Once war starts, it's impossible to stop it. They keep going until one side surrenders... or is wiped out entirely.
[ coming from a man who used to be a soldier, he said as much from day one on the walkies. it's the grimdark truth of it all. however, once Sora moves, Naib follows almost automatically. despite the panic attack- despite it all, there's still a sense of protection there.
his own hand grips onto the Gurkha blade he always keeps on him. never really to go without it, but at sight of those mechanical beings? something tells him a simple blade isn't going to be enough to face off against those. ]
... [ he doesn't say it, but it's clear by the expression he's making. he doesn't think they can do anything here. ]
[what does it matter, if it means he can do something-- the squirrel seems to steady a little, while with him, at least a little bit. at least for the moment. sora throws his hand out, though, and... well, nothing seems to happen, unfortunately. no such luck here. around the area there are scattered chunks of metal, pieces of rubble, rocks. maybe one is sharp.
the squirrel's newfound steadiness fades some at naib's words, a little shakiness returning to it.
But why? Why would they ever want this? How could they hurt each other so...? Is there really no way to make it stop?
ahead of them, the fighters they spotted are struggling, and as few as they were to begin with, there's one or two fewer, now.]
[i cannot believe this is a mood-squirrel. there's an almost annoyed sound when it doesn't work because while i knew it would not, he was hoping. but okay. improvising. he can do that. he will scout a little ahead to grab the most in-tact piece of metal he can find.
the squirrel was doing great, but then he hears what it says and what naib says. he knows that's true. that's how it happened with all of them. the fighting only stopped after they defeated the real organization xiii and then xehanort himself. but that doesn't mean war is impossible to stop. a few of the organization members changed their minds at the end. some of them even offered to help later. war changes people, but it's not always for the worst.
but how do you tell someone that when it's obvious they feel differently?]
...I don't know. But we have to try. If we don't, they really will be wiped out. [and that's not great!
so sorry to both naib and squirrel, but yeah, he's already running ahead with his piece of metal that he hopes will suffice to try and get closer to the constructs and see how he can interject. he doesn't try to get naib to follow him, but judging by the way he glances back the message should be clear. he'll protect him, too, if he has to. he shouldn't have to suffer more for something neither of them knew they were getting into.]
[ mood-squirrel is a good description actually. not that Naib realizes it himself, only frowning more at the inquiries. because it's a bit hard to respond to it. not when it feels like he's in two different places at once. ]
..Too many reasons for war to happen. Not everyone wants it. Sometimes, people are just forced into it with no other choice. [ his expression darkens at that. however, even though he says and feels this way, despite everything... there is a lingering hope deep down. one he grips onto tightly.
his attention snaps almost immediately the second Sora is on the move. well, shit. there's no way you can expect Naib of all people to sit back and watch! even if his body feels not like his own, he forces his feet to move, easily catching up with his speed. he's done this too many times. too much running. doesn't matter if Sora is technically dead, that Naib as far as he's aware isn't, he'll do the protecting here. he's the rescuer role, after all. it's probably not good to go throwing himself in the middle of a fight with mechanical constructs and people but.. as a Gurkha, he was never afraid of dying. still isn't.
time to see if he can distract, maybe give the fighters an opportunity to escape the construct's attentions? he returns a look as if to suggest he leave most of it to him. ]
Focus on the people-- [ that's as much he manages to get out as they draw closer to the fighting. ]
[Forced to fight...? But I don't understand how they do. Why they do, why they hurt others if they don't wish to do it. There-- I can feel that there is so much pain, here, even though they wished for...
the squirrel struggles to focus, a little overwhelmed as they draw nearer to these people.
Peace, they wished for peace, but how could it have come to this--?
the little creature falls silent as they near the fray, and they'll both find the constructs are well armed with guns built in. PEACE WILL BE MAINTAINED, one intones. PLEASE REMAIN STILL. ELIMINATING ALL THREATS TO ORDER.
one of the armored people trying to fight it falls, and the squirrel whispers, as if repeating it from somewhere: Why did we create them? Why did we think this was the way? They will never stop, never, not until we all are gone.]
[it's a little distracting listening to the squirrel, but he seems marginally relieved that naib is following. fighting isn't great, but he does prefer teamwork. he'll just have to make sure that naib gets back to the side of the living before all of this is over.
how did both of them arrive here? he still doesn't know.]
Sometimes you just have to fight to protect the things you care about, even if you don't want to. And sometimes things don't turn out the way you thought they would.
