News: This is officially DEAD! I was going to link the Google doc file, but w/e. If you wish to view all that I ever wrote for this, just scroll down the OP. Everything from here to there is purely held for archaic reasons.

This Fan Fic is something that I have been working on and been pressured by for a long time. I really appreciate all the support I've gotten, and with it being summer, I was able to finally revise the previous parts, as I was a dreadful writer back then with little sense of how the story plot was to be. I am hoping to add new parts, but I have a lot of writing ahead of me and I'm a horrible procrastinator, so it may be awhile before anything new gets written, but who knows?

This is a piece I'm rather proud of that won 3rd place on Tevokkia's Contest held last Winter, check it out if you're interested! But be warned, it has tons of errors, I had to rush at the end, because I had procrastinated. xD

And this is the prequel for my first entry, which ALSO won 3rd place for Tevokkia's Season's of Cradle Contest! It was ALSO procrastinated on as well :D

I will always be accepting apps, but for now, the need for them is low. You can submit as many characters as you like, but currently, I would like you to keep in mind that creating a very special, OP character will probably take a long time to incorporate into the story, whilst a more general character with a unique personality will probably appear much sooner and be easier to create a dynamic character with. But don't let this stop you from going wild with your app, as my story is based off of the characters and feedback I get!

Submitting a Character:

-- ~ Template ~ --

Name:

Gender:

Age:

Arsenal:

Appearance:

Special Skilsl/Traits:

History/Biography:

Personality:

Personal Colour:

Race:

Notes:

Please consider the following...
- First and foremost, my story is extremely and heavily based off in game, meaning that with the exception of some things, Knight's look and act, and have the same characteristics as of that in game.
- I have not bought the expansion and have not beaten a Shadow Liar, so I may not be 100% accurate on the Story Line.
- I'm assuming all knights have somewhat of human anatomy, for obvious reasons.
- Once again, Knight's are NOT 'humans', however, due to not being able to very clearly express emotions and create a way to relate, I have to use human expressions.
- I'm also assuming the Knights have mouths of some sort and can eat...
-If you have an accepted character app, friend me in-game so that I can discuss how the character works and how they will change over time.

If you have read to here, then I thank you for taking interest! Hope you enjoy!

PLEASE HEED: The following writing is split into the original parts I first wrote (in other words, REALLY horrible writing) and revised (moderately terrible writing) parts. This writing was last edited last year, and is really bad. (Pardon the horrid spacing as well, the google doc auto spaces, so this lost all the spacing lol)

The Secrets of the Clockworks – Hidden Truths
Part 1 (OLD ORIGINAL)
They say that in the Clockworks; there are secrets - lots of them. Knights regularly go out to explore the Clockworks, to unravel those secrets. Why? Because those secrets may lead to a way off Cradle, and that’s what we all want, isn’t it? The Clockworks are a dangerous place, that’s for sure; so it wouldn’t surprise much that some knights find things that they would rather have not of, because some secrets... are meant to be kept.
“Will you get your face away from that screen for one minute!? I am here to help you learn, not to babysit your sorry little... face.” Ian grumbled. He wasn’t one to back down from a mission, but did he have to do this?
“Just... a sec....” George mumbled as he pressed away at his own personal computer module, which George was rather fond of, as the Spiral Order had given it to him when they saw his potential as a great researcher. “I have calculated the most probable path that we will take based on the data from the Spiral Net, and current users of the Clockworks. Hmmm... We will be passing through a Wolver Den, then a Deconstruction Zone... Aw man, then a Candlestick Keep. Well, based off this knowledge, I suggest that for our load-outs, we use the Wild Hunting Blade, a Barbarous Thorn Blade, with some Wolver or Jelly line armor as it will mo-” Ian was really tired of hearing the rookie continue. What was he, a Veteran? Nooo that was him, not the Knight babbling about Pulsars, and Skelly Armor, and whatnot!
“-e have to be careful, as the candles only stay li-“
“Yes! I know George, why are you telling me this again? And I’m totally sure you have a Barbarous Thorn Blade.” Ian gave an annoyed lazed look at George, while tapping his Sealed Sword against his foot, he could feel the power vibrating through the blade, calling to hack down some Wolvers or two, or maybe an annoying Knight...
“I-I’m sorry, uh, then well, if we’re ready then let’s go.” Ian said, packing up his module and stuffing it away gingerly. George was somewhat of a know-it-all, yet at the same time a little ‘distracted in the head’. Ian was to provide assured safety to the Knight, as HQ was hoping that George’s future was bright, though HQ’s fondness for George was somewhat peculiar, Ian thought.The ironic thing was that George and Ian were two sides of the same coin. George knew almost everything from his research, whilst Ian had learned it all through experience.
“Ah, here we are! The Arcade, let’s go.” Ian hummed, nothing like a new adventure, even if not that great a challenge, to get one’s spirit’s up. George on the other hand, wasn’t as excited, he read a lot, but actually fighting was a bit worrisome to him, at least it wasn’t his first expedition. As Ian pressed the buttons on the George took in his surroundings, he looked curiously over the edge of the balcony into the depths of the Clockworks. Giant turning gears, clanking, and tocking, it was all so amazing! He looked down into the shadowed area beyond, far in every direction the Clockworks, stretched, the pillars, churning with energy determining the path of every Clockworks explorer traversing its depths.
“Ready George?” Ian called from the Elevator Platform. He was grinning, George wasn’t sure if that was good or bad.
“Yah, of course.” George ran up and stood next to Ian, he seemed so much bigger when he was right next to him, George was small in stature, but Ian made him feel safe, nothing like a big strong body guard, no matter how grumpy he sometimes seemed.
“Here we go!” Ian crooned, as he smacked the deploy button. A flash of condensed mist energy surrounded Ian and George as their energy was deployed into the Elevator. The creaking of turning gears and crackles of energy spewed from the Elevator as a guard rail rose up, locking them in. And with a screech; the Elevator preceded downward, down into the Clockworks. ~ End Part 1

~ Revised ~
There are boundless secrets in the Clockworks. Knights regularly go out to explore the Clockworks, to unravel those secrets. Why? Because those secrets may lead to a way off Cradle, and that’s what we all want, isn’t it? The Clockworks are a dangerous place, that’s for sure; so it wouldn’t surprise much that some knights find things that they would rather have not of, because some secrets... are meant to be kept.

Ian frowned as he surveyed his task; it would be quite different from any previous mission he had been assigned. He closed his eyes as he briefly strategized his move. He sighed heavily and walked up to the Knight eagerly engorged in front of a computer module, putting his hand on their shoulder. The Knight jumped a little, but didn’t turn around.

“Just... a sec...” They mumbled as their concentration remained unwavered. Ian watched the Knight continue to tap away at the computer, slightly annoyed, but remained indifferent. After a duration of silence permeated only by the sound of typing, the Knight turned around to face Ian.

“’Bout time.” Ian grunted. “So, you’re George?” The young Knight nodded, getting up from his seat in front of the computer.

“You’re here to help me with my Geo-Knight training, correct?” George asked as he packed up a smaller computer module that had been linked to the Computer he was working on. “I’m eager to begin, but I’m a bit nervous.” He admitted shyly. George looked down for a second, as if in thought, and quickly changed the subject, clearly more interested in talking. “I did map out our most probable path, based on the Arcade’s database. We’ll head through a Wolver Den, followed by a Deconstruction Zone, and then, a Candlestick keep.” George sighed, not hiding his worry, “That’s going to be tricky.” Sensing the uncertainty from George, Ian smirked and patted him on the back.

