Echocalypse: Scarlet Covenant story · Themed biography
Snowy Mystery
In pursuit of clues for the Blissbite antidote, you venture into the Thousand Ruins Mountain. Yet, beneath the eerie blizzards and seemingly chance encounters, a shadow from Rasparta draws silently near. With the path ahead shrouded in fog, trust faces its first bitter trial amidst the snow.
8 scenes, 184 lines
1. Code Word
24 linesNighttime. A high-end apartment in Bifrost. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city pulses with neon, but the room is filled with the cozy glow of a live stream. Kokopelli sits before a carefully staged camera, wearing a pair of cute cat-ear headphones.
Ah! Thank you, 'Aurora', for the Super Rocket! Good evening, everyone! It's your ever-curious Kokopelli, always on the hunt for the next big story! For tonight's Continental Tales, is there anything you'd like to hear?
Bullet messages scroll by quickly.
'Have you been to Thousand Ruins Mountain in Eastrise?'', Not yet, but I heard the mists there are like the immortal's robe. I'll definitely consider it for a future stream!
'Does the radiation cloud in Bifrost's Third Mine Zone really rain like the legends say?'' - Well! Meteorological data says it's just a special crystal dust fallout, but it does look like 'acid rain' on camera. It's got that suuuuper apocalyptic aesthetic!
A golden VIP message glides across the screen.
ID Feather Dance: Pelli, have you seen St. Jordan's dancer Kala? Her sudden retirement is so weird. Is it related to that recent drug scandal?
Miss Kala...
Kokopelli pauses, her fingertip tapping lightly on the desk.
I've seen her Swan Song in the archives. Every step was like a heartbeat... so beautiful that it takes your breath away.
Her gaze softens slightly.
But you know, even the most beautiful butterfly gets tired of flying. Every life has its curtain call. Who knows if she just found a stage she desired even more?
As she speaks, a glitched message, plain and buried within the flood of ordinary comments, streaks across the bottom of the screen: [07-14-21-03 // Swallow Returns].
Kokopelli's pupils contract instantly before snapping back to normal. She raises a hand to rub her eyes.
Oh my! A sudden burst of inspiration! I just thought of a suuuuper-great new project! I have to jot this down right now!
She clasps her hands together in an apologetic gesture.
So sorry, everyone! I have to sign off a little early tonight! I'll be back at the same time tomorrow with even better content, don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell!
The stream cuts to black amidst a wave of reluctant comments from fans.
The light from the monitor fades from Kokopelli's face, her bubbly expression peeling away like a mask. She leans back, staring into the dark screen.
...Swallows Returns.
A curve, entirely different from her streaming persona with a predatory edge, tugs at the corner of her mouth.
Lady Brown summoned me personally. It seems... something big is happening.
She chuckles softly.
I have a feeling... this is going to be very interesting.
2. Taunt and Mission
32 linesThe next day, Eastrise. Deep within a secluded alley of a bustling city lies a traditional teahouse titled 'The Old Study'. In the innermost room, the doors are bolted shut.
Kokopelli has swapped her vibrant streaming outfit for a simple, elegant Eastrise-style tea dress. Across from her sits a woman in a dark cheongsam, Brown. Brown whisks the matcha with deliberate, unhurried precision, her every movement precise without any excess.
Priestess [Chameleon]. Your 'Weather Forecast' program in Bifrost has maintained impressive ratings.
Kokopelli rests her cheek in her hand, beaming at Brown.
After all, I live to bring joy and surprises to my audience! Surely, Lady Brown, you didn't use an emergency code just to praise my show?
Brown gently slides the tea cup toward Kokopelli.
Awakener from Teslovik has traced the suspected plant source of Blissbite to the Thousand Ruins Mountain. He is about to enter Eastrise with a clear objective.
Kokopelli raises her eyebrow and takes a sip of tea.
So? Why not just send a few ''Cleaners'' to make him 'disappear' in the mountains? Does a high-profile streamer like me really need to do this kind of dirty work in person?
Brown looks up, her gaze calm but ice-cold.
The target himself is the ultimate variable. We've analyzed every case of deep contact with him, hostile escorts, captured scholars, even collaborators with their own hidden agendas... In the end, they all shifted their positions to varying degrees and became his greatest assets.
Kokopelli's fingers on the teacup freeze for a heartbeat.
This near-abnormal ''charisma'' deserves observation and study. Your mission is to infiltrate his team, and then...
Brown's tone remains flat.
At the critical moment, ensure their quest fails. No need for bloodshed; simply lead them astray, waste their time, or make that mountain pharmacist vanish forever.
