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Entry tags:
{ nightmare city }

NIGHTMARE CITY
On a fine, dreary day while Reverein is still experiencing the chaotic aftermath of worlds bleeding into Songerein, a familiar top hat, long tailed coat wearing figure will appear in the center plaza. Dubbed "The Ringmaster," he calls out to everyone a friendly greeting, and while a bit wary, those who remember him and his crew who hosted the first Halloween carnival and subsequent iterations gather around to listen to what he has to say.
With a heartfelt plea, he asks assistance from the Dreamwalkers to help aid his brethren, "Nightmarians" who are suffering from nightmares of their own. Residing in a city dominated by nostilium, they are creatures and figures who thrive off it and are able to live without issue, but the recent influx has affected even them. In return for receiving aid, they will help absorb the excess nostilium and seal remaining world fragments.
Meanwhile, the tapirs have another mission for those who would prefer staying behind in the city, and that is to start repairing the tethers.
More details on everything can be found here. Because we are in endgame, all events are open to anyone outside the game! Feel free to tag in or start new threads as we march on towards the end!
I. REVEREIN
Those who decide to stay behind will find the tapirs appearing in and out around the town. There are still a few corrupted tapirs that need healing as well as some that need help recovering, however the more important task is finding the tethers and repairing them. Doing so will help stabilize the connections between Songerein and every other world and stop the world fragments from bleeding further in.
A. Moon Crystals. It was a bit of an accident, really. Those in the Observatory were doing their own research to try and determine the connection between Songerein and other worlds, and one topic of interest was the dream world's moons, a medium the Story Eater employed to traverse between worlds. While debating if the twin moons still maintained those connections, somehow the giant floating crystal activated and fired a giant beam of dreamotion right into the moons, which also just so happened to have aligned right on top of each other and right above Reverein. While no physical damage was detected, as in there are no visible giant holes, light falls from the moons and are revealed to be "moon crystals," crystal shards made from the moon and infused with pure dreamotion.

โจ Crystal Collection. While most of the shards are small, those viewing through the telescope notice there are quite large ones that could cause some damage. Quick, collect the ones that have fallen and try and break up the larger pieces before they put a hole through someone's roof!
๐ New purifiers. The amount of dreamotion in these crystals is significant and could help with the remaining world fragments and nostilium that continues to bleed into the world. While they could just be scattered around like seeds, the Orkilins will be quick to fashion a device that could help amplify and focus the dreamotion into the area. Now they just need those areas to be cleared out of noctaere so they can be set into the ground and activated.
๐ Tapir Medicine. When crushed, these crystals can be used as potent medicine for tapirs who are still corrupted or recovering, either as a pill or even dissolved into a drink. However, the trick is administering said medicine and will require someone to hold down the medicine adverse dream eater. Perhaps offering it with a snack conjured by some nostilium will help.
B. Tethers. By now everyone knows about the tethers that connect the worlds to Songerein, however, no one really knew what they were. They seemed to be this intangible pathway that could not be seen or touched. However, the tapirs have discovered that due to the current circumstances, the tethers are taking physical form in this world. They're still not sure what's happening, so time to investigate!