“Nothing to worry about with me at your side.” It was part boast and part reassurance, but it didn’t matter all that much. As they began to head for the Arcade, Ian thought to himself how strange it was that George wasn’t all that eager for field work. Most Geo-Knights were pretty excited to get opportunities to do infield work, especially during training, usually those that preferred not to physically go into the Clockworks stayed behind in Haven as researchers. George didn’t look all too battle-ready either; he wore a classic Cobalt Set, and didn’t seem to have much battle experience.

As they entered the Arcade, George seemed to perk up, contrary to what Ian expected. Sure he too was eager to start a new adventure, albeit a short and easy one, but he was sure George would be even more agitated upon entering the Arcade. Well, better to have a positive attitude anyways, Ian thought.

George on the other hand, marveled at the majesty of the Clockworks. He ran up to the ledge and peered over the side, embracing the sheer size of it all; how the elevators seemed to reach down to an indefinite depth and how everything in front of him just went on and on, until obscured by shadow. It was like the tip of the iceberg, you could just see what seems like a large portion of the Clockworks, yet beneath, it continues on beyond what you would ever expect. You can hear the mysterious echoes of the clanking and churning of the many cogs and gears, the screeches of metal, who knows how many ages old, moving about. It truly was a place of mystery and awe.

George remained dimly aware of the fact that Ian was calling for him; already stationed on the Elevator, until a shudder ran through him, reminding him that the Clockworks were a piece of art, but like how the Knights of the Rose thought of their blades, it hid many great dangers.
“Oh, uh, I-I’m sorry...” George apologized, before quickly joining Ian at the Elevator. As Ian pressed away at the buttons, George couldn’t help but feel quite dwarfed in relation to Ian, even though he was naturally short in stature. However, George felt quite a bit safer knowing that he had Ian to escort him, even though they seemed quite different from one another.
“Ready George?” Ian asked, grinning. George wasn’t sure if that made him feel reassured or worried him more.

“Yah, o-of course.” He replied, this was it, time to enter the belly of the beast.

“Then here we go!” Ian said, smacking the deploy button. A quick flash of condensed energy surrounded Ian and George as the Elevator powered on, the guard rail jumping up and sealing them in. With a screech, the Elevator proceeded downward, down into the mystifying depths of the Clockworks. ~ End Part 1

Part 2 (ORIGINAL)
Clank, clank, clank, clank, CLANK! BaddDDABANG! Btzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
“Ready George?” Ian called, hoisting his Sealed Sword up on his shoulder, grinning. Finally time to have some fun, maybe take his mind off what he! George inspected the area; safety before the fire, he thought, he gripped his Calibur tightly in his hands, his only weapon, as he thought it was quite the easiest to handle.
“Yup, I-I-er-We can do this, yah!” George followed Ian as he sped out the glowing gate; there was really no turning back now, until they reached the Elevator of course! George took a deep breath as the first of the Wolvers popped out seemingly out of nowhere. He really wasn’t meant for infield research.
“HhhhhhhYAH!” Ian cried, bringing down his Sealed Sword square on a Wolvers head, knocking it harshly into a wall. George never really understood how a man so old could do such damage, it creeped him somewhat, but no time to think! A Wolver flashed by, its fur blazing past George, who turned around abruptively, these Wolvers were no laughing matter in terms of speed! He ran up and sliced the Wolver, and quickly retreated, charging his Calibur.
“Let’s, huh huh, try out this strategy, huh...” George huffed, a Wolver near him yipped, with three other Wolvers, pouncing to its side. Then in a blur, they all sped behind George, who in turn whipped around and unleashed his charge at them launching them away. Too close for comfort, however, as one managed to take a bite at George, luckily nothing to be worried about, not much damage, George thought. Charging his Calibur again, he ran back to the scattered Wolvers. BAM! George slid across the grass; half his health gone, surprised that he had survived. George saw his attacker, a Lumber, eyes glaring at him as it began tromping closer.
“Eek!” George cried out. Stumbling to his feet, he whipped his shield in front of him; a warm glow of shielding energy enveloped him instantly. Almost as instant, Ian ran up and unleashed his charge, a blast of elemental energy rushed out and the Lumber caught fire, its gears sizzling from the heat. Ian swept around it, not a hard feat considering its speed, and gave it a resounding whack, which he repeated, twice times before green light splayed out of the Lumber, and it fell to the ground, gears churning defeat.
“W-Wow! Thanks Ian!” George unshielded and noticed that in time that he was stunned from the attack, Ian had taken care of all the surrounding Wolvers. Ian nodded and they continued, George retrieving a Sharp Fang from one of the beaten Wolvers. As they made their way smoothly through to the end of the level, George made some notes which he later wrote down in his module:
No matter how many times I come down here, I am always baffled at the functionality of the Clockworks! The land shifts with every rotating gear, seen or not seen; the lands themselves vibrate and move with the cranking of every machinery part. But that’s just the funny thing! Cradle, this place, it’s heart - the Clockworks – shifts and alters itself. There is never a stable environment within its depths. The air is of machinery which appears to emanate everywhere! Yet you can sometimes smell it mixed in with natural scents, seemingly meant to be imitative of those many worlds that seem melded together here. The inhabitants seem to be adapted to the constant change, but as well as their originating place, the many mysteries that lie here, how I beg to unravel them!
“George! Man, you’ve seen so zoned out this entire trip!” Ian snapped. He wasn’t necessarily angry, but rather unhappy that George may be losing valuable experience to protect himself in the near future; George seemed slower and usually stopped and just studied his surroundings for a while. Ian may not have enjoyed his mission at first, but at least he should carry it out. Ad George wasn’t really helping.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m done!” George replied sheepishly, after stuffing his module in his bag. He then realized that they had just finished the Deconstruction Zone, it seemed strange not to remember going through a level.
“The Candlestick Keep is next George. I want you to be extra prepared for what’s to come. I’m sure you know that Grimalkens stalk the halls of that place, and I’m also sure that you also know that no matter what you do, you can’t beat those things; as much as I’d like to.” Ian smirked at the idea, but it quickly vanished. “So I want you to stay close, very close. These monsters seem particularly strong today.” Ian’s face became harsh, which was surprisingly visible through his Jelly Helm. Ian knew that one was to take risks in order to get better.
“I’ll be with you every step of the way.” George gulped; he wasn’t kidding at all, the dread of how literally he meant it disturbed him. The Grimalkins were something that he feared the most, no matter how much he researched; he turned up with the same limited knowledge. Very little was known about them, it was quite strange. If he was to learn about them, he had to do so firsthand. As Ian and George stepped on the Elevator, George had a sudden déjà vu, why was this feeling so familiar? Of course! The beginning of the mission! When he stepped on the Elevator, a feeling of excitement mixed in with a slight tinge of foreshadowing of great things, this Clockworks run was different, something about it...
BBBBzzzzzzzzzteewww... The familiar flash of condensed mist energy filled the air, and the Elevator screeched to a start; George closed his eyes, a rare thing, and felt the heavy mechanized air around him rush up past him as the Elevator brought them to the once distinguished and prestigious halls of the Owlite Academy, now haunted by invincible creatures of the darkness. As the Elevator approached its destination, dark energy filled the air, purified only by the warming aura of Owlite candles. George didn’t know why, but he knew... it was time, and opened his eyes.
~ Revised ~
Clank, clank, clank, clank, CLANK! BaddDDABANG! Btzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

“You set Greg?” Ian called, hoisting his Sealed Sword up on his shoulder. Finally time to have some fun, Ian thought cheerfully.

