Goro Akechi (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
undyingcrow) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
route666radio2025-09-19 04:31 pm
undyingcrow) wrote in route666radio2025-09-19 04:31 pm
Text;
This is Akechi.
In light of our recent trip to the library, I thought it pertinent to take this time to share relevant information and discoveries. There's quite a bit to unpack.
To start, there's this curious passage here:
This is by far the clearest answer as to why we are here. Unfortunately, it further solidifies how little agency we have.
For those who aren't up to date, I shared some related findings over the past few months.
Most pertinent is the incomplete passage found in one of the previous garages, which I'll reiterate for convenience:
"Broken in two […] Nothing to lose-", "Moon mourns, call her down, ease her pain-", "Need […] Better vessels from afar. Stronger souls-", "Imbue with moon sigils, Give blessings of moon, share her pain. Put the ritual right."
Putting these pieces together, we can assume that the previous notes originated from the Silver Tears. The Convoy appears to be its own third party, neither directly affiliated with the Wardens nor the Tears, but viewing the Tears as a greater foe. Given the likelihood that we were summoned to fulfill their desires, this would not surprise me, but I advise caution all the same.
We mustn't forget that the Wardens are the ones hellbent on slaughtering anyone and everyone who falls outside their ideas of "pure humans." The hunting logs make that clear as day. Given that our 'benefactor' remains anonymous and distant, I can't say that I trust them either, though I will acknowledge that the Convoy has given us the tools to survive, and they were the ones to provide us with the means to release the souls of the Husks.
Which brings me to the matter of those souls.
Those who encountered the mechanical cerberus likely noticed the spirits trapped within a circle constructed by the Wardens. I can think of no purpose beyond cruelty. They gain nothing from trapping the Husks when they could have slaughtered them instead.
Though the statue in the city is just as suspicious, given the expectations that we sacrifice something to rid ourselves of our "blessings."
Moving on, I did find an interesting excerpt regarding the Dawn Impact and this world's supposed history.
Given that the author was neither of the Wardens or Tears, I believe this passage can be viewed with more legitimacy than the hunting logs.
However, when I searched for more concrete information on Stasis, I found only examples of stories, wherein Stasis was used as a form of tragedy or punishment. The precise causes are vague and seem colored by the whims of the individual authors. It's nowhere near as academic as I would have liked.
That being said, if you have any additional findings, please do share. Blake-san and I spoke recently, and one particular subject of interest is monsters that fall outside the strict classifications presented in the hunting guides.
So, for curiosity's sake, if you've found yourself with traits or abilities beyond that you "should" have, please do share. I for one have retained abilities from temporary transformations and moon warps, such as my ability to manipulate air, water, and breathe under water despite my chimeric form.
Additionally, I recently gained a secondary monster form which I can shift in and out of. That secondary monster sprouted wings in the library, though time will tell if the wings remain after the fact. As far as I can tell, my alternate form is a nekomata with similarities to a cougar and lightning elemental abilities. I can shift between it and my chimera form at will.
As one final point (and I realize this post has gotten fairly lengthy), I'd like to bring up the recent findings at our latest stop.
The notes revolve around Nirvana, and read:
I have to wonder if these notes were written by native inhabitants of this world or if perhaps others were torn from their realities before us. There's evidence that this is not the Convoy's first voyage, so it's difficult to say.
We must remain diligent. The picture may be clearer now, but there's much we've yet to learn.
In light of our recent trip to the library, I thought it pertinent to take this time to share relevant information and discoveries. There's quite a bit to unpack.
To start, there's this curious passage here:
"Wardens of Nirvana argue over this, say we can’t risk the last stronghold. But we can’t wait to persuade them; the Convoy must still be finished and sent out. Only way to save ourselves is stop the Silver Tears rituals, and get the outlanders before the cult. The Moon is already hungry, and so are the pawns of the God, they are already reaching out across worlds. At least this will safeguard those who arrive. Give them some control over their changes. And draw them back to us."
This is by far the clearest answer as to why we are here. Unfortunately, it further solidifies how little agency we have.
For those who aren't up to date, I shared some related findings over the past few months.
Most pertinent is the incomplete passage found in one of the previous garages, which I'll reiterate for convenience:
"Broken in two […] Nothing to lose-", "Moon mourns, call her down, ease her pain-", "Need […] Better vessels from afar. Stronger souls-", "Imbue with moon sigils, Give blessings of moon, share her pain. Put the ritual right."
Putting these pieces together, we can assume that the previous notes originated from the Silver Tears. The Convoy appears to be its own third party, neither directly affiliated with the Wardens nor the Tears, but viewing the Tears as a greater foe. Given the likelihood that we were summoned to fulfill their desires, this would not surprise me, but I advise caution all the same.
