savetheearth | [Semi-Open] Into the Cathedral Catacombs

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[Semi-Open] Into the Cathedral Catacombs

Who: Anthonies Janvier and Sparado, Hajime Aikawa, Shou Chinen, possibly Richard Stroud, Xander Jarle, Nick Burkhardt, Soren Castor, Davin Carter, John Smith, Toushirou Hitsugaya, and anyone else who might've expressed interest in an expedition delving after dark into the mummy-infested catacombs beneath a local church.
Where: Below the altered St. John's Episcopal Church.
When: Evening of Saturday, September 6th.
What: Investigation and hopeful threat elimination.
Warnings: Violence and encouragement of good old "Lovecraft insanity".

[This log is going to be broken down for free-for-alling section-by-section:
- Area 1 - The Entrance
- Area 2 - The First Hall
- Areas 3 and 4 - The First Room and Stairwell
- Areas 5 and 6 - The Fountain Room
- Areas 7 and 8 - The Arcane Study
- Area 9 - The Shrine
- "Boss Fight"
- Return to the Church

To toss in another character or brush up on what to expect in the catacombs, including areas and monsters, please refer to this post - and, of course, toss in any questions if you've got them!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No. I don't think you'll intentionally hurt someone.

[But Anthony's similarities to what they're fighting is exactly what's on his mind at the moment. It's making him more paranoid than he normally would.]

I don't think you're in control right now, and I think it's going to get worse. I'm not letting you keep going, man, you're gonna have to get through me.

[The answer he hears isn't the one he wants. A chuckle escapes him as he moves over to a wall and starts to disappear in to the shadows.]

I don't have to go through you, Nick. I have my ways of getting around.

[Fortunately, Nick knows he can do that, and he'd kind of been expecting it.

Also fortunately - for Nick, at least - his relfexes are a lot faster than a human's now. As soon as Xander starts moving towards the wall, Nick's hand darts out, grabbing Xander's arm and pulling towards him.

He's honestly not sure if he'll be able to pull Xander away from the shadows or if he's just signed up to a trip through them, but either way, Xander's not getting away from him.]

[The quick movement from the homicide detective surprises him, but only for a moment since his head was disappearing in to the shadow. Unlike the first time Nick had grabbed him while in transition, he wasn't being pulled out and he was taking his ex with him.

It doesn't take very long for them to appear on the other side of the room, emerging from another shadow on the wall. Xander was trying to pull back his arm from Nick's grip while giving him a dark look.]

Unhand me, Nick. [It was an order and the knife from before reappeared in his hand.] I won't ask you again.

[Right, trip through the shadows it was. When they emerge, Nick's a little disoriented, but still able to keep his grim firmly on Xander's arm.]

Already told you we were getting out of here, man, that's not an option.

[He has no idea where Anthony is anymore, but he can't take the chance.

Part of him is still hoping that Xander will just walk out of there with him, but his body is still tense, ready for a fight, even as his tone lowers.]

We really gonna do this?

I keep telling you that I'm not done here. [It almost came out as a snarl.] I need to do this.

[He didn't want to harm Nick or get in to a physical fight with the homicide detective. Nick had the upper hand due to his constant training and possible enhancements from 'pulses'. While he tried to keep up with his training, but found it difficult to do so when confronted with conflicting thoughts and personality traits. It didn't help that he was a sadomasochist either.]

[His grip only tightens.]

Need to do what? Pound these things into the ground until there's nothing left? Keep going until you can't tell friend from for? Fight something, anything?

[It's not like that isn't a feeling that Nick recognizes, but he can't let it happen here.]

I'm right here, Xander. You need to fight something, do it.

[Xander has not given up on trying to pull his arm away, despite Nick's grip tightening around it, he lets out a small grunt. The sound doesn't last long before a chuckle takes its place and his expression changes back to one he had earlier when fighting the monsters.]

We came here to destroy these things and make sure they don't get back up. I can take these things while everyone else keeps moving forward. [Sure, he was taking on more work than necessary but the rest of the group could conserve their energy for something worse. That's how he saw it in his mind.] You're wasting your energy arguing with me and keeping me from my job.

[He summons the knife to his other hand and brings the blade closer to his ex.]

I don't want to hurt you.

[It's a little unnerving, hearing that chuckle, seeing that expression while Xander's looking at him. His instincts are going off, telling him that he's actually in trouble here, no matter what he might want to believe otherwise.

He doesn't respond to most of that, because he knows he's not going to be able to argue his point. They're both too convinced of their own.