“Greg?” George looked at Ian, puzzled at his sudden usage of a nickname. Ignoring it, he inspected the area; safety before the fire after all. The way the grass waved with an unseen wind, and the way that everything seemed so natural was unnerving amongst the metallic scent in the air and the giant fake sun, moving along a steel track in the sky. Everything here was surreal and, strange, it was hard to describe it any other way.

Turning back to Ian who was tapping his Sealed Sword impatiently on the ground, George nodded gingerly and they crossed through the gate together. There was no turning back now until they reached the Elevator.

It didn't take long for the first Wolvers to pop up. George hesitated, he really wasn't meant for infield research.

Ian cried out as he brought down his Sealed Sword square on a Wolver's head with surprising ease. With a quick twist, he launched another Wolver harshly into the wall. George wasn't quite able to understand how such an old man could deal so much damage, it creeped him out somewhat, but there was little time to think as a Wolver flashed by, blazing past George, who swiveled around abruptly to face the threat. Their speed was quite considerable, being able to literally teleport in the higher Tiers, George recalled as he gave the Wolver a quick swipe and retreated to charge his weapon. He repeated the process, a reliable strategy.

A Wolver near him yipped, three others pouncing next to it in answer to its call. Together, they charged George, who whipped around in response to their predictable battle pattern, unleashed a charge, and panted, happy, as they got launched back. As he charged his weapon again, a Wolver came too close for comfort, managing a solid bite. George winced in pain, but he steeled himself and remained focused on holding the charge. He hastily ran back to the scattered Wolvers, determined to finish the job.

BAM!

George slid across the grass; half his health gone, surprised that he had survived. He looked up to meet the eyes, or rather eye, of his attacker, a Lumber. Its gears whirred menacingly as it began tromping closer.

“Eek!” George cried out. He could feel the effects from the stun as his head spun a little. Stumbling to his feet, he whipped his shield out in front of him; a blue glow of shielding energy enveloping him. Almost instantly, Ian ran up and unleashed his charge, a blast of elemental energy rushed out and the Lumber caught fire, its gears sizzling from the heat. Ian swept around it, not a hard feat, considering its speed, and gave it a resounding whack, which he repeated, almost like a dance. It took two more good hits before green light splayed out of the Lumber, and it fell to the ground, gears churning defeat.

“Nice! Thanks Ian.” George unshielded and noticed that in the time that he was stunned, Ian had taken care of all the surrounding Wolvers. Ian nodded and they continued, George retrieving a Sharp Fang from one of the beaten Wolvers, inspecting it thoroughly.

As they made their way smoothly through to the end of the level, George made some notes which he later wrote down in his module:

No matter how many times I come down here, I am always baffled at the functionality of the Clockworks! The land shifts with every rotating gear, seen or not seen; the lands themselves vibrate and move with the cranking of every machinery part. But that’s just the funny thing! Cradle, this place, its heart - the Clockworks – shifts and alters itself. There is never a truly stable environment within its depths. The air of machinery appears to emanate everywhere, this whole place exists as a giant machine. Yet always seems to be hidden within other scents, seemingly meant to be imitative of those coming from the many worlds that seem to be melded together here. The inhabitants adapt to the constant change, but remain consistent with their originating world, the many mysteries that lie here, how I beg to unravel them!

“Greg! Hello? You've gotta stop zoning out.” Ian snapped. He wasn’t necessarily angry, but displeased that George may be losing valuable experience to protect himself in the near future. He seemed to slow down and usually just stopped and gawked at the Clockworks for a period. Ian may not have enjoyed the mission at first, but he didn't want it to be anything less than fully accomplished. George wasn’t really helping.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m done!” George replied sheepishly, stuffing his module in his bag. He then realised that they had just finished the Deconstruction Zone, it seemed strange not to remember going through a level, but it did make him think, what did Gremlins want? What was their goal? Sighing heavily, Ian ignored George's drifting mind.

“The Candlestick Keep is next George. I want you to be extra prepared for what’s to come. I’m sure you know that Grimalkens stalk the halls of that place, and I’m also sure that you are well aware that no matter what you do, you can’t even leave a scratch on those things; as much as I’d like to.” Ian smirked at the idea, but it quickly vanished. “So I want you to stay close, very close. These monsters seem particularly strong today.” Ian’s face became harsh, which was surprisingly visible through his Jelly Helm. Ian wanted to ensure that George was fully prepared for the level ahead, there was no room for daydreaming.

“I’ll be with you every step of the way.” George gulped, he wasn’t kidding at all. The dread of how literally he meant it disturbed him. The Grimalkins were something that he feared the most, no matter how much he researched, he turned up with the same limited knowledge. Very little was known about them; it was quite strange. If he was to ever learn about them, he had to do so firsthand. As Ian and George stepped on the Elevator, George had a sudden déjà vu, why was this feeling so familiar? Of course! The beginning of the mission. When he stepped on the Elevator, a feeling of excitement mixed in with a slight tinge of foreshadowing of great things. However, this Clockworks run was different, something about it...

BBBBzzzzzzzzzteewww...

The familiar flash of condensed mist energy filled the air, and the Elevator screeched to a start. George closed his eyes, a rare thing, and felt the heavy mechanized air around him rush up past him as the Elevator brought them to the once distinguished and prestigious halls of the Owlite Academy, now haunted by invincible creatures of the darkness. As the Elevator approached its destination, dark energy filled the air, withheld only by the warming aura of Owlite candles. George didn’t know why, but he felt strange, he couldn't describe the feeling, but he pushed it away. Knowing it was time, he took a deep breath and opened his eyes to whatever awaited him. ~ End Part 2