[it's murmured to the squirrel, a little discontent as he thinks about the question he's asked often. "why them?" why do people think that hurting everyone else will really save them?
the squirrel says they wished for peace, and he thinks about xehanort who wanted to purge all of the worlds and all of those people in order to start over and regain peace. he wanted to be the one to control the destinies of others and maintain the balance of light and darkness, but it wasn't his decision to make.
he sort of wonders if something similar has happened here, too.]
There has to be a way to fix this. [so he's adjusting his grip on his hunk of metal and he turns to naib, nodding in agreement.]
I'll try. Just be careful. [THERE ARE GUNS?] If we could get them to attack each other instead...
[but he's not sure how. the focus is the people, so he moves forward to kind of baseslide in to try and guard one of the people that needs assistance, turning to look for an escape route. there has to be somewhere they can go, but he'll do his best to fight back to protect where he can.]
A lot have this idea that with war, you can bring peace. But they never realize the pain and suffering it brings with it. ..They never do.
[ it's exhausting. even if war is always like that... it's tiring. but fuck, guns seriously? well, wouldn't be the first time Naib brought a blade to a gun fight. still, he can't doubt their aim, people you can but machines...?
he's quiet as Sora responds as well. because it's true. you fight to protect those you care about. it's what Naib does. what he has always done. he winces at any loud sounds, but he's still here, as here he can be anyways. but.. no matter what, even if it means protecting someone, it also sometimes means hurting someone else. ] ..Created them?
[ did it mean the fighters? the soldiers here? but what the constructs said-- to maintain peace, they were eliminating threats. "If we could get them to attack each other instead..." ] ...If it could be that easy-- are they not threats too? Would they attack each other if they consider themselves as threats?
[ but how do you go about doing that-- tell a machine that it itself is threatening peace? he keeps his gaze focused heavily on the battlefield. when someone seems to be aimed at, Naib will dive to pull them out of the way. especially if there's rumble or any barriers to protect themselves against. sora voice: try to be careful. naib: /yeet. ]
[the squirrel is quiet, shivering a little in sora's hood as the two of them move into the fray. sora's hunk of metal seems to work well enough as a shield, where he needs it, and naib does manage to pull someone out of the way of one of the machines' volleys.
and if they were wondering how they determine threats, well. they'll get that answer pretty fast, as one of the machines turns and seems to scan them.
IDENTIFIED, it says. DESIGNATION: HUMAN. LIKELIHOOD OF CURRENT AND FUTURE VIOLENCE: HIGH. DETERMINATION: ELIMINATION OF SUBJECTS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN PEACE.
so that's fun!
the person naib dragged to safety looks a little haunted, both by that and just in general, and shakes his head. "we made them to evaluate threats," he mumbles. "but they determined that we all were, as a species."]
he's happy for his shield and he's glad naib was able to grab someone, but now that he hears the machines scanning them he's suddenly thinking they probably needed a better plan.]
Sounds like they need a new way of thinking. [which means since naib is with the people, he's going to use his shield and dart ahead, trying to use any leverage and debris he can to get closer and scale one of these monstrosities. even if he can't gain control, maybe they will shoot each other while naib rescues the rest of the people below.]
[ oh, great. they're threats too! well, Naib isn't surprised by that. he expected it really. he focuses on settling the person down, keeping them low and listening to the mumbles of a broken soul.
what does he even say here? you're a fool to create things capable of evaluating like that. it's flawed, isn't it? even humanity itself is pretty flawed, but it's better to be able to have the choice and decisions. not leave it to something else to defend. not something like... this.
he glances over, watches as Sora scales and it's actually a really good idea? he only hopes it doesn't cost the kid and he dies (AGAIN? /RATSHAKES) ]
For now, focus on getting out of here. We'll try to distract them. [ because there's no way he can leave a machine like that up to Sora alone. ]
["there isn't-- they can't be reprogrammed," he says, miserable, even if sora probably doesn't hear it. but he seems to think of something, at naib's words; he holds still where he is for a moment more, then shakily gets to his feet. "out of here. right. right, i-- please, keep them distracted. i think i can-- if i can reach the terminal, i can stop this."
the squirrel clings to sora as he yeets himself up onto one of the machines, and while it's heavily armored with no apparent entry point... it does turn its attention to him. so! good and bad news! it may give naib an opening, but sora is going to have to dodge while on top of this thing, as panels slide open to expose more weaponry that begins to take aim.]
