The security camera footage was almost too painful to watch. Daud could see Justifiers being slain left and right without so much as a second's warning. All he could see was a blurry black figure shooting past the camera, followed by the panicked reactions of the wounded Justifiers.
He was looking at the work of a dedicated assassin. What was he after? He didn't free any prisoners; rather, he slew them too.
"Sure," Alec replied, somewhat warily.
What's she up to?
Alec pulled over a chair, drank MORE coffee, and looked expectantly at Eve. Suddenly, he realized a strange fact.
"How the heck have I been drinking coffee while wearing Wolver armor?" He wondered. "Anyways, what's your question?"
Turning off the footage Daud looked back at the man in the corner. This one was broken, and he is not really any use. Alright might as well fix him. Walking over to the down man Daud pulled him to his feet. Looking around he saw there were no recording devices in this room as well as the fact the door was closed mid way making it hard to see what had gone on. "Alright, your are currently in a state were you are useless. Tell me what is being held here that would make this Assassin come here." The Knight was took scared from the look on his face he was indeed broken. "Alright, forgive me." Daud said, and with a quick lash of his blade, the Security Officer reached up to feel the sting of shadows pears his heart. "Sleep easy, you did your job." Giving the man his last words Daud laid him on the ground and went back to the console deleting the recorded data so it would look like the Assassin killed the man instead of him. Well, killing the Security Guard was not on my list but with him dead no one will suspect too much about what happened in here. If anything they will think the Assassin came in and killed the man. Leaving the Security room Daud held his blade to the side as the sheath of his now bloody blade swayed back and forth.
Can't be sure, but I have a feeling that this might be the same person. I am not one-hundred percent sure but the attack style seems reckless. Was this just a destraction to call some one out, if that is the case who were they calling and why. Daud though as he kept his guard up entering the holding cells. I remember this place well. Spent alot of time in here as a kid. However it was less bloody and filled with bodies. Looking around Daud saw all the Prison cells had been opened and it looked like a some one wanted to bathe in blood as bodies were mangled and horrors that even movies tended to play on. Walking slowly Daud found the body of a downed officer and took his security badge so he could enter the armory area. If I was going to attack a place like this, first thing I would do is make sure no one could reach that. Or blow it up, so on second thought best avoid that. Moving back to the upper levels Daud held poised as he entered the medical area. It was empty now, looking like something out of a B rate Horror film as Knights were dead on the floor and others barely alive. Damnit. Alright just think what is the best course of action. Well alerting the medical staff would be good, if they were not already gone, or is that them on the ground and walls...No keep looking, this assassin is going to try and move quick and with lethal force, so if I hold my ground and over power them they will back off. Holding the blade to his side Daud charged up the Silent Nightedge and moved slowly, his shield still protecting his back from a fault hit.
((Sorry if I am moving a little quick with Detail, was just going off the your post Thin :L Also, this is making me think the current Assassin is just trying to alure someone or something from it's hiding place. Could be wrong but this style of attack is most times a diversion of some sort to get some one to move to a place and or pull some one out in the open away from somewhere the Assassin would want to go. IDK over thinking I guess))
I stand up, then fix my dress. I say, "Well, you know a guy named Serris?...and a girl with--"
Wait, I said one. Better shut up now.
"So... Serris?"
((OOC: This is my own version))
I look at the battlefield but there are way too many people here and thought "I would die even with my increased defense, better look at the city and maybe check the prison, see if they updated the defenses." I move away from the battlefield and see the prison but something seemed off." As I reached the entrance, I see some bodies on the ground with tons of blood everywhere. I thought "When did this happen? Did it happen once I broke Lucario out who I still need to kill him..." I look around and see Lucario's previous cell still broken and I hear a sword swipe and thought "Where is that? That must be in the building which means the person who killed them was still inside. I don't really care but if this person was that strong, that would be a great assest to the swarm providing they weren't wearing swarm resistance armor." I move back to the entrance and see someone walking upstairs but he seemed to be cautious. I saw the sword he was using and said "Silent Nightblade, that's basically useless to me but something seemed odd about that blade" I then realized that the person inside was the one who cut Lucario and I then killed Lucario but Lucario somehow revived himself. I also realized that his armor his shadow lair resistance so I should kill him." I sneak inside quietly and hid if he turned around...
