lynchpin_castle | Challenge Zones

Challenge Zones

Challenges and Challenge Zones

Challenges between Champions will take place in designated areas at designated times, since this is ultimately a formal contest and competition between the Forces of Creation, and the Forces of Unmaking. The landscape in the void will and can adapt to provide these designated areas. Sometimes, a designated area will have a ‘base’ form, and be used again and again in various ways, with different options. These specific zones are listed below.

The Labyrinth (Primarily Mental)

The labyrinth is, in its simplest form, a complex maze. Long have beings used it as a tool of mediation and focus, navigating its walls whether in the physical or mental realms. The Labyrinth is one of the main challenge-zones that always exists, but what form it takes depends on what the current challenge is. What form it takes may also have limits and restrictions to provide a proper challenge to the champions.

The base form of the Labyrinth is an enclosed and complex maze that resists attempts to break out via any means other than navigating it from start to finish. It’s layout-changes every time, but there are ways to help one learn one’s way. (String, marking the walls, etc)

The Labyrinth Zone may be reached via a teleportation pad within the Observation room of the Castle.

The Mirror Gallery (Primarily Spiritual)

The Mirror Gallery has many names, but this is the most common. Mirrors are reflections, and reflections can be distorted or far too accurate for comfort. This challenge zone also takes different forms, but the theme always remains the same in that champions have their spiritual mettle tested, be it facing their worst fears and flaws, temptation fulfilled but with great cost, or making choices that are life-altering.

The base form of the Mirror Gallery is a small building full of mirrors of various shapes, sizes, and types. Depending on what one wishes to gaze on, one may find the mirror they wish to test themselves and attempt to learn what challenges they may face. (i.e: fun-house mirrors, mirrors that show your opposite, mirrors that show what you desire most…)

The Mirror Gallery may be reached via a teleportation pad in the Tapestry gallery of the castle.

The Field (Primarily Physical)

The Field is a designated challenge zone, that adapts and changes as needed for the challenge provided. It is an interdimensional space which may resemble a racing track one time, or a sparring ring another. It can be a vast prairie, or an arctic wasteland. Depending on the climate/atmosphere of the zone, there may be additional challenges for champions here.

The base form of the Field is a large area with mountains, plains, some rivers, and plateaus. It is reachable via a teleportation pad outside of the Castle-grounds along a set path. Where it exists otherwise is not known.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ahsoka felt flustered. They had kept close, and yet some how got separated! Again! Like someone was up there watching them and playing tooka games. "Try to get somewhere safe" She said over the coms and just as she was about to say something else, that unease was hitting her harder.

Trunks took her hand and she was about to yank it back a moment before she realized why. Instead her hand gripped to his and nodded forward. Not the way they came. That had closed off. More to an opening that had been closed before.

"That way. What ever is... coming this way is behind us." She said, and would start off with him.

Or he should move them along, considering that crashing sound was indeed a flood of water, breaking around a corner and less than fifty yards from them, completely filling the hall they were in...

He was kind of tugging her along, and if he'd been thinking more clearly he would've just picked her up and ran faster. "I can still sense them, so just worry about directing us." Trunks sounded grim, and it was another second before he went ahead and did just that.

Tugging Ahsoka, arm around his shoulder and other under her knees, and while he wouldn't be able to fly from the closed-in-space, it was faster than running. Kicking off enough, surrounding them both with his ki, and trusting her as the water was on their heels.

She wanted to protest, that Himawari and Tamaki were alone. That they might need their help. But... okay he made a good point. They were the ones that needed to get going.

At first she thought maybe she could use a Force push to hold the rushing water from hitting them. It can't last too long, right? If she tried to--And he picked her up. She had to clamp her mouth shut to cut off a strangled little sound as he did so. She was terrible about people picking her up sometimes, and he surprised her to boot.

