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.

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"That's what I'm reading...and if I"m right, it's Tamaki and Himawari." Her ki was definitely odd, but he couldn't tell how easily. "Besides, at this point I'm not sure which direction we're headed, so who knows where we are." Yep, Trunks was tired, but with Ahsoka's confirmation he moved towards the door.

He stepped lightly, and kept himself alert, but he didn't stop. Again the door gave at an easy and determined push, opening indeed to one of the safe rooms. Don't mind that Trunks hasn't even realized he's still glaring and frowning, and Himawari can likely see the family resemblance now to his Father.

Tamaki grinned once he saw them, getting to his feet! His hair was mussed, and he had a small cut on his cheek, and a few bumps and bruises along with rumpled clothing. "Trunks-kun! Ahsoka-san!" Cheery, and the room they could see was quite nice. Dark stone, but with comfortable cushions on the floor and low tables, with an open sky-light window of some kind along with smaller lamps. Against one wall was a spread, similar to what they'd find in the dining hall at the Castle under various platters. The table also held a lower-shelf stocked with various first-aid supplies.

Tamaki had near his backpack on the table, a small tea-cup and a pitcher, as well as what looked like half of a tea cake.

"Now where are the other two..." She said softly, moving along with him to the door. As Trunks pushed in she followed, suddenly feeling more tired than before. Like any time she got to a place that was safe. That point where you let yourself go for a moment and let your shoulders drop.

Their first 'test' had been him and her on a battle field. It was easy to understand. The objective was clear. Fight. Stay alive. It also didn't take most the day. This was... different. More taxing.

Himawari stood as well, a small bandage around her wrist but nothing bad. She smiled at the two of them, hands coming to cover her mouth. "Oh my, you two look like you've been through a lot." Himawari tucked her hands to herself and gave them hopeful smiles. "I'm glad to see you though." Trunks really did resemble his father right now. Just needed the darker hair.

Ahsoka gave a tired smile, and then it fell, looking the mover. They looked okay, but still. "Are you two all right? Tamaki, what happened to your face?" He had a good face too. It would be a shame if it scarred.

"Eh?" Tamaki responded, what... "OH, I tripped and scraped myself against a vine." Then he's taking them in more and, "Hima-san! Would you rather bandage, or get them comfy with food?" Already back in take-charge mode. "You two, come, sit. You look as if you've been through hell."

Even if he was pleased (and unsurprised) to find Trunks' jacket enveloping Ahsoka. What had HAPPENED to them? "We really are glad you're safe. All we've gotten from Logan is the occasional growl, and some babble from Ty Lee. They seem to be handling it though." Speaking as he moved, and looping an arm around Ashoka's own carefully, and the same to Trunks, and about to try and drag them further in.

Nor was Trunks protesting, at least at first. Then he shrugged lightly out of Tamaki's grip and flomped on a cushion. Just sort of folding himself down, tiredly. "A flood, trip wires, and the man-bull thing that's been chasing us. Not quite hell." Blue eyes focusing on Ahsoka, specifically on where Tamaki was hovering around Ahsoka.

"I'll get them some food." It was something she could do with out having to touch them or the food. So it would be safe. And Tamaki would do a good job, she knows it. There were plates, and there were warm drinks, and so she carefully got some for both of them as Tamaki lead them in.

Ahsoka was a little surprised by Tamaki pulling her in more, and only glanced at Trunks as he too was pulled in. As Trunks took a seat, Ahsoka moved with Tamaki, holding her hand close to her chest as she said. "I lost my ear piece in the flood. Almost lost the second on as well. I'm glad you all are keeping in contact though." And then as she sank down into a seat her body almost wilted back into it, eyes closing. "Trunk's has a chemical burn at his shoulder. I think we need to clean that off before it gets worse." She pointed out to Tamaki, softly. Ignoring her own closed fist bleeding hand.

Oh two could play that game, Ahsoka. "She's bleeding. Took a knife to the hand, and stopped most of it. Those trip wires were made like a maze or web we had to weave through." You do not get to deflect this, but he sighed and thanked Himawari as she passed him food and something hot to drink. Ignoring his stomach growling again, and trying to at least eat with some manners.

Tamaki headed for the first aid boxes and pulled out bandages and ointment. Looking between the two, as honestly both were concerning to him. Ahsoka was bleeding, but Trunks had a burn and.... Looking at the other's shoulder he winced. That did look nasty. Frowning at the younger man, and marching over to him. "She's right though. Even if she is bleeding, that," Not jabbing it, but close to as he pointed "needs attention first.

Plopping himself down beside the other, and ignoring as he ate to fish more in the first aid box. Gloves pulled on, and finding some sterile wipes, and Tamaki was reaching out with it towards the burn.

