The Terrible, Horrible, Not-So-Good Morning | OPEN LOG

[emet_sulk]

WHO: Emet-Selch + anyone
WHAT: A series of public and very gruesome murders, culminating in a flashy fight between Emet and a generic boss NPC that destroys much of a street
WHEN: From the start of August to mid-August
WHERE: Camelot City
WARNINGS: Violence, death, gore, mutilation of corpses etc. I will not write graphic descriptions of these for threads unless you opt-in to these details.

BASIC BYSTANDER INFO:

The bodies of the dead appear mysteriously during the night and are taken down by Camelot's law enforcement before next sunrise. Those who manage to see the display/s before they're taken down will note they are hung up as a deliberate, increasingly gruesome spectacle [think the 'art' in the TV show Hannibal] as the days go on. It is not a sight for the faint-hearted. If you smell the result, you will in all likelihood throw up the contents of your stomach.

The FIRST WEEK simply involves a single body hung up on a lamp post or some similar, convenient archway/overhang, with one or two more dead bodies below it. None of them are particularly special and all are eventually ID'd as lower tier thugs with shifty reputations.

On the SECOND WEEK, the bodies turn into more...artful displays. Prompt no.2 contains a very basic description of each one. DO NOT click on the links below if you are sensitive to descriptions of corpse mutilation and gore.

1st. "The Puppet"
2nd. "The Blood Eagle"
3rd. "Long-neck"
4th. "The Keyholder"

For those who have underworld/crime connections, you may hear whispers of a local smuggling ring being thrown into chaos. Members are disappearing without warning. Some attempt to go into hiding and turn up again during the first week of murders, dead. Others are simply never heard from after they disappear. Witnesses babble of some dark-cloaked figure who bursts in to places believed to be safe hideouts and slaughters anyone who attempts to escape. Those who DID escape swear up and down they had the luck of the fae on their side.

Emet-Selch finally locates the ringleader in the middle of August and launches into a very public, very destructive pursuit whilst fused with his familiar. Other characters can try and interfere with the chase but he will ultimately kill the ringleader with the help of reanimated corpses of their own subordinates, possessed by some of the spirits of their past victims. After about half an hour when the Soul Catcher he is using expires, he will collapse from his cumulative injuries and be taken into custody by Camelot law enforcement.


For any other questions, please send me a PM to this account or leave a comment here!

Comments

[apshot]

Yes.

[ Sometimes. Some people don't need a reason to kill. Bakugou and Deku know individuals like that. However, he doesn't need to focus on that for too much longer. The old man flat out tells them why he's so invested in this case.

He might not have murdered the victims this time around, but he does intended to commit one if he gets the chance. ]

As if something like that is any better. What're you gonna do to us if we don't do just what you say, huh?

[fullgauntlet]

Kacchan, wait.

[There lies the conviction. Izuku's stomach drops because he was hoping Katuski was wrong. That this wasn't tying up to Emet-Selch.

But he has to think back on those questions that Emet-Selch asked him once. What it meant to be a hero. What to do with someone who might have hurt someone else. Giving a chance to someone who might have a chance to change or stop the string.]

Emet-Selch-san...

[He puts a hand up.]

Do you think that hurting whoever hurt your friend will make any difference in the end? Do you think it'll change anything about what's happened? Except more pointless killing?

[emet_sulk]

[ When he turns to Izuku, there's a wild gleam in his eyes and a snarl in his voice. ]

Pointless? They won't be able to hurt him again if they're dead. But before you little 'heroes' start going on and on again about harm to the innocent, rest assured my hunt only targets the guilty.

[apshot]

[ Yeah... This sort of what Bakugou had been thinking. He just had felt that there's more too this and he's not disappointed.

Though the blonde isn't really surprised either. This old man is that sort of guy, huh? Doesn't think there's anything wrong with murder because what... People don't live as long as he and his? They aren't as "whole" or some shit? Or maybe it's just not wrong if it means that the ones you love and want to protect are safe.

