The Secret Stories of the Masquerade

As the last shadow fell, a terrible and unearthly cry of rage sounded. The towering creature in the distance was not so far away anymore and was headed right for the mansion. Its lumbering steps were each punctuated by small tremors in the earth. No one was left to run screaming from the sight, they'd all run away. The creature slammed its fists on the ground as it neared, causing the party to fall to their knees.

Prologue - Part 2: Darkness in the Night

Theme - The Night Isn't Finished

Objective - Defeat Tenebre


Outside - Masquerade Fairground


{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } { } { } {/} { } { } { } { } {\} { } { } { } B
{ } { } {/} { } { } { } { } { } { } {\} { } { } C
{ } {/} { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } {\} { } D
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } E
{ } { } { } { } { } {T} {T} { } { } { } { } { } F
{ } { } { } { } { } {T} {T} { } { } { } { } { } G
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } H
{ } {\} { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } {/} { } I
{ } { } {\} { } { } { } { } { } { } {/} { } { } J
{ } { } { } {\} { } { } { } {S} {/} { } { } { } K
{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } L
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9---10--11--12

{/} & {\} - Fallen Ribbon Pole - Cannot Occupy

Player:

Enemy:

Players may start in rows J - L.

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Shakespeare starts in K-8.

Will stood unsteadily, balancing his laptop in his hands. "That thing is huge . . ." It didn't appear they had any choice, they had to stand and fight or the thing would crush them. Will adjusted his headphones and set a grim look upon his face, conjuring up what courage he'd learned so far.

"What. The. Hell," Kit spat, as the beast barged into the clearing. The double fisted slam it unleashed knocked him to his haunches. He growled. This night was even getting to his battle-craving nerves. Sure, the little shadow pups were fun and all, but this beast? That was just ridiculous. He clenched his fists, his claws digging into his palm, threatening to draw blood. He ground his teeth in agitation.
"This is messed up!" he yelled as he leapt to his feet. "Is some perverted god with a dark, twisted sense of humour out to get us or something? Is this some cosmic joke? Cause I ain't laughing!" He kicked up sand like an enraged bull and cracked his knuckles. A savage grin contrary to his earlier statement cracked across his face. "It's time for a recap of ass kicking 101: the bigger they are, the harder they fall~"

Kit starts at L5

Heaven starts at L8.

Heaven knew the upcoming battle wouldn't be like the past two encounters with the Shadow Peons. She knew herself couldn't handle such monster alone, she knew she -and everyone else- had to cooperate with each other in order to claim a seemingly far away victory. The Sound Enchanter readied the large artifact she had been carrying ever since the Ballroom incident, named the Universal Tone and waited for something which would eventually start the battle.

Kit scowled at the giant. He was not is the best of moods. He dashed off to the side of the clearing, skirting the fallen poles. They were hindrances to him, but they would also keep the giant at bay for a few vital seconds. "Be right back," he called as he left the group. Crouched in the corner, he focused and started his transformation. "This many shifts in a row can't be good for my health," he complained. The now familiar but still annoying inner voice pipped up. Au contraire, it said smugly, It's good for mine.

With several prior transformations under his (their?) belt, it was much easier this time. It was till awkward since it wasted valuable attack time, but the potential of the result was worth it. He got down on all fours and his body glowed white. Silver mana streamed from his body and swirled around him before snapping back unto him, shaping him into the tiger of his soul. A low growl rubbled deep in his throat as he shook himself. The first few moments where always a bit disorienting, but he could handle it. He turn back to face the giant and snarled softly.
Calm down, my Kitten, it said, He too shall soon know what pain is, and just who is the head of the food chain.

Kit moves to L1
Kit uses Beast Within!Stats increase by 50%! Kit gains haste status!
MP: 22/35
ATK- 15, DEF- 11, INT- 5, SPR- 8

Heaven smiled with burst of sudden confidence, replying with a short "OK" before glaring at the Avatar of Night, the immense creature blocking the full moon on the nighttime sky. She knew what to do. The Sound Enchanter reached for the six golden, switches and turned the Harp Installment on, a total of twelve silver strings with an unreal thinness were shot above at the monster, piercing it. This time, she played the harp chords with a swift swing not just once, but three times, causing a harmony of soothing sound waves spread all around the area and a greater quantity of golden notes to materialize.

With her "spell" done, the silver chords retracted back to the depths of the Universal Tone.


