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Finder's Keepers [collaborative fiction]

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Wed, 03/20/2013 - 20:33
Thinslayer's picture
Thinslayer

Finder's Keepers discussion thread
Table of Contents
Jump to The Tale Begins!
Jump to The First Group
Jump to Auger
Jump to Codename Zero
Jump to Alice & Equinox
Jump to Amarynth
Jump to Iris
Jump to Lyra
Jump to Syphon

If you would like to take part in this roleplay/collaborative fiction, please visit the above link and post your application there. To our dear readers, please do not post in this thread. We would like to keep this section as clean and tidy as possible so that you, the readers, can enjoy it with little effort. Please leave your compliments/critiques in the above discussion thread.

Thanks!

Credits:

Thinslayer
Liminori
Gzilla
Knight-Of-Vanaduke
Seatus
Aekuryi
Azure-Orbit
Vinnydime
Kaijuhunter
___________

Primary characters have their own chapters dedicated to them, while Secondary characters do not.

Primary Character List

Name: Amarynth
Race: Channeler (Isoran)
Faction: Unaffiliated
Gender: Female
Appearance: Short height, short bleached hair, purple personal color, sleepy eyes
Costume: Purple colored Dusker Coat, Fancy Scarf, Kat Eye Hood colored the same shade of Purple.
Equips: Gunslinger Sash, Kat Eye Hood (the same one as on her costume, stats are the same), Toxic Needle, Striker
Bio: Amaranth would usually sit in one of the Haven gardens, staring at the sky and humming to herself, as well as playing with Snipes, only going into the Clockworks for money to support her increased appetite as a result of her powers. When the government agents came to eradicate all the Channelers, she was barely caught, and escaped into the Clockworks, making home in the Aurora Isles. She likes using her Toxic Needle a lot, preferring to use to take out enemies from a distance. However, she refrains from shooting monsters like Wolvers, and uses her Channeling powers to freeze them instead, saying that it's better than killing them with a gun. She uses her Striker in close range melee fights, darting around the enemy and landing hits on all sides.
Personality: Very childlike, whimsical and shy outside of battle, but usually becomes more serious and even sadistic sometimes when in battle or fighting. Doesn't like Gremlins, and especially doesn't like Enforcers or Keepers. Loves Mewkats and Wolver cubs.

Name: Equinox
Faction: Exile
Gender: Male
Race: Channeler (Stranger)
Personality: Childish, Bloodthirsty, Innocent, Sinful
Appearance: Sniped Stranger Hat, Stranger Cloak, Black and White Snipes, Umbra and Lumini (assume the gear is 3*....)
Bio: When Equinox was born, his mother didn't want him. He looked...monster-like since he couldn't control his appearance back then. The mother didn't know who the father was, so it was proclaimed a child of the Master. (equal of devil)No body showed a kindness to Equinox, no one talked to Equinox, except if they were cussing at him and spitting at him. Many nights Equinox would be alone in an allyway, crying himself to sleep in a cardboard box. God-forsaken, he was left without food, and he could only find some discarded bread every now and again. One twilight, however, and a particularly rainy one at that, a dark silhouette appeared before him and rumbled, "My son, why let them treat you this way? Take these, and be lonely no more." After that, Equinox never saw that man again. He looked in his hands to find too tiny rocks. He cried, and though they were mere pebbles he held them close to his heart as he slept. The next day, he found two Snipes in place of the rocks. One black, and one white Snipe. They cuddled with him, and sang him songs. That's when he stopped. Stopped letting himself go. He walked out of that allyway, after almost everyone forgot about his existence, and walked happily. He liked taking walks along in the Clockworks, and found himself an Owlite Keep. He walked in, and discovered the most amazing library. He often traveled there from that day on, reading every book he could. He found a book about Ancient Owlite Mystics, and tried out the spells for himself. He was surprised when he did succeed, and got good enough he no longer needed to say or think the words for the Sigils.

Name: Topoyozada (Friends call him Top/Topo)

Age: 14

Race: Channeler (Isoran)

Faction: Exile
Gender: Male

Bio: When born, he was dumped by his family. One day, he encountered a friend, one that would help him through his journies. He once met another group of channelers, allies of the Imperium (Is that what it's called). They had a duel, and Topoyozada was left in trouble of almost dying, being dragged off by his friend and healed.
Personailty: Friendly, but when threatened, will be rather rude and will always try and prtect his friends, however he can.

Name: Syphon
Faction: Imperium (Channeler, Isoran, Hunter)
Gear: Scary skelly set, (dusky) shadowtech alchemer Mk.II, Graviton bomb, skelly flourish super dark matter bomb, swiftstrike buckler.
Bio: Syphon's a backstabber, regardless of whatever happens. He's cruel, evil, and sadistic. The whole anti-channeler war has been going on for a lot longer then ANYONE has known it to be on the outside. The government "collected" Channeler's at a young age, why? To counteract the enemy they were going up against. Through cruel and warped experiments they're creating an army that hunts channelers, the hunters. A frontrunner in these ranks? Syphon. They were raised to think they were saviors, that they were cleansing evil, but Syphon knew better. He knew from the start they were just tools, to get the government what they wanted. But he used it as a way of getting power, without any reprimand, using his channeling powers he drains any person he can find, gaining their powers, while fueling his need for a power source (i.e eating, sleeping). He's viewed as the lowest of the low, a traitor to his own kind, a hypocrite. He also uses his powers to boost his armaments. After a while he's found himself working at the top of the governments "Hunter" division, working directly with government higher ups.
To clarify, Syphon's not an experiment, he's a natural channeler.

Name: Auger

Race: Keeper (Gremlin)

Faction: Unaffiliated

Gender: Male
Personality: When speaking casually with friends, or just random people, he can be quite friendly. During missions, he will hunt, kill, and perform the job without second thoughts. He does however, have a short temper, causing him to become reckless when provoked. He also doesn't like to have the small size of Gremlins be insulted.
Equipment: Standard-issue Gremlin Stalker gear, repainted completely grey in order to make it look inconspicuous, and hide its military origins.
Bio: Born and raised in a Free Trader town, Auger was never really assimilated into the disciplined and loyalist lifestyle of those who dwell in The Great Colony. His father was a merchant, and his mother remained at home to care for Auger and his siblings (Genevar and Fuse). King Tinkinzar was not fond of the Free Trader towns, and thus ordered some of them to be purged. Auger's town was part of the purging.
His parents managed to get Auger, Genevar, and Fuse away from the town, but they themselves were hunted and killed by soldiers of The Great Colony. Their parents never told them what had attacked their town, and so they were unaware that it was King Tinkinzar who razed their village to the ground. The three of them were eventually found and taken in by a slave trader named Rotor. The two brothers (Auger and Fuse) and one sister (Genevar) were raised up until their adolescent years, before they were sold as slaves. Auger was the first to go.
The young Gremlin was purchased by a Colony officer (due to Auger's strong physical build) and trained him to become part of the Gremlin Knocker Corps. Auger performed exceptionally well in the training drills and skirmishes. As he grew older, he was promoted to Gremlin Stalker, and Auger became adept at stealth and assassination. He learned to kill quickly and quietly, and that a moment's hesitation can be the difference between life and death. He performed a few reconnaissance missions for The Colony, before he learned from the Palace's archives about the destruction of their village. Auger felt disgusted at the discovery, and immediately abandoned his military post, stealing his Stalker equipment as well.
Now, he roams the lands as a thief and mercenary, taking jobs from anyone besides The Great Colony. During his adventures (and misadventures) he has encountered Channelers. He felt pity for the exiled beings after hearing their story, and has once offered his services to them. He will not accept a job that has him kill a Channeler if he can help it. His main goal however, is to find his siblings: Genevar and Fuse, wherever they may be now.

Name: Iris
Faction: Exile
Race: Channeler (Isoran)
Gender: Female
Appearance: Normal Height, Sleepy Eyes, Sky personal Color, long straight blond hair.
Gear: Angelic Raiment, (no helm) Frosty Glasses, Prismatic Headband, Swift Flourish.
Bio: Iris is a brilliant girl, she was able to comprehend the whole Knight manual at the age of 3, grasped the knowledge of a smart Geoknight at the age of 6 and cracked the secret of opening the Core at 8... Although she never told anyone about it since she knew it would be a death sentence to every living being in Cradle. She slowly found out about her special abilities and hid it from everyone else, she studied the art of arcane magic at 10 and had mastered the basics of her powers. But the only thing which fascinated her was the elemental power of Ice, curious, she studied it even more and had excelled on that skill only. And that was when the accident happened, Iris one day accidentaly froze her home- resulting the death of her foster parents. Other Knights found out about her 'strangeness' and banished her away from Haven, turning her into an Exile.
Iris had spent many years in solitude and was at the edge of sanity, she continued her study and increased her obsession to the power of frost to kill the painful loneliness. Eventually she mastered the advanced skill of her power, but that wasn't enough for her, she would sneak into Haven to find one unfortunate knight as her 'test subject'. Iris experimented on many knights which resulted in most of their deaths, many tried to hunt her down but none of them ever found her. One day, a group of Exiles stumbled up on her, she thought of experimenting at them but she didn't. Knowing that they also went through something that she once went herself. Iris then joined the Exiles and had subsided her obsession of experimenting at everything... Although she now prefer to call it as a 'side hobby'.
Personality: Iris is a kind and very caring girl who cares more about her research than anything else. She is very curious and would consider in doing anything, other than that she lacks a sense of humor.
Battle Style: Iris employs Ice-based attacks in combats, using her Swift Flourish on her left hand and her right hand for casting. She is the observer type and would watch every step of the opponent to find openings and weak points, she relies on her Ice and speed.
She is very fragile and a powerful blow could easily knock her out of the fight.
Additional Facts:
-Iris had developed a strong resistance to Ice and Sleep status damage, since she procrastinate against sleep for her precious Ice research.

-Iris is capable of adding elemental properties to her weapons, but not to others.

-Iris always sleeptalks... If she ever fallen asleep.

-Iris would always avoid combat and would prefer to act as a supporter.