[he doesn't really hear any of that, no! but he thinks naib is more equip to make a plan, and he can only focus on giving him the cover he needs to execute it.
be safe, little squirrel! sora's busy volleying himself up to the top of one of the machines, and even though he can't find an entry point he'll take the distraction. he doesn't shout for naib's attention and he tries to keep an eye on them without being obvious. the more the machines don't focus on the people, the better.
granted, weaponry is bad. ohhhh fuck is weaponry bad. so! he will dodge to the best of his ability, using the metal to try and shield himself while jumping and dodgerolling out of the way. truly hope that buys people enough time.]
Then do that. [ if it'll stop this, that's all they can rely on. it's either they die here or this man manages to reach his destination in time. he doesn't bother asking what this terminal does- maybe it controls these machines? who the hell knows.
he pats at the man's back as if to indicate go now just as he removes himself from the makeshift barrier and rush at the current machine Sora is busying himself. he'll leap to lunge with his weapon out, aiming to dig his blade into the crease inbetween metal platings. just to give himself enough grip to steady himself onto it.
well, now the construct has 2 (two) obnoxious humans clambering all over it. that's gotta be enough distraction to keep their attention on them. as he does, he makes sure he isn't just hanging idly- don't want to make it too easy for the weaponry?? parkour over its shoulders. ]
We gotta last as long as we can. Just keep doing what we're doing now. [ he isn't exactly going to make it obvious as to what, don't need to point out where he left the guy behind and just. expose their plan to the machines on the chance they focus and terminate the guy before he even escapes. but he's sure that Sora will take his word for it. what's the worst that can happen? :slight_smile: ]
[well! they may have found a way for the machines to attack each other-- and given that the machines got a whole ass 7 on a d20, yeah, this actually works. the two of them parkour all over this thing, and the second machine tries to shoot them; in doing so, it strikes the machine they're on, instead.
there's a horrible screech of metal, and they just might want to get out of here, if the way it rumbles ominously is any indication.
off to the side, the man naib helped is running, dodging through the battlefield on his way to wherever this terminal is.]
[goodbye machine!! now that naib is here and the machines are focused on each other, he's dodging again to get closer to him. as the second machine strikes the first, he's jumping down to a ledge a little lower than the top.]
This might have to be long enough! [he would rather not fall to his death? so he will parkour his way down the back, trying to keep the second machine's attention on them to buy the main more time and hoping naib is following along with him.]
[ it's a good enough view to catch sight of the man. can they see anything in the direction he's heading? they could potentially follow him but- it's as Sora says, they still have one more to deal with.
and well... with the screech and sound of the rumble he's definitely following after Sora, this is the end of this ride so they definitely need to move. ] Let's get away from this one, doubt the other is gonna let us out of its sight but we need some distance.
[ cause that sound gives him a bad feeling? his instincts are practically screaming. he ushers Sora to keep moving once they're on ground again. ]
[on the bright side: they may find some cover, in the impending smoke.
on the more dangerous side: well. the smoke is from the impending explosion, considering these things weren't exactly made to defend themselves from each other. they're all on the same side, after all.
if they get enough distance not to get Fucking Blasted, they might have a smokescreen to get a move on. "run!" their squirrel helpfully squeaks, from sora's hood.]
[following may have been a good idea to ensure the man reached his destination, but this is where they are. he's looking back to make sure naib is behind him, but he hits the ground running with a nod.]
Right. [it's with a sharp nod, and the squirrel doesn't have to say it twice before he picks up speed with his hunk of metal and bolts. will it be enough distance? that's a great question, but he sure is hoping they can book it fast enough. naib had the right idea even before the smoke started to billow.
how far can they get before the machine explodes?
also, if they were supposed to be transparent how did this even happen? wait. whatever, that's something to consider later.]
Which way? [he will let naib decide because he thinks they're both at least in agreement that running is the best option for the moment.]
it's alright, because Naib knows which direction he ran in. he couldn't have gotten that far-- unless the man got some zoomie tech shoes?? but it's the only way he can think of them to go. to ensure the man gets there alive and... if he doesn't? maybe finish the job.
the smoke does help at least keeping further hidden (2x stealth?!?!) from at least this machine following them, if it works long enough. and don't question things okay, they're in the middle of a hecken war zone and Naib is teetering on and off from panic attacks.
with hopefully some distance made, he'll answer. ] Where the soldier went. He says there's a terminal that could stop this. Assuming he can get there in time.
