[open] If I could store lightning in jars

[oathkeeper]

Who: Sora & OPEN
Where: The mysterious dark forest that appeared!
When: June 1
What: Bright "fireflies” have been luring gods and shinki alike deep into the forest. People are suddenly drawn to the little spots of light and can’t help but follow. There have been reports of screams and unhappy spirits and people never returning. All you know is that the sun doesn’t pierce the treetops and it’s dark.
Warnings: There's lots of creepy demons and stuff!!


[ A ]

[A sudden cold and heavy rain starts. Light and whimsical at first before it starts to pour down in thick sheets. Gray clouds blanket the sky and the sun is nearly blotted out. The atmosphere suddenly darkens and a chill is in the air.

Through the dark Sora notices some sparks of light somewhere near. They’re like candles flickering and dancing through the haze of the rain. A small smile pulls at his lips as he’s suddenly drawn to them like a moth to a flame. All he wants to do is reach out and touch one. They look like fairies.

You might notice Sora wandering through the rain, a blurry image of him slowly walking just out of your reach. Then he vanishes into the dark forest.]

[ B ]

[Perhaps it is you that got drawn into the bright dancing lights. Pulled into the woods as it makes your heart hammer. All you can focus on is the unseen force pulling your legs as you wander closer to the woods.

And suddenly everything is dark.

Sora manages to catch a glimpse of you before you vanish and he calls out.]

Hey!! Wait!! Don’t go in there!

[And promptly chases after you to stop you from falling deeper into darkness.]

[ C ]

[As soon as Sora enters the woods the rain stops. Or so it seems that way. He can still hear the thundering water in his ears but it sounds muted now. Like someone has put a blanket over the heavens and all he can hear is the thin thudding of the rain but no raindrops touch his face anymore.

He wanders through the woods as he looks up at the treetops to find that small beams of light do flicker through. Weakly, but they’re there. The gloom is still heavy.

His feet take him in a random direction until he spots a figure in the distance… Someone already lost here like him, or is that a tortured spirit...?]

[ wildcard! ]

[something else in mind?]

Comments

[pure_radiantics]

[Kairi jumps a bit at the impact, even if it's exactly what she wanted to happen. It's easier to look over at Sora while she has a chance, smiling at his appreciation. She's been practicing, sure, but even she was amazed that the wall actually held. It's been used as a way to visually separate people to give them some breathing room between the zombies, and she's used it the way someone would a small knife against the zombies themselves.

This is the first big evidence she's had that she can protect herself and a god - not her god here in the swamp, but a god and a friend she cares about.]

Thanks, Sora.

[Then the lilting voice comes through, but Kairi shakes her head.]

No, I'm not listening. That wall stays!

[The wall's light reflects against their bodies and shines in their eyes as Kairi tries to face the creature through it.]

Have you seen one of these things before, Sora?

[Is this what you were afraid of us finding?]

[heatupnever]

["Borrowed" is a really nice word for what happened to them, but she's starting to figure that that's just how Sora is.] Yeah, that's one way of putting it. Don't think seeing a shinki's death relates to that, though. Someone around here thinks that Heaven knows our pasts, but I don't think they'd tell the truth if it doesn't, uh, benefit them or whatever—

[She jumps at the sound, but can't pinpoint it.] Crap...

[oathkeeper]

[It doesn't look like a typical ayakashi. But the way the borderline protected them seems to say otherwise. So Sora isn't sure which category to place this thing in.]

I've seen a few demons before but nothing exactly like that. But it's acting like an ayakashi too. We better watch out for anything. As soon as your wall goes down she's gonna follow us no matter what. If it gets bad, we run.

[Sora grips his keyblade and moves into a battle position. If he could beat it back enough for them to escape, that's the best plan possible.]

"Pretty little girl... Such beautiful hair... red as dried blood...Just a lock, please, little girl."

Hey! Back off! No one is touching anyone!

[If Kairi's borderline fades Sora will attack.]

[pure_radiantics]

[As soon as her wall goes down... That makes Kairi think of an idea.]

What if you get ready for that? And then, if you come back by me, I'll put it back up again.

[She raises her one hand that she's focusing the wall with, whispering low enough that she hopes Sora will hear and the creature won't.]

3... 2... 1... now!

[And Kairi casts her arm out to the side, the form of her fingers giving way to an open palm and the wall slowly lowering in the process. Sora could even jump over the half-fallen wall as it fades, but most importantly Kairi is watching him for what it'll look like to wield his sword for real. Nothing like in practice. And then, when he needs a reprieve, watching for him to return to her side.]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora looks puzzled for a moment as he wonders.]

I think the forest wants to know a secret. But I don't know how to tell one.

[It might be because Sora doesn't really have any secrets. He's an open book and wears his heart on his sleeve.

The little colorful orbs slowly start to flutter around on the air like there's an air current carrying them about.]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora really hates hearing voices in his head. He clenches his teeth and looks around for the culprit.]

Come out!!