Trunks hissed, holding his food away--especially as Tamaki had reached out and tried to pull the other's arm closer, straight, jostling the shoulder inadvertently. Blue eyes glaring met purple eyes glaring, both stubborn.

There was no GAME, Trunks. The burn was more serious, and she almost opened her mouth to say as much when Tamaki pointed it out himself. She sat up a bit, legs crossed each other and she sat meditative style for the moment. A look of 'see? Told you it looked bad.'. "Chemicals will keep burning into your skin, Trunks. My hand is closed. The blood's clotted. It can wait a moment longer."

And then Hima brought her some food as well, sitting it near by, with a drink. She took the drink and took a long, long sip, sighing. "Thank you." Before sitting it down to the side and promptly allowing herself to fall over into the large soft spot, curling to her side for a moment and pulling the jacket, that she completely forgot she was still wearing, closer around her, letting her eyes close. "Mmm, but sleep sounds so much better than anything else."

Himawari moved about to get some warm water though, and a cloth. She wouldn't wash the others hand, but would have it warm and ready if Tamaki needed it. She still hadn't explained her... luck issue, more used to hiding it still.

"I know that, Ahsoka..." Bit back through a hiss, as he's still in his glaring match with Tamaki, before huffing a sigh and turning away, eyes closed. "Don't sleep yet. You need to eat something, then you can sleep."

Sleep sounded soooooooo good though, but food definitely had his attention more. Tamaki's face was a study in concentration though, as he was careful and as gentle as he could be while cleaning off the wound. Fresh wipes, 3 times at least, and then he was carefully patting it with gauze to get a good look at it. "He's right Ahsoka-san. I'm not a warrior or fighter, but I do know that you'll sleep better with a full stomach, to help you recover your resources."

His first plate finished, Trunks took a drink, and then reached up to his earpiece. "Logan, Ty Lee? Status?"

"I'm not sleeping yet, Trunks." She shot back, groaning as she stayed curled up there. Her clean hand still holding his coat down to her tightly. She then huffed again, and let her arm flop out, holding it closed still, and waited, peeking over to what Tamaki was doing for the other.

"I'm waiting to eat until after I get this cleaned up." She said, just as Himawari was sitting a bowl of warm water and a cloth in it down near by. Ahsoka gave her a smile and a soft thanks, moving to try and carefully moving to try and open her hand slowly, to clean it on her own.

Over the com, Logan spoke up, his voice a growl. "I'm gonna to hurt someone when we're done here." He sounded tired and mad, but he was good to go forever if he needed to. "We're... somewhere."

"I'll help." Trunks responded dryly, more than agreeing with the sentiment. "Once Ahsoka and I have had some rest, we can try and sense you, give you some direction. It's not happening now though, as we're both exhausted."

Ty Lee's voice came over the com, and for all she was tired she still sounded cheery. "Sounds like you both have had it rough. You're taking care of yourselves, right?"

Tamaki had finished cleaning off the spot, and had applied some medicine to it, but Trunks could bandage himself up or not. The immediate danger of that passed, he pulled off the gloves and one hand to his own earpiece. "We're four in a safe room, Ty-Lee-chan, Logan-san. We have food, and medical supplies for now, so we can let them rest. Please be careful, both of you."

Then the blonde is moving over to check on Ahsoka's hand and help her clean it out, smiling gently.

Trunks is keeping his eyes closed, and determinedly NOT looking their way as he gets more food.

Edited 2017-05-30 05:14 (UTC)

"We're fine. I just have no sense of smell down here." He groused, letting the girl take over talking as well. She was right. Sounds like the others had it bad. THEY didn't run into shit to deal with, just gross smells and that den, and some other random annoying things.

When he heard Tamaki though he reported back. "Understood. We'll be fine. Kid's got my back, I got hers. We'll report in if we find anything. Get some rest." They'd find a room themselves, not long from now, but they were much farther in the maze than the others.

Ahsoka sat there, trying to be so careful in cleaning her hand, ignoring what was going on with Trunks and Tamaki. The moment she heard Ty Lee's voice she got that grouchy look across her face again and focused on cleaning herself up.

Himawari was getting more warm drinks set up, and bottles of water. Bringing one to Trunks now that he was patched up she sat it near him, crouched there and asking softly. "Still hungry. There's more to eat if you want."

Ahsika looked to Tamaki as he came over to her and smiled, helping. His smile softened the angry look on her face and she sighed, letting him help. "Thanks, Tamaki."

"We've had an easier time of it than either of you, or of Logan-san and Ty Lee-chan. The least we can do is help." He'd pulled out another set of gloves, and didn't ask permission, just started helping her with the cleaning of the wound. "I'm far from at all medically inclined, but at least this looks like a...clean? wound." Frowning to himself. "Clean in that it is not jagged, or looks like it has anything in it. Less complicated, perhaps is the better way of saying it." Keeping his voice loud enough to be heard obviously, and focusing on business.

