Digital Devil Clash x 2 [FIN]

[TheForeignGamer]

Lazy people these days.

[MizuMikomi]

24 HOURS LEFT
3/10
RAWWWR

*Looks at the time*

It's been twenty-six hours. =<

[darkclaymore]

24 HOURS LEFT
3/10
RAWWWR

*Looks at the time*

It's been twenty-six hours. =<

I-I'm working on it! /falls asleep

I'm just too lazy to write

SCENE INCOMING

and then do double posting and post scene

But if you're so eager to know... yup, you died

[PringlesXD]

There, now it won't be a double post.

[MizuMikomi]

But if you're so eager to know... yup, you died

That was a given, if I wouldn't have died this turn-- it would have been extremely surprising.

[darkclaymore]

DATA 100 - CONSUMED BY FLAMES

In the midst of collapsed and burned to ashes buildings, there stands a lone tower. A tower which emits mysterious aura and built with a bizarre designing sense. Reaching as far as the clouds, its top can't be viewed by those who are bound to walking on earth.

As the sole intact creation in a sea of ruins, gazing upon it gives birth to many feelings. Hope, inspiration, awe and above all: curiosity. No matter who. No matter where. Everyone was drawn to the tower like moths to fire.

It as if they all knew, consciously or not, that this tower bears the answers to all their questions... and beyond.


BGM: Bara no Jubai

Mizu: "Hah... hah..." *heavy breathing*
He was dizzy and mentally exhausted. Consciousness was slowly, but surely, escaping his grasp. He could no longer walk without using a wall as support.

Mizu: What the hell is wrong with this cursed place!? The damn scenery changes every damn minute! And those weird demonic powers... and creatures... everything is so fucked up and broken! And I hardly manage to understand shit about any of this!
His anger allowed him keep on going. Ranting, as much as out of place it was at this dire situation, was his sole method to deal with the doom looming around the corner.

Mizu: Fuck... Can't believe I'm even too tired to rant... is that even possible...?
He found that ironic and a dim smile surfaced on his face. His last line of mental defense was about to shatter into pieces. Heavy steps could be heard approaching. As this sound echoes in the empty labyrinth, his left hand ached. Perhaps it was recalling the pain carved into his body by hellish flames. Half of his body was intensely burned. The color of the burnt parts was nothing short of black.

Mizu: "So... that bastard is still coming after me, huh... Bitch..."
He stopped. Now, the only thing to support him was the wall. His legs completely lost their energy to support his weight. And even the wall's efficiency was at its limit. He was slowly sliding downwards toward the floor, devoid of strength to even properly lean on the wall.

Mizu: "Oh, fuck it all..." I don't give a shit anymore... I just wanted to have one last exciting memory with my friends before moving away... Was it THAT wrong to ask for such a simple thing...?
He just gave up on escaping and sat down, leaning on the wall with his back.



"For some reason, I have a BAD feeling about this... As if something bad gonna happen..."

Mizu: Oh, please STFU Vampko... I got the point... Yeah, I should have listened to you back then... no need to stuff that into my face now...
He closed his eyes. He was now awaiting his end. With his vision sealed, his hearing sharpened. The approaching steps now sounded deeper and more threatening. And right when the sound reached its maximal volume - silence. The pursuer stopped. There was no longer any need for him to go further. His prey was right in front of him, exhausted to death and half a way toward being reduced to ashes.

Mizu opened his eyes, as if to confront his foe one last time.
Mizu: "So you came to finish me off, huh? You freakin' devil..."
XXX: "........"
The creature didn't reply.

Mizu: "What's wrong? Burned your own tongue?"
He failed, however, to attach a smile to that remark. The sole attempt made his left cheek ache. The demon ignored the remark altogether. The enemy raised its arm and stretched it in Mizu's direction. Flames began to emerge on its hand.

Mizu: Oh, well. At least if I ever get another chance, I'll know how to handle myself better...
He closed his eyes. No longer holding any strength to fight inevitable doom, he finally made a certain degree of peace with his demise.

Fire spawned from the ignited hand. It was slowly approaching Mizu, threatening to swallow him whole. Just as he began to feel the heat and fierce pain - nothingness. He couldn't feel any external contact and even the wall behind him ceased to exist. He fell back on his back. He suddenly felt more energetic than before, as if he recovered his strength.

EO: "Mizuuuuu!"
He opened his eyes upon hearing a familiar voice.




BGM: Backside of the TV

The space around him was pitch black, void of any signs of light. Surprisingly, he could see all the figures as clearly as during daylight.

Mizu: "EO? Vampko?"
He stood up, a bit shaky from the fact he actually managed to. Just seconds ago he was on the verge of dying from exhaustion, but now he was healthy and felt as light as a feather.