As soon as Eve said her question, Alec's demons broke loose and rampaged again.
"Well, you know a guy name Serris?...and a girl with-" Eve suddenly stopped, then said, "So...Serris?"
She's hiding something. A girl? Hmmmm...
Alec replied, rather nonchalantly, "Hmmm...let me think..."
"It depends," Alec finished. "Either you're talking about the man who tortured, murdered, terrorized, and menaced the Spiral Order for years and wants power and money, or you're talking about a nice salsa restaurant in the Haven Bazaar." He considered adding the fact that he knew the torture part personally, but decided against it. She was hiding something. Why shouldn't he?
"Um... Probably the first one is more accurate..." I say, then mumble in my thoughts. Was there even a salsa restaurant in Haven? :/
I really want to know about that girl, but I promised only one question. Now, I'll answer. Hm... How do I shorten this...'"Greetings, little Knights! I am Captain Serris, and I will be hosting the games this week. You have entered the games with dreams of glory, honor, and prestige; great rewards of wealth and power will be showered on the victor. But with great reward comes great risk, and these are not childrens' games, where you respawn after you die. No, this...this will be a fight for your life!'
"This Serris guy...set up a game... If I recall correctly, it's practically Hunger Games-esque. And--" I stop. Wasn't there a last part... the legendary Finder herself... "And I know I promised one question, but... Finder. Does that ring a bell?"
"Finder. Does that ring a bell?" Eve asks, after a brief explanation.
Finder...in his visions...though Alec hated to dwell on them a nanosecond more than necessary, he knew the answer was in there somewhere.
"Let me think for a sec or two, it sounds familiar..." Alec muttered. Taking a mental deep breath, he dove into the memories of his simulated scenarios when in captivity.
__________
Smoke. Fire. Sounds of explosions and screams, that faded away, but would always remain with you. Always.
"Come on!" Treston yells. Alec knows he's just another simulation, but he can't help but trust him. The two dash through the burned rubble of what was a thriving town...
Fighting. Blades clash. Guns shoot. Alec, tears running down his face, impales Treston with a sword he made from a pipe before he could bash in Alec's skull with a hammer. Treston gasps, fades into nothingness. For the umpteenth time, Alec's crushed by the loss of someon-something that he trusted, he really did. A stray bullet skids off the walls. Alec leaps to his feet, bolts...
Clarity. Alec finishes the day's simulation, and Serris's face comes to taunt him from screens. Taunts him about how the others he broke will be in his simulations. How he'll learn to never trust a single person again. Ever.
The new day begins...with another simulation. Alec is suddenly gazing at a battlefield, explosions bursting. Above, the dusky skies seem to be covered with blood...
"Put your hands up or I'll blow them to pieces, with the rest of you!" Alec looks into the barrel of a Callahan. Holding it is yet another "shadow comrade". A woman. Strange, when Alec was five and gazed at the Spiral Ranks, he had seen this same exact woman...
Betrayal. Trust. Betrayal. Trust. Alec expects it any second. But for some reason, Serris has not sicced the woman yet. Serris wants Alec to trust her, to really trust her. To trust her with his life. It'll take years. "Good thing Alec's not going anywhere anytime soon." the jailkeeper muses.
Alec wipes tears from his face as he kicks the woman, who Alec has nicknamed The Finder on account of how her bullets always "find" the enemy, off the building. When she impacts the ground, she fades away. But for a moment, Alec could have sworn that her face relaxed, as if it had been controlled by some outward force. A wolver pops in, lunges at him. He grabs it and snaps its neck without blinking. He slowly walk away, crushed from the shock of yet another person he trusted betraying him...
