Vergil's heart game r5

[idolpro]

You feel weak, your body won't move no matter how you try, and you are falling, away from everything you know and love. Away from everything you need to accomplish. If you could just reach out, maybe you could hold on to it, claw your way back. But it's a useless endeavour, you fall unconscious, and your mind goes blank except for poetry and a familiar voice.


O mother Enitharmon, wilt thou bring forth other sons?
To cause my name to vanish, that my place may not be found,
For I am faint with travail,
Like the dark cloud disburden'd in the day of dismal thunder.

My roots are brandish'd in the heavens, my fruits in earth beneath
Surge, foam and labour into life, first born and first consum'd!
Consumed and consuming!
Then why shouldst thou, accursed mother, bring me into life?

You wake on the ground in a cave, cold, wet, and sticky. It smells of rotting flesh. Your objective is clear, but you can't recall a name or face. Nothing else about your memory of him is changed, but for some reason the name "Vergil" just won't come to you, and you couldn't describe how he looks if your life depended on it. But at least your body starts to respond to your will, slowly regaining enough strength to carry on.

Comments

rules & info

[idolpro]

IC info
-This heart is actively trying to steal your own life for itself.
-Distrust, self-reliance, and willingness to do anything no matter how difficult or distasteful are key to survival in the Underworld.
-Either canon OR Imeeji powers are on, you can pick.
-You arrive with no weapons and nothing else on your person that you aren't wearing or carrying in your pockets. ie no pocket knife but a pen is fine

OOC info
-For powers if I really have no idea how to deal with something or it'll ruin fun it's not gonna happen but generally, go wild.
-You can freely interact with others unless otherwise stated.
-If anything is destroyed or taken it will respawn for the next person unless you're doing things together. Basically you only change anything for yourself and anyone part of the thread or otherwise decidedly running with you.
-There are revives, so as much as you should be careful, it won't be over if you die.
-To avoid injury or death, or to get past other obstacles, you'll need to spend Perseverance points to pass a sort of skill check.
-You'll gain Perseverance points generally for performing harrowing or unsavoury tasks, or going it alone.

Objectives
Find pieces of [Vergil]'s soul and return them to him - how will you know what they are? You'll just have to figure that out. Some are objects to collect, others will be something to destroy or fix.
OR
Cultivate demonic power. Likewise up to you to figure out how. But you should know demons feed on blood, for one thing!

Feel free to ask questions here or on discord

LIVING CAVE

[idolpro]

Break this heavy chain, That does freeze my bones around! Selfish, vain, Eternal bane, That free love with bondage bound.

A cave with a giant, exposed, beating heart in the centre. There's several massive...roots? coming from the heart. The walls of the cave are a web of similar thin red vines and pulsing sacks like blisters. The ground and what remains of the walls and ceiling are slick and fleshy. Some gaps between walls have a thin membrane over them.

On one end of the room is a gate, from ground to ceiling, about 20 feet tall. Innumerable red vines cover its frame. There are two openings in the walls that appear to lead into tunnels, with pointed talons or perhaps ribs poised around them that move occasionally like fingers drumming. One heads east, the other south.

There is never anyone else in this cave with you. You are alone.

[failedsafe]

Oh my stars, grooooosss!

[let's go east after getting our bearings]

[auguryofinnocence]

but there are no stars, lily

[auguryofinnocence]

You're back in the cave... Well there's not a whole lot to look at here, there's the gate, and the heart, and all the flesh and gross sacks of whatever...

But when you really look around, you notice the roots seem to start from the heart, and most connect to the gate. One particularly large one breaks through the ground, then pops back up near a wall on the west side of the cave, twisting along the ceiling until another hole that it's broken through there.

It looks like a root, but considering it sprouts from the heart, maybe it's better to call it a vein or artery. When you get close, the blood rushing through it becomes apparent, not only to see but to hear. It's also plain to see an opening from its outer shell where it winds back up along the wall. If you don't mind a squeeze and being submerged in blood, you could ride the flow.

Re: LIVING CAVE

[constellationprize]

[ give her a second to like. recalibrate, first. whew

after that, after getting her bearings, she heads south ]

Re: LIVING CAVE

[weenwoon]

[There are times when "bruh" just doesn't cut it, and this is one of those times. Levity surfaces almost with a jolt, and pretty much immediately slaps a hand over his nose and mouth, making a gagging noise. He Does Not Enjoy the rotting flesh smell!

The scenery isn't exactly better, either, and Levity just stares at the beating heart. There is in fact something soothing about the repeating movements; a certain kind of life, as it were, to counteract the stench of death. Levity tries to stand up and shudders as he realizes that his clothes are already stained with... whatever it is. Blood, most likely, given the surroundings...

Nevertheless, he does his best, tearing off a not-yet-bloodies piece of his sleeve to use as very basic face cover. He's going to throw up otherwise.