EO: "OMG you're still alive"
Vampko: "Guess we DID really end up in a big mess..."
Mizu: "Huh... no kidding..."
He looked around him. He spotted many other familiar faces: Ubi, Pringles, Raspy, Xeras, Red, Lopez and TFG.

Mizu: "What are YOU all guys doing here?"

"I believe it falls upon me to explain that. Call me... the Red Count."
They all turned toward the sole unfamiliar figure in that area.


A tall man with a shady aura. Dark red clothes that resembled those of an undertaker, combined with an odd flashy hat resembles the kind worn by stereotype magicians. As if purposely made to fit the theme of his clothes, a black coffin was laying just beside him. Dim noises were sometimes coming from the coffin, which made some question its contents.

"I'll begin by explaining this very place. This is a Fictional Void I created for the sake of easily communicating with all of you. The 'you' that is here, at this moment, is nothing more than your 'consciousness'. Your materialistic vassal is still where it was before you appeared here. The moment you'll be sent back, all that will take place here - will be transferred into you real bodies as 'memory'. "
He halted in order to give them a minute to fully comprehend the meaning of his words. Some, like Mizu, accepted his words quite easily, as a simple analyze of their body condition was enough to convince them. Others took his words with more disbelief.

"By now, all of you must have already experienced the demonic powers you were blessed, or cursed, with."
They all nodded in agreement. Some physically, some merely in their heads.

"The cause of this abnormality rooted in another world. Inferno, Hell or Hades. Pick whichever name you wish to describe it. It is a deep red world filled with endless wastelands and countless demons. "
They all recalled the images of the red world that popped in their heads the moment they received their powers.

"Due to certain circumstances, the boundary between your world and that world has weakened. As a world where life forms can only exist as 'demons', it is enforcing its own rules on your world. Thus, humans transform into demons in order to adapt to the new 'rules'. Also, demons from that world make their way into your world."
He stopped to analyze their reactions and then went on.

"As you likely figured out, the source of the problem itself is inside the other world. In order to solve it and prevent further chaos in your world - you must reach that world. I believe most of you have already seen the giant tower that has risen in your city. The Tower of Babel. At its top lies the entrance to the other world."
Just when it felt as if there was still hope for a happy ending...

"However, the door itself is shut tight. A payment is required to open the gate to the other world. Are you all familiar with the story of the Tower of Babel? It is said that humans craved to build an enormous tower with its top in the heavens. God, upon seeing that, decided to punish them by confusing their languages. No longer capable of properly communicating, the humans were scattered across Earth and created individual tribes. Then, naturally, conflicts have risen among the different tribes. In order to open the path, the challenge of 'difference' must be overcome. All of you, examine your right hands."
They all did as he said. They never really took the time to examine their human forms since the time they turned into demons.

"I believe there must be a symbol carved on it. Along with the demonic power, you all were also divided into Tribes. The symbol represents to which Tribe each of you belong. In order to open the path, only a single tribe must remain standing. The rest... must perish."
Those who quickly caught his drift, were simply dumbfound.

"In other words, you were all forced into one grand battle royal. And... you'll have to kill each other if you want to turn things back to normal."
Mizu: "We WHAT!?"
Red: "That's just... messed up..."

"Alternatively, you could choose to let your world become overrun by demons, while turning full fledged demons yourselves. As, while you all hold those demonic powers, your traits are slowly becoming those of real demons. Your humanity is slowly fading and is replaced with new, barbaric and instinctual, traits."
Pringles: "Huh? To live as demons!? That's just... so..."
TFG: "Yeah... totally..."

"But of course. The human arrogance you all have makes you see the 'barbaric' demons as inferior life forms. That makes you strongly reject the option, even if in practice the offer isn't as bad as you make it sound. In the end, the 'demonic' nature is none other than the 'true' nature of humanity.

While the choice is fairly obvious, I'd still like to get a clear answer as to what you all plan to do from here onward. Fight each other in order to save humanity? Or accept the demonic nature and choose to live as humans? Two options. Decide."

With two choices hanging in front of them, which will they grasp? Will they be able to come to agreement?



Information Leak:
Vampko used Healing Support
TFG used Elemental Magic
Raspy used Elemental Magic
Reina used Sukunda
Xeras used Analyze
EO used Healing Support
Mizu used Elemental Magic
Red used Zio
Greg used Rampage
Lopez used Special Support
Ubi used Patra
Nemu used Rakunda
Pringles used Healing Support

Red is Healthy
EO is Healthy


Turn 4 begins now and ends on 5/10 17:00 GMT

"Oh, I neglected to mention one more thing. Having the right information is often the most important factor in making the right choice. You all can ask me whichever unanswered questions you still have. Whatever I'll be able to answer everything is, however, and entirely different story..."

