Archived:Lilith's Letter Phase Two/Crossover Team Five

 LL Phase Two: Crossover Team Five

Note: If a user who is on this team needs to go inactive for more than a few days, please find give your team mates a heads up and try and find someone you trust to rp your characters. If you can't find someone to rp your character for you, you may be skipped over in the rp, and you will have to rp accordingly. If you feel you will suddenly be gone inactive for more than a week or two, and can not find a replacement or someone to rp your character, please remove yourself from the team and the team will have to go on without you.

Also, as the team progresses, please post OOC updates on your team's status here, User:Flamefang, User:BachLynn23 and User:Nhlott will use this page to keep track of where they need to help post or encourage activity.

Summary
Type: Combat/Story

Location: Guangzhou, China

Objective: This team wandered into a trap set by Sayuri's agents. Before the mortals could successfully arrest or eliminate the demigods, an unknown individual cut them down one by one and vanished as quickly as he appeared. It will be the task of whoever undertakes this mission to track down the killer, uncover his identity, and discover motives. Camp members in Guangzhou uncovered both valuable intel, and an interesting item. The intel mainly concerns the abilities of Pagos, though the item itself may lead to a mission itself. Item Found: Mysterious Cylinder - This item will need further examination before anything can be made of it.

Team Members

 * 1) Bianca Jenson/Jake (BC)
 * 2) Laureline Floraison/Queen (Camp)
 * 3) Holly Xu/Travel (Camp)
 * 4) Isaiah Davis/User:Nhlott (BC)

Crossover
Laurel and Holly walks over to Bianca and Isaiah.

Laurel: Nods, Bianca, Isaiah. I'm Laurel, motions towards Holly this is Holly. Shall we go now?

Holly waves at them.

Bianca: Bianca stays quiet and nods.

Isaiah: Sure, let's go.

Holly: Lead the way.

''The questers board the plane and after 15 hours, they land on New Baiyun Airport. Soon after, they reached Guangzhou.''

Laurel: Well, we're here. By the way, this is the item that our intel discovered on the last mission. Produces the black cylinder. Have any idea what is this?

Holly looks curiously at the black cylinder.

Holly: Laurel did the people at camp conduct any test on it?

Laurel: Not as far as I know. Or maybe it's just a plain cylinder, but why they made it seem important? Shakes the cylinder.

As she shakes it, the cylinder begins to hum, and its appearance begins to shift erratically; from mundane everyday objects like TV remotes and phones, to random forms like strangely twisted pieces of metal and stone to branches off of trees.

Isaiah: Yea, let's NOT shake it again....

The cylinder stops shifting and reverts to its original form, but not before a shadow breaks itself free from the object, manifests itself as a dark multi-limbed creature, and darts down a nearby alley.

Laurel: Her eyes widen in surprise. Whoa, what the hell was that? Looks around the other questers. Should we, umm, chase it, or...?

Isaiah: Yes. He shifts into minotaur form and chases after it full-speed.

Laurel: Fine. Follows Isaiah.

Holly: Wait for me. ''Holly follows after them, and after a few minutes catches up to Laurel. '' I am guessing this didn't happen at camp.

Bianca: Bianca writes 'Follow' in her notebook and her body is whisked towards the creature.

''The alley is cramped and dark, allowing for only two demigods to pass abreadth. The shadow creature is barely discernable against the dark background but can be seen hanging; suspended between the upper walls by its many legs. It looks at them, lashes its tail menacingly, and emits a low growl.''

Laurel: I definitely don't like this... Shoots rose thorns from her hand at the shadow creature.

Bianca: ''Bianca writes 'Light' in her notebook, and it starts to glow. She shines it on the dark creature''.

Isaiah: Yea, Laurel, you touch nothing from here on out....

Laurel: What is it?

Bianca: It's... a monster. I've never heard of anything like it.

Laurel: wrinkles her nose at it and prepares to try and restrain it with vines if it moves towards them

Isaiah: It smells horrid....So, you think it'll take a shot at us?

The creature allows both the thorns and the light to pass through it harmlessly, and then flings itself at the group with its claws extended.

Holly creates a dome of water around the group in order to block the creatures attack.