๐ฎ World Object Fragments. Within world fragments, strange broken pieces of some kind of object can be found scattered around. They have a distinctive sparkle and shine to them, drawing anyone to them. Collect the pieces, and if successfully able to put it all together, it will take the form of a symbolic object of that world. Perhaps those from that world fragment will be able to recognize it and explain what it is.
๐ Dream storytelling. With these new objects, the tapirs will inform everyone that those from those world fragments should try and create a simple dreamscape based somewhere in their world, perhaps an important or popular place, and tell stories about their world in general. Although they can share personal stories, ones about the world in general will work better. Others not from the world can ask questions to try and learn about the world. These dreamscapes and stories will help strengthen the object.
๐ Moon Crystals. If there isn't anyone nearby for a particular world fragment, using the moon crystals will work just as well. Crush it into dust and let the object absorb it while walking around the area while imagining what kind of world the place is trying to represent.
C. Nightmarians. As promised, residents from Nightmare City, the Nightmarians, will enter Reverein to assist in absorbing excess nostilium and serve as conduits to seal off world fragments. However, their initial appearance may startle and confuse the natives as they are creatures that tend to have more "nightmarish" appearance. Try not to attack them! In addition, they will need someone to help them when the nostilium becomes too much by channeling dreamotion into them when needed.
D. Mysterious sightings. Reverein has been abuzz with eerie occurrences over the past two nights following the tail end of the eruption of nostilium and the appearance of world fragments. Witnesses have reported sightings of a strange, humanoid creature wandering the streets under the cover of darkness. Descriptions are vague but some claim to have found fiery red feathers in its wake, along with ominous claw marks etched into the alley walls. In addition to this enigmatic figure, there have also been sightings of a large wolf roaming the area. Despite the unsettling nature of these events, no attacks or injuries have been reported from either the creature or the wolf.
Those who have investigated a slew of recent interrelated occurrences may notice a few things about this creatureโs description and the timing of its appearance. Even if not, thanks to their efforts, related professionals in Nightmare City will have a wealth of information to help with dealing with this matter, should it be brought to them (literally and figuratively). Those looking to investigate can also use this toplevel for additional information and responses.
II. NIGHTMARE CITY
For those willing to venture to Nightmare City, a special gateway is erected in the Central Plaza where anyone will be able to enter and leave freely, and will remain for as long as needed. Passing through the gateway may feel strange at first, a sharp chill that seems to overwhelm the senses before it is replaced by a rush of heat as they step into the center of a much larger city square. Tall buildings tower around them with neon lights blinking in and out from windows and signs. Music, chatter, and other sounds fill the air as all sorts of "nightmarish" creatures walk or fly past—demons, monsters, ghouls, masked figures, all from horror based worlds. But rather than dreary, it's lively with laughter mixing in with those ghastly screams. Those from modern cities may liken the city as one of the larger populated metropolises. However while it is busy, there is a tension, and as soon as the Dreamwalkers start to appear many will rush in not to attack, but to plead desperately for their help.

B. Dreamwalking. Right away requests for Dreamwalkers to enter nightmares is called upon, but somehow the nightmares are so terrifying to the Nightmarians they can't even properly explain what they see. Bracing for the worst, what the Dreamwalkers find will surprise them.

๐บ Cuteness Overload. In some dreams, the dreamer is surrounded by a plethora of cute things: cute animals, cute aesthetics, cute colors—even the Dreamwalker and the dreamer are "cutified." Big eyes, sparkles, even the sun has a cute laughing face. This has left the dreamer hunched over in sheer terror while kittens and puppies paw and purr around them. Help the poor Nightmarian by somehow ridding the dream of all this cute.
โ Domestic living. Some may find a dream where one is just chilling on the couch and enjoying a cup of coffee and watching TV relaxing. For a Nightmarian, it's pure hell. They feel trapped, unable to break through the cycle, and they feel their sense of self being drained away, Even the colors are starting to fade. Time to spice up their life, perhaps even shock or scare them back to their old self.
๐จ Dream wreckers. One way to try and break the Nightmarian out of their stupor is to destroy and "horrorfy" the dream as much as possible. Whatever could terrify the Dreamer may be a sweet dream to the Nightmarian, so this could be good practice for someone who may want to try and twist and use nostilium actively for a good purpose.
๐ช Open door. If the Dreamwalker is unable to handle the situation on their own, creating a rift into the dream so that an awaiting Nightmarian can assist is another option. To create a rift, they have to conjure a weapon and use enough nostilium to break through and create a tear in the space. The job isn't over even when the Nightmarian arrives. The Dreamwalker will need to still assist them so they aren't scared off by the contents or worse, fall into the "nightmare" themselves.
C. Nightmare Forms. For those who want practice or need help controlling their nostilium, there are a number of experts willing to teach the way of the nightmare, both in and out of dreams. This will require a lot of mental strength and fortunately if someone loses control, they are in a place that will help them. This also includes learning to take on a controlled nightmare form. What that form will be will vary, but as Dreamwalkers will be facing nightmares and their vices, it could incorporate the seven deadly sins.

