middaeg | Player Plot: The Salvation of Geardagas, Part II

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Player Plot: The Salvation of Geardagas, Part II

Event Log: February, The Salvation of Geardagas: Part II

CW: This plot has a general content warning for kidnapping, torture, experimentation, violence, drug use (incl. aphro), infection/disease and potential death. This is entirely opt-in.

Spirited Away, Part 2

i. Hypothesis

ii. Alternative Theory

Some characters, however, escape this particular cruelty in favour of something else just as dehumanising. If a member of the inner circle has taken a liking to someone, they'll take them out of the pool of tests subjects and move them into their households. Servitude is ensured by a strong enchantment that scrambles memories and replaces them with the false knowledge that they've been working there all along. These brainwashed servants might also be forced to participate in the torture and testing of the others.

Initiation

Eager

i. Cavorting and Cruelty

"Tonight, let us enjoy the fruits of our labour! Witness the progress we've made and share our blessings among yourselves! Fear will only blind you to taking the next step. Indulge, open your minds and take the first step towards your salvation!"

ii. Midnight Show

"There's one more thing. I know all of you are loyal, true believers- but everyone must be tested,"

"and we have to protect ourselves. There are those who don't understand us and seek to undo our work. Therefore, we need to tie up loose ends."

"Rest assured, their deaths with not be in vain: we have learned much and they will make for the perfect offering to the beings who gave us the Cwyld's blessing!"

now

[ ooc: More information about the event can be found on the plotting post along with comments for questions, and an IC vote concerning Alder's fate! ]

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[Since L started practicing blood magic, and summarily over-tapping his stores, he's grown used to a baseline level of anemia. He's adjusted; he makes a habit of not standing up too quickly, for one, and he's learned to recognize when he's only taken a little too much before he exceeds that dangerous point. This is perhaps a bit beyond that, closer to when Niles accidentally wounded him months prior. He'd lost a shocking amount of blood then, too, leaving him feeble and shivering.

He glances at Light's offered jacket; chivalrous, really. He won't reach out and take it, but he'll turn ever so slightly, to make it easier for a jacket to find itself draped over his thin shoulders.]

I can...

[For now. Not indefinitely. Blood magic is powerful, but it comes at the expense of a body's limited stores. Dumping out all the coffers would provide a lot of power, but it means nothing if the engine has died. L realizes this, understands that beyond a certain overtaxed limit, he's endangering Light as well as himself. Light would be in a position to try to haul his unconscious body away, or leave it; neither of those options are ideal.

He hates that he has to, but he understands. They have time, as long as he can keep the shade held back; they are, therefore, running out of time.

His hand starts to lower. The ice at the edges starts to crack under the stress of the creature's blows; L nods.]

[ While they've managed to become locked in equilibrium, it's the sum of their parts that are similar, not the parts themselves. L has advantages that Light may lack and the reverse is true as well. One of his greatest strengths is his social ability, but it also creates a weakness: an image is a fragile, easily-shattered piece of glass. Whereas L can be himself, Light's chained to certain ideals. Blood magic isn't possible for him, not when he's unwilling to risk his own health and not with the stigma connected to tapping into someone else's blood. In that, L will probably always be more powerful.

Evocation, however, is now well within his wheelhouse.

Turning away from L after draping the coat across his shoulders, Light sends his own blast of ice at the Shade, trying to fill in the cracks appearing on the current restraints. It's weaker without the supplement but strong in its own right. At the very least, it will buy them a little time. ]

If only blood magic let you reclaim the blood.

[ That would be forever helpful right then. ]

How do you feel?

[L watches from his sunken stance as Light channels one of his own signature elements. It's not surprising, really; when witches Bond, they change each other, may take on pieces of each others' magic. Lightning became a natural affinity for L only after spending time Bonded to the SQUIP, but there's still something poignant about watching Light wield something so close to his own magic. The sum of their parts, and their equilibrium, remains undeniable, and the same is true for the reinforced structure that continues to hold its own, for now, agains the battering efforts of the furious shade.

He laughs weakly at Light's observation. It's not the same as attempting to reclaim sleep from coffee; it's a price paid for power, with no refunds. With regular practice, the result is heavy debt, a body constantly living on a jagged, dizzy edge. L had ceased in preparation for this night, done his best to fortify his stores and resilience, but even that has its limits.]

I can walk.

[Spoken as though he's 99% certain, with 1% of doubt blanching his confidence slightly. He won't really know until he stands up, what that head rush will be like or how much it will hinder him, and there's still the issue of getting through the crowd.]

I could try to teleport us, but...

[The percentage of doubt is far higher. To teleport successfully takes a lot out of L even when he's at his best. To teleport two people is a demanding spell; to do it now should be considered a last resort, with the understanding that there is no way he will walk away from the spot they land by himself.]