Wow... sounds like you're casting me as the villainous mole.
Kokopelli laughs airily, leaning forward.
But Lady Brown, why me? Surely the organization has more 'professional' choices for infiltration and assassination?
Brown looks Kokopelli dead in the eye, her tone unwavering.
Because according to the reports, you possess an unnatural craving for ''intense emotional experiences''. You live for the thrill of manipulating an audience and the rush of the masquerade.
Brown pauses for a moment.
And this ''Awakener''... his primary weapon appears to be a crude sort of 'sincerity' and 'conviction'. I am curious...
Brown punctuates every word.
That heart of yours, which drifts from one thrill to the next, convinced it can never be tethered... if exposed to this 'vulgar warmth' for too long, will you maintain your playful detachment, or...
Her slightly raises her tone.
...will you be scorched by that light, and perhaps... even captured?
The room falls into a heavy silence. Amidst the rising steam of tea, Kokopelli's smile slowly shifts into something unreadable.
...Now that is a challenge that sounds... suuuuper interesting.
Kokopelli sets down her teacup, her voice light yet carries with sharpness.
Alright, I'll taken this mission.
She stands up, reclaiming the high-energy persona from her broadcasts.
Let me see what kind of magic this ''Friendship Summoner'' truly possesses!
3. Blissbite Clues
22 linesEastrise. A temporary Teslovik safehouse. Stara stands before a whiteboard with a crude map of the Thousand Ruins Mountain. Awakener stands opposite her.
Based on our forensic analysis of the White Rose Clinic's surviving records and black-market Blissbite samples... the most likely botanical source of the active ingredient has been traced to this mountain range.
She taps the location of the Thousand Ruins Mountain on the map with her pen.
I've been to the mountain. Is there a more specific location?
Stara shakes her head.
The mountain is vast, with complex terrain and volatile weather. The higher you ascend, the more dangerous it becomes.
She flips the page on the whiteboard, revealing several grainy photos from folk records.
However, we have a few key leads. First: years ago, several unconfirmed reports from various sources mentioned a 'mysterious pharmacist' dwelling in the mountains.
The reports claim this pharmacist can concoct medicine that ''greatly alleviates the suffering of Crystal Syndrome''.
Second, and more importantly... everyone who followed the rumors to find her, whether common seekers or certain...
...investigators suspected to be from Rasparta, all came up empty-handed. She seems to have vanished into the mountain mists.
Regardless, this is our most concrete lead. Kala is stable for now, but time is not on our side. There are countless others like her...
Stara nods, her voice resolute.
I understand. That's why I've contacted a specialist through a reliable local channel in Eastrise. She's an expert in mountain operations, and...
She pauses.
...she harbors a deep hatred for Blissbite and the forces behind it.
Her name is Shu, one of the most reputable escorts in the region. With her guidance and protection, the safety of your mountain operation will be significantly improved.
Thank you, Stara. And thank you for your research all along.
Stara gives a faint, bitter smile.
Don't thank me just yet, Awakener. The depths of the Thousand Ruins are no ordinary place. The radiation patterns from the residual Resonance Crystals there are peculiar, warping both the weather and the ecology. You'll be facing far more than just rugged paths and wild beasts.
She hands a compiled materials to Awakener.
Be careful. I'll provide remote support from here and continue analyzing any sample data you send back.
4. Escort's Oath
28 linesA bustling yet orderly escort agency in an Eastrise town. The weapon racks are polished to a gleam, and the air is thick with the scent of tung oil and tea. Shu is wiping her long blade with a soft cloth, not even lifting her head at the sound of approaching footsteps.
Awakener from Teslovik? Miss Stara has already told me.
She sheaths her blade with a sharp, metallic click, only then turning around.
Long time no see. How about a spar first?
Venturing into the Thousand Ruins Mountain to find a legendary pharmacist... the path is treacherous, the timing is uncertain, and we must be ready for conflict.
She holds up three fingers.
Standard rates, this is the amount. It covers your entry, the search, and your safe exit from the Thousand Ruins. Lodging and meals are on you, but your lives are my responsibility.
Fair enough.
Shu waves it off, her expression hardening. She walks to the window, gazing at the faint silhouette of the distant peaks.
Further on, there are a few villages... I've run escorts and delivered medicine there before. In the last two years, I've seen families destroyed because of that '''Blissbite'''. It strips away their humanity and leaves their homes in ruins.
Her fist clenches slightly.
I've seen elders on their knees begging me to bring a doctor from the city, and children crying from hunger... yet those scumbags peddling the drug are nowhere to be found.