-She is 100% not related to Theo, Cleo or any other Gods at all.

-She loves to dissect Chromalisk and shove Everfrost at their hearts.

Name: Lyra
Race: Channeler (Fallen Valkyrie)
Faction: Unaffiliated
Gender: Female
Appearance: Normal Height, Violet Eyes + Personal Color, brick red hair, pale skin tone (tan)
Costume: Snarblox Coat (Fancy Valkyrie Wings), Crown of the Fallen
Equipment: Crown of the Fallen, Snarbolax Coat, Volcanic Plate Shield, Final Flourish, Callahan
Bio: She was originally part of the Valkyrie program, in order to test the ability of conducting energy. However, as the Keeper-Channeler debate arose, Valkyries found themselves more often than not discriminated against by Keepers. Lyra, a young girl then, escaped her home, and lived on the streets, hiding her wings. Because of her betrayal, her once-brown hair and angelic figure shifted into that of something different. Her helm, which had graced her scalp with soft warm light, become a crown of thorns. Nevertheless, she still kept these pieces of armor in secret. A young man, who did she not know, abducted her and took her to his house. There, he gave her a bed to rest in, as well as food to eat, until he found out about her wings. He sighed, and took out his old armor: the hide of a legendary creature. She then flew off, away from a possibly normal life, in order to protect this man.

She crash-landed in the countryside, where she was taken in by a few Strangers. She protested to this, but they insisted to take care of her, and so she stayed. During her time there, she felt a flicker of fire inside of her. It wasn't the fire of peace, or a benevolent flame. It was her own Flame of Hate, hate for the Keepers for forcing her to fall from grace. She was scared of it at first, until she realized that she didn't need to worry about hurting innocents; the Flames would only hit those she needed to hit. As she was practicing her abilities, the Strangers suddenly tried to choke her, and she had to burn them in order to break free. The names of "Monster!" and "Devil!" rang in her ears as she flew away again, back into the city.

There, she broke into a few homes taking weapons in order to defend herself. She faintly remembered her skills, but usually referred to her more familiar hand-to-hand combat.

Name: Unknown
Codename: Zero (surprisingly, this nickname is quite important)
Race: Keeper (Isoran)
Faction: Imperium
Gender: male
Appearance: normal height, blazing red eyes, slick midnight-black hair
Equips: Nightblade, five instantly detonatable Dark Reprisal MK II's (sort of like C4's), and an Antigua. His left arm is covered in a gauntlet, which conceals a knife, therefore doubling as a shield and extra weapon. ((Hidden blade from AC3, much?)) His belt holsters two Shadowtech Alchemer MK II's, five throwing knives, stun grenades, smokescreen grenades, three poison darts powerful enough to down a Snarbolax in half a minute, and a ballistic knife, along with two extra knives which can be used both in melee combat and as ammo for his ballistic knife. He dons a pure black robe and hood (think of a Chaos set recolor) and wears a visor/com unit that can analyze an enemy, detect hidden traps and explosives, dissect a holographic copy of a weapon for further examination, provide thermal/night/infra-red vision, and stream live Isoran music from the planet's radio stations (although he seems to steer away from the stations that play Justin Greaver more often).
Bio: Zero is an assassin for hire (although he will also perform reconaissance in some cases), a killer so deadly that he is known as the Angel of Death. He has never failed on a single mission, hence his nickname. He is a true adversary in battle, and will employ all tactics necessary to accomplish his task. His past is shrouded in mystery, and those who have asked him about it are almost never heard from again. He is brutal and a cunning tactician, showing the strategical skills to singlehandedly take down entire enemy bases in under half an hour. Despite his extremely high mental capacity, he is also highly proficient in both close quarters combat and marksmanship, showing the ability to defeat several Chanellers at the same time. His services are not cheap, and he is currently employed full time by the Imperium in a mad hunt to kill every single Chaneller. He is cold and extremely sadistic, committing acts such as carving Z's into the chests of Chanellers and killing people who so much as annoy him with one too many sentences.
(His backstory will be revealed in time, but for now it remains a secret.)
Tactics/Fighting style: Zero is an extremely skilled melee fighter, able to utilize various martial arts and weapons in perfect tandem. He is a born hunter and has a leather tread. He knows the weak points of almost every known race of Monsters, and can also tell the weaknesses of his more humanoid opponents just by observing simple things such as their gait or which parts they feel pain more in. He is knowledgable in pressure points, knowing which ones to hit for various effects; extreme pain, paralyzation, the list goes on. Zero prefers to go head on with his enemies, but is also highly capable of stalking and assassinating them without leaving so much as a drop of blood. In addition, he's a talented marksman and bomber, able to shoot a Greaver's wings off from a hundred meters away. Zero is, as one Morai referred to him, "the ultimate assassin and killing machine".

Secondary Character List

Name: Jetta
Race: Keeper (Isoran)
Faction: Imperium
Gender: Female
Appearance: normal height, almond eyes, blue personal color, lank shoulder-length black hair
Costume: Shadowsun Stetson (without bandana/mask), Dusker Coat
Equips: Magnus, Blast Bomb, Troika, Swiftstrike Buckler, Magic set
Bio: Her fighting style is mostly melee (e.g., punching people in the nose), preferring to blow stuff up with her Magnus & Irontech. She is a bounty hunter, and is not concerned about faction politics. She's mostly unconcerned with the affairs of others except when it suits her. She can often be found drinking corn-syrup soda in the local bars, if she hasn't been kicked out for antagonizing the patrons (i.e., punching their lights out).

Name: Thinslayer
Race: Keeper (Isoran)
Faction: Almire
Gender: Male
Appearance: normal height, happy eyes (hazel w/o the digital mask), cobalt personal color, short & lank blond hair
Costume: Gold Rose Chapeau w/ regal pipe, Gold Rose Tabard w/ Crest of Summer & Sunshine Aura
Equips: Drake Scale Mail, Gunslinger Hat, Swiftstrike Buckler, Flourish, Antigua, Blast Bomb
Bio: Thinslayer is a member of the Order of the Rose. He is also a very religious knight, and doesn't buy into the lore of deities and such like. He is a patient swordsman, preferring to fight defensively until his opponent gives him an opening. He is also a decent bomber and gunslinger. He used to be an Imperial citizen, but he was exiled for protecting Channelers. He has since become a citizen of Almire, and has joined the ranks of the Crusaders.

Name: Axis
Faction: Exiled (Imperium)
Channeler
Loadout: Chroma set (Recolored to black, secondary color toxic green.) com unit on mask , Toxic vaporizer Mk.II, toxic needle, nightblade, rigadoon.
Bio: Axis was always a smart mind, he might have been a bit devious at times but still was a very intellectual mind. He had some good friends and a great family, until the one day he found he was a channeler, at the time he thought it was cool, but kept it to himself. A few months later the government broke the story that Channelers were unstable and vicious and should be captured immediately. He couldn't keep his powers a secret. One accident happened, and suddenly he found his friends and family were out to get him. He fled, and he's been on the run ever since, with only his weapons and armor.

Name: Vaelyntine
Appearance: tall height, almond eyes, red personal color, golden wavy hair, blue eyes, light skin
Race: Channeler (Isoran?)
Affiliation: Exile (from the Imperium)
Costume: Violet Rose Chapeau, Angelic Raiment w/ Dusky Valkyrie Wings
Loadout: Angelic Helm/Raiment, Flourish, Blaster, Splinter Bomb
Fighting Style: When fighting up close, she dances around her opponent, using a combination of melee and blade attacks. She's not a very good swordsman yet, but is a quick learner. At range, she's a crack shot, but sometimes has the urge to toss a grenade every now and then.
Personality: She is often lighthearted and enthusiastic, but has a tendency to pick random fights with the people around her. Those who know her find her both annoying and irresistible. She also likes to tease and prank her friends on occasion.

Alice (No, not that Alice.)
Faction: Channeler, 73% Human, 27% Gremlin. Age: 15
Costume: Hallow fur coat (Heavy Bomb bandolier, Prismatic Side Blade) Hallow Winged Helm (Heavy Headband, Heavy Pipe), Closed eyes
Arsenal: Flawed Mask of Seerus (I'm Seerus about this!), Dusker Coat, Nightblade, Twisted Spine Cone.
Bio: Alice was a child who lived a relatively quiet life, but one day, she set sparks to her blanket while there were people inspecting
(For Channellers) And the parents were given one day to stay with her, before she was taken away. However, because they didn't want to live with shame, they threw their child out on the streets, and she has been searched for by the Police and Community, for she was no longer welcome.

Name: Raechal

Age: 12

Race: Channeler (Isoran)

Faction: Exile
Gender: Female

Bio: Found on the streets by Top, she was supported by him and she in return also supported him. She is a little sister to Top, and Top is like a big brother to her. She looks up to him.

Personailty: Cowardly, friendly, sarcastic.

Sat, 03/23/2013 - 00:47
#1
Thinslayer's picture
Thinslayer
Chapter 1: The Tale Begins!

The Tale Begins!
Jump to the Table of Contents

Vaelyntine looked behind her. The hunters had to be close. She lept off the edge of the rooftop and rolled to a stop at the base of the roof. The hunters reached the other edge of the roof, shouted to each other and pointed at her. She had been seen! She scrambled up and raced to the next roof, with the hunters in hot pursuit. She lept onto another one and almost lost her balance, but recovered and kept going. That stumble had lost her precious time and distance. They were getting closer; one of them had even begun firing his alchemer. She ducked under a fiery bolt and jumped over the ricochet. She came to the edge of the building, and found to her dismay that the ground was a long way down. With the hunters closing in on her, she had very little choice.