[ The plan was simple. Once L could walk, they would take cues from so many others and escape. However, while fortifying L's ice wall, Light noticed something that shifts the gears in his mind. It didn't seem best to mention it before L could walk, but now that he's recovered enough to move, it has to be mentioned. ]

We can't leave yet anyway.

[ That isn't the sentence Light imagined saying just two minutes earlier. ]

I just saw some of the followers running downstairs.

[ Light spent his time learning the layout well enough to know that should escape be their plan, it'd make no sense for them to flee to the basement. A hidden passage isn't impossible but if there is, that needs to be found, too.

As if to emphasize his point, a loud bang runs throughout the room as another set of followers seem to be attacking one of the large pillars around a nearby doorway.

The shield shimmers again, reinforced, as Light prepares for falling debris. Thankfully, nothing comes. Not yet. ]

[L slips his arms through the sleeves of Light's jacket, rising to his feet. He's not feeling his best, faint and dizzy and edging toward a bit ill from the blood loss, but it's not as though he's on the verge of passing out, or shock. Light got to him in time; Light's healing suffices. It will, at least, for a man accustomed to placing mind over matter and capable of incredible feats of endurance, considering his wan and spindly body.]

Downstairs?

[Irregular, to say the least. He shakes his head briskly, hoping it'll focus and clarify vision that is overbright at the edges, starting forward toward the edge of Light's barrier.]

Then that's where we need to follow, before we can't.

[ It's easier to match L's pace if he stays slightly behind, the shield still surrounding them even as they begin to move. It's not infallible; with enough hits, it too will fall, but it's much better than nothing.

Another blow rattles the pillar. Soon, that entrance won't be an option. Thankfully, as witches, they can teleport. Light can't do it quite as well as L, but he can take them both from one side of the wall to the other so there isn't a lot of worry about being trapped inside.

Light's first thought is that they were trying to bring the structure down, but the location of the pillar under attract suggests that isn't the case or that they weren't very good at mass murder. ]

They're trying to block exits. We might have to teleport from the basement.

[Unsteady and uncertain as L's gait is, it would probably be easy to leave him behind unexpectedly; remaining slightly behind him is the best call for not losing him. He still moves as quickly as he's able under the shell of Light's shield, nevertheless flinching at the rumbling blow the pillar has taken that threatens the shield's finite strength.

He nods, pale but resolute.]

I have a focus outside... but I'm telling you, if I use it, you'll be carrying me home.

I can manage enough distance to get us out of the basement, even if it's both of us.

[ Not much further. Teleportation hasn't escaped Light's studies, but while he's a genius studying at an almost manic level, there are limitations even for him. In this, L's much stronger, but out and slightly up is within his ability. ]

Trust me. I know that goes against how you normally feel about me, but I put my trust in here when I came here. I placed my education in your hands, I still live in your cottage. I'll get us both out of here alive, and we're going to do everything we can to stop what they're doing in the basement.

If you're certain...

[Teleportation, in L's experience, doesn't go violently badly so often as it just doesn't work without the ballast needed.

He knows what it takes; he knows that Light probably has it at his disposal, but trust is another matter entirely. He glances over his shoulder, giving Light Yagami, Kira, a look spanning several beats that feel so much longer.

Friend... murderer. Bonded. He swallows. Minutes ago, had Light not stopped his bleeding and closed his wounds?

Trust me.]

I do.

[He nods, gathering his strength for a dash or a fight, depending on what's needed.]

In case the pillar collapses, can you keep us shielded up until we're through the door?

[Invisible would be better, but that is an illusion L hasn't the time or resources to set up for.]

[ Trust isn't something freely given, and they've established a long list of reasons why it's better not to remain cautious around one another. While Light was the one who ultimately came out the victor, L was as dangerous to him as he was to L. No, here in this world, L is more dangerous. He's more established, his magic is stronger, and Light doesn't have the Death Note. The latter doesn't worry him as much; after all, the Note was the tool but not his greatest strength. Light's quickly managing to close the gap in other areas, but he did actually put in a decent amount of trust in a man he knows to be dangerous in his own right.

Things have shifted, but not to the degree that their past is forgotten. It will never be forgotten. It's shaped them and brought them together in an adversarial but magnetic bond long before they knew a physical bond was possible.

In spite of that, things have changed. Light doesn't have the Death Note. While he can never be the person he was before it came into his life, murder isn't a priority for him. L has managed to goad him into stepping outside of his morals, immaturity winning over justice, but for the most part, his murders were fueled by his own sense of right and wrong or the need to defend himself after committing said murders.

Or, admittedly, the rare case in which the competition was strong enough for him to feel satisfaction in winning. As much as he plays pretend, Light Yagami isn't perfect. ]

It'll hold under a pillar, but it'll be weaken.

[ Two pillars will be too much, but that's unlikely.