Shu turns, her eyes burning with intensity as she gazes at Awakener.
You Teslovik folks are digging for the root of this, right? That pharmacist might know something, or even have a cure?
It's our greatest hope at the moment.
Shu nods solemnly.
Alright. Then this job is more than just business. Think of the vengeful souls in those mountains, and those who're still alive...
Her voice is low but firm.
Please scrub away some of Rasparta's filth, even just a little. I will escort you there safely to find that pharmacist.
She shifts her tone, adding a note of warning.
But don't celebrate yet. The Thousand Ruins Mountain... that place is inherently cursed. The weather is volatile, the beasts are feral, and then there's...
She ponders over her choice of words.
What the elders call ''Mountain Spirits'' are really just mutations from the crystal radiation. Keep your guard up against them.
Since I've taken this job, I'll give it my all. Stay sharp, and don't slow me down.
Understood. Thank you, Miss Shu.
Shu gives a casual wave, a faint smile crossing her face.
Just Shu is fine. Get ready, we'll set off at dawn. The mountain won't wait for us.
She picks up her blade again, inspecting every detail. Sunlight streams through the window, catching the scabbard in a cold, resolute glint.
5. Foothills Rally
23 linesAt the foot of the Thousand Ruins Mountain lies a quaint courtyard with a wooden plaque reading ''Serenelle Tea House''. Light moss carpets the stone steps, and gnarled ancient trees twist through the yard.
The mountain rain is coming. Have some tea first.
Serenelle gently slides the warmed tea bowls toward them, her movements as fluid as flowing water.
Thank you. We're here to ask about someone.
In these mountains, there are only trees, stones, and the fog that refuses to lift. I suspect the one you seek is a person of the mist.
You know the pharmacist?
I do, and I don't. Occasionally, she comes for spring water, bartering with a few unique seeds from my garden. She says little, but she carries a scent that lingers... a mix of herbal fragrance and profound solitude.
She looks up, her gaze drifting over the group.
Lately, the mountain's weather has turned unpredictable, storms occur without warning. If you must go, please stay vigilant.
Oh my! Doesn't this perfectly align with my ''Mystic Climate Challenge'' project!
A crisp voice rings out from the doorway. Kokopelli steps in with a radiant smile, clad in practical travel gear and lugging professional equipment.
Hello there! I'm Kokopelli, and I'm live-streaming the extreme weather of the Thousand Ruins! Did I hear you're heading into the mountains? What a coincidence! I've been studying the airflow models here for ages!
A streamer?
Shu crosses her arms, looking at the girl with scrutiny.
A weather anchor, actually! I can ''predict'' the Bifrost blizzards with near-perfect accuracy! Look, here's my credentials from the Eastrise Meteorological Observatory.
She pulls up data on her terminal; the charts and graphs appear impressively professional.
Heading in alone for a show is a bit daunting. How about we team up? I'll handle the forecasting and help us dodge the danger zones. Deal?
This young lady...
Serenelle pours a cup of fresh tea for her, her voice as steady as ever.
You're so vibrant, like a rushing stream in a mountain gorge. Yet, time moves slowly in these peaks; too much noise can sometimes disturb the serenity here.
Mmm... you have such a poetic soul! But don't worry, I know exactly when to be quiet. I'm only here to document nature's grandeur, I promise!
She turns to Awakener, her eyes brimming with sincerity and anticipation.
The more the merrier, right? Besides, my audience is eager to see the heroes of civilization in action! It feels like... a win-win for everyone!
6. Blizzard Undercurrents
22 linesThe group ascends the rugged mountain path. The weather is fair at first; Kokopelli leads with boundless energy, occasionally gesturing toward the sky to explain the cloud formations.
Look at those cirrus clouds. Based on the model, it should stay stable and partly cloudy for at least three hours. We can make it through that col ahead just in time...
As soon as the words falls, a shroud of grayish-white surges over the distant ridge with terrifying speed.
...Something's wrong.
Shu stops in her tracks, her brow furrowed in a tight knot.
The scent of the wind has shifted. It carries a brutal, biting dampness, it doesn't feel natural.
Huh? Is there a lag in the data feedback? Let me check...
She fumbles with her terminal, her voice laced with ''anxiety''.
Crap! It's a sudden microclimate burst! How is this possible? Every parameter was...
In an instant, a gale carrying massive snowflakes howls in, and visibility plummets. The wind shrieks, a mournful wail so fierce it threatens to knock them off their feet.
Find shelter! Stay close to me!
Shu roars, groping forward against the blinding snow.