Part 3 (ORIGINAL)
“George? You sure you’re ready for this?” Ian looked back at George, though the kid was annoying, his concern was genuine. “I thought so; you can feel it too, can’t you? There’s something strange in the air, haven`t felt such a thing before. Be prepared for anything.” Ian gave George an encouraging look.
“If you say so, we’ll be okay!” George took a deep breath, invigorated by Ian’s and grasped his Calibur, and together he and Ian ran towards the oblivion ahead.
“Watch out, Grimalkin to your right George!” Ian cried, swiping over at George, distracting the Grimalkin long enough for them to reach a single glowing candle. As they approached, five Spookats popped up, surrounding them.
“George, stand behind me and shield! Watch this.” Ian grunted, holding his ground. The Spookats then lunged at Ian in union, who in turn spun his Sealed Sword, knocking every Spookat around him with sudden force. George, quickly leapt in and engaged a Spookat that was a farther from the others, he didn’t want to get too many enemies at once; it wasn’t a very tactical strategy. Ian easily took on the other four. As George swung his Calibur forward and retreated, lunge forward and retreat, he went over his possible next strategy. Which one would be most practical her-
“GEORGE!!!”
“GAH!” George collapsed to the ground after dealing the final blow to the Spookat, as a Grimalkin bit down, its ghastly dark form engulfing George, and smashing through his armor. All health energy quickly dissipated. Ian ran over and dragged George’s emaciated body back near the warmth of the Owlite Candle.
“Darn things.” Ian grumbled as he held out his hand over George. A surge of weakness rushed through Ian, than a warm glow flickered between his hands. There was a flash of red, followed by crimson threads of shifting energy rushing out of Ian’s hand, flowing out his arm, seeping into George. “There you go buddy.” Ian said, a pulse of remaining energy protecting them momentarily.
“Sorry ‘bout that Ian...” George apologized. At least he was okay, but still, it was pretty frightening to be beaten like that, yet it wasn’t rather the loss, but also the shame of failing Ian. George was really hoping not to ‘die’; after all, everyone seemed to see so much promise in him, but that’s what Ian was there for, or George would have had to teleport back to Haven, weakened and no stronger than he was before.
“Let’s keep her moving. No point in sitting out here for another one to pop outta nowhere.” Ian gestured for George to keep an eye behind them and watch closely. George obeyed as best as he could, as he felt that he had spent too much time ‘gawking’ before, he needed to actually focus, as Ian was nagging him to do, and accomplish something to get better so he wouldn’t need an escort.
As they sped down the hall, George spotted a glowing orange gooey ball.
“That’s a...”
“Yup, an Ember, just go grab it, a candle is nearby but be quick!” Ian commanded George, who ran and picked up the glowing Ember, he could feel safety within the glowing mass in his hands.
It was actually extremely dark, George suddenly noticed, it wasn’t this dark before, was it? It must just be the way the Keep was, George theorized. But wait - where was Ian?
“There!” George looked to where the shout came from in the darkness. He could make out Ian’s form... which was being surrounded by three Grimalkins, as Ian swiftly dodged around them.
“Ian!” George called out, but then he spotted a large vertical object in the darkness and as a Grimalkin arose from the ground, he hurled the Ember towards the Owlite Candle; it was their only way to fight the Grimalkins. The Ember splattered apart, and the Candle erupted to life, a warm orange glow cutting through the darkness like a Cautery Sword through a Jelly Cube. The Grimalkins immediately evaporated back into the gloom beyond the reach of the Candle’s protective light.
An exhausted Ian stood where the Grimalkins had been only seconds earlier. Before George could ask anything, Ian snapped to attention, grabbing his Sealed Sword as Spookats materialized simultaneously around them. The Candle didn’t ward off all dangers. They had to fight quickly and stay wary of the edges of the Candle’s light where Grimalkins continued to appear, only to be stopped by the wall of light, and melding back into the shadows.
George felt the light of the Candle waning, they hadn’t much time left, but there was no way George could reach the Ember, which was being guarded by dozens of Grimalkins and he was too busy fighting relentless Undead.
“I have never seen so many of them and so strong! This is worse than the Tier Three Levels below the Town of Emberlight!” Ian grunted, smashing a few Undead into a Spookat with the butt of his Sealed Sword. George didn’t have to be as smart as he was to know that something was very off. This is incredible, what’s goin’ on?! George, ge-” And the Candle flickered out. The Grimalkins exploded from the darkness, quickly overcoming both George and Ian. They collapsed to the ground, all their health energy depleted.
“Ian, wha- what do we do now?” George grunted in question.
“Ahahaha…HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA!!!” Ian cackled, “I haven’t had this much fun since…” an trailed off, a grin on his face. “Well, if I’m gonna have fun, mind as well have it with my friend!” Ian started talking to someone, inaudible to George.
“You have friends?” George questioned to himself privately. He waited, watching all the monsters ignoring them completely, now that they had run out of health. It was always a mystery to him as to why they ignored you completely after you had fallen; George had guessed that they just no longer considered the Knights as a threat after ‘dying’.
George hadn’t noticed while he was deep in thought but now he saw a figure, obscured by the darkness, now that the Candle was out, standing above Ian, it took some time for someone to teleport to other people, but they weren’t that deep within the clockworks. It was taken much, much longer than usual, George thought, he wondered if there was something wrong with the Spiral HQ network. Then a sickly aroma filled the air, as the figure above Ian came to life, reviving Ian and fending off incoming mobs, slowly making his way towards George.
A Knight in Dusker Armour ran over to George and quickly revived him, then headed off towards the Ember, as Ian protected George so he could recover.
“Lemme introduce you to Trobolta, one of my finest students, we met a while back and…” Ian trailed off, and focused on beating up the monsters that seemed to come at them unrelentingly.
“We became friends.” Trobolta finished, throwing the Ember at the Candle, then slicing a Zombie in two with his Nightblade, and sending another one fleeing on fire with his Alchemer. “No wonder you called me in.” Trobolta smiled, his pipe exuding a thick aroma. “I love a good challenge.”
“As do I.” Ian agreed swiftly dodging what appeared to be a clockwork’s inhabitant’s skull, and shielding as it blew up behind him. They looked around, surprised that there was nothing left to attack them. “Good job Trobolta.” Ian nodded in approval.
“Yah. So you got a new student?” Trobolta gestured towards George who relit the Candle.
“HQ needs me to protect him, he’s a smarty of sorts.” Trobolta gave out a half-hearted laugh at Ian’s predicament.
“Of course, Ian.” Trobolta said, Ian always had something to keep himself busy, Trobolta was always more open around Ian, he was a close friend, after what had happened.
“I hate to break up the, uh, reunion, but what are we going to do now?” George meekly asked. He looked around and collected some Materials left over from their brawl.
“I say we push on.” Trobolta said as he ran ahead without waiting for further consent. Ian rushed after him with George at his heels. “GET BACK!” Trobolta commanded a second too late, as something with explosive power sent George, Ian and Trobolta, off the edge over the walls, and down into the Clockworks.
Rose hummed as she picked away at what ‘appeared’ to be Ecto Drops. “Perfect for my new recipe!” She chimed to herself. She eyed some Spookats heading towards her, and in a flash, the Spookats floated right by, only one of them giving her greetings. And another flash, Rose was back on two feet, scooping up some Grave Soil. A sudden chill flew through her, a sense that came with her special abilities. It was Knights, she could sense them. There was a flash, and a Kat, headed towards where it had felt the energy coming from. It watched as three figures, all male it thought annoyed, fell from the sky, or really rather the upper levels of the Clockworks, and landed in a heap. Now this is new, the Kat thought, interesting as well… but definitely not good. Not good at all. ~ End Part 3

~ Revised ~

“George, I want to know that you’re ready for this. You can’t be distracted like before, now that we're in the Candlestick Keep.” Ian looked back at George; though the kid got on his nerve’s occasionally, and was quite difficult to deal with, his concern was genuine. Frowning, he added, “You can feel it too, can’t you? There’s something strange in the air, haven't felt such a thing before. Be prepared for anything.” Ian gave George an encouraging look.

“I’ll try my best, I guess.” George took a deep breath, invigorated by Ian’s words. Grasped his Calibur, and together he and Ian ran towards the looming darkness ahead.

“Watch out, Grimalkin to your right George!” Ian warned loudly, as an intagible and hazy creature rose up from the ground. Swiping over at George, Ian diverted the Grimalkin's attention long enough for George to reach the safety of a lone candle, glowing dimly, yet defiantly against the overbearing darkness. As Ian caught up with George, five Spookats popped up menacingly, surrounding them.