There... really was no other way to GO though. There were places where it looks as if doors had been but were walls now. Her hand held out a moment, trying to think. Then growled. "Every direction is blocked." There was a curve coming up too, and another in the other direction, S curving a bit, before coming to a dead end. Enjoy that kids.

"Great." Gritting his teeth, and tightening his hold. If every direction was blocked... That water'd catch up to them regardless--he had to think fast.

Well, better to fight than just drown while trapped.

"Find me a weakspot on the wall. Point, and then hold your breath." She's pulled closer, almost like a hug instead of being carried, arms around her waist and back. Bracing himself for the water crashing over them to avoid being swept away. Taking a breath himself, and holding her tightly.

"It's not like it's a magical weak spot locator!" She said in a mild panicked voice as he stopped. She felt his arms go around her as if to hold and brace her for if and when the water hits. And it was... close. Real close. She closed her eyes tight, one hand lifted with out thought and pointed. A weak spot.

Because they stopped though, the water would hit them, crashing over them. She held her breath as best she could, both arms coming around him to grab hold tightly, eyes closed. The water was icy cold and almost shocking. She tried to push a hand away from his back and out into the rushing water, trying to push it away, or at least push the direction away enough to lighten the push of water at them. It wasn't helping much.

What ever Trunks was going to do, he should do it fast. At the end of the S curve of a hall 'tails' opened a hole in the top of the hall way, so if the water made it there at all, it would start pushing upwards. Depends on what they did first.

They did move somewhat, jostled, but that was why he kept a good grip on her. Her force-push helped, as they skid a few feet, barely managing to keep his feet against the floor. Cold, shockingly so and it made him almost forget where she'd pointed.

Almost--and he summoned every ounce of willpower he had. Powering up fast, ki around them pushing back against the water, not quite-crackling against it. Trying to move closer to that spot, half-drifting with the flow, half not-quite-flying. Moving one arm to put a hand on the wall--summoning energy, more power, trying to blast the weak-spot open. They had seconds, and if this didn't work they'd be swept away down to the dead-end.

Ahsoka hung on, worried that what ever spot she told him wasn't going to be weak enough. It was just... a feeling, not a fact. It could be pointless. A door, yes, but would the wall shift? Was this a good idea? She had no idea, but she hoped it worked.

The point in the wall that was once a open arch way or door, had given in when it was hit, opening with the blast into a dark room. In the dark the expanse of room seemed small but it was rather large (room enough to fly if needed with out hitting the ceiling, maybe. It was really dark). And yet there was grating, like open metal flooring. The water that flooded through the blasted open door would now flow in and drop down, down, down.

Somewhere further in this maze, at a lower level, Ty Lee and Logan were about to get a surprise rush of water, though not as fast or full speed as those above, as the water had less pressure behind it.

Water was better than slurry, as far as Ty Lee was concerned--even if there was no Azula to fear the wrath of. She shrieked, but more from the cold than from pain. At least it wasn't a water bender, trying to make it ice too.

They were swept into the room too, between the sudden opening and the rush of the water. Fast and not braced as well, hitting the far wall of the chamber with a crash from impact. Starting to fall, before instinct kicked in and Trunks used the wall to help stabilize and float.

Really dark, and while he felt the water level going down, he couldn't see much past himself and Ahsoka even with his ki flaring. No idea how far down the floor was, or if it was open and that was why the water was flowing away. Staying where he was, both arms around his partner again and holding tight.

It all seemed to happen fast, her holding her breath and almost clinging to him. She wasn't able to get a good use of the Force to block the water from them, and she felt them shifting, moving, so she held both hands on tightly around him, face pressed into his shoulder and trying to hide her eyes.

So cold, so cold... and then they hit a wall, and water washed over them, flooding the dark room. Except it started to seep through the flooring, down and away. There was... a LOT of water coming into the room though, and it took a bit, but it was slowly going away.

Ahsoka didn't notice right away, her arms wrapped around the other, one over his shoulder, the other under his arm, hanging on. The roar of water started to slow, and it was more of a crashing on rocks feel as it dropped and went away. She let out a breath, still refusing to let go just yet.

