, they're like family to me. I appreciate the money but I'd like to know that this isn't going to blow back on them."

“Ah, so they really did cancel that class,” Myriad said, fingers tapping her chin.

She skipped down the steps of the Gate. “You're my friend, I know that. As for us and the Valkyries, there’s old history." She turned back, shrugging. "But I wasn't a Knight then. Nowadays, it's doubtful the two interact much. You may well be the first interaction we’ve had in, um.”

Myriad counted on her fingers, eyebrows raising. “Wow, in five years.”

---

BREAKING NEWS
Location: All media outlets, Tenebrae
Time: Late Morning
@Lady Seraphina, @Shu, @Blizz

"We should ship them off to the asylum," he said grudgingly. "Every last one of them."

A live broadcast in Love Street, and across all of Tenebrae. On the news channel, the host sat poised in a black suit. Beside him, a harrowed man, the spokesperson of the humanists.

"What is it that you dislike about people with special abilities so much?" the host said.

"They're just not all right in the head, you know? It's like a disease. It's why most of the criminals you see nowadays are—"

The screen flickered, displaying sharp stripes of a lost signal and a terrible sound, before snapping into focus again. The host and his guest were gone, replaced by a man dressed in black garb and a cloak, lounging in a chair with his hand rested against his chin. He smiled.

"Terribly grateful, aren't they?" he said, light-catching the edges of his silver mask as he turned his head. "It's like this city has forgotten all the good those with superpowers have given it."

He held up a gloved hand as he counted. "Dissolution of cancer, illnesses, and poor health. There are metas in this city devoting their lives to healing what is considered unhealable. Many others, those with super-intellect, are at the forefront of technology, pushing for cleaner sources of energy and a sustainable future."

"But, I have to give credit where it's due. To you people, I mean. Your gratitude has made it so metas with visible traits struggle to find jobs, and harassment is a factor that deters many from even stepping outside of their homes." His hands gave a slow, mocking clap.

The man leaned forward. "Now, if you were to tell me they'd be fine with that kind of gratitude, I'd call them an idiot. We both know there are only two ways forward."

A pointer finger was raised. "All of the metas leave. Or—"

He paused, fingers held up as the humour left his face. "—We stay. And we push back. This city will witness a breaking point. And you'd be best to side with the people you've 'been grateful to' for so long."

"On that note, I'd keep an eye on City Hall tonight. Past midnight and our symbol of peace'll fly higher than a kalepsian kite."

At that, the signal went dead.

—

Time: Daytime

After showing the clip for the fifth time that day, the news anchor, a thin-framed lady, turned to her co-host.

"Never a dull moment, huh?"

"Especially for our police department," said the co-host, "Here's what Sergent Jones said over Twitter, 'A terrorist threat on City Hall is not something we take lightly. I want to stress that we are doing everything we can to prioritize citizens' safety, and ask that everyone stay home, and evacuate the area around City Hall.'"

The lady nodded her head. "Wise words from the TDP. Let's just hope we can see the sun rise on City Hall tomorrow."

---

Oakstreet
Near North Side, Tenebrae
Time: Daytime
@Shu

“Sweetheart, as much as I'd love for you to”—he coughed, careful to not jostle the knife’s edge against his throat—“put me out of my misery, Hell’s not gonna run itself.”

His eyes glanced at the hand holding the blade. “All these years and you held back, huh? Sweetheart, I'm touched.” He chuckled hoarsely, “How about a bribe, then?”

The man took a few shallow breaths, gritting his teeth. He appeared to still be somewhat winded. “Listen. I know what you're up to tonight, and I also know who your competition is.”

He paused, certain his little Shadow would need more of a nudge. “Your employer never told you what the heart is, did they? Failed to mention it could power an entire city for a year. A new power source greatly coveted by the elite around the world. And its actual worth to the right buyer, easily adding a few zeroes to your cut, someone”—a cold grin crept on his face—“that only Triad knows.”

A little shrug in his shoulder. “Such a shame, isn't it?”