Heaven moves to J8 (L8 - K8 - J8).

Heaven casts Calming Harp on Tenebre!
MP: 36/45

Tenebre takes 27 INT Damage, Chance of Sleep!

The others were all knocked over. He bared his fangs and snarled softly. That giant was going to regret his actions really soon. The voice picked up on his anger a fed it. What are you waiting for? the voice urged. Defend what is yours. Hunt. Rip him apart. Or in more casual terms; go get him Tiger.

Kit charged. Crouching low, he dashed around the fallen poles and pounced the giant. But his aim wasn't to hit him. No, as fell back to the ground, he made a powerful slash. A huge curving blade of silver energy darted at the giant. As it neared, it shattered into ten smaller, but no less deadly sickles that ripped through the giants body. Kit landed light on his paws, a haughty expression on his face, fangs prominently displayed, a low rumble rising from his throat.
Good boy.

Kit moves to H5!
Kit uses doubled Airborne Claws on Tenebre! 10 hits! 15 damage each!
MP: 0/35

The creature keeled over with a booming crash. William lurched away even though he wasn't in its path. He glanced around to see that everyone was okay, then checked his laptop. It was still humming music back at him in his headphones, so he figured it was fine.

"WHAT THE BLAZES DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"

Will's head snapped to either side as he tried to locate the originator of the shout. He squirmed on the grass until he caught sight of the Masque stomping up to them and the fallen shadow as if they has just stolen the neighbor's bike. "THE HELL ARE YOU GOIN' ON ABOUT?!" Will shouted back, getting to his feet and stuffing the laptop back in his bag.

By now, the Masque was less than a couple steps away and only stopped short so he could point an imperious finger at Will and the group. Even in the moonlight, Will could see the man was completely red-faced. " You! You can't do this! You're ruining everything!"

Will blinked, a little more than dumbfounded. Hadn't they just saved the day and all? Or night, as it was. He shook his head and put a hand out in confusion. "Woah. I repeat, what. The hell. Are you goin' on about?" He punctuated each pause with a gesture to halt.

The Masque threw his hands up in utter frustration. "You, you fools. What are you thinking, harming such a beautiful creature?" Will stared, and before he could find his tongue, the Masque continued. "It was coming for me. It was sent for me! I'm going to the edge of the world, I must wake the Sun Dragon! It's the only way we'll be saved!"

"Saved? Saved from what?" Before the Masque answered, a powerful tremor knocked them both, and anyone who might've been standing, onto the ground. Will looked up to see that the giant shadow had slammed a fist to the ground and was starting to stand up. "Ah, shit . . . " It reached a long, pitch black arm out, and for a moment Will feared it would grab him and eat him, but instead it grabbed the Masque who gave an unbecoming yelp. As the creature stood, they were enveloped in darkness and slowly faded from view until it was as if they were never there.

After a few moments of silence, Will suddenly shouted into the night air. "WHAT THE HELL?!"


Chapter 1 - Discovering Nightworld

Kit walked over, shedding his tiger form as he did. He stretched in a yawn and gazed impassively at the spot where the giant was. He stood their, opening and closing his mouth a couple times as if he was reconsidering what he was about to stay before plopping down to squat on the ground. He scratched his head and looked up at Will. "Since what just happened makes no sense whatsoever to me, I'm just going to assume I'm missing something major."

Will glanced over at the tiger guy. "Kit, right? Yeah sure you betcha. We all did, and still are." He propped an elbow on his knee and dropped his head in his hand. "Can somebody please just tell me what's goin' on? And I'm already really tired of having to repeat that." He asked aloud, not really expecting an answer.

"He said he's going to wake the Sun Dragon."

Will jumped for the umpteenth time that night and searched about until he saw the woman from before, the one they'd tried to save and almost didn't. Deciding to go along with it, he said, "And what exactly is the Sun Dragon?"

The woman hugged her arms around her against the slight chill in the air before answering. "Quite simply, it is the sun, tethered away at the bottom of the world. You rift-comers always think that it's always night here, and no sun. It's not true, the sun just doesn't move."

Will stared, feeling like it was becoming a habit. "And?"

