[Video] Monster Warning

[ringbeast]

[Kousuke appears on the screen, covered in dust and sweat and blood. If you look closely, you can see the trails his tears have left in it. But he gives a wan smile anyway. Anyone who's seen his real smile could tell what a pale imitation this one is.]

Uh... Hey, hey everybody. I'm Kousuke Nitoh. I, uh. I'm calling you on my way back from the outskirts of town. I gotta tell you something important...

[He sighs heavily, leaning up against the wall of a half-ruined building.]

There's a monster in town, a Phantom. It, uh, well, the easiest way for me to explain it is that it... killed Haruto.

[He looks immediately despondent, having said those words. He quietly repeats it.]

Haruto's dead. The Phantom stole his body, and it's walking around lookin' like him. So if you see him, don't talk to him. Phantoms usually don't kill people, other than the ones they're inside... But he'll try to feed off your despair.

[He starts walking again, looking around awkwardly.]

It's my responsibility to kill him. I gotta do this. But if anyone could help me keep people back while I fight him, or like... Just help me out. I have to deal the final blow, though. My life kind of depends on it.

Comments

[fortissimos]

[ The surprise is clear on her face, but even so— ]

Do you know where he is?

[ringbeast]

Not right now, but I've got some familiars tryin' to find him for me.

[He gives a bitter half-smile.]

One of 'em's Haruto's...

[fortissimos]

[ ... Right, she's still getting used to 'familiars' meaning something different. A pause. ]

... I'll come help you. If we do this, he should come back okay. [ That's how death works here. ]

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[bodilesswarrior]

[Well, damn. She tries not to think of how young Haruto might be, how horrific his death must have been, what watching it must have been like. She's all business when she speaks.]

How do you kill these Phantoms?

Do they retain any of the memories or personalities of their hosts?

[Video]

[feel_nevermore]

What does he look like?

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[ringbeast]

Well, uh. Usually we kill 'em with magic. But I think just about anything would probably work, except they're way more powerful than humans. Even wizards.

[He is solemn as he goes on.]

Memories, yeah, personalities, no. I'm pretty sure he can go into Haruto's memories and look at anything he wants to, but he's nothing like Haruto.

[He thinks back to his fights with Dragon, and shakes his head decisively.]

Nothing at all like him.

[Video]

[ringbeast]

Oh, sorry, I forgot. Here's a picture.

[This image shows up on screen, and a download link appears as well.]

Get in touch with me, if you see him, ok?

[ringbeast]

I... I hope so...

[He purses his lips, and then when he speaks again, his voice is a little more hoarse and soft.]

Except, the reason the Phantom took over is cos he lost to despair. If he comes back the exact same, it might just happen again.

[Video]

[feel_nevermore]

Alright.

Is it possible to use magic against him? [She won't kill him. But if he attacks her, she'll fight back.]

[Video]

[ringbeast]

Yeah, that's kind of how we kill them. They can also use magic, too, so watch out. Dragon's got elemental powers. Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind.

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[bodilesswarrior]

[A slight nod, and only a sad frown reveals her thoughts on the matter.]

Maybe we can use that against him. He might try to ingratiate himself with people who don't know - go places Haruto would have.

And we might be able to use the element of surprise. If he doesn't know people are on to him, they can pretend to be oblivious until the right moment.

[Video]

[feel_nevermore]

Noted. [But she doesn't sound impressed or scared. ...Still she quirks a quizzical eyebrow.] Dragon? ...You mean the Phantom?

[fortissimos]

Then we'll figure something out. Don't worry.

[ That's how the stories always go. (She hasn't learned otherwise yet.) ]

... I can heal myself really well. I'll let you finish him off, but if you need someone to distract him, I can do it.

video;

[battlesleep]

What sort of creature is this?

voice forever;

[interspace]

Pics or it didn't happen.

[ Despite the glib words, Misha's tone is entirely serious. Who is, or was, this Haruto that they should look out for? ]

I'll help if you tell me where you need me.

[gordonowesmeabeer]

What's a phantom look like? I'll let you know if I find it, but keep my distance.

[theboywhodied]

I...

I'm really sorry.

I'll do what I can to protect people.

[andagain]

How awful, I will step up and assist you with this task. Is there anything else I should know about these Phantoms?

Video

[celestial_wizard]

[ Guess who ran into her old friend before seeing this message? This gal, RIGHT here. Well she doesn't normally check the network when she's out shopping so she can't be blamed, right? Right? Still when she gets home afterwards and sees this ... it takes her a while to be able to be able to respond, shock written over her face. ]

Ha...Haruto is... he..'s ..

[ Not to worry, she's not going to make him say it again. But she saw Haruto just recently - well the REAL Haruto, and they went out for coffee and donuts and everything! She ...supposed this explained a lot though. Or will once that log is finished hrrhrr. ]

I... I'm so sorry.

[ A moment after that, she composes herself, taking a breath. ]

Did you know him well?

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[ringbeast]

Kind of a magical monster. Long neck, wings... Lizardy. N-No offense. But he walks on two feet like a person. But mostly he'll just look like Haruto. I posted a pic up there. I didn't get a picture of Dragon. I was too busy trying to kill him.

[ringbeast]

Uh... Wait, you're not Claudia?

Then, uh. What can you do? Sorry, I don't want anybody who doesn't have some halfway decent power coming in, cos Dragon is pretty powerful.

[ringbeast]

They all look different, but this one kind of looks like a... Well, a dragon. If it were person-shaped.

[ringbeast]

Th-Thanks, Ced. Glad to have you on my side, man.

[ringbeast]

Oh... Hey. Thanks, man. Uh. He's got elemental powers over Fire, Wind, Earth, and Water. So... You might wanna stick to the ground, if you can.

[interspace]

No, sorry to disappoint. I can see where you'd get confused, though. [ Seeing as they are roommates and all. It's still hilarious. ]

I can fly. I've been doing it for a while and in dangerous situations, too. Distraction or herding, I'm pretty good at.