From what his intel had gathered, Kara chased after the dollar harder than he did. Surely, the prospect of earning more for the same work would appeal to her as it did to him. There was a reason they had discovered her, yet held back until this moment.

“Come on, Kara. There will be plenty of time to kill each other after we talk.” He said, voice a little too casual. “In my back pocket, you'll find a tablet with three GPS trackers. All three want the heart that you're after.”

“The heart," he said, "that you'll hand over to me.”

---

Seward (William) Park
Near North Side, Tenebrae
Time: Daytime

Dream

She could see them lurking over her car, the people responsible for her business being shut down and her home boarded up. The people that wanted her for her ability, those who thought of metas as nothing more than an object of money. In a hurried shuffle of boots, Dream moved to the back door and snuck out.

That's when she heard the cock of a large gun.

Silhouetted on the roof, blocking out the clouded sun was an eight-foot cyborg, punk vest hanging over a scarred body and metal prosthetics. A part of the forearm was unhinged, Tommy gun sticking out the side. The cyborg lined up his shot on her forehead, and Dream dove into the bushes as the area behind her exploded. When the smoke cleared, she was halfway across the street.

"After her!" was the cry behind her.

Using light to increase the length of her strides, she bounded from one alley to the next, zig-zagging her way into the neighbouring field. Perhaps, if she was lucky, she could lose them here. Tucking herself into a ball, she rolled into a group of bushes and lay still, holding her breath.

Emerging from the alley, her pursuers slowed as they strutted across the street, cars screeching on their breaks and horns blaring. Dream could see them better now, two pursuers in total, both with cybernetic enhancements. Pink, punk-style hair seemed to be popular among Hunters. The eight-foot giant on the left, and a fierce lady with a short mohawk and shock bracers on the right, eyes trained on her.

Dream gritted her teeth, cursing. Did cyborgs have heat vision? Those cheats. She burst from the bushes and ran full-tilt into the field, caught off-guard and making a fatal mistake. In the wide space, she had no cover, and with the screams of frightened picnic-goers, she was running into an empty dead-end without any eyewitnesses.

She felt a wire snag her feet, wrapping tightly as she plummeted face-first into the grass. Her pursuers stood over her, smiling as she spat out dirt.

"There's only two ways this is gonna go, kid." said the lady. "You choose the difficulty level."

"I don't bargain with criminals like you," she said hoarsely, rolling up off the ground.

"Shame. If you were a little more cooperative we would have let you say goodbye to that pretty motorcyclist."

"And lead you right to her?" Behind her back, traces of light left her fingertips, soaring in an arc across the field, slowly solidifying into something she could use.

The giant noticed, Tommy gun lowered at her, "Oi, no funny business, short stuff."

Dream raised her hands in mock surrender, "Or what, fill me with pebbles? Trust me, I do that just fine."

She tightened her hands into fists, cutting the arc short. The hard light struck their targets, the temples and pressure points of the throat, leaving gash marks from the high spin. The lady fell instantly, but the man was knocked to the side and snapped his head back at Dream, hissing.

Her feet pounded the grass. She could see the train overhead and hear the clicking of metal, and looked back as the giant cyborg stomped after her, his lady draped over his shoulder. Dream swung her hand up, a hasty light barrier catching the short burst of bullets from the man's gun. She cursed as it shattered with the second burst, knocking her back.

By the time she was on her feet again, the train was long gone. The man slowed his pace, certain he had her cornered for good, arm reloading for a third round. She cursed again, eyes shifting for another exit. Something metal tapped under her retreating feet, and she looked down.

Another way out. Tearing desperately with her fingers, she pulled aside a grate. To the cyborg's dismay, he watched her leap feet first into the city's sewer system. As much as the disgust on his face was apparent, he circled back toward the seawater channel, where he knew a larger gate for his size would be.

The hunt was on.

---

North Side Apartments^™
Near North Side, Tenebrae
Time: Daytime
@Blizz

The doctor noticed when Ellie slipped a gun into her bag, and he felt his skin prickle. No one brought a gun unless they were ready to kill or be killed. Where was she going? Was it his fault?

