{ battle against the story eater }

[dreamposts]

BATTLE AGAINST THE STORY EATER

The Story Eater has arrived.

More details on everything can be found here. We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.

Players who made boss submissions, if you are creating a prompt in your toplevel or wish to create a designated prompt for your boss, please comment here which will be used as a directory.

I. ON THE MOON

Those on the moon will at first feel overwhelmed, possibly even forced to the ground by the sheer enormous force of the nightmare energy that continues to pour out where the Story Eater had once stood. It feels as if they had extremely underestimated its power, and those of a weak mind will already feel the effects of the nightmare latching onto their worst fears. However, a cold air brushes over them and the ground beneath warms as it pulses white. In an instant, the oppressive feeling disappears, clarity returning to them.

It's too early to fall now, little dreamers, a sultry voice whispers in their ears with a laugh as another sighs, the softer voice like a melody. Quick, before the blessing loses its effect. The rest is up to you.

A. Tapir Calvary. The tapirs may have been hanging back for a while, but they will pop in, all eager to feast upon the nightmares that appear. Of course… Like anything, too much is dangerous for them as well. While they are able to withstand the seemingly endless amount of nightmare energy as if they are just swimming through flooded waters, after eating too much they start to wobble and complain of their stomachs hurting. This in turn makes them irritable, and instead of stopping to eat, they start eating more. Stop them before they eat themselves sick. Those that start to exude a dark mist and start turning black need to be quickly taken off the moon or sent into a dream. If they are not… They will disappear to somewhere unknown.

B. Slenderman and Cupid. There are two particularly strong foes that will be working with the Story Eater. "Slenderman" will be just like it was when it first appeared by the castle, feasting on nightmare energy and using shadows to its advantage. It will be a tough foe to kill, but explosive wisps and pure dreamotion light will be effective against it. Cupid will be insane and will try to inflict hatred upon any struck by his arrows. He is more unstable and will be more susceptible to those who try to purify it with love and kindness. (Cupid will most likely move to attack the town so he is available for On the Ground prompts.)

C. Wisped Away. With the amount of monsters and damage caused by the Story Eater directly and its creations, deaths are inevitable. Normally for those who have fully integrated into the world, like the fae and the dragons, this would have been permanent. However, perhaps due to the unusual nature of the Story Eater, they will be "graced" the same fate like the dreamers that inhabit Reverein. Their physical body may disappear, but their "soul" turns into condensed dreamotion energy and takes the form of a wisp. (Characters can and will be turned into wisps if they die so these can also apply to them.)

🛑 Because of the high likelihood of the original body suffering a traumatic event, the wisp will be extremely vulnerable and has a high risk of turning into a noctaere. They will flash red and black and the deeper the color, the closer they are to changing. Find and help purify them via dreamotion.
🚦 Escort vulnerable wisps to the portal so they can be taken to a safehouse and calm down.
💣 Some wisps will not feel negative emotions and instead will want to continue to fight. Although they are still vulnerable, because their dreamotion energy is so condensed they have the ability to explode without any harm to themselves to either inflict damage on the creatures OR to help purify those afflicted with pure dreamotion energy. These wisps will be gold in color.

II. ON THE GROUND

As soon as the Story Eater appeared, those of strong magical prowess had attempted to erect a barrier to protect the town and its surroundings from the brunt of the fallout, but it could not keep up forever, especially as those who try to keep it in place begin to quickly fall as their own nightmares take over. Thus while it's still safer than what's going on on the moon, the same afflictions can still be felt and experienced.

A. Support the Barriers. There are two different barriers currently protecting Reverein and the surrounding areas. Not only must they be defended from attacks, they also need help to stay up.

🧱 The sand walls erected earlier will stand tall and withstand most physical attacks, but eventually they will begin to crumble and create gaps. They must be quickly patched up and defended as the Story Eater's minions, creations, and those turned into noctaere start to push through.
🔮 The magic barrier is fueled with dreamotion and serves to help keep the effects of the nightmare energy lowered so that most of the people inside can withstand it. However, as those who are trying to keep it up fall, replacements are needed. To help, the moles from before bring up crystals that anyone can help channel and use to help as a power source to empower the barrier.

