Challenge Zones

[lynchpin_castle]

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.

Comments

[light_of_willpower]

He will deny that the thought never even occurred to him about the flying. NOPE--taking that to his grave, because he'd been caught up in other things. Studying what he could see again of the wires right before the spiked pit, and yes...yes he could. First piece of good news about this whole corridor.

"It should be, but I'm taking nothing for granted right now." Another deep breath, and he's moving. Twisting around a wire, over another one, ducking, and then the tricky part. A short hop over one wire, to duck and twist over the last, and then jump over the spiked pit...

Except he's hovering over it, turning back to watch her, just in case. One hand still holding enough ki in a small ball to provide light for them.

[neveraknight]

She was silent for a bit. It wasn't that she thought he forgot he could fly, just that she thought it was a good idea, and that he much have been worried about HER getting by. Like this jump might have been taxing or hard. She assumed he already knew how he was getting through.

"I swear, this next door better not lead to man eating creatures and explosions, or I'm going to be really mad." She muttered as she had to turn ehr head just right to get her montrals past some trip wires. By time she got to the other side, having caught up with Trunks, she sighed, half straddling over a wire, and looking at the jump. She wasn't as close to the wall as he had been.

For a moment she just let out a deep tired breath. This reminded her of times in the war. Having gone all day with no rest, food or water, and just pushing on. Leading to something stupid they'd have to jump through to keep going. Except they'd always made it. Mostly. "Just like Ord Matell all over again, Ahsoka." She told herself carefully, looking over at him. "From here to the ledge. Any obstacles to worry about?"

[light_of_willpower]

“If it leads to anything other than a safe room, I'm blasting it and to hell with using my brain.” Trunks grumbled, agreeing with her. “Otherwise, it looks clear. Just the spike-pit, and the ledge on the other side is clear.”

Back to her, and as tired as he was, frustrated, hungry, and concerned, he offered her a smile. “You have this, Ahsoka. I know you do.” She'd come through worse, he was sure of it.

[neveraknight]

She gave him a nod, very sure on her stand point in this as well. As she moved, she sighed, crouching a moment to call the Force around her. "Just another day." She said back, and jumped, a nice graceful force jump, one that took her over a short pit distance with out going too high. Her feet hit the other side and she stuck the landing, turning to lean back away from the ledge.

She let out a sigh and with out saying anything else, lifted her hands to call for his sword, lifting it and wiggling it through the maze, to bring it right to his hands. "You mind if I do something pointless, reckless, and... maybe helpful if we have to come back this way?" She asked, and as she asked it, he'd see both lightsabers turn on, on their own, in that middle resting spot. Just standing there for the moment.

Maybe they should open the door first... but, well, here we are.

[light_of_willpower]

Calling it to him was appreciated, as he floated the rest of the way over to join her, strapping it on over his shoulder. "I think we've both earned pointless and reckless, at this point Ahsoka." She could see now, the slight burn--not bad, but enough to sting as he'd said--on his left shoulder. A few inches to the right and it would've been his face or neck instead.

A step closer, but behind her and out of her way. No objections to reckless here, and no--he wasn't thinking about the door. He was remembering his first instinct that he'd had to quell, once he'd seen her wound. Remembering well how she'd reacted last time, and that it was his problem. His feelings were his own issue, not hers.

[neveraknight]

When he was there with her she saw the burn, frowning more. She wanted to ask, to double check, but... would wait. First, she had to consentrate on this. "Can you get the door open? We might need to make a fast escape."

But even after saying it, she drew one lightsaber up, the shorter one, and short it forward through the first half, back towards where they had come. And the longer one towards her, turning in the air until it hit everything. Knives, sharp objects, acid, it seemed, and other things dropped, flung, flew, and were also deflected. The long saber came to her hand and she used it as a guard, covering them in case something did happen. The short one spin around again, clipping a few more lines before flying through it all to her. Only a few objects came their way. The floor was going to be ruined because of what ever dripped.

She stood there a moment, both weapons in hand, glaring at it. And then turning them off, winced as the short one had flown into her wounded hand and smarted.