[He waves the torch. Suddenly the branch of one of the nearby trees is moving. Moving so fast and coming right for them that it slams hard between the two of them and separates them.

Sora jumps back and slams his back against a tree.

The branch doesn't stop. It sweeps towards Aymeric, intending to slam into him.]

Aymeric!!

[oathkeeper]

[Sparks fly off Sora's keyblade as he attacks the demon, just in time to distract her enough for Lu Meng's borderlines to go off. He watches her slam into the tree and get pinned there, stilling gripping his keyblade and ready keep going if she has any other tricks up her sleeve.]

I'm good, thanks. Are you? That was quick thinking!

[She screeches in pain as her broken and bloody limbs twitch nearby. She howls at them, shouting obscenities and curses in their direction.]

We should finish this quick and get out of here.

[He wanted to believe that the demon really was a shinki. One they could of helped. To see her sad crying face change into this kind of makes Sora sad.]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora pouts slightly, as it confirms some of the things Hijikata said too.]

He's a really good friend of mine. We've helped each other out a few times. That, and he knows Yumi.

[His smile is back, as he talks about Hijikata with obvious affection for the man in his tone.]

Comrades, once though? Are you two fighting?

[oathkeeper]

[There's a loud fizzing sounds when Izumo casts out more of his flames.

As he does that Sora suddenly finds himself able to inhale and he does so with loud gasps. He starts coughing painfully, still on his knees.

Everything is quiet as the destruction settles down. The only sound the crackling of the burning trees and Sora's coughs.]

[onedrinkwithme]

[A lesson Aymeric learned while in this forest: yelling 'come out' only makes trees slam into them. And yes, it knocked the wind out of him but he did deal with worse. After all, dragons were a bit more fearsome than branches. When Sora yells for him, thankfully there is some light he is able to use to watch the branch come for him.

And jumps down and rolls to dodge the attack. Ok, this is far enough to deal with this.]

Sora, run!

[oathkeeper]

[Definitely something to reflect on. Sora would ask her more about that later.

Right now a sudden whoosh of air rushes overhead and he looks up to see a cloud of black birds swirling overhead. They are all calling and screeching so loud it rustles the trees.

Then they're suddenly whooshing down in a line like a hive of bees directly at them.]

Move!! We gotta find cover!!

[Sora grabs Reika by the arm and tugs her down and then pulls her to run.]

1/2

[concasse]

Who the hell are you callin' a chicken, Spiky?!

[Oh the puns. Agonized, Sanji scratches at his ears and shoots Sora the dirtiest look he can muster while lunging out of the way of the rooster's attack - only for the fire to ricochet into completely different direction. Well shit, that's new. Even Sanji pauses mid-stride, surprised and vaguely impressed that Sora knows how to string together strategy.

Ah, but it'd be a shame not to take advantage of the rooster's short attention span. While it's still gawking at the fire, Sanji runs at the creature full-speed, stopping just short of a collision, foot angled back for a solid kick to the body]

Tch -- don't get cocky, you got two opponents! [He lets his attack fly and there goes the rooster, knocked aside by the ferocity of the kick. Except no demon's gonna go down with one hit. The rooster breaks the momentum by opening its wings and catching air, and the moment its claws find purchase in the ground, the demon pins Sanji a beady stare.

...] Neh, Sora. That shithead's looking peckish, wouldn't ya say?

[Hahaha GET IT? GET IT?]

[concasse]

[-- oh shit that rooster's charging at him.]

O-oi, I'm not a worm! Get the hell away from me--!

[oathkeeper]

[You hit the nail on the head, Urashima! They ain't getting out here without a price! At least it's not a hard price. Like... Giving an eyeball or something.]

"With the blush of the cherry blossom! The delicate scent! The bloom on the branch! You fell in love with life!"

[The little spirit starts laughing riotously, dancing and twirling the umbrella. He then stops and looks at them both, one eye closed.]

"And you... god-child?"

[Sora quickly glances between Urashima and the spirit. It seems the spirit was pretty happy with that little answer. Would this really help them escape? Sora smiles softly, remembering the one thing that he will always remember even it he lost his sight.]

The way Roxas looked when I told him I loved him and he said he loved me too.

[The spirit laughs loudly again, a mirror image of before.]

"One heart! Two Souls! True love is a durable fire, in the mind ever burning!"

[Then the spirit closes his other eye and closes the umbrella. He points to the east.]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo doesn't move, though he does feel a bit exhausted now after having exerted so much power into that last attack.

When the destruction settles, Izumo gently rubs Sora's back soothingly, hoping it would help him in some way.

It's a relief to see Sora being able to breathe properly again, and he reigns in his Aura until not even a speck of red was showing. He's still alert, though, unsure if they were safe and sound.]

[young_oldman]

She did not harm me.

[Now, what are they to do with her? She doesn't look like ayakashi, so perhaps they can kill her without rending?]

I can keep her pinned down. Finish her off, Sora.