The path to the basement is thankfully still illuminated, but stairs seem like they'll be a unique challenge for L. Hopefully, he'll understand why Light places a hand on the bony shoulder while they descend the obstacle course normally known as basement steps. If L's to fall, it's easier to keep him from tumbling down. ]

[Even now, L isn't certain when he speaks of where the truth ends and the lies begin. For them to be Bonded at all, there has to be some baseline measure of truth... but at the same time, it isn't exactly possible to set aside entirely who they were and the state of the world that they left behind. It's also not possible to set aside the undeniable chemistry they share, the elements that made their Bond practically effortless and somehow still endlessly rewarding from the beginning.]

Holding is all we'll need, so long as we keep moving.

[And he's determined to. They must; physical ability almost feels like a non-factor; there is simply need, and must, and everything else melts away until that's square.

That same bleak yet pragmatic philosophy motivates L's willingness to allow Light to stabilize him as they descend, into an environment of more crowded chaos. They're also, unfortunately, more likely to be intercepted and attacked down here, once it becomes clear that they don't share the objectives of the cultists.]

[ Both of them take pride in logic and yet both of them have met resistance with a 'if it's me, I can do it' attitude. Light isn't going to push his limits to absurdity, but he also isn't someone who will back down from something that seems more challenging than impossible. Like L, Light sees the need and decides he just simply needs to rise to the occasion.

Chaos; as above, so below. The Shade remains trapped upstairs, but the mayhem in the basement is no less dangerous. Men and women seem to be determined to destroy anything remaining in the large room.

Though it causes a temporary waver in the shield, Light immediately throws ice walls around some of the larger piles. Thankfully, it doesn't seem like they're the only people seeking to save the materials. ]

Whatever they want to destroy, we have to save.

[ Unfortunately, the defense draws eyes to them. If they're obstacles, it only stands to reason that they'll need to be removed. ]

[Glass shatters. Something is on fire; a woman screams. L's eyes dart through the roiling crowd, trying to take stock of what is the greatest threat, what seems likely to mount quickly enough to be an immediate and pressing concern.

When the barrier goes up, he braces against it, nodding his agreement and reaching for his delicate scalpel-like blade out of habit. He doesn't really have the blood to spare, but enough to power a few runes to help them locate the most important and incriminating pieces of evidence possible will certainly be useful. They only have so much time; they can only carry so much. Making it count is of utmost importance.

He exhales against the plate of ice, the crystalline surface fogging. He traces runes with a fingertip, carefully chosen and precise, keeping his blade at the ready in his left hand.]

[ Everything Light knows about blood sacrifice is through his time spent with L. While much of their time is spent interacting with each other, much of their time is existing in the same space while they work on different projects. Light's never taken to given his blood to supplement magic, but it's one of L's strongest abilities.

Only, L has no blood to spare. He barely has enough blood to remain alive. In spite of that, Light recognizes the move for the dagger.

In a time not far from now, Light's plan comes to fruition and L dies in his arms. It's a catalyst that later brings him to meet Near and Mello, which brings about his father's death, Sayu's kidnapping, and the end of Mello. At the climax, Kira finally falls. In between those large acts, Light misses L more than he can realize now. 'Friend' is never truly been a word that could describe them because L would end Light as quickly as Light ends L.

However, even ignoring the way the relationship would shift thanks to their new roles, Light's always respected his brilliance. In many ways, it's a mirror. To insult the great detective would be an insult to Kira, as well. L thinks blood is his best bet, it's likely something important. ]

How much blood do you need?

[L's glance over his shoulder is swift and slightly unfocused. He swallows; it always feels strange to accept this from others, but in a situation like this one he can't exactly deny the necessity of it. He feels faint; he can scarcely see without darkness erasing the edges of his vision.]

...about a tablespoon, if that.

[Not much. A witch's vein opened and then closed. He presses a hand next the runes in the ice, indicating where he needs it applied.]

[ That isn't much blood, but he has hope that it comes with a lot of power. If that really is all that's needed, the trade is easy.

Grabbing the dagger from L, Light slices at his arm, careful to avoid any dangerous locations. It's deep enough for the blood to surface quickly, and it soon falls on the requested location. ]

Make it count. We can't afford to lose much.

[ L's weak, and while Light is still in top form, there are a lot of enemies. Frustratingly, of the two, L is still the more powerful attacker. ]

[Witches' blood, as a rule, is potent. It's possible to get a lot out of even a few drops, if one knows how to use it efficiently and well, and with the current need driving them, L is more than capable. He presses a palm against the blood, smearing it over his runes like a child at a window after a rainstorm.

It looks, at first, like he's smearing them out, but the runes remain, lit in violet, and L's eyes widen as though he is receiving new information from the crack of the ice, the strange rustling whispers coming from the runes.