[light_of_willpower]

Huh, yeah--glad she was thinking about that because he hadn't been. A determined push and the door opened, and then Trunks was close to her again. At her back, closer than before and easily ready to guard her as much as she guarded them.

Dimmer again, without light-sabers or ki, and he was breathing. Then hesitantly, because they're both injured, he put his hand on her shoulder. Squeezing gently, understanding, agreeing--and then he's stepping beside her and aiming a few good ki blasts at the bottom of the spike-pit.

[neveraknight]

There was something cathartic about just bluntly destroying something like this. Though she did notice that had they done it from the other side, they would have been in a world of hurt. Clear up to where the door was lay a layer of smoking ground, like acid or something had been sprayed that way. Knifes too. WELP, guess it was worth it.

The strong hand at her shoulder made her take in a breath a moment and she stepped back, both sabers on her hip again as he took and blasted the pit. she deflected a few chunks of flying wood away from them and stood there a moment, before letting out a sigh.

"Well, I feel better." Her voice was flat and dark, like she didn't actually feel better, but did.

[light_of_willpower]

"You don't sound like it though." Turning back to her, to study her again. "But sometimes a little destruction is good, helps you vent in good ways." Hey, he wasn't going to judge. Another deep breath himself, and then releasing it. "I'm not sure if I feel better or not."

More quietly to himself though, looking back over the way they'd came. "I am glad I didn't go with my first impulse though..."

[neveraknight]

"I'm... just tired." She said, curling her hand closer to her chest and letting out a sigh. "Let's see what trap they have set for us next." She said with a huff and sigh. Though she paused, hearing his comment even if he didn't mean her to. Instead she spoke to the other one. About him not sure if he felt better or not. She looked over at his burned shoulder.

"You all right? What is that, acid?" She asked, not reaching out to touch, but leaning a bit to try and see in the dim lights here. "We should find a place to get that cleaned out."

[light_of_willpower]

"I have no idea, but it still stings." Definitely a patch of red and angry skin, but not blistered yet. "I mean, I know how to identify a chemical burn or an acid burn but right now I am too tired to care which it is." He didn't move away though, letting her examine the wound.

It had been close, but at least while it stung and wasn't pretty, it was solid on the shoulder muscle itself--but moving it had to be highly annoying. Moving it would just pull against the skin which was raw and red and angry. Letting her look for a moment, before he's turning his attention to the door.

Narrowed eyes, suspicious and peering through it carefully first. It was brighter, another empty hallway that was well lit and with a door at the end. He glared at it resembling his father very much. "I am more suspicious that it's empty, than I would be if it were full of more traps."

He did not sound happy, but while Trunks was studying it carefully, he took a cautious step forward. Then blinked, and relaxed some. "Ahsoka, I'm tired...are you able to sense anything beyond that door? Because I'm reading two ki signatures that are familiar."

[neveraknight]

Hmm. She hummed looking at it at the moment. A burn but not bad yet. "Too bad we didn't have that flood after this. Could have helped sooth that." She teased, then her face fell, looking up as if someone from above was watching. "Joking. Joking. Please no more flash floods." She said, the n sighed, running her good hand over her face.

She pushed on, to follow him to the door, peeking past him as he peeked in. A hall. And one door. She sighed, not liking this either, but the feeling wasn't bad. She took a slow deep breath, let it out, closed her eyes and felt for it. It took a bit longer than normal, but...

"I think...--hey, I think that's part of our group." She said, rubbing her wrist over her nose and eye, frowning. "How'd we end up back near them, I thought we were going the other way!" Caution should be taken, but she moved into the hall and stared towards the door. "I can't be positive, but unless this place is messing with what I feel, I think we know them."

[light_of_willpower]

"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.

[neveraknight]

"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.

[light_of_willpower]

"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.

[neveraknight]

"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.

[light_of_willpower]

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.

[neveraknight]

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.

[light_of_willpower]

"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?"

[neveraknight]

"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."

[light_of_willpower]

"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.

[neveraknight]

"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."

[light_of_willpower]

"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?"

[neveraknight]

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.

[light_of_willpower]

"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."