As they were swept away, and into the wall, Trunks had curled more around her. Head bent against her own, arm tight at her waist and other along her back up to her shoulder. Aura flaring, and it only helped keep it from being ice--but still cold. Holding his own breath, eyes closed when they hit the wall, and then he floated.

The roar was leaving, lessening, and it was lowering, down from their shoulders to now along their waists. Lowering still, and he breathed, and still held her tight, still kept them suspended in the air with the energy of his ki flaring around them.

As the water lowered, lowered and washed away, she still held a bit too tightly to him, arms shivering a bit, even though he had a nice warmth about him. The flaring energy around him and all. It helped.

She took in a long needed breath and help it a moment, just to calm her racing heart. Then she let it out, opening her eyes to dark, and tried looking around, or down. "Nice job.." She said to him on a small breath, trying to see if there was a floor or not. "Water went down, but how far?" Then, because her eyes were adjusting, and because he gave off light, she papped at his shoulder and nodded down. "Looks like old metal grating for a floor. Makes me wonder what this room is normally used for."

"Nice job yourself..." Trunks commented sincerely, after a long breath held in, then out. Trying to keep himself calm, and focused on the task. Business--which should've been easier while in Super Saiyan mode. Always bit more ruthless, a tiny bit more reckless...

Perhaps that smidge more in touch with his emotions, which is why he still held Ahsoka tightly, not simply to keep her from falling. Another deep breath, and then letting that power go. The energy dissipate, aside from what he used to keep them both floating.

"I think I'd rather not find out what this room is usually for." Letting them lower slowly, he wasn't going to let her go until his feet were on solid ground and they had some kind of light. "Can you see anything else about it?" Should be easier, since he was no longer being a flashlight.

What ever strange or tense emotions she had been conflicted with over Trunks before this, she hid for the most part, brain kicking into the test more than anything. Though she found her grip on his jacket comforting, and didn't quite want to let him go when their feet did hit ground. It was lumpy, like twisted metal rods that moved together and twisted through each other to make a flat flooring. Clearly open to drop to another level if you were water, but small enough that booted feet wouldn't have an issue standing on it.

"One moment. Light sticks coming up" She said, moving to untangle from him now, if he let her. Dripping wet, she shook her hands a moment, finding herself shivering as she pulled her lightsabers off their hooks. Making sure she was clear of him she turned them both on, yellow and green, lighting the area around them.

The flooring was in several panels. Able to open up and move out of the way. There were chains from the ceiling and pullies, as if to help hook and pull the flooring away as needed. For the most part, it was a very large room full of it. And if they looked careful, there were several different drops under the floors. Like different routes to take if they wanted to go down.

He didn't want to let her, not for a moment--but he knew better. Business--test, training..whatever this was. Trunks needed to focus, and they needed to be figure out where they were.

"They are far more than just lightsticks, and far more impressive." Reverently, with a hint of grin, but now he was cold. She wore less than he did and had to be cold. Looking up and studying the grates and pullies, then back to the floor as he moved to examine it.

Trying to connect it all, and nodding to himself, before coming to her. Touching her shoulder gently. "We can follow the water, or go back the way we came." Noticing her shivering, and she might notice him frown although he was just as soaked as she was.

She held both arms out, keeping one blades out and up instead of her standard down and backwards hold, She used them to help them see. The hall they came in was dripping with a slow stream of water coming in still, but nothing they couldn't step through. There was light out there at least. As little as it could be.

"More than light sticks, yeah, but they do come in handy in the dark." She admitted, glancing around and frowning as well. So now what? Her ear piece, that she had looped over the chair on her montrals had gotten swept away, so she was unable to check in on the others. At least Trunks was still here.