[ and y'know, doesn't get spotted along the way. but that's why they're heading in that direction now hopefully. ]
[you can get blasted if you want, i'm not your mom, just your cyoa runner. you can absolutely get your distance via the force of this machine blowing right up. YEET.
also we're assuming the squirrel lost focus and dropped your stealth at some point i definitely did not forget,,
they can see the soldier running ahead, though, ducking between debris to try to avoid being spotted by other machines; it's a bit of a minefield of enemy fire, however, missiles landing on the ground here and there. why don't you go random me a number between 1 and 20.]
[a widdle blasted as they're flung across the area, sure. regardless, he's following along and heading away from the machines toward the soldier even as the first machine blows up behind them. sora's reaching a hand back to curl around his hood to protect the squirrel as they're running.]
A terminal?
[that does sound useful, and so they go. this is dangerous and bad and the number is 20 i guess. here's hoping.]
[ any bruises and cuts gotten from debris would be brushed off like nothing. he's gone through worse, he's an ex-solider and retired Mercenary. he also has taken so many protection hits for other people. it's just a given he gets hurt a lot and used to it.
Naib would shrug at the mention if they weren't in mid-run but hey they can see the soldier and that's good enough. even as they try to duck here and there to avoid being seen. and here's my 15. ]
He sounds confident that it'll work so, it's all we got. [ and if that fails well... fuck! ]
[wouldn't it be fucked up if i told you high rolls were bad and sora is just dead, again? but no, they both do well enough to escape mostly unscathed. a couple burning pieces of metal bury themselves into naib's side as a missile strikes debris nearby, but he isn't directly caught or thrown aside by the impact.
the man they're following has similarly done well-- he seems very familiar with the area, making a beeline for a mechanical structure in the ruins of a building. he's feverishly pressing buttons when they arrive, desperately murmuring to himself-- come on, almost, almost, nearly there-- until finally he finishes the sequence, slamming his hand down on the last button.
and as a truly enormous explosion begins somewhere not all that far away, he watches it, awestruck-- perhaps horror struck, trembling slightly.
"i've done it," he whispers, as they draw close. "that's all of them, gone. ...all of them gone."
an entire fortress is falling apart, what appears to be the last visible bastion of a structure amongst all the flattened ruins. heat is building from its direction. smaller explosions sound off closer to them, as war machines self-destruct.
"is anyone left alive to know?"
is this war, too? the squirrel asks, in their heads once more. what was the point?
[there's no time to stop, exactly, so they're on the move in the direction the man had run. as they approach and the sequence is completed, it's almost eerie how the explosion happens and the effects seem to be happening both in front of them and far away simultaneously.
everything is empty and maybe quiet after that, and sora doesn't reply to the squirrel immediately. machines self-destruct one by one, and he frowns softly.]
There has to be someone else left. [he doesn't know if he can say there was no point, because he doesn't understand this war or what these people were fighting for.] Maybe...they've escaped somehow. We can go and find them.
[but, more importantly, now that they have a moment where they aren't running and trying not to die he turns to naib with wide eyes.]
Are you okay? We should get that taken care of before we keep moving. [you know. because metal burying in your comrade is not great!]
[ the array of explosions are sent flying off, like a shower of stars as they hone in and that distant burn of fire and ruin has Naib flinching. one hand braces briefly at his head, standing there despite the burning sensation in his side. the pain is a distant feeling compared to the flash of memories, the smell of blood and burning--
heavy green eyes can only stare at the man who whispers before the terminal, glancing over to the scene in the background as the darkness is shrouded in fire and destruction.
"is anyone left alive to know?"
he doesn't have an answer, do any of them do? what was the point of war? ] ...To survive.
[ that's why he had gone to war. for the sake of surviving. he says nothing else after that. has nothing else to give, even with Sora's clear optimistic outlook. he doesn't readily agree, he doesn't encourage the idea that some like escaped. that there might be some if they go looking. he only stares at the background until attention is brought to his side. his hand moves over it, only for a moment before he shakes his head. ]
It's nothing, it doesn't hurt right now. I can just look it over later. [ there's more important things- like finding a way back. he glances over Sora now, and presumedly wherever that squirrel is hiding in his hood. ] You both alright?