B. Aid Relief. Those who have been injured and brought back from the moon or from around town will be ushered into designated locations set up for healing. Be it physical or mental, they will be treated and protected by those who remain on defense. However, as the battle goes on and more people are afflicted, supplies and personnel will wear out, so additional aid will be needed. This may even require venturing out to get much needed herbs or supplies unless someone can dreamotion them up.

III. SPECIAL MONSTERS & BOSSES

The Story Eater is using its powers to take on the forms of an individual's worst nightmare or enemy. This could be anything. Below is the full list of special bosses and mob monsters that were submitted by players and can be encountered both on the moon and on the ground. Refer to the original links for more information. Players are still free to create and use anything that is not on the list, especially f their character's worst nightmare is something else. IMPORTANT! While any of these are capable of killing, those marked with the red flag (🚩) indicate that these are more likely to perform kills or destroy the individual to turn them into wisps.

A. Monster Mobs. Typical monster/mob creatures that while numerous are the weakest and easier to defeat. Physical attacks will be enough, but dreamotion or using Aspect abilities will inflict more damage.

🍆 Sinner Demons. They take on any form based on the type of sin they committed. Could take on the form based on the person they face.
😱 Devils. Takes on forms based on the fears of people.
🚨 Garlean K-9 Soldiers and hunting dogs. These soldiers aren't here to help and will be targeting anyone they come across.
👻 Cursed Spirits. Spiritual beings manifested from cursed energy as a result of the negative emotions that flow out of humans. They cause harm to humans and seek humans out to harm them.
💨 Redead. Emits a scream that immobilizes temporarily, moves towards target and jumps on back to deal damage.
🐍 Nagas. Breathe and spew toxic miasma and prolonged exposure to it can cause weaker beings to transform into nagas themselves. Archnaga's venom is corrosive in both liquid and gas forms. Can also swallow large objects. 🚩
🕶 Shadows. Shadow-like blobs and tables and headless dancers and things. Fairly weak.
💎 Zeugles. Aggressive genetically enhanced animals; must destroy the core inside to completely destroy them.
🤺 Sword Retrograde Army. Sword tsukumogami summoned for a cause to change history. Generally stronger than normal humans with some spiritual powers.
👹 Demons. Can hide their horns and wings to appear more human, otherwise their true form is more monstrous. They range from committing harmless silly pranks to more violent and murderous. 🚩
🎭 Four Masks. Drains one's sanity until they go berserk with potential to summon Atman (boss).
🔊 Noise. Affect people with weaker willpower and play on their negative emotions or nightmares.
📰 Xeroms. Monsters capable of attacking, infesting and draining emotions dry leaving the victim an empty husk.

B. Solo Bosses. Some nightmares manifest into one singular entity with greater powers and considered a higher leveled "boss." They do not appear as often or in number as the monster mobs and some may be controlled by players.