She sighed and sat down as well, as if preparing for something long and arduous. "The old tale goes that the Sun Dragon lusted for power, so much so that he was killing the other gods and stealing theirs. After a time, those that remained gathered together to capture him and put him to sleep, and then they imprisoned him at the bottom of the world. The sun burns bright there, and it is always night here because of it." She stopped long enough to lock William in her solemn gaze. "If he were to ever wake, he would burn the world into nothing."

Will rocked back on his haunches, contemplating. This Nightworld was a beautiful place, even all the monsters considered. There were many innocent people here, who would probably die if someone didn't do something. And by the looks of things, it would have to be him and this ragtag group of people. That was certainly something to consider. It was possible that they could die, assuming they took this on. 'But what's to stop this Sun Dragon from crossing that Rift thing back there once it's done?' That pretty much made the decision for him. He still had family and friends back on Earth, wherever it was from this place. They were definitely worth risking his life over.

Will stood abruptly, having come to a decision. "Then we'll just have to stop that guy. My own life be damned, that thing could decide to come back through the Rift and take on Earth. It's gotta be stopped." The woman nodded at him, and he looked back at the others grimly. He had no idea what they might say, but surely they saw the reason in what he was saying? Their families and friends could die too if they didn't do something. Besides, Will wasn't sure he could do it by himself. "I'm staying. What about you guys?"

Rico had managed to stand up after the thing disappeared. His muscles were a little sore from all the action. Too much action. His eyes shot to the side in irritation. "Fuck this. I didn't sign up to save anyone's world. Destroying the sun in this world will do nothing about the sun in my own," he stated angrily, a fierce hatred in his voice. "I'm not coming along. I'm going back home, if that is possible. I can cross the rift again, is that correct?" he asked the woman.

"My internet shopping gig has been paying off big time," Kit said dismissively. "And I just hired an assistant. She's capable and can manage the store on her own for a while." He sprawled out on the grass, staring up at the stars. He never did mind night time. He tried to identify the constellations but they didn't match the ones he knew. Not all that surprising. He turned his attention back to Will. "As long as there's a high chance of fighting, I'm in." He blinked. "That and I'd rather not have a world or two burning down on my hands. Not good for my image, ya know."

Now it was the woman's turn to stare, if a little mournfully. "Yes . . . " She said quietly.

William bit his lip as he listened to the guy talk. He should've expected someone to back out, but that guy was powerful as hell. It was a terrible loss and Will could feel it. "If you're sure man." was all he said however and gave a small grin at the cat guy. He knew he wouldn't stay away from a fight. The guy practically screamed fighter with everything he did.

"Excellent," Rico replied simply. "Don't get me wrong; I wish you guys the best of luck. Just think of it as me keeping an eye on everything in our own world. When you come back, look me up. I'll want to hear about the adventure." He allowed a slight smile and put his sword away. He wouldn't be needing it anymore. "So how do I cross the rift again?" he asked the woman, wanting to get out of there quickly. God forbid any emotions should make him stay.

She gave him a strange look. "Just walk back through." She said, her tone curious, as if it was common knowledge. Which it may have been, but not to them.

Will smiled at Rico's explanation, realizing it'd been a while since the last time he'd actually smiled. He walked toward him and offered a hand to shake. "Thanks, I'll be sure to keep you in mind. Assuming I get back, I'll tell ya what happened."

Rico grasped Will's hand and shook it firmly. "You'll make it. I just know it. You guys make a powerful bunch. Don't let the sun boss you around, ya here?" With that, he gave them one last look and another small wave as he walked away. He kept walking and walking until he was no longer in the Nightworld, but simply walking down the street in his own. He paused and looked up at the night sky, glittering with the stars. How did he know that any of that actually happened? He took another step only to stop again.

They'll come back, Rico thought. They'll come back and tell me the story. He couldn't believe how emotional he felt, but he pushed it all aside and started his walk back home.

And that's how I'll know.

As the angel ran past him, Kit rolled over and pounced. A wild vacant yet possessed look was on his face. He hit Myuu hard on his back, pinning him to the ground. He growled for a second, then snapped back to reality. He blinked, sitting between the boy's wings with a confused expression on his face.

"Whoa, bizarre," he said. "Sorry, field-mouse. When you ran, I just thought 'prey' and attacked. I guess it's instinct. And the wings. I always did like chasing things." He crawled off Myuu's back, them held a wing tip in case he attempted to flee again. "But, I'm still not letting you get away angel boy. Don;t you have some sort of duty or responsibility to help prevent the destruction of the world?"