The day's over. How many? He's lost count. But he feels himself slipping, his mind giving way...Soon he'll be broken, like the others were. It's going, it's leaving, Alec's sanity, it-
"How are you, kid?" A knight in Azure Guardian armor with a Combuster slung across his left hip gazes at him. Alec looks around, sees a hospital. Another simulation. How did he regain thought processes? He's not going to play Serris's game this time. Alec shifts his gaze away, ignoring everything. It was only after three weeks and nearly throttling someone that he realized he wasn't a prisoner. Not anymore. But the memories...Alec doesn't think he's going to forget them anytime soon.
__________
Alec blinked, remembered where he was. He coughed to buy time to force down his rushes of anger and grief.
"The Finder..." Alec muttered. "Yes, it does. She..." he trailed off. He was glad his face was obscured by the armor. His rush of emotions had been too great to bluff past, even with his poker face.
((OOC: This is only Lucario's post))
I get back up and climb out. I look at them at they looked at me suspiciously but I see Antasma moving away from the battlefield. I decided to chase after him but I was being careful not to alert him. I felt bad for leaving Rachel behind but I need to stop this swarm creature from causing any more chaos. I see a building and when I looked at it carefully, it was the prison I was trapped in. I see Antasma going around the side but I stopped at the entrance and thought "Who could have done this? It wasn't Antasma since he bailed when the alarms went off." I then hear a sword swipe and rushed to the other side of the building. I look around the corner and see Antasma entering the building, it seems he noticed someone inside. I quietly sneak in and see what looks to be a warden with a silent... That warden was the one who cut my neck and then Antasma finished off my 1st human form. "I am just lucky I was able to revive myself but I am still not sure how I was able to do that." I then wait downstairs just waiting to hear some action.
((OOC 2: @Thin: So, when is the next progress and the prison has 3 people now. Daud, Antasma and me. Also, the slash was from Daud, not the finder.))
A powerful blade suddenly ripped past Daud's neck, his armor barely guarding his life. The assassin stopped, whipped around, and swung a Voltedge at him.
I continue sneaking behind the warden until something tries to slash at him. I moved back to the staircase and then realized the person was in a rage with this warden. I look carefully and see it was an assassin of sorts and I saw the weapon was a voltedge. I then realized it was the woman who attack me when the army was around before. I thought "If she wins, I could knock her out and take her to the unknown passage to let the swarm corrupt her." I decided to watch the battle and attack if they tried to hit me. The only thing that felt odd was I could sense someone behind me. I quickly turn around to see if there was someone behind me but there wasn't and I turned around again to watch the battle.
Barely missing a swing to the neck Daud turned to face his killer, having little time to react he just stood poised. Of course he knew he was out matched with speed that was clear by the attack that was just made. However if he could just over power his foe he might have stood a chance. Looking at the weapon that almost took his life, a second time now, Daud mauled over what to do. With a little hope Daud unleashed the held up charge he had on the Silent Nightblade sending forth a riptide of Shadow energy. Of course knowing what he did about this person in front of him it was easy to avoid but provided him enough time to get out his Leviathan Blade and shield. Remember speed is not aiding you here, but defending my self will keep me alive Daud said as he kept his eye on the Assassin the whole time poised to attack with all his might should the moment arise. Of course taking a hit from a three-hundred pound man would cause anyone to be in pain, and slowly Daud was enjoying himself.
As I crept along the walls in silence, I tried not to look upon the mass of bodies littering the floor. Whoever did this was a monster. My nerves were being rested as I went on, morbid death surrounding me, imminent threat and the one thing that frightened me the most; the silence, even the few surviving Justifiers had fled the premises. Like the entire Skylark held by a strong the tension was terrifying, knowing that at any moment, it could snap.
I freeze as I hear the heavy thudding of feet in the distance. For a brief moment, I assume it is the attacker, but I quickly reason that the attacker moved swiftly and stealthily, like an assassin.