🍬 Gumball Waterson. Cartoon character turned creepy due to nightmare energy, but still on the sillier side. Body parts morphing or separating from him, getting into weird places, driving invisible cars, surviving crazy falls; basically whatever might be funny at that moment.
👂 Parrah & Nayo. Twin puppets that are not physically strong, but they're very annoying and are the "like to break people by talking" type of antagonist.
🙍‍♂️ Takaya Sakaki. Charismatic but otherwise a weaker enemy capable of standard Persona based magical and physical attacks and capable of summoning nightmare based Personas.
🐀 Rasputin. Can summon minions, destroy things, conceal nightmares within illusions.
🔥 Firelord Ozai. Can bend/generate fire and lightning, strong physical abilities.
🦋 Valentino. A charismatic moth demon capable of controlling smoke and has pheromones that can attract those to him.
🧝‍♀️ Gaea. Goddess of the Earth. Stronger when tethered to Earth. Powers include geokinesis, chlorokinesis (control of plants), creation of sentient life forms, atmokinesis (weather), control of animals, transformation.
🌱 Omega Flowey. Can grow vines, venus flytraps, plant stems that shoot, lots of plant based attacks.
🍐 Sephiroth. Sword fighting proficiency, shapeshifting, ability to cause hallucinations, telekinesis of medium sized objects, minor manipulation abilities, materia magic. Potential lethal backstabs. (Prompts available within FFVII toplevels). 🚩
⚡ Raiden Shogun. Scary lady with lightning based attacks, illusions, large-range attacks.
🤖 Shouki no Kami. Divine Automaton that uses lightning based attacks.
💃 Stella. Vile woman who thrives off mentally and physically tormenting.
👑 Paimon . Stolas' father, a powerful demon capable of shapeshifting, teleportation, grimoire manipulation, projection.
🧣 Ardyn Izunia. Has thirteen weapons at his disposal; can cast powerful magic such as striking down lightning, summoning blizzards, fiery explosions; has the power to heal; and is resilient to physical pain.
⏳ Kronos. God-like strength, specializes in sword combat, tough to take down. Has several types of kinesis magic.
💀 Nyx. Only has one main ability: cast death. However it's a slow windup so can be beaten beforehand. 🚩
😾 Wakaba Isshiki. Large sphynx with a woman's head. Heavy wind, almighty, and physical attacks. There can be riddles that are pertinent to those who engage it.
👮‍♀️ Makima. A woman who looks normal but is actually a Devil of immense strength, enhanced smell, domination, and can force manipulation that can damage weak targets by simply staring at them.
🖤 Atman. A very creepy giant mask that will disappear but then reappear after being defeated.
🤸‍♂️ Vholran. Fights with a waterblade. Acrobatic swordsman, mastery over water-elemental astral energy and can cast high power artes.
🎨 Creed Graphite. A Will Artist (spellcaster) capable of casting spells and summoning and controlling Xeroms.
🎼 Ganon. Hate and hunger for power in physical form. Can corrupt anything with darkness, will only be able to corrupt non-PCs unless players want to do something with that.
🌋 Calamity Ganon. Capable of creating Malice (poison substance that can cause other monsters or bosses to go aggro) and raising other monsters from the dead. Can be destroyed by any type of sealing dreamotion magic.
💔 Xehanorts (multiple). Control darkness and use darkness as a weapon; controlling people to his will by turning them into versions of himself, otherwise known as getting "norted" where victim gains yellow eyes and is controlled to his whims and the darkness in their heart/they will follow their darker side. Darkness meteorites can also be a thing.
➕ Emperor Demitrius (final boss form). Basically heal himself back up to full mid-fight so it will take a few rounds to defeat him.

C. Megabosses. Extremely powerful entities that may not even be defeated by conventional means and instead have powers that affect everyone instead. High chance of death. 🚩🚩🚩

🤖 Diaspora. Half the size of Dragon Island and up in the sky, it can disassemble dreamotion energy and knock someone out into wisp form without dying with a beam of blue goop. Has high regeneration, but will be vulnerable to prolonged attacks.
🐲 Dragons (Voids). Faces of dragons that coalesce in from the sky when they decide to attack with high concentrations of nightmare energy. Zhaitan will be capable of turning those who turned into wisps into noctaere in the form of Void Risen. Mordremoth will just descend and smash into small areas to inflict damage. Kralkatorrik will fire a giant beam of crystal fire breath that will encase anyone and anything in its path into purple crystal, and they must be freed before they turn into noctaere.

Comments

b!!

[starshower]

[Tifa had been helping on the ground first before heading up to the moon—it was important to her that their homes were protected, and that those who remained on the ground would have sufficient barriers and supplies to keep them safe until the battle was over. She knew that Eustace would worry, and that maybe he would argue, but she knew that he would forgive her. This battle was just as important as the one being fought up above.

She's enlisted herself to help those who had been wounded to safety, and it's there where she runs into Alisaie, relieved to see that another familiar face hasn't been hurt. Though, she can see the exhaustion sinking into the girl's eyes, and as she got to her feet, Tifa's hands are already reaching for her shoulders to help steady her.]

Don't apologize. It's what I'm here for.