She closed her eyes and jumped.
__________________________

A tall young lady stepped off the motor horse (that's the equivalent of a motorcycle). She had long, straight, gleaming silver hair, and wore a black, loose-fitting dress that hung off her shoulders seductively. Ten Almirian knights surrounded her, demanding her surrender. She unfurled her vast wings and shot into the air, and came back down upon a hapless knight. She stabbed him in the neck and lept off of him to tackle another knight to the ground. The others were now firing at her recklessly, but she ignored them. She extended the claws in her hands, gripped the knight's skull and crushed it. She picked him up and used him as a meat shield before she threw him at his comrades. While they were down and wretching at the sight of their comrade's leaking brains, she brought her heel down upon another knight's face and caved it in. She spun and clawed out another knight's right eye and kicked him in the knees, putting him out of the fight.

The others were now sickened and enraged. They drew their brandishes and charged at her, shouting battle cries. She decided to follow suit, and let out a piercing shriek that made them cover their ears. She charged at them, clawed out a knight's throat, kicked another one in the groin, and scalped the other. She extended her tail and stabbed the three of them, and noticed the remaining four knights running away. She chuckled and shot a spray of barbs at them, impaling them and killing them instantly.

She then heard a groan coming from the knight whose eye she had clawed out. He was laying on the ground, nursing his bloodied and shredded eye. She walked up to him, knelt beside him, and gently lifted his chin with a claw. The knight weakly cried out, "Mercy! Please!" The lady let go of his chin and tilted her head. "Mercy, you ask? Why would you want mercy?" The knight simply wept, "I don't want to die! Please!" She just laughed. "You know what? I've taken a fancy to you. I won't kill you." The knight was skeptical, but breathed a sigh of relief. She continued, "I want you to go tell your little Almirian friends what a wonderful person I was for sparing your life. You can do that for me, right? The knight nodded wordlessly. She then leaned in close to his face. "Because if you don't, I may have to hunt your down again." She brushed her lips against his, but didn't kiss him. Instead, she stood up and walked away.

Now cold and lonely, the knight limped his way back to the capital city to tell his superiors about the massacre of his comrades and the unusual mercy of the Finder.
_______________

The Finder sighed, brushed back her hair, and entered through the open doorway. The guards marched outside and closed the doors. The Master rotated his throne to face the lady. "Good, I see you have received my telepathic call. Have you caught the exiled channelers?" The Finder looked down at her feet. "I...I...have not, my lord." The Master frowned. "Look me in the eyes." She looked into his eyes, and saw only coldness and anger. He continued. "Do you...know what happens when you fail?" Her knees began to quake, and she collaped on them and folded her hands. "Please...please my lord! Have mercy!" But he did not. He raised his arm, and she was forcibly transformed into the monster.

He brandished his whip. The monster whimpered, then gurgled and wept as it curled into a frightened fetal ball.

Soon, the hall was filled with the sounds of a cracking whip and the hideous screams of a hopeless, monstrous soul.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 20:03
#2
Thinslayer's picture
Thinslayer
Chapter 2: The First Group

The First Group
Jump to Table of Contents

Topoyozada, Raechal, & Vaelyntine

The lead hunter looked around with his alchemers charged and ready, but the channelers were nowhere to be found. He barked orders to his squad: "Drat! Secure the perimeter; we CANNOT let them escape!" The three saluted and ran off. He was unaware of the channelers hiding in the ventilation duct above him. Topoyozada held his breath and hugged his sister Raechal closer to his chest. The poor girl had been captured and "interrogated," and Top had broken her out. When the hunters left the room, Top and his sister made a break for the exit. They accidentally tripped the alarm, and the hunters charged back into the room. "After them!" the leader roared. As Topoyozada and Raechal ran down the alleyway, he spotted a dark figure running along the rooftops. He was running too fast to get a good look at it, but it seemed to have wings and a cavalier hat. The raiment gave it away as a woman. Maybe we could team up, he thought. An alchemer bullet shot at the woman, and the ricochet came at Top, who dodged it and kept running. Without stopping, he summoned a thunderbolt and hurled it at his pursuers. One of them dropped and rolled to put it out, but the other was unharmed and continued the pursuit. That had to be an elemental hunter, so Top surprised him with a icy shadow bolt, freezing him in place and burning him to a crisp.

But he wasn't out in the clear just yet, because the woman's pursuers could easily change course and pursue him. When he reached the intersection, he looked back. The woman was trapped at the edge of the building, and the hunters were almost on top of her. If she was going to jump, it would be a long way down, and she could be seriously hurt. Don't do it, lady. Don't do it. At that moment, her eyes met his, and they realized that they had found a kindred spirit in one another. She knelt down, spread her arms, and lept off the edge. "NO!!" Top screamed as he raced to catch her. She landed in his arms, and they rolled together under the impact. They looked into each other's eyes, but there was no time for a romantic moment, as the enforcers were attaching rappels and were sliding down to ground level.

Topoyozada and the mysterious woman both got back up, and all three darted for the polluted river, since no one in their right mind would pursue them across it. When they reached it, they heard a terrifying screech. The hunters stopped, looked back, and stepped away respectfully as a tall, anorexic, charred figure with large, razor-sharp dragon wings stepped forward. The woman in the cavalier hat whispered to Top, "It's HER! We need to get going, NOW!" But Top froze in fear, and couldn't bring himself to move. The black figure drew a long black sword resembling a Snarbolax barb and held it above her head in a horizontal position. Both channelers recognized the offensive stance. Top heard the woman whisper to him again, "Come ON! We gotta MOVE!" Without waiting for an answer, she dragged Top into the river, and Raechal jumped after them. Having regained his senses from the ugly stench of the pollution, Top began to swim with the woman across the river. The black figure sheathed her sword and summoned a white energy ball. The woman screamed, "Hold on! I know what she's gonna do!" She spread her wings and shot into the air, carrying Top and his sister with her, and the water beneath them froze over as the ice bullet hit. They landed on the ice, and the woman summoned a firebolt and hurled it at the black figure, who simply sidestepped it. They reached the other side of the river, with the figure just standing there watching them.

The woman sighed with relief. "That was intense. I'm Vaelyntine, by the way. You are?" Top bowed. "I'm Topoyozada. Pleasure to meet you. And this..." he gestured to his sister, "...is Raechal." Raechal curtsied. Vaelyntine nodded and said, "We should make our way to Almire. I hear it's safer there."

She then spotted a little gremlin in the distance. She approached it, and noted that it resembled a Ghostmane Stalker. She was hesitant to greet it, but it seemed friendly enough. She extended a hand in greeting. "I'm Vaelyntine! We just escaped some Hunters and one nasty-lookin' creature. Who are you, and why are you here?" She asked. Then Top and Raechal showed up, so Vaelyntine added, "These two are Topoyozada and Raechal. And you might be?"

"My name iz Auger," the gremlin said in a raspy, accented version of the Isoran tongue. Topoyozada interrupted, "What do you want with us?" The gremlin looked a bit irritated. "I meen no harrm. I am merzenary. I guard yoo for small price, if yoo eenterezted. I know wat Channelerz arr. I helped zome befoor. I do not keel Channelerz."

"So what do you want? Top pressed Auger. His hands started to glow. Raechal gently touched her brother's glowing hand. "Don't," she whispered, "he's trying to help us." As if realizing his peril, the gremlin quickly added, "Eet's preety daark naow. Ze Almirian borderz aren't too farr away. If wee travel now, wee be there beefoor zunrize and can find shelterr therre." Top was about to respond, but Vaelyntine beat him to it. "That would be lovely. Thank you!"

But Top still didn't trust Augur. He slipped a dagger into Raechal's hand when he and Vaelyntine wasn't looking. Much as he liked Vaelyntine, he didn't trust her either way. "When I tell you to run, run." He whispered to Raechal, and she nodded once. I was about to stab Augur with my own dagger when the Gremlin got a blade out, and assaulted some Imperium soldiers. "Help me!" Augur cried, and the next second, he disappeared from view. Well, that leaves me, Vaelyntine and Raechal. Darn it! Top threw some fireballs, and barked at Vaelyntine, "Take care of my sister!" Top charged into battle, dagger in one hand, my flaming hand in the other... well, hand. he set the ground on fire, and the the Strikers stumbled back, scared. He emerged from the flames, shooting fireballs at everyone hostile. He grinned, took one step at the last standing Striker, and fell down, shivering. Darn...I overused by powers... I look up into the barrel of a pummel gun, and everything goes black.

Thu, 03/21/2013 - 22:07
#3
Liminori's picture
Liminori
Oops.

(Wrong forum. . . somehow.)

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 08:02
#4
Thinslayer's picture
Thinslayer
Chapter 3: Auger

Auger
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Auger

On the vast open plains near The Imperial City, night had fallen. Stars were lined up in the black sky, serving as the only source of light for the dark landscape. While this place was usually peaceful, and void of life (besides the local wildlife), this night was different. A group of people were racing through the open fields, while another group was trying to gun them down from a distance.

Three Exiles were on the run. They were racing towards an abandoned Chariot (futuristic land transport) in the fields, as shots flew in their direction. Five Shock Troopers were giving chase on Motor Horses. With nothing but their legs to carry them, the Exiles would be caught in minutes. "Full speed! Don't let them reach the Chariot, or we'll never catch them!" Said one of the Shock Troopers. Just then, one of the troopers felt something push him off his Motor Horse. The trooper went tumbling to the ground.

Out of the air, a small creature wearing a grey cloak appeared, and took control of the unfortunate trooper's Motor Horse. He was Auger, a Gremlin mercenary. None of the other troopers noticed this yet. The cloaked creature pulled out a grayed-out, Winmillion blade, and launched knives at another trooper to the right. It hit the soldier in the arm, causing his Motor Horse to spin out of control.

Another trooper finally took notice, and pulled out a Zapper handgun. The soldier fired three shots in Auger's direction. The Gremlin drove his Motor Horse out of the way, and swung his Winmillion blade in retaliation. The knives hit the Shock Trooper in the neck, and his Motor Horse crashed as well. The last 2 Shock Troopers turned around and started driving in circles around Auger, firing Zapper shots at him. Auger maneuvered out of the way, but a shot hit his Motor Horse, and caused the vehicle to malfunction. Auger jumped off, and rolled on the ground.

The Shock Troopers looked behind them, and saw that the Exiles were escaping on the Chariot. "Darn it... They're getting away!" One of the Troopers said. The two of them left Auger to give chase. Despite this, Auger knew that his job was done; a Chariot was much faster than a Motor Horse.