Bianca: Bianca quickly scribbles 'Freeze' in her journal, focusing the word on the creature.

''Before the creature even strikes the dome, it disperses into a fine mist, which then coalesces and is absorbed back into the cylindrical object. The object hums for a moment, and then falls silent.''

Holly: That was awesome!

Bianca: ''Bianca raises an eyebrow. Not exactly the word I would use... Bianca draws a quick sketch of the creature before closing the journal''.

Holly: Holly jumps up and down And whatever that thing was so cool, and looks the cylindrical is back. Holly then pick it up.

Laurel: What is it?

Holly: It the same cylinder thing that it was before, but at least we know what it does. Question is who create it?

Laurel: Frowns. My guess is someone with shadow/darkness powers. But what was the purpose? To keep monsters inside? Takes the cylinder from Holly. We need to test it, a shake releases a monster, what about a twist? Releases ivy from her hands to twist the cylinder.

''A great roaring fills the air, as if an enormous angry crowd had just been transplanted into the midst of the city. Along with the cheers come the smells of a burning city and around them, the neighboring buildings begin to break out into flames and appear dangerously damaged. Trash and rubble cover the ground of the alleyway, appearing as if they had been there all along, and the roaring; still distant on the air, seems to be drawing closer.''

Holly: Okay maybe shaking it wasn't the best idea Laurel.

Bianca:'' Bianca sighs and takes out the journal again, writing a series of words, hoping that one will work. 'Silence, stop, revert, return, disappear, begone, leave, halt.''

Nothing happens and the sound continues to grow in volume and intensity.

Holly: Holly covers her ears Laurel close the stupid cylinder.

Laurel: Holly, it doesn't have any openings! Should I twist it again?

Isaiah: (Through gritted teeth) This is why we don't play with scary black objects...

Holly: Yes twist it in the opposite direction Laurel.

Bianca: Hurry, maybe?

Laurel: Nods and twist in in the opposite direction.

Nothing changes, and the sound grows closer as the horizon above the buildings begins to glow an intense firey yellow-orange.

Laurel: Mon Dieu, should we get out of here? I can provide travel roses. I mean, I'm up to stay and fight, IF we know what are we fighting. Paces around and accidentally drops the cylinder to the ground. Oh, I'm not touching that thing anymore.

''The fire, the flames, and the noise vanish to be replaced with the same alleyway they previously occupied. The cylinder starts shifting appearances again as it lies on the ground.''

Holly: Holly grabs the cylinder Maybe we should learn more about this, before we touch it again. She then put it away.

Laurel: Okay, I'm glad we didn't just destroy a city. Points to the cylinder, That could be useful as a distraction, by the way. Oh, and the other team mentioned there was some kind of dark shape, like a cloud, in the sky when they were here, just saying.

Holly: No! Holly yelled as her happy exterior turned dark and angry. Until we learn more about this we will not use it no matter what the circumstances may be.

Laurel: Frowns. Fine, let's learn about this thing. What else do you want to do to it? We've tried shake and twist so far.

Holly: We need to know it's purpose, and who created it? Because shaking and twisting the darn thing is getting us no where.

Isaiah: Yo! Calm your ass down! He snatches the cylinder and shoves it in his backpack We're not worrying about it now. Let's focus on the mission as it stands.

Holly: Which is?

Isaiah: Good to know you don't pay attention..... To find and get intel on the guy that killed all those mortals on the last mission

Bianca: Do we have any leads, any clues?

Holly: And where did he kill them?

Isaiah: Somewhere here in Guangzhou. Holly, if I may ask, do you even know you're a demigod?

Holly: Holly ignored Isaiah question Moving on, I was thinking if we had to find this guy maybe we can go back to place where he killed the mortals and search for clues there.

Isaiah: Given the weight of the forces we're up against, I hardly think "They always return to the scene of the crime" applies here...

Holly: Well no one returns to the scene of the crime, at least no one with half a brain. I was thinking that maybe there is something in thoughs locations that can give us a clue to who are we dealing with or gather any evidence that can lead to the answer of that question.

Isaiah: Perhaps I'm crazy, but traditionally, guys who appear out of nowhere, kill a bunch of people and suddenly disappear tend to not leave clues....