[Worry colours her features as she eyes her.]

But I think it's time that you took a break.

[Nope. She's not taking no for an answer.]

[leveillpier]

[ When Tifa's hands helped her steady, Alisaie gave her an appreciated look for her assistance. They've been going back and forth nonstop. There were too many people and not enough healers, or doctors to help with the overall situation. She had lost track of time and didn't realize how exhausted she had become. It was probably obvious to Tifa that she was going to collapse at any moment.

However, she's too stubborn, and a tad reckless to stop right then and there. Maybe she could go help a few more people and then sit down. ]

Ah-- Alright. Thank you then, Tifa.

[ Alisaie knows that look well. ]

Not yet. There are still a few more people. I'll rest then.

[ Part of her maybe knows she won't be able to get out of this, but she's going to damn well try. ]

[starshower]

[Tifa's hands grab a little more securely at Alisaie's shoulders before she comes around and puts herself sturdily in front of her. Even Tifa looked a bit battered and tired, but if there's one thing that she is the most, it's firm.]

You're no good to them if you can't even stand on your own. There are a couple others who can do it while you take a short break.

[She gives her a weary but reassuring smile, with a hint of playfulness gleaming in her eye.]

Don't make me pick you up and carry you.

sghsgkhdsshg tifa pls. XD

[leveillpier]

[ Oh-- she feels that grip. Tifa is quite strong. She frowns when she looks back at Tifa, who is just as worn out as she is. If she tries to keep going, she might put both of their health at risk. However, she's a little stubborn about the matter and wants to continue as much as she can. ]

T'was just a stumble. I can assure you I can stand on my own. You don't have to worry about me too much.

[ The smile sort of throws Alisaie off following her playful tone. She gives Tifa an almost incredulous look. ]

Surely, you must be jesting. You're just as tired. That would only wear you out more!

she WILL DO IT

[starshower]

I've had to carry much bigger things—and people—than you. Trust me.

[And while she may look like she's about to do it, she'll relent... for now. Especially when she sees more people coming down the street, looking more exhausted than both of them combined.

...

To which she sighs.]

Alright, fine. One more, but you have to let me help you this time. I'm no good with healing magic, but I've got some.

oh I believe it! lmfao. Alisaie is just---??! Excuse me?

[leveillpier]

[ Alisaie's expression remains incredulous for a moment longer before she speaks to Tifa, shaking her head.

The potential risk of further embarrassment is not on Alisaie's list of things to do today. She certainly won't be crossing Tifa anytime soon. She almost looks slightly defeated by how easily Tifa's words have gotten to her. She shakes her head as she speaks. ]

I will pass on the idea. I'd rather not be carried around like a sack of popotoes.

[ At least there's compromise. She seems to be pleased with that at least. ]

Certainly! I suppose that will help with your concern over my well-being, no?

LOL GOOD. also is it ok if i add you on plurk? :D

[starshower]

[There's just a teensie bit of pride knowing that she had gotten through to Alisaie. Just a little...

But with a nod, she helps her straighten and frees her arms.]

It will.

[And she turns her attention to the people that are coming their way. Tifa gives the glove at her wrist a small touch of her hand, fingertips brushing over the green materia that sits nested within the gauntlet. How much more curing she can do, she has no idea, and her brow furrows slightly with concern before she's beckoning for Alisaie to follow.

"He almost got caught in the blast from one of the dragons..." One of the men says about the one that looks the most injured, limping along with his arms slung around the shoulders of two others.]

Dragons?

[Things are already worse than she thought...]

lolol haha. I love Tifa and Alisaie so much aha and ofc! Did the thing and added!

[leveillpier]

[ If only Alisaie can refute Tifa the way she's refuted a few others. It seems like whatever she's going to try has backfired quite dramatically against her. Tifa's unwavering tone stopped Alisaie from attempting to test the waters, thus she had to concede on that.

It's not very often that Alisaie will agree easily. ]

Well! I would rather not trouble you so.

[ She replies shaking her head. She picks up her rapier that's planted into the ground and shifts it back to her side. She follows rather obediently after Tifa.