“George! Stand behind me and shield.” Ian directed, holding his ground. Three of the Spookats lunged at Ian in unison, who spun his Sealed Sword around as they flew past, knocking every Spookat around him forcefully. George saw an opportunity to attack, quickly leaping in and engaging a Spookat that was a further distance from the others.

He didn’t want to get too many enemies at once, for that was a poor strategy considering his skill level. Ian, however, easily triumphed over the other four, returning his attention to George.

George swung his Calibur forward and retreated, lunged forward and retreated. Focusing intently, he considered what his following strategy should be. Which one would be the most efficient in the situa-

“GEORGE!!!”

“GAH!” George collapsed to the ground as a Grimalkin engulfed his meek form in its shadowy bite, his blade having dealt the final blow to the Spookat. All of George's health energy dissipated immediately. Ian ran over and dragged George’s defeated body back near the warmth of the Owlite Candle.

“Darn things.” Ian muttered under his breath angrily. Shimmering strands of energy began to form around George as his emergency revive kicked in. The circle of blue light flew into George, and in a flare of light, it revitalized him.

“There you go buddy.” Ian said, a pulse of remaining energy protecting him momentarily, as Ian helped George regain his balance.

“Sorry ‘bout that Ian...” George apologized. At least he was okay, but still, it was pretty frightening to be beaten like that, yet it wasn’t rather the loss, but also the shame of failing Ian. George was really hoping not to ‘die’; after all, everyone seemed to see so much promise in him, but that’s what Ian was there for, or George would have had to teleport back to Haven, weakened and no stronger than he was before.
“Let’s keep her moving. No point in sitting out here for another one to pop outta nowhere.” Ian gestured for George to keep an eye behind them and watch closely. George obeyed as best as he could, as he felt that he had spent too much time ‘gawking’ before, he needed to actually focus, as Ian was nagging him to do, and accomplish something to get better so he wouldn’t need an escort.
As they sped down the hall, George spotted a glowing orange gooey ball.
“That’s a...”
“Yup, an Ember, just go grab it, a candle is nearby but be quick!” Ian commanded George, who ran and picked up the glowing Ember, he could feel safety within the glowing mass in his hands.
It was actually extremely dark, George suddenly noticed, it wasn’t this dark before, was it? It must just be the way the Keep was, George theorized. But wait - where was Ian?
“There!” George looked to where the shout came from in the darkness. He could make out Ian’s form... which was being surrounded by three Grimalkins, as Ian swiftly dodged around them.
“Ian!” George called out, but then he spotted a large vertical object in the darkness and as a Grimalkin arose from the ground, he hurled the Ember towards the Owlite Candle; it was their only way to fight the Grimalkins. The Ember splattered apart, and the Candle erupted to life, a warm orange glow cutting through the darkness like a Cautery Sword through a Jelly Cube. The Grimalkins immediately evaporated back into the gloom beyond the reach of the Candle’s protective light.
An exhausted Ian stood where the Grimalkins had been only seconds earlier. Before George could ask anything, Ian snapped to attention, grabbing his Sealed Sword as Spookats materialized simultaneously around them. The Candle didn’t ward off all dangers. They had to fight quickly and stay wary of the edges of the Candle’s light where Grimalkins continued to appear, only to be stopped by the wall of light, and melding back into the shadows.
George felt the light of the Candle waning, they hadn’t much time left, but there was no way George could reach the Ember, which was being guarded by dozens of Grimalkins and he was too busy fighting relentless Undead.
“I have never seen so many of them and so strong! This is worse than the Tier Three Levels below the Town of Emberlight!” Ian grunted, smashing a few Undead into a Spookat with the butt of his Sealed Sword. George didn’t have to be as smart as he was to know that something was very off. This is incredible, what’s goin’ on?! George, ge-” And the Candle flickered out. The Grimalkins exploded from the darkness, quickly overcoming both George and Ian. They collapsed to the ground, all their health energy depleted.
“Ian, wha- what do we do now?” George grunted in question.
“Ahahaha…HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA!!!” Ian cackled, “I haven’t had this much fun since…” an trailed off, a grin on his face. “Well, if I’m gonna have fun, mind as well have it with my friend!” Ian started talking to someone, inaudible to George.
“You have friends?” George questioned to himself privately. He waited, watching all the monsters ignoring them completely, now that they had run out of health. It was always a mystery to him as to why they ignored you completely after you had fallen; George had guessed that they just no longer considered the Knights as a threat after ‘dying’.
George hadn’t noticed while he was deep in thought but now he saw a figure, obscured by the darkness, now that the Candle was out, standing above Ian, it took some time for someone to teleport to other people, but they weren’t that deep within the clockworks. It was taken much, much longer than usual, George thought, he wondered if there was something wrong with the Spiral HQ network. Then a sickly aroma filled the air, as the figure above Ian came to life, reviving Ian and fending off incoming mobs, slowly making his way towards George.
A Knight in Dusker Armour ran over to George and quickly revived him, then headed off towards the Ember, as Ian protected George so he could recover.
“Lemme introduce you to Trobolta, one of my finest students, we met a while back and…” Ian trailed off, and focused on beating up the monsters that seemed to come at them unrelentingly.
“We became friends.” Trobolta finished, throwing the Ember at the Candle, then slicing a Zombie in two with his Nightblade, and sending another one fleeing on fire with his Alchemer. “No wonder you called me in.” Trobolta smiled, his pipe exuding a thick aroma. “I love a good challenge.”
“As do I.” Ian agreed swiftly dodging what appeared to be a clockwork’s inhabitant’s skull, and shielding as it blew up behind him. They looked around, surprised that there was nothing left to attack them. “Good job Trobolta.” Ian nodded in approval.
“Yah. So you got a new student?” Trobolta gestured towards George who relit the Candle.
“HQ needs me to protect him, he’s a smarty of sorts.” Trobolta gave out a half-hearted laugh at Ian’s predicament.
“Of course, Ian.” Trobolta said, Ian always had something to keep himself busy, Trobolta was always more open around Ian, he was a close friend, after what had happened.
“I hate to break up the, uh, reunion, but what are we going to do now?” George meekly asked. He looked around and collected some Materials left over from their brawl.
“I say we push on.” Trobolta said as he ran ahead without waiting for further consent. Ian rushed after him with George at his heels. “GET BACK!” Trobolta commanded a second too late, as something with explosive power sent George, Ian and Trobolta, off the edge over the walls, and down into the Clockworks.
Rose hummed as she picked away at what ‘appeared’ to be Ecto Drops. “Perfect for my new recipe!” She chimed to herself. She eyed some Spookats heading towards her, and in a flash, the Spookats floated right by, only one of them giving her greetings. And another flash, Rose was back on two feet, scooping up some Grave Soil. A sudden chill flew through her, a sense that came with her special abilities. It was Knights, she could sense them. There was a flash, and a Kat, headed towards where it had felt the energy coming from. It watched as three figures, all male it thought annoyed, fell from the sky, or really rather the upper levels of the Clockworks, and landed in a heap. Now this is new, the Kat thought, interesting as well… but definitely not good. Not good at all. ~ End Part 3