Though Levity still doesn't know where he is, he can at least tell what he needs to do. He's here to help--

Levity pauses in the thought. The name... he can't remember the name. But he knows the man. He has... he is... they're friends, he was kind to Levity, and they talked about art and nature of humanity. Yes. He's here to help his friend.

Heavens, though, this is... grisly. Levity tries not to look at the things around him too much, nor breathe too deeply as he makes his way to the tunnels. He pauses before them, staring in horrified fascination at the moving ribs, then shakes his head and sets off east.]

[failedsafe]

Auuuugh what the Heeeeell, man.

Dying is ass.

And not even fun, big, bouncy ass?

This is some subpar booty for sure.

Anyway she's headed to the library with yamato.

she could walk but where's the fun in that.

PETRIFIED FIELD

[idolpro]

Lo! to the vault Of paved heaven, With sorrow fraught My notes are driven: They strike the ear of night, Make weep the eyes of day; They make mad the roaring winds, And with tempests play. Like a fiend in a cloud With howling woe, After night I do croud, And with night will go; I turn my back to the east, From whence comforts have increas'd; For light doth seize my brain With frantic pain.

It takes some walking, how long have you been wandering through caverns? It becomes more and more difficult to tell them apart. Have you already been this way? Do you know how to make it back? Do you even know where you want to end up?

The area opens up into what looks very much like a field of feather grass and wildflowers. The grass however is a light lavender shade, and the red petals of the flowers seem to glow. It's light here, the sky muddled and grey like night, but still, this is a far cry from the near blackness of the fleshy caves. The rock outcropping that looks like coral reef is almost beautiful. It could be nice to rest here.

You're getting tired. You should rest, it's awfully tempting...

[failedsafe]

[Her body feels heavy and she's tired, but resting here doesn't seem like a good idea. She doesn't trust this field. Maybe it's just her own tiredness, but anything that could be beautiful in hell must be all the more dangerous.

Let's just...sit in the rock outcropping. just for a minute.]

Re: PETRIFIED FIELD

[weenwoon]

[Levity doesn't usually have bad memory for directions, but oof. The sheer repetitiveness and his own lack of desire to look at things too closely is taking its toll.

But finally there's... an opening, and fresher air, and space around him. Levity breathes out in relief, stepping out into the field. It's... rather beautiful. He looks up at the sky - it reminds him a little of the dream Hades had shown him, of the skies of Amaurot. Just... needs more lights.

Levity walks some distance into the field before picking a place to sit down and just. Watch the sky. Are there any stars or anything? If there's nothing to note about the sky, he's going to poke at the grass and flowers.]

Re: PETRIFIED FIELD

[weenwoon]

[BOLD OF YOU TO THINK HE'S EVEN AWARE OF THE BLOOD RIDE. TO THE FIELD WE GO. Levity tries to stay away from the grass as much as he can, and instead explores the rock outcropping. Can he climb onto that?]

ROOM OF FALLEN ONES

[idolpro]

The Eternals said: What is this? Death? Urizen is a clod of clay.

You're dropped in the middle of a lake of blood, the blood from the vein pouring out onto you, slowly filling the pool.

The lake stretches out as far as the eye can see. Shallow enough here to only brush the knees of most, but it quickly grows deeper further out in any direction. Pieces of ancient, ruined buildings hang in the sky, more still are scattered throughout the lake. And between them are countless shattered statues, easily 50ft tall if they were standing.

There's a distinct feeling that the statues are watching, even with their heads sunken in the blood. Their demonic presence is immense despite their broken state and appearing to be inanimate objects. Even more of them than there would appear, on into the distance...you may not be able to see them out there, but they see you. They see right into you, through you, and weigh your worth.

There doesn't seem to be any way back out, the flow of the vein much too strong to ride it the other way.

[failedsafe]

She's just going to flip off every one of these statues.

Every.

Single.

One.

And then we're going to have a look around.

LIBRARY

[idolpro]

"Father, father, where are you going? O do not walk so fast! Speak, father, speak to your little boy, Or else I shall be lost." The night was dark, no father was there, The child was wet with dew; The mire was deep, and the child did weep, And away the vapour flew.

You come to a broken down library within the endless, gory cave system. It's just as dark here, but by now you've gotten used to the lack of light, haven't you? Hopefully so, because there are beams and shelves strewn across the floor. In fact if you want to actually get in, you'll need to climb over quite a bit of rubble and trod on the books that have fallen with them. You'll also have to contend with the roots and branches of demonic trees that have broken through the windows and the floor.

That which is still standing looks absolutely ancient. Books so worn down they might turn to dust if you even look at them. Even with the damage there's a great number of shelves though, and standing by one with the blue glow of an ethereal sword lighting the book in his hands is a young boy.

A mirror floats near the centre of the room, a statue by the doors carrying an hourglass, and another off to one side with lights glowing in its hands.

There's a door to the south, and the opening to the tunnels north.

Re: LIBRARY

[constellationprize]

[ she probably trips over a fallen shelf. can't lie.

but once she picks herself back up she climbs her way in, doing her best to avoid stepping on too many books, in as much as she can.

and once she gets over she's approaching the boy slowly, still trying to take the scenery in ]

Um - ... excuse me...

