Estylwen

The Dark Beyond

@WhiteAngel25 Fire post! I would love to make Voidlight official. Would you be willing to write up a quick CS for them and add it to the CS tab?

The Dark Beyond

@Lexisheeps

That all sounds good! The doctor is a much more interesting character with this kind of backstory.

And that sounds good! I'm looking forward to seeing them in action.

@WhiteAngel25

I'm very happy to hear that! We're super thrilled you're here. :)

The Dark Beyond

@Lexisheeps More than okay, a well-thought out twist always enriches the story. What did you have in mind?

Thank you! :)

The Dark Beyond

New post is up! I've also added our new secret society to the first OOC post. :)

The Dark Beyond

HiveMind, Underwater Research Facility

@Lexisheeps, @WhiteAngel25

---

"Stella!"

"No! We can't leave him behind!" Subject #3 cried out, struggling as Stella dragged her out of the simulation room.

The door had been knocked clear off its hinges with a single kick, the bullets creating their escape. However, before Nick could follow, drones snuck into his blind spot, stabbing him with the end of a stun prong. His body convulsed as he fell, stunned on the floor.

The orb seemed not to want to leave Nick's side, and its hesitation caused the drones to hit it point-blank with an electromagnetic shockwave, de-materializing it in one fell swoop.

Footsteps. Security personnel were storming the hallway, prepared to subdue them all. Stella gave Subject #3 one final, forceful tug.

"No!"

Subject #3 watched helplessly as she was dragged from the room, Stella securing their escape and disappearing from the premises.

There was the sound of barked orders as security personnel dispersed, trying to cut Stella and Subject #3 off, but to no avail. They had only managed to bag one, and Nick was quickly detained and dragged deeper into the recesses of the underwater research facility.

The cause of the tremors remained unknown, and slowly faded as subjugation fell over the research center once more.

---

The Louvre Museum

@Lexisheeps

---

As fate would have it, a call rang through on Thierry's personal line. A video call. If he decided to pick it up, he would see the sillouette of a man sitting at his desk, leaned to the side with his head rested on his hand casually, entirely aloof. A single strip of white cut through his slicked-back black hair, his silver spectacles and chain resting on his nose.

Thierry would recognize him immediately. The lead researcher of HiveMind. Von Galloes.

"Morning, Monsieur Thierry. Comment ça va? I trust you're sleeping well these days."

He paused, grey eyes gleaming as he sneered. "No? No, I supposed not."

He leans forward, hands steepling as his cold eyes bore into the leader of The Louvre. "You have no cards, Thierry. No bargaining ground, an no way to save your precious love. Oh, trust me, he's in good hands. But I wonder... What will you give up to keep your little pet safe, hm?"

He gives a wave of his hand. "I'm a simple man, Monsieur Thierry. I want simple things. Just information. Surely, if you want him returned home in one peace, you can do that for me."

His tone dropped to an icy note. "And if you hold back, I will know it."

He flicks at something off-screen, likely a hologram of sorts. "I will send you the details of our 'business meeting'. Hopefully we can come to a... fortuitous agreement."

His smile was cold. "G'day, Monsieur Thierry. And... don't be late."

After the line cut off, Thierry received a text.

Davinci Meeting Rooms
380 Lexington Ave, New York, 10168
Time: 7:00PM
Additional Notes: Approach the front desk and ask to see Director Galloes.

It was dated for later that day. HiveMind was purposefully giving Thierry only a handful of hours to prepare and take a charter to New York. What their aim was, it was unsure. To keep him on his toes, stress on his mind and body, pressure him? Whatever it was, Thierry was now faced with a choice. Attend the meeting with the information related to the dark energy HiveMind sought, or find another way to bring Nick home.

---

Hivemind Underwater Research Facility, Contained Lab

@Lexisheeps

There was the sound of beeping on the outer console, then a hiss as a security door out of sight was unlocked. Footsteps entered the room, and a silhouette entered Nick's vision. The moment the man opened his mouth, Nick would recognize his voice.