He pulled himself to his feet, and dusted the grass off his clothes. Another job well done! Auger thought. He pulled out a small pouch given to him by the Exiles before their escape began. This should keep me fed for a few days He thought as he checked the amount inside. He grabbed his Winmillion that fell on the ground, and tucked it inside his cloak. Then, he started walking.

Where to next?... he wondered to himself. Auger found that it was better to relocate after completing a job, considering the possible hostility from others as a result of his actions.

While he walked, he noticed three solitary figures, walking away from the polluted river. What reason could those people have to be out of the city at this time of night? Are they Channelers too? Auger thought. He decided to greet them. Who knows, I might get a decent job out of this as well!

He waved his small hands at the figures, hoping that they would spot him.

One of the three figures had spotted Auger, and raced up towards him. It was a female Isoranoid being with wings. A Valkyrie... Auger thought. She wore Angelic Raiment and a Violet Chapeau. She examined him suspiciously before extending her hand in greeting.

"I'm Vaelyntine! We just escaped some Hunters and one nasty-lookin' creature. Who are you, and why are you here?" She asked. Then the other two figures showed up, so Vaelyntine added, "These two are Topoyozada and Raechal. And you might be?"

"My name iz Auger," The Gremlin said in a raspy, accented version of Isoran language. Topoyozada interrupted, "What do you want with us?" Auger thought to himself, He is quite rude, isn't he? "I meen no harrm. I am merzenary. I guard yoo for small price, if yoo eenterezted." He said. Auger was serious when he said small price, he knew that Channelers and Exiles were usually poor. "I know wat Channelerz arr. I helped zome befoor. I do not keel Channelerz." The Gremlin continued, trying desperately to gain their trust. He was completely aware, however, that the language barrier between their races was not making communication any easier.

"So what do you want?" Top pressed Auger. The boy's hands started to glow. Yep, they're definitely channelers... Auger thought. Raechal gently touched her brother's glowing hand. "Don't," she whispered, "he's trying to help us." Auger quickly responded, "Eet's preety daark naow. Ze Almirian borderz aren't too farr away. If wee travel now, wee be there beefoor zunrize and can find shelterr therre." Top was about to respond, but Vaelyntine beat him to it. "That would be lovely. Thank you!"

While the group walked through the plains, they suddenly felt a shockwave ripple through the earth beneath them. What was that? Auger thought. The Gremlin turned around and saw a white flare shoot up in the sky. A Channeler Flare? What is that Channeler thinking? He'll have the entire Imperial Army on him within the hour... Auger thought as he began heading over, with Vaelyntine and the others in tow.

Auger spotted two female Isorans; one on the ground, with bleached hair and wearing a purple Dusker coat, and the other, wearing an Angelic Raiment and glasses, forming an ice ball in her hands. They were surrounded by Imperial Strikers, brandishing Punch Guns and Hatchets. Auger thought it was time to intervene.

He drew his Winmillion blade and launched several energy knives at the group of Strikers. One went through a soldier's eye, and the other two missed. "Herlp me!" Auger shouted to Vaelyntine, Top, and Raechal as he activated his cloak and prepared to move in on the Imperial soldiers.
___________

Auger sneaked up behind a group of the Imperial Strikers. Between the death of one of their friends, and getting hit by pillars of ice coming from the ground, the soldiers were in disarray. They were firing wherever they could with their Punch Guns, no longer caring if they hit a friend and foe.

He drew his Winmillion and prepared to uncloak. However, the girl with the bleached hair from earlier had already awoken. She danced around the Strikers and dispatched them as if they were nothing. She even went so far as to lick their blood off her blade. Auger had kept himself from deactivating his Recon Cloak to watch the whole thing unfold. I definitely don't want to get on her bad side... Auger thought. The girl then left to assist the Ice Channeler, who was pinned by one of the Strikers.

Auger looked at the fallen soldiers, and saw that one of them was still alive, trying to lift his Punch Gun. He uncloaked quickly and brought the blade down on the soldier, skewering him through the exposed part of the neck. Blood leaped up and stained the sword and Auger's grey cloak. Urgh... I'm never going to get used to that.

He looked to the side and saw another Imperial Striker, aiming his gun at Topoyozada. Auger thought fast and launched several energy knives at the soldier. Two out of three hit the target, and the soldier fell to the ground. Auger moved up to the wounded Striker and finished the job, although much more messily than he would've liked.

Before anyone knew it, the fight was already over. Auger took out a fabric, and wiped the blood off of his blade and clothes, before putting his weapon away. There were still some blood stains that had dried, but Auger decided that they had bigger concerns right now.

He approached the two female Isorans, carefully so as not to startle them into attacking him, and spoke. "Thiz plaze, not zafe. Wee arr heding to Almire. Kingdom ther, zafer. Will yoo come wit us?" He said to them. I need to start learning how to pronounce better Isoran... Auger thought wistfully as he waited for a reply from the two Channelers.

The female Channeler wearing the glasses and Angelic Raiment was the first to notice him. "Color me surprised! I was about to go there myself with Amarynth!" she said in a cheerful tone. So, the one with the bleached hair is named Amarynth. Auger mentally noted. "Fine, it is better to travel in a bigger group than alone," she continued with a nod.

Auger opened his mouth to speak a reply, but was cut short by the same Channeler with the glasses. "Tell me, do you know anyone by the name of Auger? I sent him a message before. I was wondering if he received it" she said, appearing to be thinking out loud. Auger blinked at her for a few moments for two reasons. One, because Auger turned out to be a known name in the Imperium And here I thought I was doing a good job of keeping a low profile. And two, because she was unaware that Auger was a Gremlin name. Being named after tools and parts, it should be easy to tell if someone is a male Gremlin. It's the substitute for our real names in Isoran tongue, as our Gremlin names are un-pronounceable to them. He thought.

"My name iz Auger. Aye am a merzenary. If yoo zent me mezzage, it will not go enywere. Aye am not regiztered in Izoran uplink; eet no yuze to me. I deel wit peepol perzonaly. It helpz tu keep me hidden frum enemees." He explained to her.

"Wat iz yoor name?" Auger continued, extending a furry hand in what he knew to be an Isoran form of greeting.

Sat, 03/23/2013 - 00:08
#5
Thinslayer's picture
Thinslayer
Chapter 4: Codename Zero

Codename Zero
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A shot rang out in the dead of night. I heard the faint thud as the Channeler dropped lifelessly to the tile floor and smirked. Ah, yes, forty four consecutive head-shot kills. A new record. I walked over to the dead body and extracted a blood sample. Scanning it through my visor, i found the name of my victim; Rika Masamoto. I scanned the Morai's extensive library and list of channelers and marked Rika as "exterminated". After i was done, i glared down at the dead corpse and tossed it carelessly into a garbage can. I heard the voices of my "colleagues" and fellow Hunters. Trailing behind them, i took out a lollipop Ooh, Wolver Jerky flavor. Lucky me and put it in my mouth, chewing on the end as one would chew on a pack of gum. I heard Syphon bellow "AFTER THEM!" and smiled as i saw two dark figures in the air ducts above me. Finally, I would (hopefully) get the first real exercise I'd had in over a month. I casually twirled my Nightblade around and spit the lollipop out of my mouth, crushing it underfoot. Then i cracked my knuckles and gave chase, right behind my fellow Hunters. I almost laughed as one of them was fried instantly by a bolt of shadow energy. What a dolt. While the other Hunters attached rapells in their attempt to reach the ground, I did the simple thing. At least, simple for me. I jumped off the side of the bulding and ran down -yes, down as in vertically down- the walls, kicking off right before i hit the ground. I rolled and quickly regained my footing, then began running after the Channelers once more.

As I liked to say, The Hunt had begun.
_______________

I growled in annoyance at the escape of the Channelers. Syphon muttered to himself, obviously saying something I wouldn't repeat to small children. He looked cautiously at the Finder, asking, "Master, why did you see fit to intervene?" The Fallen Valkyrie responded, "Simple, the girl, she's a high interest target for the Imperium, so you'll do well not to fail next time." his shadowy master growled. She threw a file at him, "Her name is Vaelyntine, remember it, study her file, learn the ins and outs." Syphon saluted pathetically and the Finder nodded, then dematerialized into pure shadow.

Enraged, Syphon shouted, "WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?!" at one of my squadmates and grabbed him. I smirked; this wasn't an uncommon thing for him to do. Yet another temper tantrum. How could you have lost three channelers, that easily?" The poor fool knew he was doomed and stammered, 'Well sir...we...uh were caught off guard, the two that were awake were very proficient with their powers...." But was cut off.

"Not good enough." Syphon growled. I watched nonchalantly as his palms glowed a midnight black, and the Hunter's life force was sucked into Syphon's being. When the black smoke cleared, there was nothing but armor, a sword, and ash. "If you don't want to end up my next meal I suggest the remainder of you go and find those channelers!" Syphon barked. I scowled. Idiotic twit. The other Hunters saluted an ran back to the base we had established nearby. I sighed. So much for getting exercise.

The trek back to base was long and cold.
________________

I scowled at the firing range. I had been aiming for the dummy's eyes, but got him in the neck. It was probably the worst shot I had fired in over a year. I turned on my com unit and searched through the radio stations for my favorite song- and pouted when "Rabies" by Justin Greaver started playing. I sighed, thinking of how easily the Channelers had slipped through my grasp. I nearly caught one in the head, but missed. I frowned; my killstreak was ruined.

Suddenly, a signal picked up on my com unit, interrupting my thoughts. "Zero, are you there?" it asked. I snarled. Oh great. Him again. I picked up the call and responded with a hiss, "Yes. What do you want, Enforcer Tyrell?"

"Hey. No need to be snappy, Zero. I actually think you'll smile when you hear this." The Enforcer replied. He seemed quite excited, and I didn't like it.
"Is that so?" I inquired. Tyrell said in an excited voice, "We've found a Channeler GOLD MINE." My eyes widened at the prospect, and i listened closer. "Yeah. That caught your attention, didn't it? Well anyway, we can't risk bringing the entire group of forty Morai, you'll end up being spotted right away."