Holly: Fine how were these people killed, or what type of weapons were used to end there lives?

Laurel: There were a bunch of armed people, and a single guy slain them. We think it was Pagos himself, because he could control blood. But the mortal girl, Sayuri, might know more about this.

Holly: There an awesome place to start, is this Sayuri still alive Laurel, or is she one of the victims?

Bianca: Bianca is still giggling from Isaiah's comment to Holly. Sayuri is still alive.

Holly: Alright, let go find her and see what she knows.

Isaiah: I don't know....What if your shoe comes untied? Can we spare the time to teach you how?

Bianca: Bianca snickers again. Let's go...

Holly: Holly looks at Isaiah straight in the eyes. You know I would love to hear more about your view point, but I can't seem to get my head that far up my ass. She turns and begins to walk away quickly into a random direction.

Laurel: Holly, where are you going? Turns to the Isaiah and Bianca, They last team brought Sayuri to Camp. But she's in China, some... unfinished business, I guess. She will meet us here in Guangzhou, to investigate more about the massacre.

Isaiah: Excellent comeback. Just as transparent and idiotic as its speaker.....So,there some agreed upon rendezvous point?

Holly walks into a shop, and walks out five minutes later.

Laurel: Yeah, umm, checks her Blackberry, Golden Dragon Restaurant, that's over there, points to a restaurant and calls to Holly, Holly, we're going over there. Come on!

The questers walk to the restaurant, there they spot Sayuri waiting, leaning on one of the pillar.

Isaiah: So, I take it you're the one we need to talk to?

Laurel: Sayuri, nods. We met briefly at Camp, I'm Laurel, a friend of Rose.

Bianca: Bianca looks down at her shoes, never making eye contact. I'm... Bianca.

Isaiah: I'm.....unimportant. However, your info is.

Holly rolls her eyes, and looks a bit annoyed by Isaiah.

Bianca readies her pen so that she can write down anything important Sayuri says.

Sayuri: Nods to the group. You are more or less what I expected, though it's diffuclt for me to judge your capabilities from a single look. If you live up to my expectations, this should be a cakewalk and we can get this bloody affair wrapped up quickly. Let me make it clear before we begin that whatever you may think of me as a mortal is entirely irrelevant, and I can walk away from this mission just as easily as I can put a bullet between your eyes. Her hand drifts towards the holstered pistol at her side. We're essentially dealing with a mystery, and unfortunately since I wasn't present at the time of the massacre, we have only second hand evidence to drive our investigation. Eight of my men were cut down last time you demigods sent a group through here, and currently all of those involved can be considered suspect. Yes, including those you sent. Although their account makes sense given the scene of the crime, we have only their testimony to work with so they could have committed the crime and looked to excuse themselves. What's left of the scene has been removed, so if you have any questions about what happened there that I can answer, ask and I'll do all in my ability to answer you.

Bianca: We uh... we may hate the gods, but we don't have the authority to cutting down humans left and right. If it was us, it wasn't authorized. How were they killed exaclty? Any marks left on the bodies or the like?

Laurel: Produces the cylinder. And...do you have any idea what this thing is?

Holly: How long did it take for the victims to be killed? What evidence did you collect from the scene?

Bianca: Bianca writes down all the questions on a sheet of paper, rips it out, and hands it to Sayuri. Sorry... we're anxious... and we know almost nothing.

Sayuri: ''Takes the cylinder in her gloved hand and looks it over, before nodding. ''We found this just before the previous team from Camp left... I can't tell you what it is, but one of my men was found dead nearby so you may want to keep a close eye on it. As for your other questions, the men's wounds were precice; most of them slashes or stabs to the torso with some kind of bladed weapon or device. Since we don't know exactly what did kill them, claws or teeth can't be ruled out either. Most reports from the scene are fairly confused, but it seems that the culprit eliminated them very quickly without them even noticing the source of the attacks. The only evidence from the scene was the victims' bodies.

Holly:That is odd.