We mustn't forget that the Wardens are the ones hellbent on slaughtering anyone and everyone who falls outside their ideas of "pure humans." The hunting logs make that clear as day. Given that our 'benefactor' remains anonymous and distant, I can't say that I trust them either, though I will acknowledge that the Convoy has given us the tools to survive, and they were the ones to provide us with the means to release the souls of the Husks.
Which brings me to the matter of those souls.
Those who encountered the mechanical cerberus likely noticed the spirits trapped within a circle constructed by the Wardens. I can think of no purpose beyond cruelty. They gain nothing from trapping the Husks when they could have slaughtered them instead.
Though the statue in the city is just as suspicious, given the expectations that we sacrifice something to rid ourselves of our "blessings."
Moving on, I did find an interesting excerpt regarding the Dawn Impact and this world's supposed history.
"This is the history of our world, as best as we know. Taken from the records of the Wardens and the prayers of the Tears, pieced together. I fear we will be hunted by both factions soon enough, so I record this scripture, copy it to page and data, and hope it survives whatever is to come. The cries outside grow louder, both the mourning and the terror. This is what led to this point.
In the beginning was a still void and two forces, more magic than physical, orbiting each other, and drawing closer together with each century. Until at last they crashed together. In the aftermath, our world was formed, ringed with wild and chaotic remnants of magic. We call this the Dawn Impact.
It was also at the dawn of civilization. We were born from the chaos and the sparks; the visions of the moon grants us that knowledge. We were forged from motes of magic with spells of our own, refined through the centuries… though as this happened, chaos bled into our forms. The Wardens claim that the monsters are a blight on our bloodlines. A curse or a corruption. The Silver Tears claims the monsters are a blessing of a deity they call the Creator.
As near as we can tell, the truth is between; rather, the monsters were a safeguard against the stasis, and stillness the world was sparked from. They are shards from the first collision, a power that has been alongside us since the beginning. Each monster embodies and Aspect of the world, to guard against the original Stasis we sprung up from."
In the beginning was a still void and two forces, more magic than physical, orbiting each other, and drawing closer together with each century. Until at last they crashed together. In the aftermath, our world was formed, ringed with wild and chaotic remnants of magic. We call this the Dawn Impact.
It was also at the dawn of civilization. We were born from the chaos and the sparks; the visions of the moon grants us that knowledge. We were forged from motes of magic with spells of our own, refined through the centuries… though as this happened, chaos bled into our forms. The Wardens claim that the monsters are a blight on our bloodlines. A curse or a corruption. The Silver Tears claims the monsters are a blessing of a deity they call the Creator.
As near as we can tell, the truth is between; rather, the monsters were a safeguard against the stasis, and stillness the world was sparked from. They are shards from the first collision, a power that has been alongside us since the beginning. Each monster embodies and Aspect of the world, to guard against the original Stasis we sprung up from."
Given that the author was neither of the Wardens or Tears, I believe this passage can be viewed with more legitimacy than the hunting logs.
However, when I searched for more concrete information on Stasis, I found only examples of stories, wherein Stasis was used as a form of tragedy or punishment. The precise causes are vague and seem colored by the whims of the individual authors. It's nowhere near as academic as I would have liked.
That being said, if you have any additional findings, please do share. Blake-san and I spoke recently, and one particular subject of interest is monsters that fall outside the strict classifications presented in the hunting guides.
So, for curiosity's sake, if you've found yourself with traits or abilities beyond that you "should" have, please do share. I for one have retained abilities from temporary transformations and moon warps, such as my ability to manipulate air, water, and breathe under water despite my chimeric form.
Additionally, I recently gained a secondary monster form which I can shift in and out of. That secondary monster sprouted wings in the library, though time will tell if the wings remain after the fact. As far as I can tell, my alternate form is a nekomata with similarities to a cougar and lightning elemental abilities. I can shift between it and my chimera form at will.
As one final point (and I realize this post has gotten fairly lengthy), I'd like to bring up the recent findings at our latest stop.
The notes revolve around Nirvana, and read:
"Got to stay on the road. Nirvana is supposed to be a paradise."
"Somehow after everything we went through, it’s still standing. Still telling us to seek shelter there."
"It’ll take months to reach it. Doesn’t matter. Keep going. It’s the only city we have left."
"Crossroads Of Fate. Heard someone say it once."
"Only way we can make a home. Or make it home."
"Sits on leylines. They say that’s how the moonshards keep missing. Somehow warps time and space around it. Wonder what else it can warp."
"Somehow after everything we went through, it’s still standing. Still telling us to seek shelter there."
"It’ll take months to reach it. Doesn’t matter. Keep going. It’s the only city we have left."
"Crossroads Of Fate. Heard someone say it once."
"Only way we can make a home. Or make it home."
"Sits on leylines. They say that’s how the moonshards keep missing. Somehow warps time and space around it. Wonder what else it can warp."