As she leapt from the balcony, the doctor’s eyes trailed after her guiltily. Madame watched his eyes, purring serenely. “You know nothing stops her when she makes up her mind."

The doctor was quiet, words lost as his throat clenched up.

Madame tilted her head. “There's a long history between the two of them. It wouldn't have mattered if you said something or not.”

Akihiro shook his head. “No, no you don't— I mean, this is my fault. She panicked and left and I didn't think.”

The doctor sank on the couch. “Dream's in trouble, Ellie's looking for trouble, and I…”

Madame tutted, “Doctor, you have a habit of carrying the world on your shoulders. Stop it.”

She smiled mischievously. “Listen to me. There's a drone following ole’ Rainsinger around. If you hack into it, we can find out where he is, and you'll be a hero.”

The doctor mutters behind his hands, sagging into the couch. “I'm no hero."

There was a loud explosion as Dream could be seen through the window, dodging gunfire and taking off across the street. The doctor's lips parted as if to shout something but instead turned hastily to the cat.

“W-w-we gotta help her.” The doctor said, anxiety tightening his voice.

“Trust me, she's fine," she said.

The doctor's lips twisted, his silence expressing his unease.

Madame Fauxpaw brushed him off. "Doctor, I have watched her deal with worse. She's fine.”

“Then what about Ellie?”

“She's seeking answers. We just need Rainsinger’s location.”

The doctor shook his head, standing up. “No. I, I can't. I have to stop her.”

“Can't what, doctor?" Madame Fauxpaw said flatly.

"There's no telling what will happen if Rainsinger sees her, or, or if she sees him. I'm afraid of what she'll do, and what he could easily do. 'Not our friend', is what Ellie said. A-a-and I thought, I thought I was helping. I can't sit by while she goes off with the knowledge I gave her. I shouldn't have said anything, I should have, I, I—"

He grabbed his shoes by the laces as he ran out the door, choking on his words. “I'm g-going after her.”

On the side of the building, he untied his pedal bike, almost falling over as he gripped the handles. Ellie and her motorcycle were long gone, but the doctor ignored his lack of a lead, and he pedalled as hard as he could. He knew the direction Ellie was headed when she left, some he kept his eyes open for any tell-tale light or commotion. Minutes passed. His muscles began to burn and he drew ragged breaths, desperate.

“You're going the wrong way, doctor.” Said a croaking voice above him.

Startled, Akihiro nearly drove into oncoming traffic. His eyes shot up. A small crow glided on the air a few feet over his head, taking point.

“M-madame?” He said.

Beady yellow eyes stared at him. “While you were floundering about, I found the drone and our ‘missing person’. Rainsinger has been given the message, but—“

“You, but why?” The doctor huffed as he pedalled. “He is, I mean, he’s, dangerous. Ellie could die. We could all die.”

“There are many things that can kill us, yes.” Madame Fauxpaw said, dipping her wing down to glide around a corner. “But many more things that make us stronger.”

Up ahead, Ellie could be seen. Madame Fauxpaw spun one large circle in the air, dipping down to be eye-level with Takeda. “Here's your chance to talk her out of it, doctor. If not, you'll tell her where he is.”

She brushed past him, whispering, and took off down the other street.

“Where are you going?” The doctor asked.

“Business, doctor. I'll be around.” She called back after him, disappearing as she turned down another street.

The doctor pursed his lips, watching her go, before turning his head, cupping a hand around his mouth. “Ellie! It's me. I have what you're looking for.”

TENEBRAE: The Rebellion of Shadows (Ladies Only)

A new post is up! :D

TENEBRAE: The Rebellion of Shadows (Ladies Only)

Location: Unknown, Tenebrae
Time: Late Morning
@Lady Seraphina

As Eos left, the steel double doors swung open. Chronos walked through, hefting a huge, triple-layer cake in his arms. Wheeled behind him was the IV, tube pulled by his teeth.