Laurel: So whatever it was moved so fast, that your men were unable to fight back, nods. Then it can't be teeth, bite marks look very different from slash or stab wounds. We did some experiment on that thing, points to the cylinder. It was quite interesting. Shaking it would produce a kind of shadowy creature.Twisting it would create an... extraordinary illusion.

Sayuri: Gives the cylinder another glance and nods. So, it creates illusions then... could this really be what killed my men, though? How can an illusion interact with actual reality? They must be separate, unless there is something we still don't know about.

Isaiah: Perhaps someone who really knows what it is and what they're doing with it used it to a more lethal means...

Sayuri: So, you are assuming that it can do more than just conjure illusions?

Laurel: The monster was pretty real to me.

Isaiah: I mean, I didn't know it could conjure illusions until I saw it, so I'm in no real position to underestimate it...

Holly: Well we know that when we shake it that shadow creature appears, and when you twist it that is when the illusion of burning city appears. Eigher way by itself I don't see how it can be used against anybody, unless someone else is involved or they started to mess with it.

Bianca: What if... what if those weren't illusions? What if the cylinder can actually alter reality, even if only for a short period of time? At this point, I um... I have two theories. The first was that reality was altered, and something came out of the cylinder to attack them. The second... an illusion so strong was created that they attacked and killed each other.

Laurel: So you're saying it's a device to keep monsters inside? Like Aladdin's lamp?

Holly: Maybe not like aladdin lamp, but the concept is similar minus the three wishes thing.

Laurel: That goes without saying, Holly.

Bianca: Either monsters, or illusions powerful enough to make people believe they are real.

Sayuri: I think the important thing is to distinguish between whether what you witnessed was an illusion or reality. Did you actually come into physical contact with any element of the illusion? I'd assume that you'd notice if your hand went through a wall or something.

Laurel: Well, we didn't touch anything, but after we dropped the cylinder everything was normal. I mean, in the illusion the city was burn, then everything went back to normal, no signs of burnt buildings. So, it must be an illusion.

Bianca nods in agreement.

Sayuri: Well, for all we know it could have taken you forward in time, or even to an alternate reality in which the city is burning. I'd suggest that we experiment with it. Whether or not this thing will aid in our current task, we could have something of great value right here.

Bianca:'' Bianca gulps and looks at Isaiah. ''You have it, right?

Isaiah: Yea. Hands it to Sayuri.

Sayuri: Takes it, slightly puzzled. And... what do you want me to do with this?

Holly: Well you said you wanted to experiment with it.

Bianca: And, well... we have less experience.

Sayuri: I suggested that we experiment with it, as a group. I'm only a mortal, it's more dangerous for me to be handling this thing than it is for you.

Bianca:'' Bianca takes it back and gulps. ''Fine. Is everyone ready?

Isaiah: Wait. Break it down, here. What exactly are we going to be doing with it? Cuz if we're just gonna play with it til something happens, I'm not so sure.

Bianca: Well we have to find out what this is, and what it does. We really should know. So we've shaken and twisted it... what it we tapped it? We could drop it, knock on it, throw it... maybe it's like that golden egg in Harry Potter, and it will sing if we put in underwater...

Laurel: That thing is more related to shadow or darkness than to water, just saying. But Bianca's right. This thing might help us in the future. Like, if we find a way to control that shadow monster. Or if we're ever in trouble, we could use the illusion as a distraction.

Isaiah: Perhaps it can create other kinds of illusions?

Bianca: Well, we can't know until we try it out. Practice makes perfect? Bianca laughs nervously.

Sayuri: ''Slightly bothered. ''From what you described to me of you previous experiment, a simple reversal of the previous control eliminated the problem. Surely the same principle would apply to whatever you choose to do to it? Someone do something or I will! Probably endangering the lot of us in the process!

Laurel: Bianca, just do it already, gives her encouraging smile.

Holly: Bianca just throw it against the wall and see what happens.

Isaiah: Sighs and holds his hand out to Bianca If you would be so kind? I have an idea.

Bianca: Bianca stays quiet and nods, handing it to him, shying away from further contact. Have at it.

Isaiah: He nods as he takes it and pulls either end, twisting slightly as he pictures a circle of flames in his mind.

''The cylinder hums and shifts appearances yet again. A circle of flames, radiating heat and light as any fire might, surrounds his body.''