[countingthecost]

[Well, it's good that Hijikata has found himself such a cheerful friend. Someone to help him, where Yamanami has failed.]

No, we're not fighting. We just had a serious disagreement about something important. Because he and I couldn't agree on what was to be done, I decided to leave.

[The PG-13 summary on Shinsengumi detection. Sannan wonders how much of their history did Hijikata share with this child. It's certainly going to make this journey out of the forest much more difficult if Sora wants to play 20 questions on the sad relationship between the two vice commanders.]

But please don't worry about us old men, Sora-kun. We've put the past behind us.

[oathkeeper]

[It's a good plan. Get the jump on the creature before it can get the jump on them. Sora nods in confirmation and moves to ready himself to leap.

As soon as he sees the wall go down low enough Sora jumps. He immediately uses Flash Step to leap forward at inhuman speed. Bringing his keyblade up in a fast upper cut, Sora slashes at the demon and sets her off guard. Then continues with a barrage of fast attacks and the sparks fly off his keyblade.

The demon yells loudly in a mangled angry voice and tries to defend herself. She brings up her arms and then sweeps her mighty tail at Sora trying to knock him away.

Sora is quick to back peddle onto the water's edge. Without stopping he lifts his keyblade and casts Thundaga and it cracks loudly over the water. She screams again before diving into the water.

He retreats to Kairi.]

I have a really big feeling she's not gone yet.

[oathkeeper]

[Sweet dodge roll, Aymeric. Sora would be sparkling with admiration if it weren't for the trees trying to kill them.

Speaking of which, more branches start to bend and grow, coming down at them in swishing waves.]

On it!!

[He still grips the torch as he runs. He has to dodge his head one second and yelps and jumps skip rope over another. Hopefully Aymeric is close behind.

RUN AND DON'T STOP.]

[onedrinkwithme]

[Don't worry he is. Those long legs are good for something but some of the smaller branches end up smacking him, enough to give him some cuts. But again, Aymeric pays them no mind as he keeps his eyes on the torch.]

Whatever you do, never look back! Keep forward!

[No he isn't going to do anything stupid yet but he does feel like he needs to give a warning. Hopefully the trees won't do anything like try and pick them up and dangle them or something.]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora would have burst out laughing at Sanji's pun if the giant rooster wasn't charging right at Sanji with wings flapping and smoke coming from its beak.]

Sanji, duck!!

[Wrong animal Sora is right on it though, running after the giant chicken to take the heat literally off of Sanji. Suddenly, Sora uses Flash Step and he leaps forward in a blink and slams his keyblade against the demon. Sparks fly off his keyblade as he strikes it three times in rapid succession.

The demon squawks loudly in pain and is launched right into the air from Sora's Slapshot. It goes flying through the air in a haphazard heap and it's going to soar right over Sanji's head if he doesn't duck.

If he does, it'll slam into a tree and collapse before it gets up slowly and readies a breath attack.]

[oathkeeper]

[Everything seems to be quiet. For the moment it looks safe. Sora nods slowly as the rubbing on his back helps calm him down. His body feels weak and shaky from the lack of oxygen but his coughs slow to shallow heaves.]

Are you okay? [He says after a moment, concern flashing in his eyes. He glances at Izumo's shoulder where the snake struck.]

We better get out of here before something else comes after us... Roxas is going to be so upset with me...

[oathkeeper]

Right.

[Sora nods with conviction. If they didn't take her out she might still be able to come after them. Sora's really glad that Lu Meng was so ready to take action in all this.

He steps up to the demon. She tries to grab at him, her mandibles snapping. Sora lifts his keyblade and brings it down with a heavy strike.

With a howl she collapses, dead.

Just then the dim light coming from the treetops seem to flicker. A light catches Sora's peripheral to the east.]

Did you see that? It might be the way out.

[oathkeeper]

[He gives Sannan a warm smile. He knows it's not polite to pry into places he shouldn't be. So he wouldn't push. But that won't stop Sora from casually name-dropping Hijikata and very casually talk about how pretty neat and cool he is.

He knows they're old friends. He knows that something went really bad between them. He knows he saw Hijikata in near tears and full of regret.]

The best thing friends can do is put the past behind them. Try and make second chances, especially for people who are worth it.

[He tucks his arms behind his head. People make mistakes. Mistakes are made to be forgiven. (says the little god of forgiveness.)]

Hijikata is a really great friend. I hope you guys can settle your differences sometime. I think you're really great too.

[The forest is still silent. Everything looks the same to Sora. But he trust Sannan is taking them in the right direction.]

[heatupnever]

[Thankfully she wore her jacket, but she jerks her arm away anyway. Despite how much she hates it, she always forgets until the last minute that her body temperature's way too low to be normal.] I'm coming, I'm coming.

[Getting attacked by birds so wasn't on her schedule of things to do today. At least they don't travel as fast as...bullets, to use an example. She nearly smacks into a tree that she couldn't see until she was right in front of it, then ducks behind it.]

... Yo, how hardy are you?