Alisaie's ears picked up the tone as well. Dragons? ]

Yes, it doesn't sound good. Shall we head towards them?

💗

[starshower]

[Tifa's already one step ahead of Alisaie, dashing towards the injured man, catching him just as his knees give way beneath him and he stumbles. He grips her, and Tifa manages to hold his weight while the others thank her and free his arms from their shoulders so that they can catch a break, too.]

Grab his other arm for me?

[She looks to Alisaie with a worried expression, now that she can see up close the burns and the scratches that he's sustained... She's not sure her own heals will be enough, but maybe Alisaie's magic will be? She can only hope.]

We should take him inside.

<3~

[leveillpier]

[ Alisaie follows close behind Tifa as she dashes for the man. Alisaie reaches the two of them and supports the man's other arm carefully. She can see full well that his pained expression is due to the wounds that he's sustained. ]

Aye, let us make haste, so we may treat his burns before they get infected. Proper instruction on first aid may be required as well.

[ Alisaie doesn't have too much experience in first aid but she's willing to work with what she has to ensure this man doesn't sustain lasting injuries. ]

[starshower]

["Thank you..." The man utters under his breath, his voice scratchy, and Tifa gives a shake of her head, encouraging him not to talk.]

Shh, it's gonna be fine. We'll get you and everyone else looked at.

[But... there's a brief moment where Tifa's gaze flicks up to the moon above, and she feels her stomach twist into a tight knot. If they keep sending people down here...]

How far do you think we can make it? We can take him to the café... it's just down the road.

[leveillpier]

[ Alisaie also shakes her head at the man as she wants him to rest and hold onto whatever strength he still has. She doesn't want anything to happen to him as he is already in critical condition. ]

Aye. We can save the formalities for later. We must treat your injuries with haste.

[ It will be complicated if people continue to be sent down here but what can they do? ]

Let's go to the cafe. We can sit him down and I can start healing him. Do you have any first aid materials at the cafe, Tifa?

[starshower]

I do. Plenty.

[Though...]

I might be able to call in a few favours from the fae... If you two are okay with that.

[Tifa knows that not everyone has a fondness for the fae. Tifa didn't either, until she ended up working every day with a fairy, and she at least knows that they can trust Mirabelle's magic, as well as her friend's.]

[leveillpier]

We should be able to buy more time.

[ She nods her head to Tifa's words]

The fae? Aye, any assistance would be appreciated. We don't have much time and he needs immediate attention.

[ she's Alisaie may not know the fae at all but those similar beings existed in her world and they had helped the Scions all the same. This person's life was more important than her opinions on the matter. Of course the man's opinion matters too, but his life was at risk. Will he really be against it? ]

Let's call for their assistance.

[starshower]

[There is an uneasiness that Tifa spots flicker across the man's expression, but he has no words of protest besides a sigh.]

I promise they'll take care of you. Just a little further, okay?

[Down the road, Tifa can see one of the corgis on the street just outside of the café, and as soon as the dog spots them, it barks loudly. Cadoc, from the sounds of it, and that's confirmed when he comes running over in an attempt to help.

As soon as they arrive, Tifa frees herself from under his arm to open the door, and she rushes inside to set up one of the long tables, moving aside the centerpieces so that it can serve as a place to lie down.]

Put him here. I'll get the fairies.

[leveillpier]

[ Alisaie can see that he's cautious about the suggestion and can only quietly assure them as they make it down the road. Once they arrive at the location, Alisaie helps the man lie down as soon as Tifa clears some space.

she nods her head as she gets right onto healing him while they wait for the fairies. ]

Alright, I'll heal him in the meantime until you get the fairies.

[starshower]

[She's already running up the stairs to search for Mirabelle, who must have taken all the animals to hide in the spare room. There's plenty of banging and clattering from upstairs, Tifa's voice and a much smaller one that Alisaie should recognize bickering with one another, meows and chirps and barking, and then Tifa's footsteps returning with equal speed as she rushes back down with the yellow fairy flitting behind her.

