Coco stirred slowly, feeling herself floating somewhere. She couldn't get her eyes open, but had the sense that she was somewhere between darkness and moonlight. Part of her mind said that wasn't logical, but she had a real hard time getting that part of her mind to work right just now. In point of fact, she was having a real hard time getting any part of her mind to work right. She started to struggle to make mind and body work...then gave up. Dreamtime magic worked better when she didn't fight, right? So she wouldn't fight. She'd just float...
There you are, Guru's voice echoed gently around her. I've been looking for you.
You have? Coco thought back curiously. I didn't know I was lost...
You were, Guru confirmed. Lost between physicality and Dreamtime. What you did was very dangerous, very reckless, and bordering on the clinically insane for you to attempt, you realize that right?
But...it was the right thing to do, wasn't it? Coco asked hopefully.
Guru sighed softly. Very much so. As angry as I am with how reckless it was of you to attempt...I'm very proud of you for succeeding.
That's good, Coco agreed happily, if somewhat listlessly. Umm...do you think you could tell me what, exactly, I did?
Silence greeted her. You...you don't recall? Guru asked worriedly.
I remember making something magical, to balance the Mask, Coco responded uncertainly. I...have no idea what that was about, or why I did it exactly. There was...a lot going on I was only barely following...
Guru chuckled softly. I admit, before you succeeded I had no idea what you were doing. Once the artifact was completed, however, the true history of the Mask of Dark Earth was given to me by the Dreamtime Spirits through my Moonstone. I take it that is the story you were hoping for?
If it's not too much trouble... Coco agreed, making a conscious effort to keep her thoughts from slurring.
Guru laughed for a time, and then his voice changed. It echoed through the...wherever Coco was right now, becoming sound. "In the ancient times, the magic of this land was in perfect balance. The Shining Light was balanced by the Suffocating Dark. Life was balanced by Death. Creation was balanced by Destruction. And this balance was maintained by two artifacts. The Mask of Dark Earth embodied and guided the powers of Darkness, Destruction, and Death. The Staff of Moonfire embodied and guided the powers of Light, Creation, and Life.
"The peoples who lived here in those times lived in harmony with nature, and with those magics. As they came to understand and use the magics, they revered the two artifacts and the powers they represented. To ensure such powers were never misused or fell into the wrong hands, twin shamans of each generation were selected to bear the artifacts, marked from birth with an affinity for one or the other. This went on for many turnings of the seasons, and all was well.
"But then came the Time of Sundering. The Twin Shamans of Earth and Moon had come of age to court, and a woman had caught the eyes of both brothers. In times past when this had happened, the woman would choose one or the other, and that would be the end of it. But this time, the woman claimed she could not choose. So equal were the two, she declared, that she knew not which she would desire to have as a mate. In truth, she merely enjoyed having men fight over her, and she had been banished from several clans for the chaos she sowed from this predilection. However, the brothers were unaware of this, and began to compete for her affections.
"However, the woman's words had a seed of truth to them. The twins were as alike as could be, and were true equals to each other. This had made the balance between the artifacts as perfect as they had ever been...and made it impossible to prove one brother superior to the other through physical expression. Bitterness was planted between the brothers, and it bloomed and grew into a bitter crop as it finally boiled over into a Shaman Duel over the woman.
"The duel caused a great deal of damage to the land. Green plains became arid, forests became swamps, and plateaus erupted out of flat lands. Still, the people hoped for a peaceful outcome, for once the Duel was over the two Shamans could easily restore the land. But then the unthinkable happened. In order to overset his brother, the Earth Shaman turned the Mask's power of Destruction...against the Staff of Moonfire.
"The Staff shattered.
"The eruption of magical energies permanently scarred the land...and slew the Moon Shaman. Realizing he had slain his brother over the woman, the Earth Shaman's grief turned into rage, rage which imbued itself into the Mask and tore at the very fabric of the land's magic...dividing it between Living World and Dreamtime. Unable to wield the Mask anymore, the Shaman cast it aside.
"The people made a decision. The Shaman was stripped of his rank, and cursed so that he and all his descendants could not leave this land until the Mask was balanced...whether through finding a way to recreate the Staff, or through destroying the Mask and ending the land's magic for good. To ensure he would have descendants, the former Shaman was cursed with that which he had fought for, and was bound to the woman, who proved to be as ugly inside as she was beautiful on the outside.
"Generation followed generation...and the tale was lost. All that was known was that the Mask must be contained. After a time, the legends of the battle between the Shamans turned into a tale of the Mask battling the Moon Spirit...and the descendants of the Earth Shaman took up the Moonstone in an attempt to keep the Mask's power contained...which only increased its wrath.
"The wrath of the Mask shaped the magic of the land, and its creatures. Thus does Death walk in everything in this land, seeking vengeance for its brother."
As the tale ended, Guru's voice returned to normal. I am the last descendant of the Earth Shaman. I can never repay the debt my ancestors owe to you, for restoring our brother.
Does this mean...you're going to take the Mask back? Coco asked hopefully.
No, neither Mask nor Staff will bow to me, Guru replied. But worry not. Most of the magic of both infuses the land directly, restoring the balance and repairing the damage people have inflicted. What remains in them will - when used together - act as amplifiers for your existing magic, and allow you to perceive the flow of magic around you. They have chosen you, and will go with you wherever you do.
...oh joy... Coco observed acerbically, startling laughter from Guru.
At this point, I would be genuinely surprised if we don't wind up with an eventual Alicoco. She just keeps getting more magic.
Congratulations Coco you are now the Shaman King:
Clever story.
I wonder how the Staff of Moonfire would feel if Coco screwed a Cooper hook on one end of it. On the one hoof, it's an extremely powerful artifact embodying half of the magic of an entire continent, but on the other hoof, she literally just made the thing....