But he does grip the handle of his short sword, with his free hand.]

Then don't.

[Nick would be right about that. Xander was being rather stubborn about this.

As for that comment, he tilts his head slightly. It sounded like a dare, really. Especially with that small shift from the homicide detective.]

Then let me go, Nick and I won't have to.

[He moves the blade a bit more closer.]

[So is Nick, unfortunately. If this place wasn't getting to him, by now he'd be trying to figure out a way around this, but he's not exactly on his A-game.]

Then we're going to be here all night, because I'm not letting go until you're outside with me.

[He pulls at that, just a light tug, back towards the way they came in.]

[So, they were at a stand-still with neither side wanting to budge. Well, that is until Nick decided to try and move him again, but was met with resistance. It was obvious he didn't want to leave and he wasn't about to repeat himself on why.

That is until his mind was starting to play tricks on him. It was changing Nick in to something else. That wasn't right. He blinks a few times before shaking his head, trying to get rid of the visual in front of him. Except it didn't leave. Now there was this creature holding his arm and trying to drag him in to some foreign place. He wasn't going to let that stand. Not at all.

He doesn't even think of a plan before striking at the being in front of him, aiming for a vital spot.]

[He has his instincts to thank that the blade doesn't hit its mark - he still didn't think Xander would attack him.

But he's moving before he even registers why, and the blow that could have hit him in the stomach glances off his side, cutting a long slice through his shirt and into his skin.

He'd let go when he dodged the attack, ducking slightly to the side, but not for long - even as the knife is cutting into him, he moves. He swings in with one arm, aiming a heavy punch to Xander's solar plexus, while he pushes outward with his other arm, knocking against Xander's knife hand in an attempt to get him to drop it.

Not that Xander couldn't just make another one appear, apparently, but Nick - isn't thinking that far ahead yet.]

[The reaction speed from the "creature" was surprising and it was able to avoid his attack, but just barely. The moment of freedom was short lived when he felt a strong blow to his stomach, causing him to wheeze for air and experience a fair bit of pain. It wasn't exactly pleasant by any means, but it was different than the usual injuries he would sustain.

As for his knife, it fell to the catacomb floor and was forgotten about for the moment. The former soldier was preoccupied by trying to get some distance between him and his opponent.]

(OOC: I HOPE THIS IS OKAY wanted to move it along a little so we could get to the depowering bit! If not let me know and I can edit)

[If Nick were himself, he'd let Xander go. Try to herd him around towards the exit, maybe, but he wouldn't go after him.

But he's not himself. Being a Grimm might protect him from the worst affects of this place, but it's still getting to him, and all he can think is what he was afraid of earlier - seeing the way Xander went overboard on the beings in this place, knowing the resembled Anthony, and the terror of what would happen if Xander went after Anthony like he did that creature. Like he was doing now, to Nick himself.

When Xander tries to get away, paranoia sets in, and Nick's only thought is that he's trying to go after Anthony.

He needs to incapacitate him, needs to figure out a way to take him out quick, and for long enough to get him out of here. But it's still Xander, and Nick is still himself enough - still cares enough - that the idea of hurting him more is really upsetting.

So he goes for the only option he can think of, the only thing that he knows will work to take Xander out of commission for a little while, but not have any really negative affects. Or at least, not that he knows of.

Nick bites his lip and the inside of his cheek, hard enough to break through the skin, and then pulls Xander in for a kiss.]

(ooc: That's totally fine with me! I don't mind at all.)

[Xander was only able to get a few steps away before Nick -- no, the "creature" -- grabs a hold of him again. Despite still gasping for breath, he struggles against the other being while stepping backwards. He knew he was at a disadvantage and he couldn't resort to using his shadow mimicry again without taking this thing with him.

Maybe, just maybe, his healing ability would injure it instead of repairing the injury he had made. It was a risk he was willing to take. He tightens his grip around the "creature" and hopes that the burn that came along with the healing would be enough for it to let go.

Except, it doesn't last long when the being suddenly gets in close to kiss him. None of the previous monsters didn't try anything like this. What could he do in a situation like this? He couldn't go for a low blow, it wouldn't feel it. Biting would only result in tasting rotten flesh and old blood. But, he couldn't do that when he was still recovering from being hit in the solar plexus. The "creature" was already kissing him and he could taste a copper liquid in his mouth. This wasn't good.

A muffled grunt that became another wheeze escaped him as he tries to pull away, only to have his back meet with a wall. He was cornered and he couldn't stop his body from swallowing the liquid that was in his mouth. Not long afterwards, dark veins started to appear on his body as his eyes turn completely black and his coordination starts to fail while his injuries bled. He couldn't keep himself upright and he wanted to vomit, purge the foreign substance from his body. As for that knife? It vanished from the floor.