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[ coming from a man who used to be a soldier, he said as much from day one on the walkies. it's the grimdark truth of it all. however, once Sora moves, Naib follows almost automatically. despite the panic attack- despite it all, there's still a sense of protection there.
his own hand grips onto the Gurkha blade he always keeps on him. never really to go without it, but at sight of those mechanical beings? something tells him a simple blade isn't going to be enough to face off against those. ]
... [ he doesn't say it, but it's clear by the expression he's making. he doesn't think they can do anything here. ]
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the squirrel's newfound steadiness fades some at naib's words, a little shakiness returning to it.
But why? Why would they ever want this? How could they hurt each other so...? Is there really no way to make it stop?
ahead of them, the fighters they spotted are struggling, and as few as they were to begin with, there's one or two fewer, now.]
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the squirrel was doing great, but then he hears what it says and what naib says. he knows that's true. that's how it happened with all of them. the fighting only stopped after they defeated the real organization xiii and then xehanort himself. but that doesn't mean war is impossible to stop. a few of the organization members changed their minds at the end. some of them even offered to help later. war changes people, but it's not always for the worst.
but how do you tell someone that when it's obvious they feel differently?]
...I don't know. But we have to try. If we don't, they really will be wiped out. [and that's not great!
so sorry to both naib and squirrel, but yeah, he's already running ahead with his piece of metal that he hopes will suffice to try and get closer to the constructs and see how he can interject. he doesn't try to get naib to follow him, but judging by the way he glances back the message should be clear. he'll protect him, too, if he has to. he shouldn't have to suffer more for something neither of them knew they were getting into.]
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..Too many reasons for war to happen. Not everyone wants it. Sometimes, people are just forced into it with no other choice. [ his expression darkens at that. however, even though he says and feels this way, despite everything... there is a lingering hope deep down. one he grips onto tightly.
his attention snaps almost immediately the second Sora is on the move. well, shit. there's no way you can expect Naib of all people to sit back and watch! even if his body feels not like his own, he forces his feet to move, easily catching up with his speed. he's done this too many times. too much running. doesn't matter if Sora is technically dead, that Naib as far as he's aware isn't, he'll do the protecting here. he's the rescuer role, after all. it's probably not good to go throwing himself in the middle of a fight with mechanical constructs and people but.. as a Gurkha, he was never afraid of dying. still isn't.
time to see if he can distract, maybe give the fighters an opportunity to escape the construct's attentions? he returns a look as if to suggest he leave most of it to him. ]
Focus on the people-- [ that's as much he manages to get out as they draw closer to the fighting. ]
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the squirrel struggles to focus, a little overwhelmed as they draw nearer to these people.
Peace, they wished for peace, but how could it have come to this--?
the little creature falls silent as they near the fray, and they'll both find the constructs are well armed with guns built in. PEACE WILL BE MAINTAINED, one intones. PLEASE REMAIN STILL. ELIMINATING ALL THREATS TO ORDER.
one of the armored people trying to fight it falls, and the squirrel whispers, as if repeating it from somewhere: Why did we create them? Why did we think this was the way? They will never stop, never, not until we all are gone.]
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how did both of them arrive here? he still doesn't know.]
Sometimes you just have to fight to protect the things you care about, even if you don't want to. And sometimes things don't turn out the way you thought they would.
[it's murmured to the squirrel, a little discontent as he thinks about the question he's asked often. "why them?" why do people think that hurting everyone else will really save them?
the squirrel says they wished for peace, and he thinks about xehanort who wanted to purge all of the worlds and all of those people in order to start over and regain peace. he wanted to be the one to control the destinies of others and maintain the balance of light and darkness, but it wasn't his decision to make.
he sort of wonders if something similar has happened here, too.]
There has to be a way to fix this. [so he's adjusting his grip on his hunk of metal and he turns to naib, nodding in agreement.]
I'll try. Just be careful. [THERE ARE GUNS?] If we could get them to attack each other instead...
[but he's not sure how. the focus is the people, so he moves forward to kind of baseslide in to try and guard one of the people that needs assistance, turning to look for an escape route. there has to be somewhere they can go, but he'll do his best to fight back to protect where he can.]
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[ it's exhausting. even if war is always like that... it's tiring. but fuck, guns seriously? well, wouldn't be the first time Naib brought a blade to a gun fight. still, he can't doubt their aim, people you can but machines...?
he's quiet as Sora responds as well. because it's true. you fight to protect those you care about. it's what Naib does. what he has always done. he winces at any loud sounds, but he's still here, as here he can be anyways. but.. no matter what, even if it means protecting someone, it also sometimes means hurting someone else. ] ..Created them?
