The hanami viewing seems to be going well. With every hour that passes, more and more civilians are showing up to watch the unraveling events. Some stand on the sidelines and watch with concern, while others begin gathering on the empty picnic blankets. They still seem shy of the Fallen Stars, but people from the bottom and top level alike have begun to gather for the picnic. Some of them hold posters that told them to come, some bring their own baskets, and many of them fondly talk about the tree that started the reblooming tradition. The conversations wistfully twist to the same thought, over and over again:
"How could we forget about the tree that started it all?"
The sobbing of the spirit begins to quiet. Its bloom-filled branches, which tower to the sky like cumulus clouds, emit a warm, pink glow. For a few minutes around noon, the bleeding tree gives off a somehow happy aura. Watching over the people of the city one last time, it begins to shed the many petals it had artificially gathered. As the petals fall, Fallen Stars will briefly see a memory play through their minds like a daydream: It's one of the early hanami parties, from before the world knew about spirits. The tree's spirit warmly watches the people holding picnics, thinking in a mature voice; "I was happy to love this city."
... Until the peace is abruptly snapped. Those sensitive to spirits and magic will feel it first: A strong pulse of magic expands from the tree trunk. The spirit can be heard screaming apologies for having such a selfish wish, repeating over and over that they only wanted to love the city's people one more time. They don't want to hurt people-- Please, don't let them hurt people!
The petals turn into the black goo and rain down on the area surrounding the tree. The picnickers within the barrier will see them splash on an invisible roof, but those who are too close to the tree will feel the acidic rain lightly burn their skin. As the goo runs out of the tree, it leaves a dying husk behind. And gradually, the goo begins to take monstrous forms--
A familiar voice can be fainting heard under the cacophony of agonizing screams: "Remember my warning."
This is a reaction post for everything going to shit. There are different top-levels for the battles themselves. When engaging the tree in battle, please use one of the battle top-levels so that I can keep track of everything!
STAGE FOUR: the shift
"How could we forget about the tree that started it all?"
The sobbing of the spirit begins to quiet. Its bloom-filled branches, which tower to the sky like cumulus clouds, emit a warm, pink glow. For a few minutes around noon, the bleeding tree gives off a somehow happy aura. Watching over the people of the city one last time, it begins to shed the many petals it had artificially gathered. As the petals fall, Fallen Stars will briefly see a memory play through their minds like a daydream: It's one of the early hanami parties, from before the world knew about spirits. The tree's spirit warmly watches the people holding picnics, thinking in a mature voice; "I was happy to love this city."
... Until the peace is abruptly snapped. Those sensitive to spirits and magic will feel it first: A strong pulse of magic expands from the tree trunk. The spirit can be heard screaming apologies for having such a selfish wish, repeating over and over that they only wanted to love the city's people one more time. They don't want to hurt people-- Please, don't let them hurt people!
The petals turn into the black goo and rain down on the area surrounding the tree. The picnickers within the barrier will see them splash on an invisible roof, but those who are too close to the tree will feel the acidic rain lightly burn their skin. As the goo runs out of the tree, it leaves a dying husk behind. And gradually, the goo begins to take monstrous forms--
A familiar voice can be fainting heard under the cacophony of agonizing screams: "Remember my warning."
This is a reaction post for everything going to shit. There are different top-levels for the battles themselves. When engaging the tree in battle, please use one of the battle top-levels so that I can keep track of everything!