This creature had him right where it wanted him. Weak and defenseless. It would have no issue with finishing him off if someone didn't interfere.]

Edited (spotted some errors) 2014-10-03 23:40 (UTC)

[He feels the burn, but it's not enough to let him go. Nick assumes it's some further injury, but for the moment - he'll ignore it. He has to, until he manages to get Xander out of here.

Nick breaks away after he hears Xander swallow. He knows it doesn't take that much, that it won't - and then he sees the black eyes, the dark veins, the way Xander can't hold himself up. Maybe he'd over-estimated it, when he thought doing this wouldn't hurt him.]

Shit. Shit, I-

[He cuts off, stepping away from the wall - though he doesn't let go of Xander, now trying to hold him up.]

Xan, can you hear me? Come on, man, it's Nick, do you know who I am?

[He was expecting the creature to strike, but nothing came. All he could feel was the pain in his gut, the burning sensation in his lungs, and several throbs from his prior injuries.

Then he heard a familiar voice, which was distorted slightly, who was cursing and calling him by his nickname. A look of confusion crosses his face as he tries to place it. It was difficult to lift his head at the moment and for what he could see was a creature, not Nick. He knew he was being moved, but couldn't do anything to stop it.]

...Yeah. I -- [Sharp inhale.] -- can hear you. You... don't look like Nick.

[He didn't even know why he was talking to it, especially after everything that just happened. Speaking was rather difficult to do right now, but if it could prolong the creature from taking action against him, he'd try it.]

I... didn't know... you could talk. [A bit of a strained chuckle escapes him.] I bet... you're pretty pissed... for what we're doing here.

Good.

[It's out before he really means it to be - but ridiculously, it makes him feel better. That it really was because Xander didn't recognize him, that lead him to attack like that.

He tries a smile - not that it'll matter much, if he doesn't look like himself to Xander.]

Nah, not pissed. Just a little freaked out, here.

[Another grunt escapes him since he tried to reposition himself but only caused himself more pain due to his lack of coordination and injuries. Even though Nick was smiling a little, he couldn't see it. His head refused to lift the way he wanted.]

Due to... intruders invading your home, right?

[Thankfully, the dark veins start to fade and his blue eyes return. Nick's blood had cancelled out whatever process was going on within him, allowing him to regain his footing on his own and not be so much dead weight. The sudden change was startling, but he couldn't feel that 'second skin' covering his injuries. That wasn't good. Instead of struggling against the being that was dragging him away, he brings a free hand to his torso, hoping to stop the bleeding. There was a good chance that it might get infected due to his clothes being dirty.]

Due to you being hurt, and me being the cause of it.

[And a hundred other things, not in the least including Xander attacking him and still not recognizing him and Anthony still being down here somewhere, but he doesn't want to go into a list right now.]

We need to get you out of here.

[There was a blink of confusion when the "creature" mentions it was the cause behind his wounds reopening. Why was it suddenly caring about him and trying to get him out of here as if he was some sort of ally? None of this made sense.]

Honestly? I kind of deserve it. [Another strained chuckle escapes him before it turns in to a wheeze.] ...Since I attacked first. You were... only defending yourself.

[Nick pushes Xander's hair away from his face, checking his eyes - they're not black anymore, but it's weirding him out a little that they're blue.]

Might think differently when we're out of here, I'll get back to you on that.

[He shrugs out of his hoodie, turning it inside out - it's already sliced open and stained with his own blood, a little more won't make a difference - and presses it against Xander's side.]

Can you walk?

[As Nick brushes some of Xander's hair away, he can't help but flinch a little. Why yes, he's a little uncomfortable by that gesture from the creature that was hauling him away. You'd think Nick would be more concerned about the black eyes instead of his original blue eyes.

As for that comment, a small scoff escapes him before it turns in to another grunt. It didn't help that the creature was using its own clothing to use a bandage.]

...Almost. I don't know why... I'm telling you that.

[He was steadily getting back his coordination and feeling better that he wasn't moving differently than what his brain wanted.]

[It's the smallest bit worrying, that Xander still can't recognize Nick for who he is, but at least he's not trying to fight him anymore.

He just hopes that when they get out of here, whatever effect this place has is reversed.]

Because I'm the guy who's going to make sure nothing else gets to you while we get out of here.

[Semi-Open] Into the Cathedral Catacombs

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