Whatever the case... ]

It's not pointless, but is that really what they want? I'll put someone in the ground if I gotta if it means that the world is safe and shit. But does he want you doing that shit?

[ Might be a pointed look to Deku here. Because GEE. Why would Bakugou say that? It's not liek Deku doesn't react in anger or anything. Nope! ]

[fullgauntlet]

[Izuku clenches his fists. Because he wants to say something but he has to bite back a comment. The anger is really starting to mount now. It's no one's place to decide someone's death sentence. Not the culprit and not Emet-Selch.

The pointed look as Izuku stop for a moment. Letting Emet-Selch reply.]

[emet_sulk]

...I don't plan on telling him. And neither will you, if you care even the slightest bit about keeping your limbs in one piece.

[ He glares down his nose at the two of them. ]

[apshot]

You tried that shit before and failed, Old Man. So you can try again, but I definitely won't take it easy on you this time around.

[ Which should give Izuku the needed hint that Bakugou HAS had to fight the guy before. However the blonde is confident, but he usually is, isn't he? ]

[fullgauntlet]

[He does shoot a surprising look at Katsuki for that! ... They fought?? Izuku feels that same sort of drop in his stomach for it.

He feels like this isn't going to end well no matter what direction this might go. But there is one constant that remains true and that if they don't stop the rampage only more killing and mayhem will happen. If the killer deserved it or not it's not for Emet-Selch to go on a revenge spree for it. This violence only breeding more violence.]

Emet-Selch-san... We have to stop you from causing any more damage.

[emet_sulk]

[ That's the final straw. He bristles and barks out a short, unamused laugh. ]

I should like to see you try.

[ He snaps his fingers, immediately throwing up a huge stone wall between himself and the two boys. ]

[apshot]

[ Yeah... Stone wall. Figures. Fucking alchemists. ]

Deku!

[ He's going to blast through that wall. The old man definitely knows that Katsuki is capable. So Katsuki is going to rely on Deku to do something with that stone wall before the blonde shoots through. ]

[fullgauntlet]

Got it-!

[It's like they've fought together before! Izuku practically springs into action, his hands slapping against the stone so hard to turn it into gravel that showers down and opens a path for Katsuki to charge.

He didn't want to turn this into a battle. But if this stops more mayhem from occurring they have to try. They have to stop Emet-Selch.]

[emet_sulk]

[ He hears the stone wall crumble within seconds. It hasn't bought him much of a lead. Scowling, he focuses his will upon the souls he has stolen from tonight's bodies, forcefully reanimating the ones slumped on the ground. As the spell takes, he begins to double back towards the street. Perhaps those two bodies will provide more of a hindrance than the arms of stone which thrust themselves in the way of the two boys chasing him. ]

[apshot]

[ Nah, it won't buy the old man too much time. For the rivals that Deku and Bakugou might be, they actually work pretty well together. Maybe it's because no one knows them better than one another. Something stupid like that.

So while Bakugou pushes through, he's not leaving his "partner behind either." With a gust of wind behind him to bring Izuku along with. ]

Go.

[ Because his flames will be aimed at the two bodies before them. ]

[fullgauntlet]

[... Death magic? Izuku was worried about that. For all of Emet-Selch's talk about corpses and resurrection--

But before he can think about that Katsuki's wind magic is practically hurling him forward. He sprints forward and taps Katsuki's shoulder like a tag team action before using his body to spring right at the reanimating bodies...]

Kacchan!!

[He slams into the first one with a punch.]

Be careful, Emet-Selch uses a gunblade-!

[Ranged attacks.]

[emet_sulk]

[ He scowls. Despite the warning Izuku gives his friend, Emet-Selch doesn't have his gunblade on his person tonight. A gunshot tends to be noticed more than a quiet gurgle, and a cut throat is messy. He'll let them believe his cloak conceals it though. For as long as he can.

If he only had his native powers...