Re: LIBRARY

[weenwoon]

[Why did you say "south is for vergils"

Anyway! Levity does make his way into the library, somehow. Maybe being tall helps with climbing? We can but hope so. He tries not to step on the books much, though, that's rude.

He takes in the scene within the library itself with interest, but! There's a person! Is it possible to consult the painting to see if the ｢ＢＯＹ｣ looks like anyone in it.]

[failedsafe]

She's not doing great there might be trauma to address later but she's supposed to be a survivor so she's careful not to let anything weigh on her features about dying as she looks for Vivi.

MIRROR WORLD: DEVIL MAY CRY

[idolpro]

I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I watered it in fears Night and morning with my tears, And I sunnèd it with smiles And with soft deceitful wiles. And it grew both day and night, Till it bore an apple bright, And my foe beheld it shine, And he knew that it was mine,— And into my garden stole When the night had veiled the pole; In the morning, glad, I see My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

It's...well it's a building. Hard to tell what the purpose of the place is exactly. This one huge room has it all. A bar, jukebox, stadium size speakers alongside some other musical equipment, boxes and piles of documents crammed on a shelving unit in the corner, a dart board, clippings from nudie mags pinned up, weapons on display in a framed velvet case on the wall, a few plants, a neon "Devil May Cry" sign, a fridge but no kitchen or even a sink. A lot of trash. Pizza boxes, crumpled notes, and empty bottles of booze all over. A mantis-like demon pinned to the wall above the bar with swords.

There is some evidence someone has put in minimal effort to clean up. At least around the leather couch against the wall on the right. No garbage strewn about immediately beside or in front of it. Though there is a stack of books on it, and a shelf beside.

There's a man in a red coat who you probably know slumped over the desk in the middle, head down. The mirror seems to have replaced a front door.

[failedsafe]

WE HERE NOW Y'ALL!!

"Oh, hey!"

THRONE ROOM

[idolpro]

Am not I A fly like thee? Or art not thou A man like me? For I dance And drink & sing: Till some blind hand Shall brush my wing. If thought is life And strength & breath: And the want Of thought is death; Then am I A happy fly, If I live, Or if I die.

A room made entirely of white marble, almost blindingly bright and reflective, a massive throne opposite the sole entrance that could seat a being of 50ft or more. In the middle of the floor, just in front of the throne, is a stark contrast of a thick, black puddle, scattered with various bits of what must be trash, mostly. But some parts sticking out might be bones.

Suits of armour line the walls, most simply standing at attention, others chained down and grunting or even screaming. Though any noise is quite muffled by their helmets, there's a certain quality to their one shared voice that sounds familiar.

[failedsafe]

We here, now, a lot less excited.

MANOR

[idolpro]

I went to the Garden of Love, And saw what I never had seen; A Chapel was built in the midst, Where I used to play on the green. And the gates of this Chapel were shut, And ‘Thou shalt not’ writ over the door; So I turned to the Garden of Love That so many sweet flowers bore. And I saw it was filled with graves, And tombstones where flowers should be; And priests in black gowns were walking their rounds, And binding with briars my joys and desires.

You enter the front garden of a manor on a river. The stone fence is mostly eroded, making the iron wrought gate entirely ineffective. Vines bearing fruit creep along the house, especially above the door, and there are plenty of trees and bushes on the property. Out back is the real garden.

On the left side is a woman sitting on a bench under a tree, from which a swing hangs. On the right, a rowboat lays on shore. It's summer here, easy to tell by the heat and scent in the air, the parched grass, the humming of cicadas.

If you came through the Hell Gate, it remains unsealed behind you. If you came any other way, then there is no gate. The path leading away from the house only stretches out into empty hills.

ayyy guess whos like a week late

[weenwoon]

[Levity still can't help looking back at Vergil even as they go through the portal, which is a smart thing to do in the Underworld! But he does hate leaving him behind, even if Levity himself advised for going to the house...

...but the scenery itself is, in fact, enough to distract him. He looks around them, still holding onto Lily's hand - it's so different from everything else so far...]

Oh... it's where he was born...

URIZEN

[idolpro]

From the depths of dark solitude. From The eternal abode in my holiness, Hidden set apart in my stern counsels Reserv'd for the days of futurity, I have sought for a joy without pain, For a solid without fluctuation Why will you die O Eternals? Why live in unquenchable burnings?

A giant of a demon sits before you upon his throne, a cheek resting against a fist. Disinterested. He doesn't seem to acknowledge you whatsoever. A cluster of crystals floats in front of him, shining, spinning.

The room itself is solid enough to be made up of steel, but on closer inspection it seems to be petrified roots. There is a pool of blood like a moat at the demon's feet, and like everything here he too is covered in tree roots. Almost bound to his throne by them.

If you came through the Hell Gate, it's vanished. There is no exit.

You know immediately upon entering that you shouldn't be here.