Over there! I remember a recessed rock wall on the map!
She points to a crossroad shrouded in snow and mist.
Don't go there! '''Qi''' is chaotic there, like the eye of a vortex!
Shu tries to stop them, but the gale tears her voice to shreds.
Kokopelli has begun trudging down that path; the others have no choice but to follow. The path narrows, and the snow grows into a frenzy, beating against at the team as if it possesses a life of its own.
Suddenly, a massive boulder, loosened by the heavy snow, hurtles down from the flank!
Watch out, !
Shu violently pushes Awakener aside, but her arm is gashed by broken stones. She is nearly swept down the slope by a surge of snow. She clings desperately to an exposed root, her knuckles turning white.
I'm sorry! It's all my fault! My prediction...
She cries out into the storm, her voice cracking with a sob. Yet as she bows her head to check the terminal, a barely perceptible smirk flickers across her lips.
7. Twin Premonition
21 linesAn abandoned hunter's hut. Firewood crackles in the stove, driving back the chill. Shu's arm is now wrapped in a simple bandage.
...I am truly sorry. I relied too much on my data models. I never expected the mountain weather to be so... unpredictable.
She sits by the fire, hugging her knees, appearing dejected and consumed by guilt.
Maybe... maybe we should reconsider. In such treacherous weather, continuing the ascent might be...
No. We can't give up the mission just because of this.
Well then... I suppose I'll have to ask her to take actions...
Shu gets up and walks outside. She draws a small bone flute from her robe and plays a sharp, peculiar melody.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the wooden door is pushed open. A woman in a pink cheongsam enters, bringing a chill with her. Unmelted snowflakes still cling to the tips of her hair. She is Phoebe.
Junior Sister, it is a rare thing indeed to hear your flute sing.
She nods to Shu, her calm gaze sweeping over the group before pausing briefly on Kokopelli.
And this is...?
Kokopelli's eyes widen, a hint of vigilance hidden beneath her curiosity.
My senior sister, Phoebe. She doesn't rely on instruments to sense the weather; she uses the secret arts taught by our master.
The snow on the mountain just now fell with a certain... ''deliberation''. There is a force in the wind being twisted against its will. It doesn't feel like a natural disaster, but like...
Phoebe gazes at Kokopelli, her voice gentle yet direct.
...like a naughty child has gathered the vapor that should have scattered evenly, bunched it into a fist, and slammed it down upon a narrow path.
Wow! What a mystical way to put it! Is this the ancient wisdom of Eastrise? Impressive!
Kokopelli claps in admiration, her smile impossible to read.
So, Senior Sister, how do you think we should proceed? Your intuition and my scientific models might just complement each other!
Tomorrow at noon, there will be a window when the clouds part and the mist clears. Take the old trail on the west side; it's a detour, but the ''Qi'' is smoother there.
Phoebe says no more and sits by the fire to warm her hands. Silence settles over the room, broken only by the flickering flames. Kokopelli nods with a smile, but the warmth doesn't reach her eyes.
8. Herbal Whispers
12 linesDeep within the Thousand Ruins Mountain lies a tranquil, mist-shrouded valley. A few humble wooden huts lean against the cliffside, fronted by a well-organized medicinal garden.
Baion squats by the garden rows, carefully transplanting a silver-blue leafed plant into a clay pot. Her movements are slow and deliberate, as if she needs to savor every detail.
Suddenly, she lifts her head, gazing toward the southeast ridge, the very area where the blizzard had recently raged. The wind has died and the snow has settled, yet the sky retains an unnatural shade of blue-gray.
...
She watches for a long time, then slowly rises and walks to the stream to wash the soil from her hands. The stream reflects her calm face. She murmurs to herself, her voice so faint it's as if she fears disturbing the forest.
...These clouds. They gather in a rush and vanish just as quickly. It doesn't feel natural... It's more like someone is stirring them up with an invisible stick.
She walks back to the hut and pulls a heavily worn wooden plaque from her robe, its herbal patterns faded and blurred. She strokes it gently with her fingertips.
The last time I saw such terrible '''Qi'''...
Her gaze grows distant, as if drifting through the years to another day of raging wind and rain.
It was the day my mother was taken... by those outsiders who came crying for medicine, only to batter down the door with bloodshot eyes.
She tucks the wooden plaque carefully into her bosom, picks up the pot of silver-blue flora, and turns toward the deeper caves of the back mountain. The thick fog swallows her silhouette almost instantly, as if she had never been there at all.
Trouble from outside the mountains... has it followed the scent of herbs to my door again?