Tamaki, was president of a host club. He would not claim to know either Ahsoka or Trunks well, but he did know emotions between males and females. He knew full well, from observation and an occasional question, how both felt. Therefore he was easily aware that Trunks was likely more than aware of Tamaki's proximity and manner towards Ahsoka.

So the blonde was doing everything he could to be clear that no, he was just helping. Just a friend. Even if he could tell the other was determinedly NOT looking at them, and was aware of everything just the same.

"Understood Logan, we'll contact you after some rest." Trunks confirmed, before sighing. Trying to offer less of a frown at Himawari--wasn't her fault he was grumpy. "Dunno if you ever saw Vegeta eat, but yeah...I am. Saiyans kind of run on their stomachs, and Ahsoka and I both burned a lot of energy and resources dealing with the split." Okay, so he wasn't frowning, even if he wasn't smiling, at least. "You both managed okay?"

Ahoska simply sat there, watching as he helped her clean it. "I misjudged the speed of a knife and didn't want to direct it away into more of them. It wasn't much, but it was clean, yes. I can help push it's heal time up, but I think just covering it will help." She said honestly, softer. She did glance towards Trunks and saw him looking away. She sighed, shaking her head and looking back to her hand. "Think you can help wrap it up as well? After that I'll eat a bit and get some rest. I should be fine enough to go tomorrow."

Himawari meanwhile, crouched there just gave him a knowing smile. "Ah, yes. That might be why I asked. It's not polite to assume though. Let's get you filled up. Tama-chan and I had a fairly easy time coming in here, unlike the rest of you. Like he said, the least we can do is help."

And she's gather him up more to eat indeed.

"Good." Tamaki agreed, then lowered his voice in volume, trying hard to be discreet. "He's worried about you, that's why he's grumpy." An encouraging smile, and then he was catching part of what Himawari and Trunks were talking about.

"Huh?" Blinking--what was a saiyan? And vegetables? Weren't there enough?

Her comment and the knowing smile did bring a hint of one to Trunks' face. "I swear, my manners are better than his. My mother is really stubborn." Then again, she'd have to be, to be with Vegeta.

"I'm glad you guys didn't have it rough though. For all we got roughed up, it would've been harder if we hadn't been using our brains too. This is definitely a different training area than the field is."

Ahsoka's shoulders dropped a bit more as Tamaki said that. Her eyes dropping a bit. "He didn't have to worry. It's not like I'm defenseless or something." She mumbled for Tamaki only, looking down and at the messy water they used to clean her hand. And even softer, more to herself, and feeling... terrible. "It was just one mistake..." the knife that is. If Ty Lee had been there, she'd have done better, wouldn't she? Bah.

She was hearing the other conversation as well, but trying not to look like she was, focusing just on her hand.

Himawari came back with a plate, a bit more full this time. She carefully offered it to him whit ha soft chuckle. "Your manners are fine. I think I have heard a bit about your mother. Stubborn is good sometimes."

And she smiled, crossing her arms over her knees as she crouched there. "Tamaki was really amazing. We had a puzzle and I think we both worked it out pretty well, but he was very brave. I was very lucky to have been left behind with him."

"Honestly you're both pretty brave and capable, or you wouldn't be here." Trunks countered, the smile slightly more at ease now and a soft 'thanks' uttered again. "I have a double dose of stubborn. Gets me in and out of trouble pretty well."

Tamaki's distraction lasted a moment, before he noticed Ahsoka's shoulders droop. Grabbing the bandage, and some gauze to dry her hand off, he lowered his voice again. "We all know that, him especially since you two have been working together. But he worries because he cares." Trying so hard to hint, without being obvious. Not when the person in question was in the room with them.

Himawari beamed at that, smiling politely. She spoke softly though. "Sometimes stubborn people are the best to be around though. Especially if you are in trouble." She said, and glanced off to the other two in the room before she smiled back to him. She knows, but she's also not going to bluntly say anything.

Ahsoka wasn't listening in on anyone now but Tamaki. She sat there, tired and dirty and feeling like she had been on the hunting grounds again. "He cares about all of us." She mumbled, because she honestly thought he did. Trunks got along with everyone so well. And getting along is caring, yes? She cared for all of her masters, as well as the younglings and so on and so forth. She winced softly as he worked with her hands, her orange fingers curling a little bit as she whispered. "It's fine, Tamaki. Things will be fine."

"Sometimes." Trunks agreed with Himawari, trying to not notice the other two. Or at least not notice as much that Tamaki had lowered his voice, and was closer to Ahsoka again. Nope--he was stubbornly ignoring that (and failing), and applying himself to eating more.

Tamaki frowned, both at her words, and at the wince. Gentling his touch more, trying to be even more careful--but he was no medic and he knew that. "But that is not what I said Ahsoka. Think about what I said. How he acts."