๐ฅ Strength in Sin. It may sound strange, but instead of trying to face one's fear, Nightmarians will ask Dreamwalkers to think of what their worst vice is. Do they have anger issues? Prideful? Lazy? Gluttonous? Envious? Lustful? Covetous? Because nostilium is also formed by negative emotions, it is easier to try and focus on a negative aspect of oneself than trying to grapple with something more emotional based on fear. By focusing on a negative trait instead, they can lean into that vice and turn it into a source of power and strength. Thus in this exercise, whatever powers they exhibit will reflect that particular trait.
๐ Nightmare Form. The next step will be trying to transform into a unique form born from nostilium. Those who have turned into noctaere before or have transformed in some way will naturally lean into that form. But they can also try and learn something different, one based off their vice. This form may actually be more stable and offer them more control. What look will they have in this form?
๐ฏ Target practice. Whether in a dreamscape or out in a designated practice zone, participants can go through various exercises and use targets and dummies to help focus, channel, and release nostilium into a controlled force no different than when utilizing dreamotion. Some may use spells and abilities similar to what they know, however with nostilium it will be changed in some way. Different element, different color, curse or hex-like effects, etc.—how it manifests will be unique to the individual. Weapons are treated similar.
๐คบ Sparring practice.It's also possible to try and spar against someone, whether it's two nostilium users or one using nostilium and the other using dreamotion. There will be experts supervising and will intervene if someone loses control, so do not worry and push to the limits. These exercises will benefit both nostilium and dreamotion users as they navigate using and countering nostilium.
๐ช Worst Nightmare. After going through the different exercises, those who want to try go further and harness the powers and force born from their nightmares have the chance to take a partner and be launched into a nightmarescape based on their worst nightmares. They will remain lucid, but they will feel the effects of the nightmare more keenly than usual. But if they are able to "defeat" their nightmare and take control of the nostilium and emotions created by it, they will be able to strengthen their powers and their nightmare form.