Myriad's eyes bugged out. "Oh my god, sir."

She took the cake from him, giggling as she set it on the table. "If you wanted to impress a lady, you know chocolates wo—"

Chronos gave her a look that could burn ice, and she backed up. "I'm uh, sure Phantasm will love it. Right, partner?"

"Isn't that a little bit much? It's not my birthday."

Myriad simply shrugged, calling the black matter to rest around the length of her arm. In her hands were two sparklers, and she sized up the cake. "Mm, I dunno. It was Mr. Chronos' idea."

Her eyes peered at the black-clad blond. "Is it too much?"

Arc pressed his hand to his forehead. "Why are you asking him when the answer is obvious?"

"I dunno, maybe this time he'll explain himself."

"You know he hasn't for a very, very long time."

Myriad put her hands out, shaking them excitedly. "Oh, but where's your sense of adventure?"

A clearing of the throat, and Myriad and Arc whipped their heads around. Chronos startled, and he self-consciously rubbed his throat.

"She's one of us," he said.

Both Arc and Myriad stood slack-jaw, and Myriad nudged Arc with her elbow, murmuring. "Forgot how nice he sounded."

Arc simply shook his head. "She's a Valkyrie, Chronos."

Chronos looked pointedly, as if Arc had simply repeated his words.

Arc pressed the bridge of his nose, eyes screwed shut. "Chronos. That agreement was disbanded with the new king."

Myriad placated Arc with a gesture. "Relax, Chronos is just fond of the old queen. I don't blame him. She was a beautiful leader until she, ahm, had to..."

A blanket of silence crept over the conversation, faces betraying a sentimental pain. Chronos slowly took the sparklers from Myriad, face set in a hard line as he pressed them into the top of the cake, zippo flashing out to light them. The sullenness washed away with the fizzling lights in the air, and Myriad's smile grew.

"You're right, Mr. Chronos. We're here to celebrate our new collaborator, not make her cry," she laughed, eyes peering jokingly at Phantasm.

A slice of homemade chocolate cake was pressed into Phantasm's hands. A few minutes passed as Myriad enthusiastically gulped down her own cake, to Arc's clear disdain.

"So, what'd he mean by the chemicals in your fancy snorkel 'activate'. What exactly does 'unsafe' mean?"

Arc's silver eyes flickered over to Phantasm as he sat with his boots up on the table, empty plate put to one side. "Chlorine gas. It's a by-product of the compound. That kind of stuff will cause acute pneumonitis, which means medical attention."

"Geez, even I wouldn't want to snorkel with that." Myriad giggled, wrinkling her nose.

"The device is safe if used properly, unlike everything else you do, Myriad."

"Still mad?"

"That's certainly a way to put it."

"Well. Cool people like me have a 'get out of jail free card'. And ya wanna know what qualifies as 'cool' nowadays? Getting phased through by hers truly." She gestured at Phantasm, swooning theatrically, "Ah, like the electrifying touch of a Tesla globe."

Chronos seemed to stifle a laugh, to which Arc grimaced at. "Come on, man. Who's side are you on?"

It was a few minutes after everyone finished their cake that Arc gave a nod to Phantasm's briefcase. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I'll, uh, give you a call when the mission is ready to start."

Myriad seemed to pout, but Arc held up his hand. "No, Myriad. I'm sure Phantasm wants to be back home, and you have a lot of work to do before tonight. Plus, you and I have to talk on this whole 'leaving without consent' thing."

Myriad's grin grew wide, "Sir, I can happily inform you that won't be changing anytime soon."

Chronos stifled another laugh. Arc rolled his eyes, gesturing to Myriad with a loose hand. "Alright, alright."

Myriad nodded. "Yes, sir." She nudged Phantasm with her elbow. "What do you think? Wanna head out?"

The black ball was already in her hand, and she shot it behind them, opening a gateway. Rays of sunlight slipped through the grey sky, painting the mirror of Cloud Gate.