Von Galloes, the head researcher.

"Well, well, how's our sleeping beauty?" He remarked snidely, a cruel smirk on his face. He reached out, putting a hand on Nick's forehead, head tilting.

He turned to the doctor. "He's running a bit hot, doctor. Please be careful with my patient. He's more valuable than you could imagine."

He looked back over Nick, staring at him for a long moment before speaking. "I spoke with your spouse today. Told him not to worry. You're in good hands. The best hands, in fact." There's a cold edge in his voice.

He addressed the doctor again. "Push him a little, doctor. Search him for anything that could be of use to us. Use the serum if you have to. Then, burn away what we don't need. I want him to be perfect."

---

HiveMind Underwater Research Facility, Abandoned Maintenance Rails

@WhiteAngel25

---

After their dastardly escape, the hours quickly slipped into weeks and months. There was no easy way out of the underwater research facility. Stella and Subject #3 made a strong team, but against a wired facility that could hit the panic button and rain hell at a moment's notice, even being seen was risky.

Instead, they followed the duct system deeper into the hidden depths of this old facility, finding a cut-off section that hadn't been inhabited for years, dust covering the floor. The best way to describe it was maintenance rails that seemed to connect the outer side of the facility together. They could reach almost any part of the facility following the rail walks, and enter the duct system. This even allowed them to locate where Nick was being held, as well as the orb.

It was that day, however, as they tried to formulate a plan to save Nick and get out alive, Stella and Subject #3 overheard a certain conversation. From the ducts, they eyed through the grill to the hallway below, where two researchers stood, unaware.

"Status report."

"Nothing, just the same as the past several months. I'd say we've even taken a step back. Memory Core #0217 has become even less responsive."

"Has Director Galloes considered letting Subject #4 visit the core?"

"Too risky. Not until the doctor has finished the inauguration process."

"What about uniting the core and DCC #07?"

"We have done that in the past, it resulted in those shockwaves that almost breached the hull. Regardless, it's too risky, even if it produces a unique result. Nothing seems to break the core, and nothing seems to open the heart."

"We have to keep trying. Director Von Galloes says it's of the utmost importance."

"Of course. Not every day you come across condensed dark energy as strong as a heart."

And their conversation faded off, the scientists walking out of earshot.

Subject #3 stared for a long moment, before looking at Stella. "The heart. I know what it is. What it isn't."

She spoke carefully, tapping her white collar. Saying too much about classified information, especially regarding this, could get her killed, not just electrocuted.

The Dark Beyond

That post was beautiful. The detail!

The Dark Beyond

Hmmm... societies could be a fun concept to play with. I'll update the first post tomorrow with something, and we can take it from there. Something that ties in archeology, dark energy, and secrets....

Thanks for the edit!

The Dark Beyond

@Lexisheeps Epic post. Looks like a rescue mission is in order. As well as a special phone call.

I do have a small question, though. Is there any chance we can change the Illuminati name drop to another corpo/organization?

Iris Ascendis

Been daydreaming about this fight for about a month now. I'm excited.

Iris Ascendis

"600 lives-
-at stake.
-I'll break."

Ciara Ventura

Wingram Academy, Girls' Dorm
@Nanaya @Psyker Landshark @Sifr

---

"I don't think you're doing yourself a favour."

A creeping shadow. Whispering dark mist, thickening the air. The powerlust was palpable.

"You don't get it."

This wasn't about keeping her secrets, her monsters, under lock and key anymore.

This was something more.

She wouldn't be questioned anymore. She was Ciara of Vaal Kastrix, shunned but unquestioned. She had to push back hard in the dark streets of her home city, etching out her future. She would do the same here. It was all a familiar pattern, one she knew well. She just had to push a little...

"You come all this way to Wingram, make it through the trials with us, only to throw it away at the last moment?"

The light, exhausted and affected by rebound, stood in her way. Iraleth's gaze could stop the heart. Ciara scoffed, feeling something akin to her temper flare.

"You. Don't. Understand."