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Not bad.
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[She opens her eyes, and a bead of sweat breaks out on her temple.]
Wasn't supposed to go out like that.
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I... can try.
[And she lets the flames spread again, rippling outward from her like another wave that stops just short of his feet, and just when it looks like she may have it all under control, it pops and sends a few sparks up at him. They won't burn, but they will feel hot, and slightly different from what her usual fires are like.]
See if it can stand up against yours.
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That shouldn't be a problem.
[Is that taste of arrogance?]
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Been a while since we've done something like this, huh?
[She focuses once more. She does wish that she could move at the same time the flames come pouring out of her, almost like molten lava, but she does send a few sparks flying in his direction. The fires grow big as she lifts a fist, but they fall back just as quickly, the strain of moving it still a little too much. She just wants to get to the point where she can throw a sparring punch or kick at him while maintaining the nostilium, but this is a start!?]
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[He continues to watch and move appropriately when needed, otherwise he maintains his relaxed demeanor while keeping some focus on his own little barrier he's erecting with that arrogance.]
We do our usual workouts, but we haven't really tried sparring or anything of the like in a while.
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[Until everything happened recently, that is. But it's true that they have fallen into something of a normal routine.]
Maybe that's why I'm so...
[She tries to focus on what it is she wants to do, and as she punches at the air, a little ball of flames flies from her knuckles and at him, and when he blocks it, it will explode into more sparks, and Tifa lowers her hand, shocked.]
... Rusty.
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Maybe you would do better if you did aim at me. Gives you target to focus better.
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[She's still reeling a bit from that fiery punch actually working. It wasn't great by any means, and weak in comparison to anything else she could do with just her fists alone, but it was something.]
If you're sure. I'm...
[She deliberates for a moment before putting on a firmer resolve.]
I'm just gonna keep swinging and see what happens.
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Then continue. I'm getting some practice on my end, so don't worry about me.
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[A sheepish smile flashes his way before it disappears, and she adopts a more serious and focused expression, steeling herself for the onslaught of emotions she knows she's about to feel. How long has it been since she's taken her anger out on anything like this? She can recall a few times here, but those had been some time ago, and then there was the whole thing with Eustace turning again...
That is an anger that she doesn't want to focus on, if only because she knows it will go too far out of her control for her liking. It's still too raw, too fresh a feeling for her. She's still in the middle of processing it all, whereas the memories of home have had time to simmer. She's distanced herself from it a little more each day, reminding herself that it is a different life. A different version of her.
That anger, though, is the same.
And so that is what she continues to focus on.
Shinra. Sephiroth. SOLDIERs. Mako.
Each thought brings a swing or a punch of her fists, and she knows that Eustace is ready for them. She trusts that he will be. Not all of them are perfect, but they grow more controlled, the sparks that fly from her less erratic as she lets that wrath fuel each one. She's started to move more naturally now, her kicks and swings coming as they would any other time, like a real spar.
Again and again, she does it, only growing more frustrated when it's not as controlled or not as strong as she wants it to be untilโ]
Come on!
[โshe throws one particular flame at the wall instead, and it melts a hole right through it before it disappears.
She hunches over in a full sweat, bracing her hands on her knees with her breaths ragged and her heart racing.]
no subject
...
Is that part of the exercise? It's something he's thought about before, but never really considered using it as a power as strong as this. Or perhaps he never considered it in such a focused manner.
And when she finally breaks through the barrier, he just looks at it, noticing the higher amount of nostilium and how it smolders against his ice before he looks back at her. Although she's clearly pushed herself, he can't help but feel pride for her.
She'll feel something cool brush past her cheek, soft snowflakes that flutter around her before he's right up next to her, gently stroking her hair.]
Now do that again ten more times.
[Said in a very sweet, loving voice—]
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She laughs at him and gives him a weak nudge with her shoulder.]
Not sure I can do it one more time. Do I at least get a breather?
[It's said between hasty breaths, and there may be some tears forming in her eyes that she tries to blink away.]
Haven't done anything that intense in a while.
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...
He just reaches up and gently brushes his finger against them, catching the ones that try to escape.]
Yeah, we can take a break.
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[She catches his wrist in her hand, her fingers and her palm warmer than usual, her cheek just as hot as she presses further into it.]
I was getting the hang of it, I think.
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[A softer smile as he releases the ice barrier. Mostly so that he's not overextending his own abilities and energy than he needs to. From there he'll start to lead her towards the arena exit so they can leave and get some fresh air.]
And with some more practice, you'll get it down.
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[Her hand has found his as he leads her to the door, and she picks up her water on their way out, throwing back a giant sip of it once they're outside and are met with the brisk air, the wind refreshing on her skin.]
I've still gotta figure out how to turn all that into a nightmare form, like they said...
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[A wry grin.]
Maybe you'll turn into a terrifying rabbit.
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I guess that depends on who you ask now. Terrifying for who, you or the people here?
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Here.
[He looks a bit amused at that.]
But I don't know...your little teeth could hurt.
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Be careful what you wish for. Wouldn't wanna get into a spar with that.
[She stretches her leg out and gives her ankle a little wriggle as she leans back against the wall.]
Bunnies can kick real well, too.
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[Is he really now thinking what she could look like...]
What if you had horns, like this jackelopes?
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[Tifa turns to him slightly and pokes his shoulder.]
Just what exactly are you imagining in your head?
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