A New Platform [Intro Post October]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

The train continues its journey

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen of the month of Nebula. Points have been updated on the system."

With points updated, everyone can spend the morning shopping. Most people will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform.

The doors open. As usual, those who leave first notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Asch, Ayumi Uoshida, Cleopatra Selene, Della Duck, Ghost, Hanuel Min, Jaisyn Solo, Jonathan Sims, Martin Blackwood, Nie Huaisang, Vermouth; all pass across the platform, not looking back. And then they're gone, disappeared through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

But on the platform itself there are four new faces. Wearing hoodies, three in purple one orange, in various states of confusion.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam billowing around them as they come to their senses. As their eyes adjust, they find themselves on a platform. The platform is relatively small, a brick wall behind them and cracked flagstones on the floor. It is cold, icy cold but the wall at least shelters them a little.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own and a style they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone on the foggy, freezing platform; then the fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform isn't large, but it is enough to hold the four figures scattered around, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. Then there is a roaring sound and out of the fog arrives a train. Jet black with gold writing on the side. The Voidtrecker Express. There is a hiss as the doors slide open and out pours a strange assortment of people, over a hundred at least. Some are human, some are less so. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple, though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

Behind them, the doors close, and the train is cloaked in the same fog that hides the world beyond the platform.

The Train

After a short time, perhaps ten minutes or so, the fog clears and the doors hiss open again. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there's anywhere else to go and even if there was, you feel a pull. A need to board, a feeling that staying on the platform would lead to something terrible. If that is not enough, there are plenty of people on the platform now, to encourage them onto the train.

Each ICP shows the same message and next to the screens there are stacks of leaflets written by those on the train, with further information (see
'Publications'). The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, including yadon tail, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags.

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. In most rooms, the occupied beds are obvious, leaving the spotless, empty spaces for the newcomers. Room is tight but there are storage cubbies at the head of each bed, beds fold up and the bottom bunks double as benches for the small table. There is storage under those benches full of spare blankets and pillows.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers taking advantage of the fresh air, and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view again as it picks up speed.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express." A female-coded artificial sounding voice echoes throughout the train. "Please take the time to read the passenger information displayed on the Information and Communication points and familiarise yourself with the layout and emergency exits."

The train begins to tilt, leaving the ground and rising up into the fog-filled sky.

"Entrance into Voidspace imminent. New passengers are advised to remain seated. Entry into Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A shudder, a jolt, a lurch to the left. A flash of light, colourful and blinding. As quick as it happens it is done. The train seems to steady itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

[katzenpfote]

"... Now that's interesting. We defeated a 'god' that was twisting the minds of its followers as well. And while I wouldn't say prayer is what fueled Vokodo, there is an archfey that I know that became a sort of god through fervent belief. Enough of one to grant divine power, at least."

Different? Yes. Interesting? Also yes. "The gods are real where I am from - I've seen enough divine power thrown around to believe that, though I don't specifically follow any. No gods being real, though... it's an interesting theory."

[dragoonrouge]

She taps her claws against the desk "How strange...Much and more are the fascinating differences between worlds. As for why we believe that there are no true gods, Hydaelyn was the spirit of the star whom we originally believed to be the source of life but recent evidence transpires that she was summoned in the same manner as any other Primal to oppose another ancient primal by the name of Zodiark."

She holds her hands out like a scale, "Generally, darkness and light needs to be in balance or terrible changes happen to the land." Q'uila very much focuses on not shuddering at the phantom memory of Light cracking beneath her skin, "If we of the Scions are to rid our world of Zodiark then it stands to reason that we must also excise Hydaelyn as well to maintain balance and stop the scales for tipping into Calamity."

[katzenpfote]

“I see. That makes sense. … Though if she’s the soul of your world as you say, is it going to be…” Well, of course it won’t be safe. “Will your world be stable enough without her? If the balance is as delicate as you say…”

[dragoonrouge]

A fair question and Q'uila isn't particularly bothered by it, "Hydaelyn was not originally a part of the world and it was balanced for many millennia before her existence from what we have seen. Of course, that could have changed over the last twelve thousand years and I believe that the tenability of our actions is going to be studied by the more studious Scions and so we will not act until we are more sure of our path."

[katzenpfote]

"I see. It's good that you have scholars working on it - that's not something to do lightly. But of course you know that." He smiles a little bit at her. "I wish you luck with all of that, then. It sounds like you'll need it... though you may find people to help you here. I'm no expert on gods other than killing pseudo-gods, apparently."

He knows some mythology, but he's no expert.

[dragoonrouge]

"It will be an undertaking but I have no doubt we will succeed. The Scions are some of the realm's best and brightest and they have already achieved one previously impossible feat in recent moons; curing the mind controlling effect of Primals, the only previous solution was to usher those effected back to the Lifestream." Her ears dip down, "'Tis why I am full glad to go and tackle Primal's to save everyone from such a fate."

[katzenpfote]

"It's also good that you get a break from doing that here. It must be very exhausting to do." Then again, he's a skinny nerd. He knows it'd be exhausting for him, but maybe less so for her.

[dragoonrouge]

Q'uila shrugs and it almost looks disappointed, "I will be honest, I very much miss it. I enjoy the work and even though 'tis a serious task there is always a thrill to be found in the challenge of facing new opponents. I also miss just being able to go out adventuring and exploring."

[katzenpfote]

"Ah." Right, she's a danger junkie. He nods and crosses his arms at that. "I guess challenging yourself with that kind of thing might be appealing to some... I prefer reading over fighting, when I can help it."

Sometimes he can't, after all.