I laughed. Apparently, Tyrell didn't know about Syphon's little... Anger problems. I cut him off, "Syphon's already taken care of that." I heard Tyrell start to say something, but he finally realized what Syphon had done. I casually inserted a new magazine into my Antigua and said to Tyrell, "Don't worry, I've got this." I smirked and announced to the group that we were going to Almire. And once we got there, blood would wet the steps of Vanaduke's kingdom. I smiled a sadistic grin, licking my lips and savoring the feeling of ripping through flesh.

The Hunt was back on.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 22:44
#6
Thinslayer's picture
Thinslayer
Chapter 5: Alice & Equinox

Alice & Equinox
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Equinox

I walk down the streets, listening to the people scream at me and spit in my direction. "Channeler!" they scream. I keep my hat down as I keep walking, heading in the direction of the Forest. "Halt! Who are you?" a hunter leader stands before me, pointing his sword to my chest. I pull out my Fancy Pipe and inhale some steam before I blow it in his face as I reply, "I am Equinox, the Channeler." the smoke suddenly let's loose an electric bolt from my mouth, and I walk past the hunter as he stutters. "Seize him." he stutters, and falls to the floor.

I keep walking as hunters run out from the allies, waving their swords about. I let loose a gleam from my eye towards the hunters, and wave my hand to throw up Mist from the ground. They look around, unable to see me as I run away, my Snipes cawing after the hunters like laughter.

I run over the bridge and come to the guards at the gate. I raise both hands and let them freeze before I hobble into the Forest, heading in the direction of home. I am starving as I grab my stomach in agony. The Wolvers eye me like I could be their next meal. I glare at them viciously, and they cower. I throw a Freeze Sigil at them, and they are frozen as I stab one with my Striker. I will have to get rid of the weapon, but I can always get another. I stab a second, and decide that two will be enough. I toss my weapon as far as I can, and am surprise when the wind pick up and it stabs itself into the bridge beyond the gate. I sling the two Wolvers over my back, and head deeper. Home is close.

I walk down the path, getting closer to a bridge. I reach the bridge of white roots and adjust the Wolvers on my shoulder as I stare forward at about a half acre of a pure white forest. The Forest of the Dead. The Imperium and Keepers all hold this land as sacred ground. So naturally, no one comes here. The plants are filled with horrible reminders of the War. Every living thing here thrives on not water, but blood, which fills the soil underneath. I walk for a bit until I come to a large stone. If anyone looked close enough, they would see the holes near the bottom of the boulder.

I weakly push it up and walk into the entrance to my humble home. Wood is strapped to the walls by white roots that happened to be there when I dug this place up. A small hole sits at the left of the room. My bed. And at the middle of the room an unlit campfire sits in wait. My kitchen. I light the wood with Fire Sigils as I let the boulder fall and cover the hole. I skin the Wolver with a sharp rock I have near the fire and cook.
________________

I step outside with a strip of Wolver meat in my fist as I finish off the food. Leaves fall from the trees in a peaceful manner as I climb atop the boulder and cross my legs to meditate. I pull energy from the ground and into myself for later use.

I send out a weak energy pulse, and find a person near this location. A hunter maybe? No, they wouldn't journey this far. I can only assume it's a person in need of help. I jump off the stone and summon a Stun Sigil under my feet, which propels me into the air. I summon another Stun Sigil behind me and push my feet off of it, flying forwards with the extra boost. I land and walk, lighting my pipe along the way. I see a girl and a Finder, looking at each other fiercely. I stand behind a tree as I ready my pipe with a red glow. I walk into the clearing.

"What seems to be going on here?" I chastise, crossing my arms and tipping my pipe in the Finder's direction. "You have permission to be here? This is near a sacred place, ma'am...." I walk quickly over and blow on my pipe extremely hard, fire erupting from it's tip and getting in the lady's face. She claws at her face as I grab the hand of the girl and drag and run with her, away from the wicked woman. "My name is Equinox," I say to her as we run. "What's yours?" She looked back, then responded, "My name is Alice." I nodded. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance!"

I pull the girl across the bridge of roots and into the Forest of the Dead. I lead her to the boulder and lift it up, ushering her in, "Stay in there in case the creature gives chase." I lay the boulder back down over the tunnel. I climb atop it, and stretch out my palms, pulling energy back into myself to be prepared. The petals fall calmly from the trees and sunlight streams through the leaves and flowers from the treetops. It would all be beautiful if not for the constant reminder these plants thrive on death.

I gasp in surprise as I see the petals form into a Valkrie-like figure.

"Hello, madame. What brings you to my humble home." I bow slightly, showing my respect. "I have come to warn you. In three days time a group of impure beings will enter this place. They know of your location. Go to Almire, and find Sanctuary there. Once you get there tell Lord Vanaduke this for me; Eden is returning. Once you tell him those words, stay in Almire until I inform you otherwise. Take the girl with you. She will also need protection. I need you to tell Lord Vanaduke another thing; The Nether Realm has opened. Good Luck Equinox." She turns her head to the skies, and the petals fall from her to the ground.

I stand there in silence before I come to my senses and lift up the boulder and walk inside. "I hate to tell you this, but we are going to have to leave soon. I will cook you some dinner." I move over to the fire, and at the center a Shadow Steel plate sits with hunks of Wolver meat on it.

"It's almost ready," I smile. "You and I are heading to Almire. Unless, of course, you seek sanctuary here. But there are people heading towards here, and it's no longer safe."
_______________

Alice

Alice slowly walked towards the polluted river. There was a beautiful woman standing next to it (she had transformed from her disfigured form to humanoid). Alice thought to herself, Who could that be? Never mind, I'll just look like a civilian to her. The woman said, "Please leave. We are having problems with criminals and channelers." Alice asked, "Oh really? I actually had some business to take care of near the Forest of the Dead." The woman tilted her head. "Really? What kind of business might you have there?" Alice replied, "A little snipe told me to meet someone there. I'd have to cross through there anyways if I was going to Haven via an offroad path." The woman raised an eyebrow. "And why aren't you using the roads?" Alice said, "In all honesty, it's because I don't have a transport, and am not expecting one. I'll now take my leave if you please."

Before she could do so, the woman had grabbed Alice by the hair and drew close to her. "It's illegal to visit the Forest of the Dead." Alice grinned and replied, "No it's not." The woman brought a claw to Alice's neck. "It is if I say so."

Alice fingered the trigger of her sheath and pulled. She let the sword shoot out of her sheath freely and cut her own hair. "Hair is not the best means to keep somebody still. Now, I won't say it again, but I am leaving in that direction, and you won't stop me, unless you intend to follow me," she said while putting her sword back in it's sheath. The Finder smiled and laughed. "Go on girl, run away." Alice was a little unnerved, but forced herself not to show it. "If you try to pursue, I'll fight you. If you make me fight, I will only block your every move." The Finder just laughed again. "No worries, darling. I won't pursue you yet. It makes the chase more fun if the prey gets a head start!"

_______________

Alice fled into the Forest of the Dead. She tried not to let the Finder get to her, but she couldn't help looking behind herself every now and then just to make sure she wasn't being followed. She had a sinking feeling she was. Something rustled the bushes beside her, and she lept out of her run and slid to a halt to listen. Nothing. She saw a figure up a head (Equinox), but before she could reach it, something tackled her and clawed at her throat. She kicked it off and got a good look at it.

It was hideous. It looked as if someone had dunked it in dried black grease from a grill, starved it to death, and attached bony dragon wings and a Snarbolax tail. This creature must have suffered some serious burns to have skin that charred. It briefly vomited some ugly black stuff, then returned to its deathly stare at her. Alice almost pitied it.

Then an odd-looking life form, taller than anything Alice had ever seen, ran up to them, grabbed Alice by the hand, and ran with her to the Forest of the Dead. As they ran, the stranger told her, "My name is Equinox; what is yours?" Alice checked to see whether the Finder was following, then said, "My name is Alice." Equinox replied, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance!"
_______________

Equinox

I pull the girl across the bridge of roots and into the Forest of the Dead. I lead her to the boulder and lift it up, ushering her in, "Stay in there in case the creature gives chase." I lay the boulder back down over the tunnel. I climb atop it, and stretch out my palms, pulling energy back into myself to be prepared. The petals fall calmly from the trees and sunlight streams through the leaves and flowers from the treetops. It would all be beautiful if not for the constant reminder these plants thrive on death.

I gasp in surprise as I see the petals form into a Valkrie-like figure.

"Hello, madame. What brings you to my humble home." I bow slightly, showing my respect. "I have come to warn you. In three days time a group of impure beings will enter this place. They know of your location. Go to Almire, and find Sanctuary there. Once you get there tell Lord Vanaduke this for me; Eden is returning. Once you tell him those words, stay in Almire until I inform you otherwise. Take the girl with you. She will also need protection. I need you to tell Lord Vanaduke another thing; The Nether Realm has opened. Good Luck Equinox." She turns her head to the skies, and the petals fall from her to the ground.

I stand there in silence before I come to my senses and lift up the boulder and walk inside. "I hate to tell you this, but we are going to have to leave soon. I will cook you some dinner." I move over to the fire, and at the center a Shadow Steel plate sits with hunks of Wolver meat on it.

"It's almost ready," I smile. "You and I are heading to Almire. Unless, of course, you seek sanctuary here. But there are people heading towards here, and it's no longer safe." I then stepped outside to gather spices to put on Alice's wolver meat. Then I spotted a woman dressed in a hood and cloak, who approached me cautiously.

The woman explained that she got separated from her party, was lost, and wanted to stay the night because Wolvers had stolen her food. Considering that we'd just been pursued by the Finder mere hours ago, I was naturally suspicious. But I decided not to let her know that. "Certainly! Come on in." I showed her inside, where Alice was heartily enjoying her Wolver meal. I introduced them both. "Ma'am, this is Alice. Alice, this is...?" The woman paused for a moment, then said, "Vera. My name's Vera." It took her a while to remember her name. Vera added, "Pleasure to meet you, Alice." They shook hands, and Vera sat down next to Alice, who asked, "So, what happened to your party?"