—

The Institute of Meta Sciences, situated between Ivan Rueda Law Office and City Sports
West Town, Tenebrae
Time: Late Morning

Footsteps began to slow as the alarm shut off, and a sense of calm poured through the hallways. The familiar white light from the side-mounted lamps banished the remaining chaos, and the scientists, smiles on their faces, began to resume their work. And no one, for better or worse, noticed the disk laying in the middle of the hallway, sending off a clear signal.

---

Love Street
Lincoln Park, Tenebrae
Time: Late Morning
@Blizz, @Lady Seraphina

”So- hear n’ything interesting around town lately?”

"They're calling the explosions on Halsted Street at the James & Sons jewellery store a meta-terrorist attack. The Humanists are having a heyday with the press, and a lot of metas are scared of the backlash." She shrugged. "I mean, more scared than usual."

She set a fresh drink down in front of him. She didn't hold back with this one; Her specialty was making drinks that pleasantly had patrons rolling in their booths halfway through the night.

She brushed the hair out of her eyes, lips pursed in thought underneath her black silk veil. "Mm... if scandalous thievery is more your thing, there are rumours that a golden-finger meta is loose on the town. Just swallowed up the to-be-unveiled crown at the old museum last night."

"And more locally, there was quite the stir here the other night. Word is, it was some sour deal with a spy and a Valkyr—" Her voice trailed off, eyes flicking up.

A hush settled over the bar as a lady in black leather sat by her patron, speaking to him on familiar terms. The bartender read the atmosphere well enough that she began preparing another drink, and she placed a Vesper Martini near the newcomer.

"On the house, ma'am," she said dutifully, dropping her gaze to a glass in her hand. She idly polished it; The bartender's way to look busy.

---

Jade Arts Emporium
Oak Street, Near North Side, Tenebrae
Time: Daytime
@Shu

”Hang on to the diadem for now. I’ll… think it over. But expect a ‘no’ just a heads up. And keep me updated on that dragon statue.”

"I'll refrain from wearing it, but I can't say the same for the Madame," he teased.

Scarlet Shadow prepared to leave. “Thanks for the time and treats, Shen.”

"I'd be honoured to walk you out, Miss Shadow," Shen said. He opened the back door, the dazzling displays of the showroom greeting them. When they reached the shop's entrance, he unbolted the latch and stuck his head out, scanning the streets.

"Madame's still not back," he said, giving Scarlet Shadow a torn look. "I know you were looking forward to seeing her, but even with all her shifting tricks, she still can't be in two places at once. I'm sure she'll rendevous with you another time, she does love to share her secrets."

Shen reached into the sleeve of his hanfu, procuring a wadded-up envelope, bound shut with a rubber band.

"This is for you, my dear." He pressed it into her hands, brows furrowing. "I just, I wish I could do more... You must let me know if you need anything. I find myself worrying more these days, especially..."

He lightly coughed, brushing his face with the hem of his sleeve. "Well, mm, consider it a deposit on the jade dragon. We can finalize the remaining amount another day, but ah"—concern flashed across his face—"I know business is slow, and I wouldn't sleep well knowing my best client hasn't seen a dime for months of hard work."

He pressed the door open for her, ushering her into the plaza. "Now off with you. Wouldn't want to keep you from your big debut," he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Shen watched Scarlet Shadow slip into the streets unseen, his easy smile slowly fading. The door to the Jade Arts Emporium shut, sign flipping over to the 'closed' as Shen ambled further into the back. The web surrounding this city, he could feel it tightening. An exponential rise in his personal connections disappearing, unexpected faces, and from what Madame Fauxpaw procured that morning, their plan was taking a turn. And that meant one thing only: hard times for everyone else.

A storm. Clouds thick as pitch, were descending over this city.

—

Shortly after, Scarlet Shadow heard a call coming from her other phone.

"Good evening, Scarlet Shadow." The same voice as last time. Silver-toned, pleasant.

"Shall I send a car for you, or would you like to meet us at the warehouse on the waterfront?"

Little did she know that, waiting up ahead in the shadow of the alley, was a Triad with his own mission. To the uncultured eye, he was just a punk wearing gold. But the tattoos peeking out under his collar told a different story.