The corpses crumble before the onslaught of fire and fist behind him. He continues to run, cursing his own laziness that means he is less fit than he used to be when first occupying this figure. A loud, drawn-out fight is the last thing he wants. If he manages to get away, he'll thank them for incinerating potentially incriminating evidence on the corpses. ]

Meddling brats, [ he snarls. ] Your curiosity will get you killed some day!

[ Nyx won't help him. She refused to when he first began this hunt. So he is on his own here as he pulls out his notebook and scribbles a rough alchemy circle as he runs into an alleyway. Before he activates it, he tosses a vial over his shoulder. As soon as the glass breaks, the liquid inside rapidly dissolves into smoke. It won't last long - which is why waiting on the other side of that smoke are numerous spikes bristling off the ground and walls, pointing directly at anyone stupid enough to fire themselves at speed through the cloud. ]

[apshot]

[ Will it? Yeah, probably. They're heroes - or going to be one day. Chances are that something could very well go wrong. It's not uncommon to lose one's life in the name of saving another after all. Not for their chosen occupation.

Or... Of it could be a very real possibility for another reason entirely. ]

BUT NOT TODAY!

[ Because he's pretty sure the old man doesn't really want to go that far. Not this time at least or else he would be trying to back them into some place where people can't see 'em. No, Emet Selch is really just running away.

Bakugou sends icicles flying to try to knick the guy or cut off his escape and force a change in direction.]

[fullgauntlet]

Tch- We won't let you get away-!

[A hero can't fear death- it's something that is very real in their careers. A lot of reasons why heroes and even pros leave the field. Death is something they contend with every single day but they can't stop in that fear. Where there are people to be saved or helped or if there is a wrong to be stopped- someone has to keep going.

Izuku has to kick hard at two more corpses that try and pile at him. Just narrowly missing teeth and broken nails clawing at his body. He has to hold in a screech- This is gross!! Zombies?? But he has to stay focused!!]

Ghhh!!!

[He claps his hands together and green sparks appear. Upon grabbing another corpse he manages to melt it into sand. Uhhggghh. He's going to be sick-]

Keep going, Kacchan!

[One more kick and then Izuku sprints after the two. Following Katsuki's lead into the smoke.]

Where is he?!

[emet_sulk]

[ Emet-Selch gets clipped by one of the icicles as they fly past. The wound burns ice-cold before blood wells to the surface and seeps into his sleeve. Under the cover of the smoke, he veers away just as Bakugou wants - but the spikes he has left behind remain to force the boys into careful progress.

There aren't any more undead bodies at least. The Ascian isn't so accomplished yet that he can force them out of the ground anywhere he pleases. So he seeks out a place to crouch and hide, hoping the two boys will give up their search so he can return home.

(There are a few drops of blood leading to his hiding spot, but they are minimal and difficult for the naked eye to see at night.) ]

[apshot]

[ Yeah... Katsuki would push forward if not for the fact that there is smoke moving about the place. It makes it hard to see where the old man could have went. Therefore the blonde stops in his tracks.

He doesn't know how far the old man could have gone. However he's not going to run off in any random direction, Katsuki that is. The smoke is merely a cover. Trying to make it hard for them to see the direction he's run off in - if he has at all. ]

TCH!

[ Time to conjure up a wind to blow away the smoke! Come on Deku, surely you've got something else. They can't stop here! Can't let this asshole get away with such blood thirsty thoughts on his brain! ]

[fullgauntlet]

[There is no way that they can let the man escape after learning what is happening. They can't let more mayhem happen in the streets no matter where or why it's happening. He slides to a stop, hand coming up to his brow as Katsuki blows away as much of the smoke as possible. Think, Midoriya Izuku... Think...!]

He's got to be hiding somewhere!

[Because Emet-Selch doesn't seem like the type to run and sprint away for long....]

Kacchan- give me some light.

[He rushes forward looking for anything. But it's so dark that they can't see much. If Katsuki is able to shine a spotlight down on their search...

What's that. Blood...? Izuku claps his hands as magic sparks. But this time it isn't Alchemy. The drips of blood will turn wet again and pull up from the stone as Izuku manipulates it with blood magic. It's unstable but-]

He's nearby!

