Island of Dolls

It had taken a little while for John, Nikola, Clara and Gwen to arrive at the Island of Dolls. Something about the area seemed to scatter teleportation, so they'd had to find other transportation to the immediate area. Now, looking around, they could see only one cave entry point from where they were. The four looked at each other, shrugged, and started making their way inside the cave system ...


((Short but gets it going.))

As they progress into the cave, it started seeming for a bit almost reminiscent of, oddly, Gothic-style architecture at points. Soon, though, they found an opening into a large chamber.

The chamber had a small "entryway", for lack of a better term, that lead down into it. The chamber itself seemed to be an underground pond or lake with a peninsula sticking out into the water. The whole 'room' was illuminated by flames, lanterns, and torches spaced around the room, putting out a shade of light similar to what Black Lights do...

...Showing off the mass of blank expression white porcelain masks seemingly covering all sides of the room, angled to stare towards the end of the peninsula.

Not far from the point that the masks seemed to be staring at was a tall, slender figure that appeared to be cloaked in a hooded robe or cape. The figure's back was to the entryway... and between the Sanctuary personnel and the figure was a Cabal team, apparently ready to attempt to apprehend the figure.

((We can discuss specific details next time we talk, Siphon. I'm having a little difficulty getting the description to come out quite the way I want.))

The group paused as they saw the situation ahead of them, Clara giving a small shudder. They needed to do something, but they had to find a way down to engage first. Following John, they carefully, and silently began making their way down to attack the Cabal soldiers and assist the figure, hoping they could get there in time, and that the figure wouldn't turn on them when they did.

((Short and to the point, will let ya call the battle flow on this one.))

When the group paused, they could see that the Cabal team was drawing weapons. Obviously, one of them spoke, since the hooded figure turned around, with unnatural grace... Almost as if floating... Within the shadows of its hood, two points of light, similar in shade to the lights around the room and similar in placement and shape to eyes, appeared... shortly followed by multiple others. Then the figure "struck". Suddenly, the apparent cloak flew open, revealing itself to be large wings, vaguely reminiscent in shape to butterfly wings, yet darkly colored. The hood "unfurled" into a number of long spines, calling to mind the high collars often attributed to gothic aristocrats and nobility. The body above the waist, save for it's seemingly featureless face, seemed relatively normal and human-like, although with the dark violet coloration of a bruise. Long, thin fingers graced the hands, and each was tipped with a talon-like nail. Around the waist was what appeared to be some manner of wide belt, although what at first seemed to be a robe-like affair underneath was revealed to be a mass of tendrils, in place of legs, when it moved.

While the being revealed this form, it leaned forward as if roaring. No sound was at first heard, although a "wave" could almost be felt, first washing over the Cabal team, then passing on an eventually reaching the Sanctuary group. When it did, a powerful feeling of dread struck them... With no identifiable source. It was almost as if the worst possible thing from their own nightmares was suddenly in front of them. After that, the various masks seemed to loosen from the walls and fall into the water around the peninsula... Although to the Sanctuary team, it would seem that the one closest to them would turn and wink at them before doing so... But how could a mask wink?

As the being straightened from its "attack", the side of its wings that had been hidden seemed to begin... glowing was perhaps the best word. The skin of the wings suddenly looked like astronomy pictures, as if the stars and nebulas of space could be seen in them.

((Here's a chance for reactions from the Sanctuary team before I wrap things up.))

Gwen took a step back, her heart racing even as electrical energy surged through her in a way she'd never felt before, a reaction that intensified seeing the mask do it's thing.

Clara went half invisible on the spot, shuddering, though ironically, it was Nikola that kept her from going fully invisible.

Nikola, while he tried not to show it, was both stunned and a bit scared, which bothered him. Whatever this thing was, it could strike fear into an immortal vampire even, and that wasn't something he was accustomed to. He masked it by turning to Clara and adding, "and you thought I was ugly?"

Meanwhile John was uneasy, taking a momentary step backwards, hand moving to the blade he carried before noting the mask. Unseen to the others, a faint hint of a smile could be seen on his face for the briefest of moments, as something amused him about this. A moment later though it was gone, and the four tried to right themselves and prepare for whatever would come next.