Vera sighed. "We were trying to escape from the Imperial city, and found ourselves crossing through this strange forest. I sprained my ankle, but they were all chatting and didn't stop to help me. I recovered on my own, but I never found them again, and as far as I know, they haven't come back for me."

I was skeptical of the story. "Then how come I never saw them passing through?" Vera looked at me as if I was stupid. "It's a large forest." I nearly smacked myself upside the head. Vera then returned her attention to Alice. "Where are you from?" Alice looked down and sighed. "I'm kinda from the Imperium, but only in a loose sense, because nobody there really wanted me. I was very young when I accidentally set fire to my blanket during an inspection, and I got taken away from my parents and forced to live on the streets."

Vera seemed completely unmoved. "Why'd you do that to your blanket during an inspection? That was kinda stupid." Alice was taken aback by that, but replied, "Yes, it was pretty stupid. I still regret that day." Still unmoved, Vera added, "You should. Hopefully, you've learned from your mistakes?" Alice was even more shocked. "Uh...yeah?" Vera smiled. "Good! You'll be a better person for it." She took a slice of wolver meat and tasted it. "Not bad, sir" she said, complimenting Equinox's cooking. "I taste a hint of blaze pepper and a sprinkling of forbidden fruit." Well, I can't fault her for not having sensitive taste.

But I figured it was time for her to leave. She'd been less-than-cordial to my guest. "Can I set you up with a pack of food and send you on your way?" Vera laughed and replied, "Thanks, but that won't quite do. There seems to be a storm coming." I stepped outside, and sure enough, I could see the storm clouds forming. I closed the door and sighed. "Okay, scratch that idea. I'll make your bed."

As I straightened the sheets on the guest bed, I heard the front door close. I stepped down to the ground floor and looked out the front window. The creature was attacking Alice again! I tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. It had sealed shut. That woman! She must have been the Finder! How could I have been so blind!? I summoned a fireblast and destroyed the door, but when I finally got outside, the Finder and Alice were nowhere to be found.

I curse as I grab my travel sack and race out the door. I sling the travel bag onto my shoulder, and walk down the path. Why would I be so foolish? I kick a white stone, it hitting a tree enough to scrape it, showing the red beneath the tree. The cut almost instantly heals. I keep walking, exiting the Forest of the Dead, and entering the common Forest to see a troop of hunters in front of me. I sigh. "Hello, what might you be heading off to?" I ask politely.

He raises his Valiance. "Shut up and come with us to Dread Imperium, or suffer eternity"

"Don't try and threaten me. Ever." darkness wraps around me, my eyes and grinning mouth the only light escaping. I raise my hands up, and spread my palms outward. A Curse flows outward and takes all the hunters by surprise. I jump into a tree as a Mist releases from the ground, and I cackle and throw my voice in directions as they swing their weapons blindly. The magenta fire explodes from them and destroys them, and I watch the last one crumple to the ground. I feel the darkness leave my body, and feel slightly feverish.

I drop down and continue walking, keeping my hat down. I rub thoughtfully on my arm, feeling the energy-symbol branded into my arm when the Strangers Exiled me. I walk along and see some people gathering over a feverish Channeler. I duck behind a tree. Peeking a little, I see five characters. Leaves fall behind them, as they remain completely unaware of the phenomenon, and form the Valkyrie I saw earlier. She giggles, and points to them to show she approves if I arrange with them a pact. She dissipates, and I am left with a choice...

I think I will observe them a little longer. I climb up into the tree, and peer down.
______________

Alice

Someone shoved Alice awake, and she opened her eyes to a dark, dreary prison cell. "Wakey wakey! Time for your morning operation." Alice looked up and saw that strange, beautiful woman she'd met earlier. "Where am I?" asked Alice. "You're in an Imperium prison. Time to go meet my Master." She heaved Alice to her feet and escorted her to a large, dark torture room with a throne at the very end. The throne rotated to reveal the scariest-looking man Alice had ever seen. He wore a Phantom Mask over blackened & charred Almirian Crusader armor, and carried a long metal staff with a strange-looking crystal ball at the end of it. He stood up and approached Alice. "Shall we begin?" he asked the woman in a deep, hollow voice. He then addressed Alice. "Would you like to join us, dearest?" "Heck no, you creep! I don't care what you do to me, I'm not joining you!" Both the Master and the Finder laughed. The Finder then said, "Looks like you've finally grown a backbone!" She suddenly dug her claws into Alice's back.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 22:43
#7
Thinslayer's picture
Thinslayer
Chapter 6: Amarynth

Amarynth
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"When, oh when will it come out~
In the night of-"

I was in the middle of singing softly to myself and gazing up at the sky when a voice cried out.
"Hey! Channeler! Seize her!", a voice cried out. I peeked over the edge of the garden where I was, and saw a flurry of government agents run up the path to the entrance, guns pointed at me.
"Hm? What do you want?", I ask shyly, silently loading my Toxic Needle behind my back, just in case.
"The government has issued an order that all Channelers must be eradicated as soon as possible. Please come with us", one of the Knights said in a business-like manner. I start giggling, confused expressions coming on their faces. Standing up, I flick my wrist upwards. A myriad of icicles pierces their chests, alerting other Hunters of my presence.
"Uh oh, looks like I made a mess", I say innocently, beginning to run. I jump off the ledge of the garden, hitting the ground running. The Hunters start shooting at me. A couple of them make contact, causing me to grab my side. I whip my Toxic Needle out, spraying a flurry of syringes at them. Two fall, but one's still chasing me.
"Catch me if you can!" I call out happily, sending another icicle hurtling towards his chest and killing him. More Hunters seem to come out of nowhere, shooting at me. A few more shots make contact, and one hits my leg, causing me to trip and skid on the ground. I struggle to get up, but a heavy boot comes down on my head, and my arms are pinned down.

"Not so fast, you sadistic little creep", the Hunter sneers.
"Heyyy, that hurts!", I whine a little. It did hurt though.
"Come on, you brat. Let's get you to the executi-", he starts saying, but stops when I turn my palm towards him and lodge an icicle into his head. The other Hunters take their boots off of me in surprise, giving me the chance to get my Striker out and slash at them. I down a couple, healing my injury, and sprinting towards the West entrance. I shoot the guards stationed at the gate, and dash through, making it out on the open prairie. I glance back, and it seems nobody's chasing me anymore.
Sighing in relief, I start walking through the endless fields, when I spot the tiny silhouettes of other people in the distance.
"Who could they be? Friends?", I ask myself innocently. I start walking in their direction in an attempt to see if they are friendly. I'm a little feverish from all the fighting back there, but I make my way towards them as best as possible, taking my hood off and stuffing it in my pocket.

The wind feels nice in my hair.

I put the back of my hand on to my forehead, seeing if I had Overheated. My skin was blazing hot. I start feeling a little tired... but I have to catch up with those people, I want them to be my friends...

I rummage around inside of my bag, but I can't find anything other than a bottle of expired medicine and a chunk of bread, the latter of which I eat to try to help the hunger pains I also had.

"Hey! Wait up!", I call out to the figures in the distance. I run a little faster, and I seem to get closer with each step. Within five minutes, my fever intensifies. I fall on the ground, panting and trying to catch my breath. It feels twenty times hotter than the summer night that it is. I knew I shouldn't have used my Channeling so much.

Raising my shaking hand towards the sky, I put my first and index finger together, creating a flare of white light with the last of my strength, which stays in the sky, and sends a shockwave throughout the area. I fall back down under the wildflowers and grasses, the Overheat getting to a point where I find my eyes being unable to stay open. My body relaxes as I drift off into a feverish sleep, breathing heavily.

I hope somebody can find me.
_____________

"Is she dead?" I could hear a Hunter talking right above me. I kept my eyes shut, intending on playing dead as long as possible. As I woke up, I could tell that my fever had subsided, and I was fine, except for what felt like a small headache.
"Check her temperature. If she's not cold as ice, I'll come over and take care of that", a surly voice said, presumably a Squad Captain.
"Yes, sir." I can feel his presence over me as he bends down, reaching for my wrist.

Now.

My eyes snap open and I jump up, punching the Hunter square in the jaw. He falls down on the ground, and I duck from the subsequent spray of bullets from the Hunters' guns.
"Make sure she's killed!", the Captain roared. "No mistakes!"

I can hear them moving towards me, and I take out my Striker. Holding it sideways, I jump up and dart to the squad's back, slashing at a few and taking them out of commission for good. I charge up an icicle in my free hand, splitting it and impaling the other two. The Captain faces me, firing a flurry of bullets from his Valiance. I manage to dodge most of them, but one grazes my face, stinging a little. He tries to fire, but he looks at his gun in disbelief as it makes a clicking sound.
"Tsk tsk, bad little children never go unpunished", I say, grinning. I rush towards him, Striker poised. He shrieks, and my knife plunges straight into his stomach. I pull it out, and lick off the blood, my sadistic side relishing the taste.

Suddenly, I hear a coughing noise from my left. I quickly glance over, and I see another Hunter standing in front of a blonde-haired girl in an Angelic Raiment, frozen in disbelief. His hands curl into fists as he yells at me.
"How dare you kill my Captain, you filthy Channeler!" He raises his gun and shoots at me, the bullet miraculously missing by a long shot, to my relief.
"Don't worry, you'll see him soon", I mutter, flicking an icicle straight into his head. He falls over, blood pouring out of the hole in his face.

I quickly run over to the girl, my normal, childish side coming back.
"Hey, hey! Are you alright, friend?", I ask, reaching my hand out. I help her up, and she nods.
"Great~! My name is Amarynth, who might you be?"