She shivered again, a full body shake for a moment as she tried to focus on what was around them, only to catch a glimpse of that frown from Trunks. She didn't think it was about her being cold though. "What?" She asked, then rolled her shoulder and looked away, looking for another exit. "And yeah, it's either the way it was leading us to, or down... because I'm not feeling anything else. I'm... not even getting a good feel for which way to GO."

Oh he noticed that full body shake, and was careful of her lightsabers. Stepping close once again, arms around her, curling around her almost with his head. Flaring his ki but not quite powering up, holding it, letting the water evaporate.

Protective, so very like the sudden hug when he'd not-woken up from that nightmare a little over a month ago.

Then stepping away again, and concentrating--eyes closing. Easier to focus, and reorient himself, as he stretched out to try and sense the others. Good, their signatures were still strong, and moving--but he couldn't tell anymore. Reaching up to his earpiece, speaking. "Everyone check in? We just had a flood over here, but Ahsoka and I are safe."

She can't help it. This room was cold and that water was cold. There was air coming from the floor from below, and she was wet. She was about to say something more but Trunk shifted in front of her, looping his arms around her and... warming up.

She stiffened for a moment, feeling her heart suddenly take off in a race in her chest as he seemed to... hug her? And then she realized he was just helping to ki dry them. The white markings at her cheeks would brighten a bit as she flushed, berating herself for having any other thought that wasn't just... well, warm up.

Or well, dry off at least. She still felt a chill, but it was manageable now that she felt dry. "T-thanks." She said as he backed off. Her lightsabers held away from her so her face was darker. So the room still ahd light.

As Trunks pressed for a check in, Ahsoka moved to try and feel her own, finding it missing. She sighed, frowning and tried to hear over what they said on his.

Tamaki checked in for he and Himawari, both safe and in a room that had water and food. Another check point maybe. They explained that it was just as Ahsoka said, and they found it easy enough. There was no doubt in how they spoke that there was another riddle to find the right passage to the room. Clearly they were smart enough to find it and get safe.

Logan on the other hand growled back a STAND BY, and you can hear water on the mic.

Well, that explained where the water went.

When he noticed her trying to listen, he pulled the ear-piece slightly out and held it enough she might hear it better. While he still could. Trying hard not to look at her, though he wanted to. Be sure she was alright (stupid, of course she was), to worry more since it was still cold with the air flow of the room, even if they were dryer.

"Sounds like if we follow the water, we might find Logan and Ty Lee." Commented thoughtfully, chewing on his thumb for a moment while he thought. "Or, if we go back the way we came, I can try and get a better read on Tamaki and Himawari."

She leaned in just enough to get in to hear. Her hearing, for having no ears, was damn good. Still, she leaned a bit into him, shoulder to shoulder, holding her sabers away enough to be safe.

"Tell Tamaki and Himawari to rest there. If it's a safe room, they should be all right until we can regroup." She frowned, looking to where the water spilled, at the grate over it. "I suppose we could try to find the other two." She said, frowning as she stepped away again, looking through the room.

She backed away from him and moved gingerly over the flooring. When she moved from one panel to another it creaked, clearly loosely fitted into the floor. She held back a shiver again as a small gust of air came up from under her, making her lower in a crouch and try to project light down into the darkness under them. "I think something is moving down here..." Like the floor was moving. That... she didn't like the sound of.

"Stay put Tamaki, Himawari. Call if the situation changes." Relaying, and replacing the piece and then studying her as she moved. Noticing that shiver, and he frowned again. Then reached up, pulling his sword off. Removing his jacket, sword replaced, and then moving to join her carefully on the grating. "Here." Again careful of her lightsabers, but the fabric is looped as much as he can against her back and shoulders.

Studying the darkness below them, reaching a hand to press against the grating, and sensing. Trying to sense if it was something living, had ki and if so, what. Also letting some of that same energy gather in his hand, providing light, so she didn't have to use both hands for it.

Edited 2017-05-29 02:51 (UTC)

She was crouched there, looking down at whatever was down there. She could easily carve a hole in this grate and get a better look down inside, but she wasn't sure she wanted to. Or... she thought she should be able to. Normally she should be able to.

