[audio] event after the broadcast interception, un: meiyouren

[blindforlove]

[The audio starts with the chanting of the possessed claiming that EVERY EYE SHALL SEE THEM. Different voices fade in and out. Unaffected by Majestas' spell without any eyes to see, but also unable to see where Majestas is and join the fight just yet, Xiao Xingchen has to turn to the network for help.]

Is there anyone still out there who can answer me? What is everyone seeing? I must ask, because... I cannot see - at all - and I can't find anyone who will say anything to me. Other than this.

Comments

[blindforlove]

Outside the apartments on Level 2. I was in my own when I heard that man in the device, and then other people in the street here saying... that!

[With the other voices passing by him, it's probably clear that he's still walking, but with uncertain purpose.]

Where are you?

[goodboyplaydead]

I am... in the Lan residence. I can... come find you.

Try to avoid... anyone sounding strange. I am not sure... what is happening.

[blindforlove]

Is everyone there all right? Are any of them affected?

[He fears if this will spread and affect all them (who can see).]

[goodboyplaydead]

I have not seen... any problems yet. But Young Master Wei... just left. I was going to... follow him when I saw... your message.

You should... find a place indoors. Until I get there.

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen really doesn't want to retreat, but he sighs.]

All right. I'll wait for you, but I can't just stay and do nothing. These spells-- they affect people through their sight. So... someone who can't be affected that way should do something, shouldn't they?

[goodboyplaydead]

It will be easier... to help with two. Instead of one.

[ That way they can at least have each other's back. Even if Xiao Xingchen cannot be affected himself, that does not mean that others who have will avoid targeting him. Wen Ning doesn't doubt the man's prowess in combat, but the chaotic numbers associated with events like this could make things complicated. ]

[blindforlove]

But do you know if you can fight without seeing him? I only wish for you to not be one of those caught in its thrall.

[Xiao Xingchen wouldn't mind help in any other fight, but this one has him more concerned for others who want to join.]

It's better if I go on my own, once everything here is settled.

[Perhaps it's his need to be all self-sacrificial talking again.]

[goodboyplaydead]

I will... cover my eyes. But remain... by your side. It will be... safe.

[ He honestly has no way to guarantee that, but leaving Xiao Xingchen to face the situation alone is also out of the question. ]

I can... hear well.

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen sighs. Wen Ning should know what it feels like to lose control of oneself, and he doesn't want him to experience that again. But he doesn't bring it up, instead resigning himself to the fact that there are people who care about him and don't want him to risk himself this way.

It's a bittersweet feeling.]

All right. But please, don't feel any shame in retreating if it becomes too difficult.

[goodboyplaydead]

[ Wen Ning knows the risk to himself is probably greater than most, given his inclination for possession and madness. He knows Xiao Xingchen is right to protest, and part of him hates to refuse. But he's seen Xiao Xingchen suffering before and cannot allow that to happen again, not when he is capable of preventing it. ]

If I become a danger... I will go.

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen does realize that they all will have to take some risks in order to overcome this, and there's no way that the Moon Knights can overcome this as it is...]

I'll wait for you here until then.

ACTION

[goodboyplaydead]

[ With Wen Ning's speed, it doesn't take him very long to reach the cultivator at all. And at least his full sprint prevents him from lingering too much in the vicinity of any of the screens. He has a one track mind now. He must find his friend before any of the winged puppets do. ]

[blindforlove]

[The sound of a fierce corpse's charge meets his ears, and along with the reaction in Shuanghua, Xiao Xingchen's initial reaction is to feel a little uneasy. But he knows that there's no other fierce corpses here, other than a good friend of his.

He still ought to be sure.]

Is that you there?

[goodboyplaydead]

It is me... Has anyone... come here?

[ Wen Ning does a quick inspection of their surroundings. If they are going to stop others, they will need a space with more room to maneuver. ]

[blindforlove]

No, only you. I didn't know if anyone else was out there who would-- so many of them are just... they're just standing there, saying the same thing over and over.

[If Xiao Xingchen could see, he'd assume that it'd look like an eerie nightmare.

He draws closer to where Wen Ning's footfalls stopped, reaching around to touch where he is. Is it necessary? Well, likely not, but he'd like to be absolutely sure when it comes to this man.]

You're all right?

[goodboyplaydead]

Those are... the ones. We need to watch... for.

[ Wen Ning seeks out Xiao Xingchen's hand when he notices it searching for his own. ]

Mm. But we need... to find a way. To keep them... from hurting others.

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen holds Wen Ning's hand, lightly squeezing it, smiling an exhausted smile. Finally, something good in all this mess. Though he knows they have no time to waste, and his expression becomes serious once more.]

Have you seen them fighting out there?

[goodboyplaydead]

Not yet... But I feel... they are getting ready.

[ Wen Ning's senses are as attuned as ever to the tiniest of changes around him, changes that suggest approaching threats. He squeezes Xiao Xingchen's hand more tightly in return but takes care not to use any strength. ]

[blindforlove]

Perhaps we should get them out of the way of each other. Will anything happen to them if we tried to move them?

[It might be a lot of trouble when Xiao Xingchen can tell that there's too many people under this spell, but he can't stand around here and do nothing.]

[goodboyplaydead]

Move them... ? How?

[ Xiao Xingchen can't be suggesting to manually do so. That would be too risky without the cultivator's eyesight and Wen Ning's own need to keep his gaze as lowered as possible to avoid contact with the screens around them. Is he instead suggesting to lead them away as some sort of bait? ]

[blindforlove]

If they start moving, we'll get their attention. Then, they follow us.

[Better than them attacking any unaffected citizens, but they'll have a lot of attacks to deal with at once...]

[goodboyplaydead]

We will... need to move very quickly.

[ Then again, he has seen how fast Xiao Xingchen moves in combat, even without his eyesight. Such a task is hardly impossible for him. Though he honestly hopes the affected stay where they are for now, until the means of curing them can be found. ]

[blindforlove]

Mn... it has been some time since we fought alongside each other, but I am honored to do so once more.

[Never did Xiao Xingchen believe he'd be fighting alongside a fierce corpse. But with his sword in hand, he turns to the door, ready to take on whatever hordes wait outside.

He would face the world alone if he had to, but having someone to face it with him is...]

[goodboyplaydead]

[ Wen Ning takes the lead and starts moving away from the crowd, waving his arms at them in case that better captures their attention. He would rather have them target him than his companion. ]

[blindforlove]

[Xiao Xingchen would reprimand him, if he only could see what he was doing! But he hears the footsteps drawn away from him, soon joined by wingbeats.

It is a long, arduous fight until Majestas leaves, and even Xiao Xingchen, who often ends battles without even dirtying his robes, has taken on a few injuries. They're almost completely superficial and easily dealt with, like a thin cut across his arm or a bruise from a glancing blow.

His main concern is that of Wen Ning.]

Are you all right?

[Before Wen Ning can answer, his hands already start searching the man for any injuries. He isn't sure what sort of injury is of concern to fierce corpses, however, but he has to try to do something about it.]