I have to wonder if these notes were written by native inhabitants of this world or if perhaps others were torn from their realities before us. There's evidence that this is not the Convoy's first voyage, so it's difficult to say.
We must remain diligent. The picture may be clearer now, but there's much we've yet to learn.
no subject
[He accepts the kisses with a quiet chuckle. Yes, please. Give him attention. He actually rather likes it.]
Well, when I say "shouldn't," I'm mostly speaking with the heavily biased hunting logs from the Wardens as a point of reference. Obviously, I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them, but they are thorough.
[Oh, but he sees those horns. Quite captivating, really, and easy to seize his attention.]
Either way, your horns make us nearly a matched pair.
no subject
You called us a pair. [And Ren is positively delighted about it.] You know what’s a synonym for “pair”? Six letters.
no subject
Yes, Ren. At this point, "couple" would be an adequate synonym.
no subject
[That’s the important clarification. It’s something of a milestone; Akechi is no longer outwardly denying or resisting being together with Ren. While it’s true they’ve been functionally together for some time now, giving what they are those specific words makes it seem more solid, less nebulous and uncertain.
Ren can’t keep how thrilled he is about this from showing on his face.]
I like the way that sounds.
no subject
[But his words aren't as barbed as usual. A bit of a sharp edge, but more teasing than annoyed.
Ren is happy... and he likes that. He is, somehow, capable of making another person happy.
Strange.]
no subject
[Ren is incredibly happy, and it’s entirely Akechi’s doing. For a while, it seemed like he would be forever chasing after Akechi for the permission to simply love him from a distance, navigating endless trap floors without a map, a navigator, or his grappling hook to help. But now …
Well. Akechi may not say the words, but Ren is reasonably certain his more-than-rival loves him, too. For as much as he may think he’s incapable of love, his actions speak otherwise.]
Can you really blame me? It’s my first time being part of a pair.
no subject
[But he doesn't move away or try to shake Ren off. He simply glances at his sentimental sap of a rival and slightly shakes his head.]
It occurs to me that we're basically living a teenage romance novel.
no subject
Are we? Tell me more, I haven’t read a lot of teen romance novels.
no subject
Grumbling out a sigh, he relents to Ren's request.]
Stories where the young protagonist falls for a "beast" are fairly common, either for the fantasy of something strong, mysterious, and otherworldly doting on the lead or for the idea of "fixing" or "taming" the beast. Werewolves and vampires are perhaps the most common subjects, particularly in western works.
no subject
So … in this scenario, you would be the protagonist, and I’d be the mysterious, otherworldly doting beast?
no subject
Obviously I'm the beast. Just look at me.
no subject
I am looking. And I like what I see. I love what I see.
[Ren holds out his hand, silently asking for Akechi to give him his.]
Akechi, you could be dripping radioactive slime and I would still want to kiss you and hold you close for the rest of my life. I love you.
no subject
I know.
[...]
But my point was that I'd obviously be the monster in this hypothetical scenario. I don't believe I have the personality type to fit the typical archetypes of the protagonists.
no subject
You’re not a monster.
[Ren dips his head to press a quick kiss to the back of Akechi’s hand, then he quickly adds:]
I mean, we’re all monsters here, but you’re not a monster the way you mean it. You’re not something horrible and ugly and evil. You’re not impossible to love, and you’re not undeserving of being loved, either.
[And Ren is just not going to dwell on the fact that Akechi seems to think he’s obvious protagonist material. After the last year in Tokyo, Ren could use a long break from being a main character.]
I think we should write a different kind of teen romance novel, together. You can be the surly, underappreciated, atypical protagonist, and I’ll be the charming, mysterious rival who is annoyingly persistent about loving you. How does that sound?
no subject
...You're proposing that we write self-insert fiction.
[Ren. Ren, do you not realize the can of worms you have opened?]
no subject
I meant metaphorically, you nerd.
[Nerd is, of course, meant fondly. If there’s any question of that, Ren is now crowding into Akechi’s space to kiss him again. Maybe with a little light tackling involved. Glomping? Do the kids still glomp these days?]
no subject
[Futaba strikes him as someone very deep into fandom culture. No doubt she's written Featherman fanfiction...
But that's neither here nor there. He accepts the kiss and the tackle with an exaggerated sigh before returning the kiss.]
no subject
If you and I literally co-wrote self-insert fiction, Futaba would find it, somehow, even on another world, and we would never hear the end of it.
[Ren smiles into the kiss he’s given and returns the favor with one more.]
No, I meant … write a story in the sense of living it. Not caring about following the archetypes or the rules of the genre. Just being us, together.
no subject
[He pauses, then gestures at himself.]
I can already imagine the furry accusations...
[He's not so out of the loop that he doesn't know the term. His more feline form certainly wouldn't beat the allegations.]
Still, in a strictly metaphorical sense, I'm not opposed. I've never been one to accept the standards of society, anyway.