Part 4 (ORIGINAL)
Rose stood over the limp bodies lying on top of each other. What to make of this, she wondered. The one on top looked like a Dusker, and was wearing a pair of some shades that obscured his eyes. Wasn’t that quite pointless in a place like The Keep? Idiots, Rose agreed frowning. He also had a pipe and it was exuding a thick odour, Rose had a pipe too, but it was merely aesthetical. The smell ticked her off, and she HATED it when someone looked like her. The Knight underneath the Dusker was old, and wrought with scars. Oh great, an old toughie, Rose thought annoyed, he was shield less as well, what a show-off, Rose crossed her arms angry. She looked down at the knight squashed at the bottom. He seemed to be the youngest out of the three, being short and having the weakest armor, Rose silently laughed to herself about how He would react to this.
They were all unconscious, Rose fumed, all the more work for her, why? WHY?! Except... Rose looked closer at the one at the bottom, who seemed to be struggling to stay conscious, but he was. Rose stepped forward and the knight looked up, or tried to (it’s kinda hard with two other fat knights on top of you)
“Wha-...? Help...” The knight breathed before his eyes closed and he slumped back onto the ground. Rose stared at him a while longer.
“WAKE UP!” Rose screeched, but none of the knights moved.
“I am NOT carrying you.” Rose grumbled to the unconscious trio. Then she charged her Voltaic Tempest and unleashed it down the Keep, into the gloom beyond the Candles surrounding them. She examined her armor, a Vog Coat, and walked up to a Candle, reached in and pulled out a chunk of the shimmering blue flame. She raised her eyebrow in curiosity, then stuffed it into the centre of her Vog Coat, which instantly flared blue. The red cracks leaked a blue light, flowing from the centre outward, changing it into a light blue version of the Vog Coat.
“This better work or I’ll...” Rose threatened to no one in particular; in the area. She hoisted all three of the Knights up, with one under each arm and the small one on her back. Taking a deep breath, she sped off with remarkable speed, the Halls lighting up as she ran by, a flickering light in the midst of the darkness that overwhelmed her.

George opened his eyes, he felt exhausted. Suddenly, he wondered, how did he survive falling over the edge? Where was he? Was he dead?! George looked around; Ian was still lying unawake on the... bed(?) next to him, George was also in a bed. George forgot, where was that other guy? He turned around and saw Trobolta standing in a corner, glancing out the window.
“Uh... what’s... going on?” George asked Troblta, who remained silent, leaning against the wall. He appeared to be in thought. George got up and realised there was a bowl of... something... unpleasant smelling and looking on a table. George was starving, and he knew that the stuff that seems the worst is actually most likely good for you, only for food however. George got up and headed for the table.
“Don’t eat it” George heard Trobolta say as he was reaching for the spoon.
“W-why not?” George asked peering at Trobolta’s back, but he didn’t reply. George thought it would be best to listen to his advice, and went back to Ian’s bed. He was still breathing, and wasn’t out of health energy, he was just... sleeping. George hadn’t given much attention to where he was so he looked around, he was in what resembled to be an infirmary, but there was no door to enter, or not one that he could make out. He walked over to where Trobolta was standing, and looked out the window, he was then reminded of the true majesty of the Clockworks, giant axles, gears, wheels, always in constant motion, stretching far off. Just then, a section of the wall, vanished, sliding into itself, revealing a hall. A decked out Knight walked in, who looked from Ian to George to Trobolta. Then she glared at the table where the three untouched (with the exception of Trobolta’s, which was spilled and food remains splattered all over the table) bowls lay.
“WHY DIDN’T YOU EAT!?” She screamed stomping her foot.
“I save you from being turned to Soul Dust and the LEAST you could do is eat my cooking! I’m not TRYING, yet, TO KILL YOU!” Rose yelled at them.
“What?” Ian said, glancing at the scene in the room.
“Never mind that, GOSH, come with me, seems you’ve got strength to at least walk, even without my delicious food. He needs to talk to you or something.” The Knight turned and headed out the door, into the hallway. Trobolta breathed and then followed. Ian looked at George and shrugged, gave the food a disgusted look, then hopped out into the hallway. George ran out and they all marched after the knight.
“So, um what’s your name? Where are we going? Who needs to see us? Where are we? How did-”
“SHUT UP!” The knight grabbed at her Divine Veil.
“Name’s Rose, Don’t. Forget. It. And if you must know, I’m taking you to see Seth.” And Rose said no more. ~ End Part 4

~ Revised ~
N/A

Part 5 (ORIGINAL)
They made their way down the hall in silence. George had so many questions, but he could see that Rose was in no mood for any more questions; in-fact she looked very annoyed... or maybe she was always like that, George pondered. The hall was rather large, stretching at least five Lumbers across and a ceiling reaching remarkably high, despite there appearing to be only one level.
George transferred his attention to Rose, and inspected her more closely. She was equipped with a Vog Cub Coat and a Divine Veil, but strangely, there was a faint blue glow that emitted occasionally from the Vog Coat. A crest of Almire was strung across her back, but there were foreign fixations attached to the shield. She also had a flicking tails tails, but it seemed normal.
“Stop staring at me creep.” Rose glared, as George looked up sheepishly. “Right in here.” She gestured to a heavy metal door, before shoving it open forcefully. “SETH! The Knights who fell are awake! Get your furry little butt over here!” Rose hollered towards a giant computer set up. George’s eyes goggled.
“Wait furry?” Ian suddenly realized. “Wha-?” Ian looked at George, who shrugged quite confused himself, then at Trobolta who shook his head slightly. George look around the room, there were several doors leading in and out, he wondered what this was all about.
“SETH!” Rose cried angrily, stomping toward the computers, unsheathing her Acheron rapidly, which caused a horrible screeching as the shadow blade scraped against the scabbard. Everyone winced, even Trobolta.
“Okay!” A ‘growly’ voice called from behind a door. Which flung open and a Gremlin carrying an armful of multiple coloured shards wobbled out. “Just, er, let me place these things, off, down!” The Gremlin dropped them off in a pile near the computer. “Oh! That reminds me!! How did the mechanism work!?” The Gremlin asked in delight, running over checking all over Rose’s armor, mumbling things to himself.
“This is Seth,” Rose pointed to the Gremlin tapping at her armor, “who should get off me NOW.”
“R-Right, anyways, hello, I’m Seth.” Seth tapped a wrench on his head, smiling. George gaped, Ian mumbled “Now this is... new” and Trobolta scratched his head curious. “Stop looking at me like that, besides, we got more pressing matters to discuss. As in, ‘how you got here?’” Seth questioned, his voice becoming more serious.
“Well...” Ian looked at Trobolta for an explanation.
“I was ahead of our group here, and it was really dark, but then I saw something move, at first I thought it was a Grimalkin, but then, everything in front of me shifted; I couldn’t make out anything in the darkness-”
“That’s ‘cause your wearing freaking SHADES! How idiotic can you get.” Rose interrupted angrily. Trobolta ignored her and continued,
“I felt this... horrible chill, worse than fighting any kind of undead, even losing all my health energy didn’t give me this chill, it felt like I was facing...” Trobolta sighed, “Death.” He crossed his arms and turned around, signalling that he didn’t want to continue.
“Well, after, Trobolta told us to ‘get back’, then before we could even react, this giant, black, shadow ‘thing’ came out from behind him and hit us all, it was like nothing I had ever experienced. Its power was overwhelming, just knocking us off, but that’s all I remember until waking up in that room.” Ian finished. Seth, thought for a moment then said,
“Come with me.” He and Rose headed off to a door near the computer.
“Again with the following.” Ian grumbled as they all headed towards Seth and Rose. ~ End Part 5