He turns away, immediately pushing aside some of the stuff in the pile that must be, at least relatively speaking, junk. He's breathless quickly, but he knows exactly what he's looking for, and that helps.

When he straightens, it's to hand Light a plain file, a brilliant red notebook, and an ornate brooch with a family crest on it.]

These... of everything here, these would be the worst to lose.

[ The build shakes as a pillar falls from upstairs, causing a loud shockwave to threaten the stability of the bottom floor; if the top crashes, down is the only direction for it to fall. The strength is enough that Light stumbles, but he catches his balance directly after. ]

It's too dangerous to stay any longer.

[ There's fighting all around them, and the sounds from upstairs don't gain Light's confidence. They have some evidence, but it won't do anyone of any use if they're buried along with it. ]

I don't know how much longer this place is going to stay standing. Linden, we have to leave.

[ Teleportation. It really seems like the only solution for now. If L were in better health, he'd be the one most likely to teleport them as his skill level is higher, but the situation is what it is. ]

Are you ready?

[ That said, if L fights him, it's a lot more dangerous. His own current ability doesn't allow too much room for error. ]

[The moment of calm and clarity that allowed L to divine the importance and location of the items he'd plucked from the pile has dissipated. Now, the noise and chaos around them seems to hit him twice as hard; he is not only not in his element, but one that is opposite, toxic and taxing, even if the very real danger was a non-issue.

The second this shield fails, they could be crushed or trampled or slashed through by something infected and angry. Pale, expression tense, L nods.]

Get us out of here.

[Putting his trust in Light Yagami isn't easy... but perhaps, at least, it gets a bit easier every time his hand is forced and he must.]

[ There's something more Light doesn't say because he's sure they'll be leaving and thus it won't be important: he can feel his own power tiring. Between the extensive healing, which alone could be draining, maintaining a shield, and shooting out a few attacks of his own, his limits may not be close but they were definitely closer than before.

If he wanted, it would be possible for him to teleport only himself from the building and leave L behind, claiming his magic was too weak to pull them both out. However, that would be disadvantageous in many ways. L's trust is worth more than a petty kill that resulted in friction with Light's stronger ally.

Placing a hand on L's shoulder, brown eyes close before he begins to work the teleportation magic. Thankfully, their trip isn't far; one moment they're in the mansion and the next, they're outside of the walls, evidence in hand.

Exhaling, which betrays a bit of fatigue, Light steps out. ]

Come on. Let's get home before they come looking for us.

[Through the Bond, L can feel Light's own stores depleting. His own utter exhaustion bleeding over can't possibly help matters, and his doubt is distressing and deafening. Light could leave him behind; it would be the logical decision to make, the one that he could even defend reasonably and even apologetically later.

It was too much. I'm so sorry; I had no choice.

Alone, and exhausted as he is, the notion of L fighting his way out is laughable. His survival would rely on someone else finding and aiding him before he was slain or trampled. It's half belief in Light's abilities, and half sheer desperation, that reaches back through L's thin hand, establishing contact, nodding to indicate readiness.

And then... they're out. The grass is a reassuring combination of solid and giving as it's very suddenly beneath them, and out in the relative calm and quiet, it's possible to really appreciate the coursing adrenaline that's doing nothing for him now except making him shake.

Maybe it's just relief, that Light forfeited his chance to leave without strategy or recourse. It eclipses the understanding, for now, that Light made the logical call even if it was the more difficult one in the moment. L would have been resurrected; L would have come back pissed. Gentle gratitude is far preferable, from someone who gleefully weaponizes being pissed as if he was born to do it.]

Carriage? Or a stop on the way?

[He recognizes that they might well tire before they can collapse over the safety of their own threshold.]

[ The decision to help L didn't come without debate. Light had to take stock of his own abilities, and weigh the costs of helping. After all, it isn't as if Light has no reason to be angry at L from their time spent in Japan. His father's ploy, directed by L, to convince the two Kira's to confess had been among the most terrifying of his life. If he wasn't so convinced of his upcoming victory, the bitterness would likely be stronger for that day.

Behind him, the house is still in chaos. Fewer people are escaping now; most who planned to run already have. ]

Carriage.

[ He's tired. Maybe more so than he realized now that they're out of danger. It was a lot of power involved in both the healing and the shield. The teleportation pushed it closer to an edge.

Light releases an exhale to center himself. ]

We have important evidence, and neither of us is up for running.

[Doggedly, L nods, taking a few leaden steps toward the the road.]

Next one's ours.

[Fortunately, they beat the rush. It won't be much longer before panicked people are pouring out of the estate in droves, clamoring for a ride home at the fastest clip possible. L flags down the next carriage, and though the driver gives them on odd look based on the state of their clothes, they're able to board swiftly and safely with the evidence in tow.]

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Player Plot: The Salvation of Geardagas, Part II

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