"My name is Iris, and I'm glad to make friends with you Amarynth!", she answered. She seemed pretty friendly.
"Follow me, I know a safe pla-" We both stiffened as we heard a movement, and I crouched behind Iris as she held her Flourish in a defensive position. Suddenly, a Gremlin uncloaked. A gremlin. Something inside my head made me really... scared? I don't know. I've never known or even fought a Gremlin, I just read about them in books, which said they were friendly. So why was I scared? Maybe it was something in my childhood. The childhood I can't remember? It can't be...

"Tell me, do you know anyone by the name of Auger?", Iris asked the Gremlin eventually. I couldn't hear the rest, as I was distracted by something else to my left.

I look over in that direction, and see a Knight collapsed on the ground. I rush over to him while Iris and the gremlin are speaking and check him. He's feverish, and seems to be muttering. I put a small layer of ice on his head to cool him off and send a small energy pulse throughout his body to try to wake him up. It seems to work. He moans a little, and opens his eyes.

"Hey, hey, what happened? Are you alright? Can you stand?", I ask him repeatedly, shaking him a little. I hear a shout from behind me.
"Top! Topozayada!" Looking behind me, I see a girl very similar to Iris, but with a Violet Rose Chapeau and Valkyrie Wings, and young girl in shabby-looking close and dark hair.
"I-is he alright?!", the younger girl says, crouching down next to the Knight.
"Yeah, I'm fine...", he says, wincing a little as he gets up. Thank goodness.
"You know, you shouldn't charge into battle without a little backup. Right, Raechal?", the girl with the Chapeau said.
"I agree, sometimes you're so reckless", the girl, presumably named Raechal said, looking down at him.
"Hi hi! I'm Amarynth, who are you guys?", I ask them. I remember what Iris said about the safe place again. "One of my new friends over there said she knows a safe place for us." I point over to her, and the Knight I found, named Topoyazada, nodded and started walking over. I follow them shortly after.
"Hey hey, I found some more friends, Iris!", I yell to her.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 19:48
#8
Thinslayer's picture
Thinslayer
Chapter 7: Iris

Iris
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Iris knew that she wasn't herself today, she haven't been able to do some of her 'little experiment' since last month due to her crisis of crown. However, she forced herself to continue reading even knowing that she couldn't.

"-Slightest effects of internal freezing would caaaaause oh my god I can't do this!" Iris screamed as she froze the book with her right hand, she then proceeded to throw it across the room resulting millions of ice shards scattered all over the wall. If this keeps up, I won't hesitate to use my friends as an experiment! Iris thought to herself as she stormed out of the room, the cold breezy wind touched her cheeks as she entered the Garden, a large open space with a small replica of Haven's fountain and an addition of decorative plants and flowers arranged neatly around the benches.

"What's wrong Iris?" a knight approached her, he was carrying a sleeping Wolver pup on his arm and could notice that it had grabbed the attention of Iris. "Before you think about anything, I won't allow it to be used for your personal hobby," the knight continued. "And I persume that you will be taking care of it?" Iris asked as she strokes the Wolver gently with her fingers, "Don't worry, I have no intentions of doing experiments with this little one... Maybe until it is older..."

The knight laughed and patted Iris' shoulder, "I'll take that as a warning... Oh and if you're that desperate, you can always get in contact with him..." he smiled and stroked the Wolver's head. "Who is this 'him' you mentioned?" Iris asked the knight.

"Auger, a mercenary who is reliable and always gets the job done... Luckily he is known for giving less charges for us Channelers, knowing our financial issues," the knight answered Iris, "Tell me Iris... You have financial issues yourself right?"

"One must first know their flaws before pointing at other's," Iris huffed and crossed her arms. "What?" the knight asked in confusion, Iris smiled and pointed at the knight's arm- which is now wet from the Wolver pup's pee. He let out a silent scream and rushed inside with an embarrassed look on his face.

"Auger..." Iris repeated the name, "Maybe he might find something interesting on his journey..."

With those words, Iris reached to her HUD link and sent Auger a message:

"If you managed to find something interesting, or perhaps anything (preferably a fresh corpse). Bring it to me, I will be at the base for now.

-Channeler.

And that was when Iris saw it, a white flare in the sky... She could easily tell the difference of this one, this belongs to a Channeler. A distress signal? A trap? A I-am-here-catch-me? Iris thought to herself, Whoever it is- That person must have did that to catch someone's attention...

Without wasting time, Iris grabbed her Angelic Raiment and her Swift Flourish, she knew that combat might be inevitable- but saving lives is much more important than wasting them. She rushed outside the base, into the woods and into the prairie- where she found a girl laying unconscious on the grass.

"Oh dear..." Iris bit her lip, she rushed towards the girl and touched her forehead- She is suffering from a strong fever, perhaps from over using her channeling power. "It's okay, Iris is here to help you..."

Iris smiled and concentrated part of her channeling powers at the palm of her hand, she may not be an excellent healer but she knew that this will cool down the overheating. She touched the girl's forehead and transferred a weak wave of ice at her, I guess this'll cool it down for now-

Iris could feel presences, a presence of hostile people. She turned her head to see who it was- knights, pointing their guns and blades at them both.

"Found you... Freak!" one of them roared, "I'll kill you for what you did to me!" the knight pointed at his forehead- which has a large hole showing the contents of it.

"Alas, I knew that I should have stayed back at the base..." Iris sighed and aimed her right hand at the group of Hunters, "Tell me, did you know that Ice are eternal? Perhaps your corpse will be the first to show the prove!"

She then saw a gremlin and several Isoranoid figures running her way. Friend or foe? The gremlin shot three knives at the hostiles; one struck a soldier's eye, and the other two missed. Definitely a friend. "Herlp me!" he spoke in an unusual accent as he clutched it. The gremlin then activated his cloak and disappeared, moving closer to the hunters.

"H-hey! Where are you?" Iris looked around to find the Gremlin who had disappeared earlier, "This is so not my day!" she continued while placing the palm of her hand at the ground, summoning three ice pillars which caught some of the Hunters. Iris leapt to the air and tumbled down next to the girl she helped before, "Wake up! This is no time to sleep!"

"Caught you!" one of the hunters grinned as he brought down his blade at Iris, leaving a long but thin cut on her back. Iris screamed in pain and fell to the ground, the hunter grabbed her neck and proceeded to strangle her. "H-help!" Iris gagged as she tried to free herself from the string grip, she knew that she was a powerful Channeler. But when it comes to physical contact- she is as fragile as Ice.

This is why I should've stayed at the base...
_____________

The next thing Iris knew was that the Hunter had released her, she tried to catch her breath but ended up coughing instead. She turned around to see what was going on, the girl she saved earlier had dispatched the enemy with ease. Now what was left of the remaining enemy is the Hunter frozen in disbelief right in front of her.

"How dare you kill my Captain, you filthy Channeler!" the Hunter raised his gun and send a bullet flying towards the girl, which luckily she dodged it. "Don't worry, you'll see him soon," the girl muttered as she conjured an icicle on her hand, she flicked it and the ice pierced the Hunter's forehead. He fell to the ground dead as blood slowly poured from the hole in his face.

The girl then rushed towards Iris and smiled at her,"Hey, hey! Are you alright, friend?" the girl asked Iris as she tried helping her up. "Well, to the fact that you just saved me from those Hunters that almost killed me, then I believe that I am alright, thank you," Iris smiled, "Playful, Innocent and a girl...I swore that she isn't the only kind of person like that..." she thought to herself while trying to balance herself.

"Great~! My name is Amarynth, who might you be?" Amarynth asked her. "My name is Iris, and I'm glad to make friends with you Amarynth," Iris answered, "May I ask you of how you provoked those Hunters?"

"We can resume our conversation later," Iris smiled as she took Amaranth by the hand, "Follow me, I know a safe place-" she paused and let go of Amaranth's hand. "Oh jolly, more company..." Iris thought to herself while grabbing the handle of her flourish. She sensed something- or someone to be precise, she turned around to see the same gremlin that fought with her before.

"Thank Vog it's just him..." Iris smiled and let her guard down. The gremlin approached both her and Amaranth carefully, "Thiz plaze, not zafe. Wee arr heding to Almire. Kingdom ther, zafer. Will yoo come wit us?" he spoke in an unusual accent. "Color me surprised! I was about to go there myself with Amaranth!" Iris answered as she nodded her head, "Fine, it is better to travel in a bigger group than alone,"

"Tell me, do you know anyone by the name of Auger?" Iris asked the gremlin as she checked her HUD, "I sent him a message before... I wonder if he had received it..."

"My name iz Auger. Aye am a merzenary. If yoo zent me mezzage, it will not go enywere. Aye am not regiztered in Izoran uplink; eet no yuze to me. I deel wit peepol perzonaly. It helpz tu keep me hidden frum enemees." He explained to her. "Wat iz yoor name?" Auger continued, extending a furry hand in what he knew to be an Isoran form of greeting.

Iris was still dumbstruck of her founding, she just stared at the Gremlin for a while and broke into a smile. "Oh that just makes things easier!" Iris giggled and shook Auger's hand wildly, "Oh you don't know that I have been searching for you! I thought that you would be an Isoran or something similar! Have you come across anything special? Oh wait-wait-wait! Where are my manners? My name is Iris and I am ever soooo delighted to be your acquaintance! Now, let's go back to business! Have you acquired anything that was once living? Like perhaps a corpse of a Channeler! I always wanted to experiment on th-" Iris paused and looked at Auger who got lost from the conversation, "Oh... sorry that I confused you... to put it simply, I have been searching for you... because I needed more corpses and creatures to experiment with,"

Sun, 03/24/2013 - 22:08
#9
Thinslayer's picture
Thinslayer
Chapter 8: Lyra

Lyra
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A small shadow flapped its wings quickly, flying quickly through the legs of merchants and people. The silhouette slammed its palm into the floor, and twisted its direction towards an alley. With a push, the figure shot off into the dark alley, followed by a gust of wind. The shadow slowed down, and then crashed into the cobblestone floor. The darkness wrapping around the figure slid off, as water does on leaves, revealing a girl in a simple trenchcoat. Her feet were bare, and her face in tears. She tried getting up again, but tripped, and fell. Her left arm was engulfed in a purplish-black flame, and that flame spread out to her shoulder, before subsiding.