Isaiah: And if what I think is correct....He puts his hand into the flames.

The flames create a strong burning sensation, as fire would be expected to, but no burns appear on his skin.

Bianca: Incredible... can you feel any pain?

Isaiah: I knew it........ Heat, but no real burns.

Bianca: That's amazing... Will it always conjure whatever we imagine?

Laurel: Stares in awe. But... I wasn't imagining monsters or a destroyed city...

Bianca: Well of course not. It's conjures the image. You're not imagining it.

Holly: Why is it conjuring though images to us?

Isaiah: Don't know, but this thing's stayin with me. He twists it the other way and as the flames disappear, he puts it back in his backpack.

Holly: Don't put away just yet, can you hand it over so I can take a closer look on at it?

Bianca: Good luck finding anything new on it, Holly. We do need to figure out how we can use this to our advantage though... and I think I have an idea.

Holly: Actually I wanted to see if there was a tag number or something written on it that we can trace. She pauses What is your idea.?

Bianca: What if we ask it to show us the scene? We could identify the killer, maybe find out where he went. She looks to Isaiah. Well? isn't it worth a shot?

Sayuri: You can try, but I don't think it's a recording device. What I don't understand is why one of my men had this by him anyway, especially when he was lying dead or dying.

Holly: It could be that he found it, or someone gave it to him.

Sayuri: He was a soldier, not some kind of irresponsible child. He would have reported this, but he didn't.

Holly: Where their any security camera where they were found?

Laurel: Maybe your man was actually his man. And he was sent to...I don't know, bring destruction from within, but proved to be a liability, which is why he was killed?

Sayuri: ''Fighting to keep her emotions in check. ''I knew each and every one of my team by name, face, and number. We trained and fought together for years, and we saved eachothers' lives countless times. He joined me because his wife was murdered before his very eyes, because he saw a vengeful monster commit the act. The pain and fury in his heart was like that of no other, and among all of my men he was always the most convinced of our cause. I buried Zhang yesterday, and you are telling me that he was disloyal? I'm sorry, but I cannot acccept that.

Holly:Okay he wasn't disloyal, but did he have any enemy that may have wanted him dead.

Isaiah: Or maybe it was planted there to cause this exact argument you're having.....

Holly: We are not arguing... we are discussing.

Laurel: I'm sorry, it's just, whoever's behind this may be very good at manipulation.

Sayuri: Maybe, but we don't have anything here to suggest that. All we know is that Zhang had the item near him when he died, and that his wounds were identical to those found on my other men.

Laurel: Look, maybe we can go to the crime scene, the place where Zhang was murdered, and you guys found the cylinder.

Sayuri: That seems like the best idea to me, we can't do much in front of this old resturaunt. I can take us, unless you have a better suggestion.

Laurel: No, please. Let's just get there?

Bianca: Bianca looks around at the attention the group has drawn to itself. Yes, let's go, as in quickly. Bianca stands to leave.

Holly: Holly stand up and walks outside.

Isaiah: He pats his backpack before slinging it over his shoulder So, where to, exactly?

Sayuri: Laurel suggested that we go to the alley where Zhang was found dead, though our alternate option would be to visit the other area where my men were massacred and your allies escaped. I'll take us to the first place, and we can decide where to proceed from there.

''They soon arrive at the scene of the crime, just as night begins to fall, and light between the alley walls quickly grows scarce. The alley itself is fairly typical, running between two medium sized Chinese shops; one resembling a general store, and the other selling a variety of cheap clothing. Nothing of note can be immediately seen within the alley, but a closer inspection might reveal more results. As Zhang's body was removed before it could be discovered by the authorities, it is not cordoned off or otherwise monitored.''