During this Turn, you can communicate with the Red Count in thread and ask him questions.

Reminder: Won't be here on 5/8.

[MizuMikomi]

Holy shit... I survived. O__O

[vampko]

You say stuff about being barbaric and whatevs, but plenty of demons are socialable and very 'human' in nature. How do you explain that one? @Redman

[darkclaymore]

MINI DATA 100:A - Humans and Demons

You say stuff about being barbaric and whatevs, but plenty of demons are socialable and very 'human' in nature. How do you explain that one? @Redman

"Perhaps to the open minded individuals such as yourself, the word 'barbaric' sounds like an extreme and narrow minded generalization. But don't forget that, in the end, barbarians were humans. The title was attached to them by the societies around them, which often saw them as inferior or brutal. But since you have already asked, let me get things straight for you.

Humans, in pursuit of creating a balanced society, often suppress their inner 'forbidden' desires. Desires such as curse, rape or murder. Humans bury those deep inside, for the sake of maintaining a peaceful status quo and preventing harmful chaos.

These 'forbidden' desires are shared between both humans and demons. However, a difference becomes apparent when it comes handling those desires. Just as much as humans try to oppress them, demons try to act according to them. Their simplistic mindset of satisfying own needs hardly differs from those of wild animals, who act solely based on personal instinct. However, categorizing them as mere "wild animals" would be rather rude, considering the intellectual capabilities some of them can exhibit. Thus, 'barbarian'.

It's true that you can socialize with them if you try. However, it is also true they're often much more straightforward than humans. Which makes them hard to handle at times. As I believe you already know."
A faint smile. Not a warm one.

"Obviously, no matter what I say, exceptions always exist. Wild humans who let their desires run amok, as well as conservative demons who can put their desires aside for a greater cause. Demonic humans, and humanoid demons."
As he was saying the last few words, he sent a quick glance toward Raspy. A smirk surfaced on his face. He then turned around to the crowd.

"Anything else you'd like to inquire of me?"







LESS THAN 24 HOURS LEFT
4/10

Holy shit... I survived. O__O

[darkclaymore]

HOUR AND A HALF LEFT
9/10

Note: My PC was strangely derping yesterday and it just might happen again today. If it does, I'll post the scene quite late

[TheForeignGamer]

Hmm.

[darkclaymore]

DATA 101 - FALSE DILEMMA

BGM: Shadow Frost Witch

"Now then, I'd like to have your answer."
All discussion and brainstorming halted. All urgent questions were answered. Now finally comes the moment when the group makes its major choice. Fight each other as humans? Or live together as demons?

"......."
Silence. No one desired to be the first to speak. They all just kept examining each other and checking who plans to speak.

TFG: "Umm..."
He started. He took a deep breath before going on.
TFG: "SOMEONE have to go first. So might as well do it. I don't wish to fight any of you."
Mizu: "Herp"
EO: "Derp"
Red: "No one here wants that..."
He was taken aback by their reactions.

TFG: "W-What did I do deserve this reaction?"
Ubi: "Made a pointless statement that is not contributing a thing. Unless we are to understand from this that you prefer humanity being replaced with demons?"
TFG: "Ah, eh... that's..."
He saw the point now and felt a bit awkward. But after a few seconds of silence...

TFG: "Actually, now that I think about it... It's probably the better choice."
Red: "So you thought about it only NOW?"
TFG: "Wha-? That's not what I- Why do you always...?"
Red: "Because it's fun~"
Vampko: "Ahem! So what we gonna do?"
He drove them back to the topic at hand.

Xeras: "Well."
He stepped forward as he saw no one else comes up with a suggestion.

Xeras: "We could do it 'Mafia Style'. Do whatever majority prefers."
Ubi: "As efficient as it's flawed."
Xeras: "Eh?"
Ubi: "The moment you suggest this approach - you motivate conflict. Sure, democracy always sounds like a fair and efficient system. Yet it can never truly satisfy everyone. The opposing minority would not magically agree with the majority's decision. As our current situation lacks any enforced laws which are meant to keep the opposition at bay - we'll achieve nothing."
Xeras thought what to say in order to not admit defeat and then simply went with...

Xeras: "Eh... Maybe. I'm voting for 'living as demons' btw."
Pringles: "WHAT?"
It shocked him that two already favored the option he considered to be 'out of question'.

Xeras: "What? We merely turn from one life form into another. Think of it as a grand phase in humanity's evolution."
Pringles: "But...! But...!"
He couldn't find the right words to describe the 'lack of common sense' he saw in Xeras's words.