[ did it mean the fighters? the soldiers here? but what the constructs said-- to maintain peace, they were eliminating threats. "If we could get them to attack each other instead..." ] ...If it could be that easy-- are they not threats too? Would they attack each other if they consider themselves as threats?
[ but how do you go about doing that-- tell a machine that it itself is threatening peace? he keeps his gaze focused heavily on the battlefield. when someone seems to be aimed at, Naib will dive to pull them out of the way. especially if there's rumble or any barriers to protect themselves against. sora voice: try to be careful. naib: /yeet. ]
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and if they were wondering how they determine threats, well. they'll get that answer pretty fast, as one of the machines turns and seems to scan them.
IDENTIFIED, it says. DESIGNATION: HUMAN. LIKELIHOOD OF CURRENT AND FUTURE VIOLENCE: HIGH. DETERMINATION: ELIMINATION OF SUBJECTS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN PEACE.
so that's fun!
the person naib dragged to safety looks a little haunted, both by that and just in general, and shakes his head. "we made them to evaluate threats," he mumbles. "but they determined that we all were, as a species."]
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he's happy for his shield and he's glad naib was able to grab someone, but now that he hears the machines scanning them he's suddenly thinking they probably needed a better plan.]
Sounds like they need a new way of thinking. [which means since naib is with the people, he's going to use his shield and dart ahead, trying to use any leverage and debris he can to get closer and scale one of these monstrosities. even if he can't gain control, maybe they will shoot each other while naib rescues the rest of the people below.]
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what does he even say here? you're a fool to create things capable of evaluating like that. it's flawed, isn't it? even humanity itself is pretty flawed, but it's better to be able to have the choice and decisions. not leave it to something else to defend. not something like... this.
he glances over, watches as Sora scales and it's actually a really good idea? he only hopes it doesn't cost the kid and he dies (AGAIN? /RATSHAKES) ]
For now, focus on getting out of here. We'll try to distract them. [ because there's no way he can leave a machine like that up to Sora alone. ]
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the squirrel clings to sora as he yeets himself up onto one of the machines, and while it's heavily armored with no apparent entry point... it does turn its attention to him. so! good and bad news! it may give naib an opening, but sora is going to have to dodge while on top of this thing, as panels slide open to expose more weaponry that begins to take aim.]
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be safe, little squirrel! sora's busy volleying himself up to the top of one of the machines, and even though he can't find an entry point he'll take the distraction. he doesn't shout for naib's attention and he tries to keep an eye on them without being obvious. the more the machines don't focus on the people, the better.
granted, weaponry is bad. ohhhh fuck is weaponry bad. so! he will dodge to the best of his ability, using the metal to try and shield himself while jumping and dodgerolling out of the way. truly hope that buys people enough time.]
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he pats at the man's back as if to indicate go now just as he removes himself from the makeshift barrier and rush at the current machine Sora is busying himself. he'll leap to lunge with his weapon out, aiming to dig his blade into the crease inbetween metal platings. just to give himself enough grip to steady himself onto it.
well, now the construct has 2 (two) obnoxious humans clambering all over it. that's gotta be enough distraction to keep their attention on them. as he does, he makes sure he isn't just hanging idly- don't want to make it too easy for the weaponry?? parkour over its shoulders. ]
We gotta last as long as we can. Just keep doing what we're doing now. [ he isn't exactly going to make it obvious as to what, don't need to point out where he left the guy behind and just. expose their plan to the machines on the chance they focus and terminate the guy before he even escapes. but he's sure that Sora will take his word for it. what's the worst that can happen? :slight_smile: ]
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there's a horrible screech of metal, and they just might want to get out of here, if the way it rumbles ominously is any indication.
off to the side, the man naib helped is running, dodging through the battlefield on his way to wherever this terminal is.]
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This might have to be long enough! [he would rather not fall to his death? so he will parkour his way down the back, trying to keep the second machine's attention on them to buy the main more time and hoping naib is following along with him.]
What do we do about the other one?
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and well... with the screech and sound of the rumble he's definitely following after Sora, this is the end of this ride so they definitely need to move. ] Let's get away from this one, doubt the other is gonna let us out of its sight but we need some distance.