Bianca: I think I can help. Bianca feels the ground, finally feeling the right area. This is where he was. Give me one sec. ''Bianca closes her eyes. He body briefly flashes as she travels back in time and reappears. As she returns, she falls on her side, weak.'' Guys, I got some info. ''She draws a quick sketch of Zhang, who looks remarkably like the pale man with the sunken face from the Ghangzhou mission. Bianca looks up at the group. ''This, eerily enough, is...was... Zhang. He was in this alley, running from something I couldn't see. He was freaking out...he looked genuinely scared. Suddenly, a dark, human shaped thing detached itself from the darkness around Zhang... and then it killed him. Zhang's legs were kicked out just before it stabbed him in the neck. As it was leaving, this dark shape drops the same cylinder we have. It picked up the cylinder and twisted it a few times, muttering some curses- in a female voice. That's when a minotaur comes charging in. The dark shape drops the cylinder and flees into the darkness... and that's all I had time to see. Bianca is out of breath from both her journey and her story.

Sayuri: I... it's good to know how he died, even if he couldn't go down fighting... we have to find the identity of this attacker!

Holly: Bianca at what direction was he coming from?

Isaiah: He glances at Sayuri Why do I get the feeling I'm not the only one who doesn't believe that?

Sayuri: The only one who doesn't belive what?

Bianca: Bianca throws him a look, suddenly getting defensive. Look, do YOU wanna travel back in time and see it for yourself?'' Bianca shows Sayuri the sketch. ''Sayuri, I've never met this man before. Isn't this what he looked like? I mean, how else would I know that? And he ran in from this side, by the way.

Laurel: Wait, why would the dark 'thing' flee from a Minotaur? It would only make sense if this 'thing' is a demigod. A female one, maybe...daughter of Nyx?

Isaiah: Please, you know just as well as I do that you could be pulling this info right outta your ass.

Bianca: Bianca quickly writes, 'Silence Isaiah' in her book and Isaiah is turned mute momentarily. Give me a truth serum, have me tested. Or you could believe me. I have nothing to gain, and no benefits from lying. Do you have a better explanation for this mess? Bianca remembers he is silenced and cannot answer. It doesn't matter anyways. I saw what I saw. The past does not lie.

Isaiah: He takes her journal and rips it up I'd advise you not to f*ck with me again, or it's your throat.....

Sayuri: Angrily We are finding and killing whatever it was that killed Zhang. You are quickly becoming an obstacle, Isaiah, and I am not known to sidestep obstacles. I am known to destroy them.

Bianca: Bianca's journal repairs itself before flashing and disappearing back into her ring. Nice try, tough guy. She faces the rest of the group. We need to know a few things. One: Who is the shadow? Two: Why it's cylinder was important? Three:Why is it afraid of a Minotaur when it can cause that kind of damage? My best guess is that it can be harmed by mortal things, despite it's odd appearance. Perhaps it is a demigod?

Isaiah: I swear, at this rate one of you will end up eaten soon......

Sayuri: ''Ignores Isaiah's comment and turns to Bianca. ''I think a Demigod would make the most sense. If it was a monster, why would it attack with anything but its natural weapons, and why would it be so concerned with remaining unseen?

Bianca: ''Bianca nods. ''Monsters don't think with that level of complexity. What kind of demigod are we after though?

Sayuri: My first thought was a darkness or shadow manipulating demigod, but if this was the case then couldn't it have prevented us from seeing it at all? Why would it even need to ambush him in this way, afterall it was the middle of the night.

Laurel: You have a point. But then how did she surrounded herself in darkness? Maybe with this cylinder? It could conjure almost anything, right? Why don't you give it a try, Isaiah?

Isaiah: He shrugs Sure, why not? He pulls it out and uses the cylinder the same way as before, this time picturing himself shrouded in shadows.

''Isaiah is surrounded by exactly what he pictured for a moment, before the shadows flicker and disappear. The cylinder makes a small mechanical sound.''

Holly looks confused as she hears the mechanical sound.

Holly: That's weird.

Isaiah: Maybe it ran outta juice or something?  He looks it over in his hands

Holly: It certainly is a possibility, but any item that has been enchanted to have run out of batteries before.

Bianca: Bianca walks up to it and taps on it. It sounds alright... try using it again, maybe?

Holly: I guess.She looks unsure.

Isaiah: Sure, why not? He tries the cylinder again.

The cylinder makes a similar noise, and nothing happens.

Isaiah: Hmm.....odd....

Bianca: Out of juice... maybe it relied on the demigod's energy for power. Now that they're separated, there's no way to recharge it...