Raspy: "I personally don't find his choice THAT absurd. While I'm still uncertain of what I prefer, the idea of 'turning into demons' doesn't really sound THAT bad. Humans and demons aren't really THAT different from each other."
Pringles: "But that's just... just... sooooo wrong"


The Red Count was amused by their discussion. Lopez probably noticed that and it made him give up on the matter altogether.

Lopez: *sigh*
He stepped backwards and sat down.

Lopez: "The sooner you realize this is a false dilemma - the better. We don't really have a choice in the matter."
They all focused on him.

Lopez: "From the moment that man brought up this 'dilemma' in front of us, he practically already made the choice for us."
The Red Count was now amused more than before, but for a completely different reason.

Lopez: "We will fight each other. Because no matter what each of you prefers, the inevitable disagreement will result in conflict. Which in turn will result in a clash, especially now that we are half way to becoming full fledged demons."
No one attempted to argue. They all just stared blankly and went over what he said, trying to find a hole in his logic. But it was all in vain. A short look at one's demonic nature was enough to convince them he's right.

I'll just kill whoever opposes me

It was a mindset by far easier to execute now, as half demons, then before as humans. And none of them could deny that fact.

"Your silence implies on agreement. This is the true conclusion I was waiting for."
The smile was now erased from his face. He looked back for a second and then rotated his head back toward them.

"It appears as if there is a third party that also seeks the secret of this tower. Some of you have already met him. He holds a certain artifact that is capable of manipulating Data to a great extend. Summoning demons from the other side is one example of this."
TFG: "Ah! You probably mean that strange guy in the masquerade that gave lectures!"
Ubi: "A suspicious individual indeed. Incidentally, is there information you can share with us regarding his identity and motives?"
"At present - no. I'm yet to look into his case."
His facial expression made it clear he wasn't satisfied with that.

Lopez: "Dr. Biro. A prodigy researcher."
They all turned around to face him yet again. He was still sitting on the floor in laziness.

Lopez: "He recently came across an unusual material. Code named 'GREEN CUBE' due to its shape and the light emitted from it."
Raspy: "So THAT's why you asked us about that doc we're working for!"
Lopez: "The green light most of us saw before being turned into demons hints at the connection between that and the 'Green Cube'."
Pringles: *gulp*
He recalled how he accidentally pressed something in that room, which could very well be the reason for the cube's abnormal reaction. He sent a sharp glance at Raspy, to see whatever he gonna tell something. Raspy just returned him a short look and focused elsewhere. He had no intention of revealing that against Pringles's will.

Lopez: "However... beyond that point I can't figure much right now. His motive included."
Ubi: "And what made you investigate him in the first place?"
Just like always, he was quick to notice an unfitting piece.

Lopez: "It was Claymore. He told me to. And on the following day he just disappeared. And that reminds me. Where IS Claymore? Pretty sure he should be here just like all of us."
Pringles: "Yeah... him and one more guy. Can't quite recall who."


Another smile. It was quite difficult to figure out what that man was really thinking about.

A torn piece from the whole picture. Where is Claymore? Why he's not there, despite all of them firmly believing he should be?



Turn 5 begins now and ends on 5/13 17:00 GMT


Minigame: Find Claymore
In this Turn, each Tribe leader can submit up to three guesses regarding Claymore's identity or whereabouts in the plot. The more guesses you submit - the smaller will be the reward in case you're right. Each time you submit a guess, you'll get a reply whatever it''s right or wrong as soon as I see it. You might also get a hint about how close you are, but that depends on your guess.
"First come - First serve" rule applies in case more than one Tribe figured out the correct answer.

Hint: Think carefully. It's harder than it sounds.

The Red Count is still here and can be communicated with in thread if you so desire.


Information Leak
Lopez did nothing
Raspy used Shield Support
TFG used Elemental Magic
Pringles used Healing Support
Red used Elemental Magic
Ubi used Healing Support
Reina used Sexy Gaze
Xeras used Elemental Magic
Vampko used Healing Support
EO used Healing Support
Mizu used Elemental Magic
Greg used Tarukaja
Nemu used Zionga

Raspy is Healthy
Vampko is Healthy

[darkclaymore]

Oh and just thought I should post the epic prizes for the minigame.

1st Prize: Full HP recovery for Tribe
2nd Prize: Full SP recovery for Tribe
3nd Prize:1 Win point, 1 Played point

Getting it right on first guess will result in receiving all those prizes. On second guess only the two last prizes, and on third guess only the last one.

And...

57 HOURS LEFT

[darkclaymore]

46 HOURS LEFT
0/10

> Is not amused

[Ubiquitor]

> Is not amused

I found you, sad Jack.



Are you now amused?