[emet_sulk]

[ He closes his eyes and lets out a barely audible breath. The hand pressed to his wound squeezing tight. Izuku's blood magic. Of course it would inconvenience him like this.

Dropping his head, he takes a few moments to breathe and think. He cannot let himself be caught so soon. He's barely halfway through those pathetic smugglers. To be apprehended by these...these children would be insulting. Isn't he supposed to be Emet-Selch, paragon amongst Ascians, one of the most powerful sorcerers of his time?

A tiny little voice reminds him that everything which made him mighty has been stripped away here. He stifles the urge to laugh hysterically, lifting his bloodied hand to cover his eyes.

He is so damn tired.

Tired of fighting to survive, tired of seeing death come to all he loves, tired of living. It goes deeper than physical exhaustion, mental fatigue having long set its hooks into him. But if he rests now then who will keep Hythldoaeus safe? Who will save their world from collapsing? He must go on.

Sucking in a sharp breath, he struggles to his feet. Yet his exertion earlier comes back to bite him with pins and needles through his legs. He stumbles, collapsing heavily against the wall. It's a small sound but it's enough to give his location away.

Cursing under his breath, he pulls the lip of his cowl further down and starts running. ]

[apshot]

Got it.

[ Because that pesky Light Magic, right? So all he really needs to do is conjure a little ball of light that is going to follow Izuku around.

Though he had forgotten all about Izuku's blood magic. If they really had managed to get the old man then Izuku should be able to detect him or something to that degree. Katsuki isn't sure he knows how it works honestly. He's never really bothered to ask the guy about his Blood Magic. Something creepy about it. ]

Lead the way. I'll follow.

[ Which is a pretty big thing for Katsuki to do - follow anyone's lead. At the moment though, Izuku is the one best equipped to track the guy down. Katsuki can simply provide the illumination. ]

[fullgauntlet]

[Emet-Selch, paragon amongst Ascians, one of the most powerful sorcerers of his time going up against two teenagers- one being the inheritor of the greatest superpower of all time and the other being the top of his class in everything he does a literal genius-

But here they are all on the same playing field...

That doesn't mean that Izuku is going to stop his roll. He has to stop someone who might and will hurt others or himself. He glances at Katsuki with a nod and a feeling of determination in his chest before he takes off to follow the reverberation of blood. His blood magic isn't the greatest but in this sense... He can track like a bloodhound.

When he spots the man just up ahead Izuku sprints for him. The old man looks tired but Izuku knows not to let his guard down. He jumps forward and brings a fist up to punch him down.]

Emet-Selch!!

[Izuku grabs him by the arm quickly restraining him with a rough pull...]

Don't try anything else!

[emet_sulk]

[ He hits the ground painfully and sees white stars flash before his eyes. He can feel the strain in his shoulder as his arm is pulled back. Ordinarily it would be quite difficult for someone to escape this position. Not for an alchemist.

Emet-Selch twists his head as far as it can go, baring his teeth at Izuku, eyes wild. ]

All I want is to return home! [ he seethes. ] Home, you understand? To Hythlodaeus... To my kin...!

[ To hell with mercy.

The Ascian focuses on the alley walls and funnels all the magic he can into them. The two boys have a second of warning in the form of a small flash of light before spikes shoot out from either side in an attempt to pierce them through. ]

[apshot]

[ Yeah... Bakugou's had another similar encounter with this sort of thing before, hasn't he? Only he's good at dodging shit last minute. However this time? This time his focus isn't quite on himself.

It's on Izuku.

The little fucker is probably going to be very fucking tired of Katsuki doing this sort of thing. But the moment that Emet Selch decides to send out spikes their way? The blonde is booking it with flames. Rocketing his way to - once again - shove the shitty nerd out of harms way.

Just hopefully this time there's no impalement. Roll is a 12 so On his way there, the spikes cut and slash through the blonde, but he manages to latch onto his rival, friend, and a bit more. Katsuki just barely manages to get a shield up to protect them both from anything fatal. ]