"I don't want to die...I don't want to die...I don't want to die..." she sobbed to herself, her voice growing softer and softer. It was true, she valued her life, and she was afraid of death as a child is afraid of the dark. It only made sense that she had done so, but something else was forming in her mind.

If you want to live, run, fly, do whatever it takes. Don't stop movi-

The voice was interrupted by something clicking behind her.

The girl, still sobbing, curled herself up into a ball. Was it her pursuers? Or was it something else?

It was morning when she awoke again. Apparently nothing harmful had befell her, and she had frightened herself into unconsciousness. The girl got up again, heaved out a sigh, and climbed up the nearby wall. When she had reached the top, there were a flock of doves on the roof. The flock simultaneously turned their heads towards her, and slowly made a niche for her to rest in. Although she was a Fallen Valkyrie, she still retained the characteristic of emitting peace. It was what had made the Valkyries so popular in the first place. Being in the presence of one filled a person's heart with contented dreams, and cleared all anxiety from the mind. Lyra propped herself up on the shingles, and looked out over the city. The murmurs of vehicles, generators, and talking filled her ears, even if it was only an echo. The sun was blanketed by an ocean of clouds, which had put her in a state of serenity. Normal Valkyries were usually never calm; most were vibrant or depressing, depending on the light conditions. However, falling from grace opened a massive spectrum of emotions aside from the Valkyries' normal behavior. There were ups to some downs...

The flock of doves suddenly flew away, alerting Lyra of an incoming person. She saw a flash in front of her, causing her to flinch backwards. The shingles in between her feet exploded, sending ceramic shrapnel all over the place. Immediately, she rolled away, and ran towards the end of the rooftop. From there, she opened her wings, resembling that of a raven's, and kicked off. Several more blasts rang around her body, and she felt fragments singe her wings. She paid no mind, however, and struggled to fly higher. If she got out of the range, she would be safe.

How wrong she was. She was now out of the urban areas of the city, somewhat safer in the suburbia. However, this came with heavy costs.

Lyra stood in front of a burning mass of bodies, charred with the purple-black flames. Cuts and bruises were all over her, and a Callahan's stake was still hanging through her torso. The Fallen Valkyrie turned around, and limped her way down the street. She clutched the stake, and pulled it out of her body. Blood spurted out like crazy, but the pain itself seemed dull. Whether it was from fatigue, or another force, she didn't know why things felt so, numb. Black flames erupted from the wound, until it seemed to have sealed itself. Her very fibers felt like they were being rewoven, repaired, until she had felt all better again. Her clothing, however, could not be said to be in the same position. Her trenchcoat was in tatters, and her leggings torn.

Have to find someone to sew this back up, she reminded herself as she began to pace down the street faster. It was around dawn, and people were beginning their commute to the city. It was only a matter of time before someone recognized her, for Channelers had hefty rewards. Lyra concealed her wings, walking even more briskly as the sun began to climb up into the sky. A little kid came screaming out of the house, saw her, and ran back to his mother. At this point, Lyra made a full sprint, and didn't stop to look at the people around her. She stomped her foot on the ground, and kicked off to fly. From what she could see, the rural areas weren't far away; it was only 15 miles, if not 20, away. She flapped her wings, and began her desperate escape from the suburbia. The sounds of sirens began to wail as she climbed higher...

Lyra never made it out of the suburbia. She was resting in someone's attic, presumably a family's, and was sitting in a corner, trying to get some sleep. Her wings were wrapped around her, as if trying to hide her body from the very air. She had removed three stakes that were in her leg, and was sealing back her wounds, when she felt her stomach rumble. She hadn't eaten in days, and she was using a lot of her power. If she burned out of energy, she was as good as dead. The midnight sun (the moon) was high in the dark sky, a host of stars dancing about the sphere. Lyra crawled as best she could towards the attic's door, and slowly cracked it open. The hallway was dark, all the lights off.

The Fallen Valkyrie opened the door all the way, and dragged herself over, until she fell out of the attic. A loud thump could be heard throughout the house, and so she waited before making her next move.

There was only the suspense of silence. Lyra looked around the dark to see which way should go, and followed the marble floor down into the living room. She slowly got up, and limped into a small kitchen. Hunger took over her, and she flung open the doors and refrigerators for food, causing a loud racket. But she didn't care. She grabbed a box of cereal, and took an orange off the counter before opening the back door. There was a click behind her, causing her to stop in her steps. She turned around, but saw nothing. She slowed down her pace, and shut the door quietly.
__________

It had been about an hour since she had walked down the road, and now a sickly green ribbon bordered the yellow shine of the day and the gleaming blue of the night. Lyra was munching on the cereal, bouncing down the road. She was quite content now, since her hunger had been eased. The night air had cooled her body down, and a light breeze was picking up. In the city, the air was a lot more polluted, and breezes only occurred before a heavy storm. Here, in the neighborhoods, the very air itself was mild. Not too cold, not too hot, just about right. By the time she reached the intersection, she was skipping down, on a cheerful outlook. She had stripped off most of her clothing, besides her shorts and t-shirt, and allowed her wings to be revealed very clearly. This continued for a bit, until she turned a corner, straight into an Enforcer. After rubbing her nose from bumping into his chest, she looked up to see a massive hulk, glaring right back at her.

"Going somewhere, miss?" the giant asked her, his voice like that of a Snarbolax's.

"Um," Lyra mumbled, backing off a few steps. She crouched down and kicked off. Or at least, tried to.

The massive Enforcer grabbed her leg, causing the girl to go into a frenzy of feathers and punches. He ignored the hits as if they were massaging his face.

"Me and my buds were goin' ta look for a dolly just like you," he explained, dragging her along the sidewalk as they went. "Apparently you dahlings catch a hefty price in the department. Though, you seem kinda flimsy to be a hard catch lak dey say. Juss' fast, ya know what I'm sayin'?"

Lyra only kicked at his wrist again and again, which was like kicking a wall. Her dirty foot stained his surprisingly clean coat, but he paid no mind.

"Hey, dolly," the Enforcer went on, a bit surprised at something Lyra couldn't see, "do ya see dat?"

Lyra stopped, and curled up. A white light was flickering at the end of the street, as if it was a flame. Suddenly, a thin jet pierced through the Enforcer's torso, engulfing him in white flames. The shock from the sudden hit made him release his grip, and Lyra flew off. She turned to find a Valkyrie, fully clothed in Seraphic Mail, concentrating fire onto the Enforcer.

"Go!" she said, before returning her focus on the big man. The Enforcer walked casually at her, still on fire, and punched the Valkyrie in the gut, barehanded. In that single hit, the Valkyrie was on the floor, the light of the flames gone.

Lyra turned, and flapped her wings farther away. She knew she wanted to help, but fighting that monster was impossible; he was simply too strong for her to beat.

Lyra glided through the cold air, the sun shining coldly down on her face. She was a couple of thousands of feet up in the air, where the oxygen was thinner, but the air cooler. Her wings only generated a small amount of heat, but she had been flapping them for hours now. If she tried to continue flying at a lower altitude, she would have been overheated.

She slowly pulled out an orange, gripping it as best she could, and cut into it the peel with her nail. She discarded the peel onto the ground below, and bit into the small hole. At first, it was just the simple action of sucking, the simple action of drinking. However, her thirst had become so that she could not hold herself any longer, and began peeling faster, taking large bites at a time. It was when she had finished most of the orange was when she saw a black stain on the fruit. She stopped, her mouth still full of the orange, and turned the fruit around, again and again. There was no other marks of the stain, but only where her lips had touched. So, she tapped her tongue with her hand, and found her finger stained with the inky black substance. Immediately, she spat out as much as she could, and discarded the fruit. A wave of nausea came over her, and she dropped down from the sky. Faster, faster, and faster, and faster she went, but it was almost too late for her to recover. Only by a great amount of strength was she able to regain her balance, and she was not fifty feet from the ground before she flapped her wings, slowing her still-rapid fall. All she could see was a blur of grass, and then she hit the floor.

Sat, 03/23/2013 - 00:12
#10
Thinslayer's picture
Thinslayer
Chapter 9: Syphon

Syphon
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Syphon cursed as the channelers left. He looked back at The Finder. For some reason, she had elected not to pursue the fleeing channelers; perhaps it was because it was Syphon's job. He didn't understand why she saw fit to try to capture these runts; there must be more to it. He cautiously addressed his winged overlord. "Master why did you see fit to intervene?" Her glowing red eyes bored down at him. "The cavalier girl is of great interest to me." She groaned, stretched, and added, "Her name is Vaelyntine. Go find her file and study it before I give you your next assignment." He saluted, and she disappeared in an instant. He turned around and grabbed one of his subordinates by the neck of his armor. "What the heck went on back there?" he growled. "How could you have lost three channelers so easily?" The guys began to stutter nervously. "W-well s-sir...we...uh w-were c-c-caught off guard, the t-two that were awake were v-v-very proficient with their p-powers...." Syphon growled. "Not good enough. If you don't want to become my next meal, I suggest that you all get off your lazy arses and find me those Channelers!" Syphon barked. His men scrambled back to base. He stole one last glance at the river, then stormed back to base.

Sun, 03/24/2013 - 22:44
#11
Feline-Grenadier's picture
Feline-Grenadier
...

I had to bump this, for the convenience of Thin, the other authors, and readers.

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 14:58
#12
Liminori's picture
Liminori
Bump.

Anyone heard about Transistor? (Game)

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 21:57
#13
Aekuryi's picture
Aekuryi
Bumpyes

I've heard about it, the gameplay from PAX looks really cool.
(This is a bump, move along folks)

Fri, 03/29/2013 - 17:45
#14
Liminori's picture
Liminori
The link to this may or may not have to be changed-@thin

Title says it all.

Also, for those who want to find the other story thread, here it is.

Fri, 03/29/2013 - 14:04
#15
Thinslayer's picture
Thinslayer
Thx

Thanks Lim, I'll look into it at the nearest opportunity.

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