Mon dieu, he wished so much he had Haruhi, or the Twins, or Kyouya--or SOMEONE able to help him with these two.

Himawari noticed almost as much as Tama-chan did. The fact that trunks didn't look at them made her feel a bit sad for the two of them, but she noticed as much from them as she did Domeki and Watanuki. "All right. Get some rest, and there's more food if you need. tomorrow we should stick closer together and see if we can get out together."

Ahsoka felt... a moment of frustration as Tamaki said that, brows drawn together and leaning in a bit more. Whispering. "He... acts... like most guys do?" Oh honey, no. but she stared at him, a bit unsure after that. Sorry.

Rest...rest was good, because he was tired and hungry and that was the other reason Trunks was trying so hard to not look at Tamaki or Ahsoka. "Thank you Himawari." Quiet, and then turning and looking at the other. "Thanks as well, Tamaki." Half of his second plate gone, before he spoke again. "Once we've gotten some rest, before we leave here I can try and see if I can sense Logan and Ty Lee's ki. Or that man-bull thing."

Tamaki huffed slightly, and wanted to shake Ahsoka. Shaking his head no, but he couldn't actually do much more. Not without potential embarrassment. Which some would say hadn't stopped him before, but the Host Club was *different*. Instead he gave the bandage over her hand a pat, and a small smile.

Then turning as he was addressed, smile widening again. "Can you describe that thing more? Because if this is a maze, it might very much be the legendary Minotaur." Upon seeing the other's blank look, Tamaki stood up, gesturing and proceeded to tell them the story of the Minotaur and its maze, the maze's creator Daedalus, and the hero Theseus who finally bested the beast.

Clearly in his element as showman, and by the end of the story the bandages and first aid supplies were cleaned up, and he was back over by his backpack and tea, and sitting down again.

Sorry, Tamaki, she's just tired and not at all grasping the concept at the moment. it might fall in line later. For now she reached over to eat a bit, letting them talk as she rested, putting food in her slowly.

When Tamaki mentioned a Minotaur, she beamed, clapping her hands twice and smiled bright. Normal people would not have smiled. "Oh wow! I can hardly believe it. a real minotaur." She cheered softly, taking a seat near Trunk's and on the other side of Ashoka, her hands resting in her lap and smiling up at Tamaki as he spoke. Every once in a while she would interject small details to help his story, but for the most part she was very happy to hear him talk.

The two Earth kids that were more 'normal' than the others (even Hima in her case) were of course the ones that knew all about the creature. Logan might have as well, but not to this detail.

Ahsoka rubbed her face after all that, curling her head down into the large pillow seat and half laying out but still awake. "And here we dropped it into a cage of wiggling... things. I'm not sure it will keep in there. I'm also curious if it's... real like we are? brought here to help with tests and training, or just..." she waved her hand in the hair. "A thing they put in the... I suppose program isn't the right word. I still get a feel of it's presence, but the Force works in strange ways, so it might just be giving me a warning."

She let out a sigh, closing her eyes a moment. Plate not even half eaten. "Either way, I'm glad we didn't kill it, but I'd rather not run into it again."

Tamaki seemed almost to feed on Himawari's excitement, or at least the two bounced off of each other with the story well. Not quite the same as entertaining their clients, but then--he wasn't being the princely host right then. Just much of that role often had overlap with 'Tamaki' as well as the Host-Club President.

"Whether it's a construct of this challenge, like a 'program' or not, it's probably here to keep us more goal-oriented than just pure reward is, or satisfaction alone. If this were a true Challenge, there'd be opposition of some kind beyond just the maze itself--so the Minotaur is likely the stand-in for that." Trunks ventured, getting through his second plate at least before he stopped.

Tamaki looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "That would make sense, since this is also supposed to be less of a combative test zone than the Field you mentioned before. Our hosts have also mentioned how the opposition is not...creative. It's not exactly creative to suppose that if you can't beat someone physically, you try to beat them mentally. It's been a very recent cultural shift away from the renaissance man or gentlemanly-noble archetypes, where one was expected to be both scholarly AND physically inclined." Tamaki WAS a junior in an elite private school, and he smiled at the end of that. "Research for the host club often requires much reading, although I am often blind and woefully under-prepared for commoner culture such as dear Haruhi-kun has experienced."

Commoner culture? On the tip of Trunks' tongue to ask, before a slight head shake. "On my version of Earth, there are animal-people..that is, animals that are sentient intelligent human-like, except y'know, an animal. One of mom's old traveling companions was a pig, for example. He was a pervert, but wore clothes and walked on two legs, and everything. I'd have expected something like that, if you'd told me we'd be facing a man-bull."

Edited 2017-06-02 09:51 (UTC)

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