~ Revised ~
N/A

Part 6 (ORIGINAL)
They entered a room that somewhat resembled a meeting room, Seth was sitting at the far side of the rectangular table set in the middle of the room, on a custom made chair, he readjusted his goggles, while tapping the table impatiently, his face was scrunched up in concern. When everyone was seated, Seth sat up and began:
“I can understand how confused you are at the moment, but as always, the answers will come when the time for you to understand them is right. I’m afraid you guys are stuck with us however; you have entered a place - while still within the Clockworks – that is completely different from what you know as ‘The Clockworks’. This isn’t just a place to go to train yourselves and search for your mythical Core.” Seth paused abruptively, as if he had spoken of something that was not meant to have been spoken of.
“Mythical?” George interjected, “What? Many, many Knights have been to the Core! They have looked out at its surface, seen it beating like a heart!”
“N-never mind that... The point is that this isn’t the Clockworks that you’re used to. It is much worse. When you knights first crashed on this planet, it took a while for you to establish a base of operations in Cradle, but years to settle down and complete your network through the Clockworks!”
“Network? What do you mean?” George asked.
“Yeesh, you think the Arcade and elevators just randomly popped up, or the Strangers made them? Well, they didn’t, you knights did. They spent lot of time researching the Clockworks, and figuring out how to create that network. They were pretty smart though, creating that network like that. The use of Mineral properties to create those floors, it was genius! Combining the Minerals to conglomerate different creatures, manipulating the Clockworks essentially, however... many knights’ lives were lost building the whole thing. You should know that if you’ve ever visited your sword graveyard. Oh yes! Back to matters, Rose, can you demonstrate your special Vog Coat?” Seth handed the attention over to Rose who was slumped over her chair, sleeping serenely.
“Rose! You know I hate it when you, or anyone,” Seth looked slightly over at the three knights at the other side of the table. “Falls asleep when I’m explaining something, especially something serious!” Seth walked over and whacked Rose with his wrench.
“ACK! S-Seth? DON’T WAKE ME UP FROM MY BEAUTY REST!” Seth’s perky ears fell flat against his head as he winced.
“I just wanted you to demonstrate my special additions to your armor. Be right back.” Seth grumbled, walking out the door. He came back with a strange device which looked like a crane claw, but at the tips were two slots to fit something. He was also holding what appeared to be a miniature Owlite Candle. He stuck his hand into his pocket and retrieved two minerals, one Luminite, the other Crimsonite and inserted them into the sockets on his device. He pressed a button and the ‘claws’ snapped together with abrupt force, causing a small shower of sparks to cover the owlite candle, which caught fire and started expelling a warm blue glow. “If you will, Rose?” Seth gestured to the candle. Rose grunted and reached out her hand and almost magically before the other knights, pulled a little spark of flame from the candle and shoved it into the centre of her Vog Coat, which flared blue; as it had done previously, unknown to the knights sitting across the table, and the cracked veins altering from red to blue, but due to lack of mass quickly reverted to its menacing red color.
“Wha-What happened?” George asked gingerly.
“I rigged her armor so that it can contain and transmit the shielding affects of Owlite candle light. I also made it so that she can pick up the flame, much like picking up embers.” Seth explained nonchalantly. George began to ask another question but was cut off by Seth, a sudden seriousness rooted in his voice.
“Okay, here’s the deal, and you better listen up. Many interpret the world, existence” Seth emphasized the word, “differently, with many explanations. Some say that reality doesn’t truly exist, but is just a mixture of how we interpret the things around us with our senses, others think that some over worldly force created everything or governs the actions of everything, some think that time is set and destinies are but predestined... but what I believe, is that everything, exists, because something of the opposite exists. Every single thing can be defined, by explaining what opposes it. Light cannot be without darkness, hot without cold; life without death. Because of this, anything that ‘exists’ will have something that can balance it out, making that thing definable. We can explain things with similar differences, but are actually not. Such as saying that the opposite of any single being would be...” Seth paused, hesitation suggesting that he wasn’t explaining things properly. He then pointed at George, “Okay, too confusing, what if I asked you what the opposite of you would be?” George, intrigued at this little Gremlin’s philosophy, turned to look at the other knights; Ian was absent-mindedly staring at Seth, occasionally looking somewhere else, Trobolta leaned against a wall, where he was focusing at was a mystery obscured by his Dusker Cap. Rose was snoring decently, head on the table.
“Um, I don’t know, nothing?” George replied, unsure.
“Exactly, you’d think that the opposite of you, would be nothing, but then a lot of people will have the same opposite. That’s my point.” Seth paused again to let his words sink in.
“Um, I still don’t get it, and I’m paying more attention than this entire room combined.” George said. Seth looked distraught, but then said,
“Well, then take these two things from me. One, never, EVER, judge something before you get to truly understand it, trust no one but yourself. Two, everything has an opposite, which allows that thing to exist.” Seth summarized, sad that no one was paying any attention to him. He sighed, a hint of a canine sounding whine in it, before continuing. “Well, you guys aren’t going to last a second out there, outside this little establishment. The enemies are... different. I’ll need to give you guys some important info on how you’re going to survive.” Seth advised before standing up, signalling the end of just one of his many lectures, and as if on cue, Rose woke up. “Follow me this way; we can get around to the store room from here.” As they all trumped over to follow Seth, a scratching sound was audible at the door of the meeting room.
“Hmm? What’s he doing here?” Rose mumbled.
“Must have come for supplies or something.” Seth answered. Ian and George exchanged glances, Trobolta scratched at his Dusker Cap and stood at a tenser stance. Ian’s eyes hinted suspicion, something seemed strange in the air, familiar. George looked questioningly at the two knights; it looked like they were preparing to take action. Seth opened the door and a flash of brown whisked through the doorway.
“What’s going on?” Ian said, his voice fierce as he held his Sealed Sword in front of him in a defensive pose.
“Aw, you scared the poor guy!” Seth mumbled, walking over to a corner of the room, where the three knights couldn’t see, their view blocked by the table.
“Just what we needed, more cuteness.” Rose complained, “I’ve got stuff to do, my job’s done, I’m out.” Rose said as she walked out the door.
“What’s this buddy? Got a message for us?” Seth said in a surprisingly mocking voice, a tone you’d use for a baby. George and Ian walked over to the other side of the table to see what Seth was talking to, curiosity overcoming their confusion, Trobolta with his hand gripping his blade followed. Seth turned around to look at them, “Oh, this is Cyan, please don’t frighten him again, he’s worn out as it is, hard coming this far, what with all the dangers outside.” The three knights peered behind The Gremlin to see a wolver, bright Cyan eyes locked onto theirs, a rolled up sheet of paper clutched in its mouth. ~ End Part 6