He pushed off the wall, eyes sizing her up, a white hankerchief in hand. Despite the years, he half expected her to charge him right now like she did the day his boss, Mr. Jiang, met his end. But there would be time for all that.

"Long time, Kara."

---

North Side Apartments^™
Near North Side, Tenebrae
Time: Daytime
@Blizz

Dream

”Yeah? What’re you guys-“

As Dream's 'hello' sat on the tip of her tongue, a familiar tapping at the glass caught her attention. The cat had impeccable timing, but this was exceptional. Twice in one day. It couldn't bode well, especially with what Madame Fauxpaw had to say last time.

”Faux?” Ellie said, letting the cat in as Dream slid the lock over on Ellie's door.

"My precious, so good to see you," the cat said graciously to Ellie, pawing into the apartment.

"Madame Fauxpaw?" Dream said, stepping into the living room and folding her arms at the small intruder.

"Darling, it's certainly been a long time, hasn't it?" Madame Fauxpaw said, to which Dream merely narrowed her eyes.

"Who?" the doctor said.

The cat perched elegantly on the coffee table, licking a paw absent-mindedly. "Who indeed, doctor. You should really do your homework."

"I-I beg your pardon?"

Her yellow eyes gleamed mischievously. "The infamous little doctor who ran away from his lover and his benefactor, all on a misplaced sentiment that you could save the world. Oh yes, I know all about you." Her warbled voice was smooth, watching the confusion play across his face.

"I—uh, t-then you know why we're here," the doctor stammered.

She hummed, eyes glancing at the silver case propped against Ellie's wall. "Perhaps. I hope you plan on getting your eyes on that lab sooner rather than later. They make their move tonight, judging from the extensive sabotage."

"Sabotage?" Dream raised an eyebrow.

"Darling, you have your own problems to worry about," the cat said. "If you're lucky, you'll shake them before the mission starts."

Dream stared flatly. "You're kidding me."

"I'm a prankster but I'm no liar. I know, deep down in that heart of yours, you're thanking me." She purred innocently.

Dream paused, a hand passing over her masked face as she grumbled incoherently. She squared her shoulders, eyes glancing at Ellie, "If I'm not at the pier for our coffee date, start the mission without me. You'll be fine with the doc watching your back."

The doctor watched as Dream zipped up her boots at the front door and unbolted the latch. "What's going on? W-w-we—"

"Don't worry, doc. The scuba gear's in the back of the caddy, in case you need it." Dream said, stepping out the door. "Just business I gotta take care of."

—

Takeda

As the door shut, the doctor spun on Madame Fauxpaw, exasperated. "w-what's going on?"

She tutted. "Maybe ask her yourself. Speaking of which, have you told Ellie about our unexpected guest?"

"You mean the hydrokinetic?" The doctor said. "Well, yes, uh, of course."

Madame Fauxpaw grimaced, her tail swishing. "Doctor," she said slowly, "Did you consider her history before opening your yap?"

The doctor spluttered. "W-what do you mean...?" His eyes shifted to Ellie, mouth pursed. Their phone conversation did go off in a direction he didn't expect.

Madame Fauxpaw raised a feline brow, "Your expression is a tell-all. The man you want to use is known as one of the most dangerous metas alive. If he didn't fake his death, he would have wound up on the military's wanted list."

"Not only that but..." Her large eyes looked up at Ellie. "I don't think him being here is good. I saw him on the port, speaking with the terrible sort in Tenebrae. The same sort the doctor is fighting. I fear what may happen if he finds you."

"So, what do we do?" the doctor asked.

Her canines glinted in a knowing smile, eyes flicking from the doctor to Ellie.

"Walk through the lab's secret door, of course. It's on the sewer maps from over twenty years ago. I'm sure you'll have little difficulty getting there."

TENEBRAE: The Rebellion of Shadows (Ladies Only)

A new post is up! Thanks for waiting, I'm super thrilled. :)