[ cause that sound gives him a bad feeling? his instincts are practically screaming. he ushers Sora to keep moving once they're on ground again. ]
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on the more dangerous side: well. the smoke is from the impending explosion, considering these things weren't exactly made to defend themselves from each other. they're all on the same side, after all.
if they get enough distance not to get Fucking Blasted, they might have a smokescreen to get a move on. "run!" their squirrel helpfully squeaks, from sora's hood.]
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Right. [it's with a sharp nod, and the squirrel doesn't have to say it twice before he picks up speed with his hunk of metal and bolts. will it be enough distance? that's a great question, but he sure is hoping they can book it fast enough. naib had the right idea even before the smoke started to billow.
how far can they get before the machine explodes?
also, if they were supposed to be transparent how did this even happen? wait. whatever, that's something to consider later.]
Which way? [he will let naib decide because he thinks they're both at least in agreement that running is the best option for the moment.]
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it's alright, because Naib knows which direction he ran in. he couldn't have gotten that far-- unless the man got some zoomie tech shoes?? but it's the only way he can think of them to go. to ensure the man gets there alive and... if he doesn't? maybe finish the job.
the smoke does help at least keeping further hidden (2x stealth?!?!) from at least this machine following them, if it works long enough. and don't question things okay, they're in the middle of a hecken war zone and Naib is teetering on and off from panic attacks.
with hopefully some distance made, he'll answer. ] Where the soldier went. He says there's a terminal that could stop this. Assuming he can get there in time.
[ and y'know, doesn't get spotted along the way. but that's why they're heading in that direction now hopefully. ]
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also we're assuming the squirrel lost focus and dropped your stealth at some point i definitely did not forget,,
they can see the soldier running ahead, though, ducking between debris to try to avoid being spotted by other machines; it's a bit of a minefield of enemy fire, however, missiles landing on the ground here and there. why don't you go random me a number between 1 and 20.]
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A terminal?
[that does sound useful, and so they go. this is dangerous and bad and the number is 20 i guess. here's hoping.]
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Naib would shrug at the mention if they weren't in mid-run but hey they can see the soldier and that's good enough. even as they try to duck here and there to avoid being seen. and here's my 15. ]
He sounds confident that it'll work so, it's all we got. [ and if that fails well... fuck! ]
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the man they're following has similarly done well-- he seems very familiar with the area, making a beeline for a mechanical structure in the ruins of a building. he's feverishly pressing buttons when they arrive, desperately murmuring to himself-- come on, almost, almost, nearly there-- until finally he finishes the sequence, slamming his hand down on the last button.
and as a truly enormous explosion begins somewhere not all that far away, he watches it, awestruck-- perhaps horror struck, trembling slightly.
"i've done it," he whispers, as they draw close. "that's all of them, gone. ...all of them gone."
an entire fortress is falling apart, what appears to be the last visible bastion of a structure amongst all the flattened ruins. heat is building from its direction. smaller explosions sound off closer to them, as war machines self-destruct.
"is anyone left alive to know?"
is this war, too? the squirrel asks, in their heads once more. what was the point?
the person before them has nothing to say.]
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everything is empty and maybe quiet after that, and sora doesn't reply to the squirrel immediately. machines self-destruct one by one, and he frowns softly.]
There has to be someone else left. [he doesn't know if he can say there was no point, because he doesn't understand this war or what these people were fighting for.] Maybe...they've escaped somehow. We can go and find them.
[but, more importantly, now that they have a moment where they aren't running and trying not to die he turns to naib with wide eyes.]
Are you okay? We should get that taken care of before we keep moving. [you know. because metal burying in your comrade is not great!]
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heavy green eyes can only stare at the man who whispers before the terminal, glancing over to the scene in the background as the darkness is shrouded in fire and destruction.
"is anyone left alive to know?"
he doesn't have an answer, do any of them do? what was the point of war? ] ...To survive.
[ that's why he had gone to war. for the sake of surviving. he says nothing else after that. has nothing else to give, even with Sora's clear optimistic outlook. he doesn't readily agree, he doesn't encourage the idea that some like escaped. that there might be some if they go looking. he only stares at the background until attention is brought to his side. his hand moves over it, only for a moment before he shakes his head. ]
It's nothing, it doesn't hurt right now. I can just look it over later. [ there's more important things- like finding a way back. he glances over Sora now, and presumedly wherever that squirrel is hiding in his hood. ] You both alright?
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(suicidal ideation, probably)
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