~ Revised ~
N/A

Prologue I (ORIGINAL)
Davjo panted, sweat racing down his forehead as he sprinting through the Unknown Passage. HHHHhhrrrghrrrrrruuuuhhuuuuuhhh… He glanced to the left and thrust his Barbarous Thorn Blade into the looming Swarm, which separated briefly before reforming. Something was wrong, there was no end, he thought. He tried teleporting to Haven again… no luck.
“AUGH!” Davjo cried, collapsing to the ground, without time to think, he shoved himself back onto his feet and scrambled off, they were catching up, and there was no way he could escape.
Please, he pleaded, it can’t end this way, I know the Moon denies it! he dared a glance back and his breath cut off. A wall of oblivion was swallowing everything just short of a few feet behind him, the sides of the passage beginning to follow. I am the last of my kind. What I carry within me must be guarded!.
Davjo held out his hand, and using techniques unknown to even the highest Vanguard and Spiral HQ itself, he conjured a glistening ball of Crystal Energy, and forced the last of his mist energy into the ball, causing lavender threads to snake around it. Taking a deep breath he threw it behind him, he watched in worry as time slowed and the ball slipped into the oblivion, its light vanishing quickly.
10 Steps.
Davjo squeezed his eyes shut, than opened them again in time to side step a glob of Swarm. It was not the Swarm, whatever it was…
50 Steps.
Davjo looked around, he couldn’t make it! Where was he going? What was the point? He shook with exhaustion; he was weak, very weak; too weak.
100 Steps.
Davjo could no longer see anything but the darkness around him and the ever closer oblivion. His extensive skills allowed him to easily sense and detect incoming Swarm, but now he wasn’t sure he could. It worried him slightly that the normal Swarm possessed inhabitants of the Clockworks were nowhere to be seen. The pathway in front of him was beginning to seem warped from the darkness.
200 Steps.
Davjo collected the courage and strength to peer behind him. His ball of energy had accomplished nothing, now there was no hope he had played his last card. Nothing in the Clockworks had ever surpassed that before. He clenched his fist and placed it over his chest; his heart. There was no running from the… Oblivion
Davjo stopped. He wouldn’t run, he’d take this, hold it back, weaken it, whatever, but… He collapsed to the ground; he was too weak to do anything. It was stupid to go on. The Oblivion slowed. Angered, Davjo blasted his Hail Driver aimlessly. Nothing happened. He yelled and flung his Crest of Almire into the Oblivion, which had now surrounded him. The shield simply vaporized into darkness, leaving Davjo shield less.
He had been remarkable for someone of his age, but he had kept to the shadows, hiding from attention, few Knights knew about his existence. His skills were the reason he was to be unknown and mysterious.
Davjo lied down. He let himself relax, if this would be how it ended, than why not enjoy the last few moments he had? He put his right hand over his heart again. The Oblivion closed over him and plunged him into nothingness. Davjo’s eyes snapped open and widened in fear, all these feelings; agonizing pain, searing sadness, and pure emptiness. He struggled to keep breathing, his fists squeezed shut twitching. He took out his Barbarous Thorn Blade and frantically started slicing it through the blackness - he couldn’t stand it, he needed to get away, from, from… this. Then suddenly his hands started to glow, and a bubble appeared around him shimmering like starlight. Davjo pictured a crescent Moon, calm blue, beautiful. The light abruptly stopped and all was swallowed in The Oblivion.

~ Revised ~
His world was reduced to his breath and the thumping of his heart as he frantically sprinted through the Unknown Passage. HHHHhhrrrghrrrrrruuuuhhuuuuuhhh… He glanced to the left and thrust his Barbarous Thorn Blade into the looming Swarm, the haunting darkness separated briefly before reforming. Something was wrong, he thought; this couldn’t be the Swarm, he realized with horror. He tried teleporting back to Haven again… no luck.

“AUGH!”

Davjo cried out as he collapsing to the ground, without time to think, he shoved himself back onto his feet and scrambled off, they were catching up, and once they did, there was no escape.

Please, he pleaded to no one, it can’t end this way. he dared a glance back and his breath cut off. A wall of oblivion was swallowing everything just short of a few feet behind him, the sides of the passage beginning to follow. At least, I won’t let it end this way. What I carry within me must be guarded!.

He held out his hand, and using techniques unknown to the highest Vanguard and even Spiral HQ itself, he conjured a glistening ball of Energy, forcing the last of his strength into it. The ball of Energy glittered and glowed more vivid as Lavender threads snaked off of his arm and surrounded it. Taking a deep breath he threw it behind him, watching in worry as time slowed and the ball slipped into the oblivion, its light vanishing quickly.

10 Steps.

Davjo squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them again in time to sidestep a glob of ‘Swarm’. It was definitely not the Swarm, whatever it was…

50 Steps.

Davjo looked around, he couldn’t make it! Where was he going? What was the point? He shook with exhaustion; he was becoming weak, very weak; too weak.

100 Steps.

Davjo could no longer see anything but the darkness around him and the ever closer oblivion. His extensive skills allowed him to easily sense and detect oncoming Swarm, but now he wasn’t sure he could.The pathway in front of him was beginning to seem warped from the darkness, almost as warped as his mind.

200 Steps.

Davjo collected the courage to peer behind him. His ball of Energy had no effect. He was stricken; he had played his last card, and failed. Nothing in the Clockworks had ever surpassed that before. He clenched his fist and placed it over his chest; his heart. The revelation struck him, piercing him to the core. There was no running from the… Oblivion

Davjo stopped. He wouldn’t run, he’d take this, hold it back, weaken it, whatever, but… He collapsed to the ground; he was too weak to do anything. It was stupid to go on. The Oblivion slowed. Angered, Davjo blasted his Hail Driver aimlessly. Nothing happened. He yelled furiously and flung his Crest of Almire into the Oblivion, which had now enveloped him. The shield simply vaporized into darkness leaving Davjo shieldless, not that it mattered anymore.

He found it ironic that after living in the shadows, it would be shadows that took him. Few Knights knew of his existence in the first place, and fewer Knights knew him at all.The secrets that he carried and the things that he knew would be lost.

Davjo lied down. He let himself relax, if this would be how it ended, then why not enjoy the last few moments he had? He put his right hand over his heart again. The Oblivion closed over him and plunged him into nothingness.

Davjo’s eyes snapped open and widened in fear, all these feelings; agonizing pain, searing sadness, and pure emptiness. He struggled to keep breathing, his fists squeezed shut twitching. He took out his Barbarous Thorn Blade and desperately began slicing it through the blackness, only to have it tumble from his unstable hands. He never heard it hit the ground. He couldn’t stand it, he needed to get away, from, from… this. Then suddenly his hands started to glow, and a bubble appeared around him shimmering like starlight. Davjo pictured a crescent Moon, calm blue, beautiful. The light abruptly stopped and all was swallowed in The Oblivion.

Prologue II (ORIGINAL)
Indigo took a deep breath as she took a step off the horrid elevator. She looked around, dazzled by the scenery in front of her. Blades of grass waved in the wind and strange trees of some sort, freshened the air with a pleasant wooded smell. Indigo sighed and let out her first smile since she had set foot within the place Spiral HQ was calling 'The Clockworks'. The entire way here, everything was so tense, being one of the first to explore the place, she didn’t know what to expect, but from what she had seen since arriving, disturbed her greatly. Indigosteppednforward a few paces and sat on the grass. Something instantly set her off and she tensed up, only then noticing it.

Despite the somewhat relaxing feeling of the level, there was still the lingering taste of singed metal and the faint sound of groaning gears. It was just another lie, just like everything else in this wretched place. Worlds overlapping each other, different places molded and fused together like a giant puzzle of machinery. It was an eerie and deranged world that the Spiral Knights had crashed on, with nothing but the hope of heading towards the strange energy signals being picked up by the HQ coming from the centre of the world, or worlds; Indigo really couldn’t tell.