What happened was both startling, and perhaps a bit disturbing...

The being's "eyes" seemed to narrow at the Cabal forces and then it appeared to stick a hand into the ground, before the shadow of the one seemingly in charge sudden detached from the ground, and somewhat grotesquely pulled a pair of the trooper's grenades loose. In the aftermath of the explosions, only two of the Cabal soldiers survived, although they were obviously quite shaken and starting to have second thoughts about the whole affair.

In the meantime, the being straightened up... As ink-black, golem-like figures bearing the masks for faces began rising up out of the water. As they clambered up out of the water, moving with jerky marionette-like motions. While everyone looked on, the being almost lazily pointed at the remaining pair. In response, one of the pair opted to take a fast route out of the situation, while the other started to turn to run... expect while spinning around to flee, the last Cabal soldier present apparently tripped, hit the ground hard... And then laid completely still.

Once the last of the Cabal was dealt with, the figures stopped moving, forming into a rough approximation of a parade formation. The strange being looked up, directly at the Sanctuary group. The golems suddenly broke out into a quite smooth rendition of the infamous Thriller dance as they dissolved, masks and all, into smoke that was blown away... As did all the apparent architecture. Only the being and the Cabal corpses remained.

The being suddenly dove at the ground, dissolving into an inky puddle which then turned into a black mist that raced up near, but still at a slight distance, to the Sanctuary team... Before reforming into Michael's usual appearance. "...So, I found out more about what I am. Took me a while to have word sent, since I was getting the hang of everything."

Clara went invisible again, muttering something under her breath.

Gwen started and seemed to be muttering something akin to "freaky shit man."

Nikola half transformed, as if expecting the being to attack them next. When it didn't, he returned to normal, letting out a rather audible, "what the hell?"

John meanwhile watched with interest, and a bit of approval at the methods. However when the dance started he actually started chuckling, drawing puzzled looks from the rest of his team.


When Michael reformed into his normal appearance, John was shaking his head, full on laughing by now.

"So it would seem you have. Bravo Mr. Umbral, very nicely done."


Nikola's eyes narrowed, and after a moment he half growled, "you KNEW it was him this whole time?"

"Knew is a rather ... definitive term Nikola. Let's just say I suspected we may be dealing with him, or at least a friendly shortly after the mask winked at us."

Gwen for her part shook her head. "Little warning next time perhaps?"

"Now what would be the fun in that?"

Nikola, Clara and Gwen just looked at him, and in unison all added a rather unhappy, unsavory phrase regarding one's rear end.

Michael chuckled slightly, then added. "Before anyone asks... Wide-area telepathic illusion. Something my people are capable of. Well, if we have enough advanced warning. Took me a couple of days to get that much area covered."

John nodded, smiling just a bit.

"Makes sense, and quite impressive. Chris will be sorry he missed it."


Nikola seemed to be begrudginly giving respect, even if he said nothing. The two girls meanwhile just kind of stared blankly, possibly trying to process it all.

Michael chuckled slightly, then gestured in the general direction of the surface access. "Well, shall we discuss this somewhere more comfortable? The distortion should be gone now, if you'd rather take the fast route."

John paused for a moment, as if feeling out the air before smiling slightly.

"Impressive. You were the source of the E.M Field?"


Everyone gathered around to get ready to teleport when they were ready.

Michael gave a slight, barely audible hmph, then responded. "It takes a lot of oomph to generate a telepathic effect that large. Is it really that surprising that there's a connected EMF spike? After all, that much power has to do something."

Meanwhile, he moved in closer, ready to go.

John smiled slightly.

"Surprising? No not really. Still, an impressive feat to say the least. However, time for talks later. Let us depart and head for the surface, we should check in with Chris as well, see if he has been ... successful."

He placed a hand on Nikola and Clara's shoulders, vanishing briefly, leaving Gwen for the moment with Michael.

((Will give him a chance to maybe add something before creating a new thread again, may have to talk before that though to refresh on a few things.))

Michael stretched, and seemed ready to go once John returned.

John returned a few moments later for the remaining members, teleporting with them again moments later.

((Making Mexico City thread))