"Head Advisor, as the challenged party in this duel, you do have the right to name a champion. Allow me to stand in your place."

Ciara's jaw dropped a little. Surprise. She wasn't expecting Iraleth, her sister in battle, so willing to take arms against her so quickly, so... thoughtlessly. Did Ciara's sacrifices in their battle against Gulliver mean nothing?

"No. Don't you dare."

She wanted to raise her hand, to force Iraleth to take back her words.

Snap.

Ciara visibly flinched, startled. Immediately, her eyes darted to the source of the noise.

Ice.

Her chair toppled on its back, one of its legs snapped clean in half. There was a chill in the air that choked the agitated dark wisps, and brought Ciara back into her senses. The stretching shadow collapsed. She stared, stunned, as the Undermage spoke. Swallowed painfully when she mentioned getting the spanking of a lifetime. What would a mother's punishment even feel like?

Pity. The look in the face of the Undermage was akin to a form of pity. Furious pity. Ciara's own eyes betrayed flickers of regret, before they hardened, tightening into a narrow stare.

"These terms are acceptable. Upon my defeat, I'll confess everything. But... with the stakes that high..."

She glanced at Iraleth before turning from the room, hand on the handle of the door. "I don't plan on losing."

She opened the door, snatching a glance at Hildegunde, "Don't leave until you get a key."

And with that, she exited the office, the door softly shutting behind her. She had a war to prepare for.

---

Wingram Academy, Girls' Dorm Rooftops and Grounds
@Nanaya

---

The soft sound of rustling came from the open door of room 07. Rushed, as luggage was opened and the sound of purposeful footsteps began moving to and fro. Potted plants were uncased and placed along the windowsill. Plant pods were cut and shoved into pockets. Glass orbs were procured from deep within the luggage case. A change of clothes, essentials, and her blanket and pillow were snatched up in her waiting arms as she closed the luggage case with a huff and strode out of the shared dorm.

In the open doorway, she took a moment's pause, looking at the two other beds.

Mixed feelings crossed her face before she shut the door, locked it, and strode to the entrance of the dormitories. Outside, the sunlight shone bright. She eyed the large, ominous-looking tower first before glancing at the roof of the girl's dormitory. In an instant, she was off the ground and walking across the roof's edge in a rush of shadow. She put her items on the wall by the door access to the roof, and took a moment to catch her breath.

She felt winded. She really did push herself too far today. She sat against the wall in the shade. Put her head in her hands. Her mind buzzing.

"We'll show them-"

"Start preparing for war-"

"No one can beat us-"

"Our secrets are ours alone-"

"I'm going to hurt her..."

The last thought made all the other thoughts come to a standstill, and it was eerily quiet. It was true. Iraleth got involved when Ciara only wanted to protect herself from the Undermage's prying eyes. Ciara's lips pursed, considering how the situation unraveled so quickly. Taking a step back, she had to remember Iraleth was the one who brought up her concern, her suspicion in the first place.

How long had she held these suspicions? Before, or after the fight in the auditorium?

"She can feel our Hunger for her. How we yearn for her."

Ciara scoffed. "Doubtful."

Another voice spoke. Cold like the dead. Whispering in her ear.

"We were going to hurt the light anyway. This is just.... fate forcing your hand."

"What do you- I won't."

"No." The Voice was firm, forceful like a slap. "When you strike her down, you will make it so she never rises up again. We will finally have our light. And you will be unquestioned, and rightfully feared."

Ciara's blood ran cold, eyes staring blindly into the distance. The very thought sickened her.

The Hunger in her stomach was so strong it hurt, burning at her insides at just the thought of finally getting satisfied.

She couldn't... could she?

Ciara shook her head, trying to dispel the consuming darkness. Instead, she stood, eyeing the grounds.

With purpose, she disappeared from the rooftops, appearing again on the grounds of Wingram. She would be gathering a few common things, like specific shapes of rocks, and fallen branches. The day she would likely spend alone along the rooftops, giving herself as many advantages as possible for the upcoming showdown.

War waited for no one.