"I'm not even sure if there's much I can do." She darts over to Alisaie. "Do you think he can hold out a little longer? I know someone who can help."]

... His burns are pretty bad.

[leveillpier]

[ Alisaie hears the noise due to her sensitive hearing. It's not hard to sort of grasp what is happening. She can only pick up bits and pieces.

However, there's not a lot of time and she focuses on healing the man to the best of her abilities, pouring as much as she can to the task. ]

...

[ She's not about to give up on saving this man if there's hope. She will trust that Tifa will come back with the help they need. If she can even help a little with her continuous healing, maybe the man will be able to stand a chance more. ]

[starshower]

[Mirabelle looks the man over before she gives a nod. "I'll go get Hyacinth."

For once, the fairy proves helpful as she darts away again, out the back door with loud chimes, and Tifa wonders if that's her way of warning the other fae that she's coming...

Either way, while they wait, Tifa slumps her shoulders next to Alisaie, giving herself half a second to take a breath before she's raising her hand to the injured man's neck, a soft, warm glow pouring out from the materia in her gloves.]

How are you feeling...?

[The question is directed at Alisaie, quietly.]

[leveillpier]

[ Alisaie does hear the last bit of it as Mirabelle is gone. She turns to Tifa, giving her a weak, but reassuring smile. Alisaie looks at Tifa and then back to her task. ]

I wouldn't say I'm feeling the best, but it's nothing compared to-- this.

[ She turns her eyes towards the man that she's eagerly healing with Tifa now. They're making very slow progress and Alisaie doesn't know how to make it better, faster. ]

What of you, Tifa?

[starshower]

Drained.

[She's not going to sugarcoat it any longer, especially not now as she heaves out a sigh, as if she'd been holding onto the air in her lungs.]

My dreamotion's not doing so hot... but I should be okay once I get back up there. [She laughs, though it's a crackly one.] Adrenaline does wonders for it, doesn't it?

[leveillpier]

Make that-- the two of us.

[ She whispers briefly. If Tifa is going, to be honest about how she's feeling, Alisaie can't hide her exhaustion. She can tell they are both pretty worn from many things. So much for that break that she's trying to have. ]

I'm certain we'll both be pretty drained without any form of recuperation. However, this isn't the time to be worried about that no? We just have to make sure we do what we can.

[ -- and rest once this is all over. She nods her head ]

Sometimes, it can be quite an energy spike.

[starshower]

[She would be remiss to say that she wasn't just as worried about Alisaie as she is the man under their care, and as she gives the girl a nod, she can't help but eye her, looking over the elezen carefully for signs of injury... but just as she opens her mouth to say so, there is a pair of very hurried chimes that come from the back door as Mirabelle returns with another fairy dressed in purple.]

Hyacinth... thank god.

[Tifa breathes a sigh of relief and moves as the fae take her place, and so she can introduce her to Alisaie.]

This is Hyacinth... she's been taking care of the animals here...

["So I figured that she would at least be able to look over one of you," Mirabelle butts in.

Hyacinth looks him over. "Well, he's certainly no animal. What happened to him?"]

[leveillpier]

[ Alisaie is good at holding out for as long as she can. She can't promise anything after the adrenaline runs out, however. She'll try her best in the meantime and is partially apologetic for worrying Tifa so much about her well-being. Being a warrior and someone who cares deeply about her friends, family, and companions, Alisaie can relate. That's why she's trying her best.

She sighs a breath of relief when she hears the words. It means that they have assistance and she's glad for it. ]

Burns-- he sustained terrible burns from earlier. We've done our best to carry him to a safer location and attempted to heal the most severe of his wounds.

[starshower]

[Mirabelle looks at the two of them with worry as Hyacinth flits over the man's body, peeling back some of his clothes carefully to take a better look at the burns covering him, clicking her tongue as she does.

"Hyacinth can take care of his burns, but what about you two? Has anyone taken care of you?"

For all the trouble this fairy can sometimes give her, Tifa is grateful for her concern when it counts.]

No, but I think we'll be okay.

["Do you two want me to grab you anything? Some water?"]