Before she could make a comment on it, she felt Trunks put something over her back and shoulders. Her head snapped up, surprised at first, but then realizing he put his jacket over her she...

She froze a moment. Her heart did that skipping rush thing again, and she opened her mouth to tell him she didn't NEED it. She was FINE. Just give her a bit to warm up and she'd be back to normal. That she--she sighed, deactivating one lightsaber, and slipping her arm through the sleeve. As he brought his own light into this, she hooked that lightsaber on her hip again, switched hands and slipped the other arm on.

Damn it, his jacket was comfortable.

"Thanks..." She said again, head down and not looking at him, but perfectly comfortable in his coat now. As for what was down there? It might not hurt them in a bad way, but that sure as heck looked like long noodles of rubber moving around on top of each other. Trunks would read life forms for sure.

"I get the feeling this is a great place to set up a trap."

Sarcasm.

If they checked another 'pit' under the floors, it had a black slim like substance. Maybe oil? Look, these things had to come from somewhere. What if there were rooms like this that released sand and bugs and things like this when someone sprang the wrong trap? Ahsoka shivered but not from cold.

He's frowning again, but not at her. "I think you're right. I'm sensing something that's producing a ki signature, but I can't tell more than that or how strong it is other than just it exists." Quiet again, before he's moving up holding his hand up, looking at the pulley systems more.

"Maybe we can find a way to use part of the grating as a shield, if we wanna head down that way?"

She shifted to move to another grate that squeaked a bit louder, her lightsaber held over to see the inky black sloshing around down there. She winced, looking over at the two. "We could, but... do we need to go down there with the moving things?" She said, and started to move to another one. As she stepped on that metal flooring piece, it groaned and dropped from under her foot, making her step back. The fall was a good 20 feet and...a soft crash. When she peeked over it, the entire shaft under them looked to be filled with sand.

"You get the feeling these are just traps waiting to be sprung?" She asked, drawing away from the hole. "Like we might have stepped into a room made for... well, holding stuff to drop on us in the made itself? Whatever the water went through has to be empty, right? That is, if it's the same water chasing Logan and Ty Lee."

She's thinking again. She's also getting an idea of how this place is laid out, even if it will be different next time. "Maybe heading back the way we came is a good idea?" Except they both might start feeling the presence and ki of a creature in that very wet hall. The keeper of the maze, maybe?

The squeak, he didn't pay attention to--but the groaning he did, attention shifting back to her with concern. Biting his lip too, as he was thinking. "We head back the way we came, we don't know what we'll find." Trunks countered, being reasonable. "I'm up for it though if you are."

Even if he'd started to pick up a the ki presence of the being he'd felt before. None of them had actually seen it, although Logan had scented it, along with Trunks and Ahsoka sensing it. "We might have company though, if we go that way." Letting the energy in his hand dissipate, leaving just her one lightsaber for light. "I have faith in you though, Ahsoka. Faith in us working together."

She shifted back to her feet, firm on the grate that was above the oil area and frowned. Go down, or go back? She opened her mouth to say something when Trunk's ear piece would beep.

'Think we've found something. It's big, it's messy and it smells worse now that it's wet.' Logan mumbled over the comms. 'Looks like sommething big lives down here, kids. And its not here right now.' By the sounds of it, Ty Lee and Logan, from the very massive sweep of water flow they took, had stumbled upon someones den.

Tamaki and Himawari were still safe in a room, waiting.

Ahsoka couldn't hear what was said though. Instead she was stretching a hand out, feeling for it. The thing coming. "We either leave now through one of these floor traps, or we need to find a place to hide." A pause, glancing to him. "Unless you want to fight? Though..." She knows it's just a magical set up. A battle ground for the smart and not the single minded strong. They could kill a beast easy, but that felt... wrong. Trap it, maybe? Or hide from it...

"What ever we do it's close, and doesn't feel friendly."

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