Does that mean Australian is now imbued with Equestrian magic?
EDIT: Nevermind, I must learn to read, noob. But still...
8114457 No, she would be a Shaman Queen.
8114478
It already has a Cooper Hook...one made of crystallized Moonlight, as a matter of fact.
8114478 you do realize tats described its formation as a cooper staff for ease of use for coco
8114484 8114493
Ah, sorry. I must have glazed over a bit while reading it, thinking I'd pick up anything I missed in the "What The Fuck Happened Last Chapter" chapter that always comes after these demigod-level events.
Coco has Acquired:
The Mask of Dark Earth!
The Staff of Moonfire!
Coco has gained two BA levels!
Coco has two stat points to spend. Please allocate points.
Rule of Cool has gone up two points!
8114533
Actually, at this point I'm pretty sure it's just the Mask of Earth (Purified), not the Mask of Dark Earth quest item.
8114571 Lore in the story said the Mask of Dark Earth is the culmination of Death, Destruction, and Darkness, whereas the staff is Life, Creation, and Light. They balance each other. What Coco purified from the mask was the rage and hate that had suffused it.
8114576
Okay then, Mask of Dark Earth (Purified). Still not the corrupted quest item. Or perhaps it's a case where the quest item would be listed in an inventory as Mask of Dark Earth (Corrupted).
8114579 Hmmm... The corrupted version could cause an immense increase in physical prowess, but make the user enter a berserker state. In video game logic, that would Coco would be locked into performing only a basic attack every turn. No defending, magic, or items. The Purified version however could amplify her strength for a short time, and then there's a cooldown (number of fights) before she could use it again.
The staff could amplify her magic for a short time, but lock her out of using offensive abilities. Again, there would be a cooldown, but still. Certainly something you'd only use when in a Party.
Australia, where EVERYTHING IS TRYING TO KILL YOU. Because it's literally been driven crazy by dark magic. Actually that makes a certain level of sense. Did you pull this out of your ass or did you draw from an old fable? Because I have to admit it does like it could be based on an old Aboriginal tale.
Good going Coco Hahaha
Nicely done!
Look out for trouble Coco... better make it double actually.
Coco's definitely got the staff now.
Let's see if that staff gives Coco any Moonshine. Hopefully she won't get drunk on power later on.
This chapter's lore is amazing. And now Coco gets to keep both artifacts, much to her chagrin
8114457 Man, does that take me back...
That would explain why everything in Australia wants to kill you. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the great work. Deus tecum.
i do so love it when a story has its own lore. Nice onw!
8114618 i don't think i an counter any of those.
Now I'm getting a Agni and Rudra vibe. I can see Coco using the mask and staff and hearing the two talk to each other and Coco.
DMC level badassery
MDE and SMF:Impressive
Coco:I said quiet you two *Bash the two together*
MDE and SMF:Yes mistress!
Coco:Good.
MDE:Mistress, a word of warning about the one called Deik-beck. He has a aura of death around him.
Coco:Well he's a product of Clockwerk and a failed creation supposedly bu-
MDE:Mistress he is no failed weapon, for I sense a dark desire. Keep an eye on his actions and keep closer scrutiny to what he "doesn't" do.
Coco:Alright but I'm hopeful this will be a mistake.
Wait, are the two entities Aku and uka from Crash
"...and that's why it's forbidden for Jedi to fall in love!"
Probably a coincidence, especially since it's a storyline as old as civilization, but it does seem like these two brothers are extremely similar to that story as well.
Well, next up in Penelope. I wonder how long it will take everyone to want to lock her in a closet with Bentley so romance can blossom. Or how long until they make a Battle Bot together that would be banned from competitions.
8114609
Pulled out of my ass, actually.
8115161 (facepalm)
8115110
You mean that it would heavily damage or go through the lexan box?
Not likely. They would not try to endager the audiance or the staff. Make something powerfull and effective? Yes. Something that would endanger the crowd, heavily damage the arena or break the weapon regulations? No.
8114456 Or perhaps a cococorn?
8115161 That is one deadly and wise and you've got there. Perhaps Cranky could learn a few things from it?
Hah! Now she's stuck with it...you know I'm kinda surprised The MAXX wasn't referenced as they are in the outback and dream magic is playing a huge role here.
"And that's when I vowed to poop blindfolded!"
8115902 Maybe Cranky was the one he pulled it out of? I mean slavery is a kink, and Cranky is married now. I guess he and Matilda might be swingers.
8115377 I meant banned as in "So good nothing else can threaten it and able to shrug off anything and keep on fighting"
There's that power-up I was wondering about.
As much as I like this series Coco is just too overpowered for this world. At eight she has more power and magical ingenuity than a master voodoo shamaness. The way she's progressing she'll be a better thief than Sly ever has a hope of being probably by age 14, and now she has 2 overpowered primal magic artifacts working for her. That's too much power for Sly's world at age 8 even. If she were like 14 or 16 I could get behind it more but this ridiculous. I'm more accepting of say Sunset Shimmer's Mary Su'ness in Tatsu's star fox crossover b/c it has less of an impact on the world overall. i guess what I'm saying is one should scale op'ness to the world they're writing about if the character has a central impact on the story. My example with Sunset is that yes she is vastly op in Fox's world far more so than Coco but there are restrictions and external measures put on her that prevent her from outright wiping all of her enemies off the face of the planet be it an unstable magical field or the fact that a lot of stuff is star fighter combat which takes her out of the equation. Regardless I had to voice my thoughts on the matter but it hasn't stopped me from loving this story.
8762752
Have does not equal ability to use
Getting some major Shield Hero flashbacks.