Considering I had no idea how to get out, I made the decision to see who was around the corner, hoping I was making the right choice. Just as I approach the corner, a black blur zips past my immediate front. Turning the corner, I watch as the assassin's blade literal slices a man's- my eyes widen in recognition, as I see the Deadman from back at Desna's base. The attacker comes in with another blow from a Voltedge, the warden unleashing the charge from his Silent Nightblade.
My heart stops as everything clicks into place. Feelings that I haven't felt in years well up overwhelmingly. Breaking my cover, I blast an electromagnetic field fueled by my emotions, forcefully down the hallway.
"Stop!"
Nevo sat still in the foxhole, contemplating the words the operator said.
"What, you scared for her? Aw... The experiment has found some love"
"Experiment..." Nevo whispered, still gripping Serah's blaster.
Don't think about it now. Save that for after this battle.
Nevo fired off two shots at two knights. One bullet hit one of the knights in the arm, causing him to turn and fall onto the ground, and the other got a shot in the chest.
"Serah, Tell Desna to get ready to push. I'm going to do something very stupid." Nevo said, passing Serah's gun back to her.
Lets see why he called me an "experiment"
I hear some slashes upstairs and sneak quietly up and see an assassin attacking the warden but I see Antasma just watching the fight. I thought I could hear footsteps and then a knight appears out of nowhere and launches a electromagnetic field which seemed to stop the fight. I started to panic a bit and thought "Antasma won't like this." I hear cracking of electric and see Antasma fully revealing himself. I run up and blocked the bolt hitting that person but I hit the wall with tons of force. I crawled out and slashed at Antasma.
I was still hiding and I watched the battle preparing until someone appeared out of nowhere and blocked the 2 fighters. I got angry and launched a plasma bolt at the random person but someone blocked it and hit a wall. I looked and it was Lucario again. I really got angry but Lucario slashed at me and knocked me into another wall. I took a lot of damage and said "Lucario is a protector of light, I need to kill him but he can knock my attacks back unless..." I charge up another bolt but I crushed it so it was a consistence attack. I launched it at myself and started to take damage and was shocking on the outside. I thought "If I get resistance to my attack, I won't take any more damage from the attack." I slowly stopped shaking and I wasn't taking anymore damage. I launch a plasma bolt at Lucario but he knocked it back but I didn't take damage or get knocked back from the attack anymore. I said "You can't beat me anymore Lucario, none of you can stop me. Lucario is too weak, this random person seems pathetic, the warden is slow and has a weak attack and finally the assassin is super weak. Try to fight me if you dare but you will die." I launch a giant plasma bolt at Lucario and it really hurt him.
((OOC: Me and Lucario agreed before this post and the previous one.))
Stepping forward, I drew my swords; my entire being focused on the black figure. With every ounce of power in my being, I warped up behind her. Revolving my swords, I slammed them into the ground, and in an ear splitting crack and pop, we were gone. The only indication of our presence the warped floor and flickering of reverberant energy.
My vision flashed, and I was now looking at some trees, Haven nowhere in front of me. One good thing. With my lingering strength, I looked up, and with her hood down, Claire's flowing hair was visible. Smiling, I blacked out, only knowing three things. I had stopped Claire from hurting anyone else, we were away from any other people - at least from what I had seen - and that my life was in Claire's hands.
(OOC: Sorry if this is too "seriously dude?".)
Watching is pay check slip from his grasp Daud roared his anger with a savage cry that would have even made a grown man think twice before engaging. Gripping his Leviathan Blade tighter he turned and looked at the battle going on around him, for all he cared they could all go die and or rot. His money could be miles from were he was and worse of all, it would have been so easy to just snatch and run. However Daud did see the phantom creature from before and smiled. "Well if I can't have first place," he reached behind him and pulled out a Curse Vile, "Might as well take the runner up reward." He said as he popped the cork and looked at the two creatures before him. He remembered one being the creature that attacked with the Swarm and from the way he was just soloing this, he was along and that made him weak. The other he did not remember or for that matter care about so long as he was not going to get in the way. Judging by the way the Phantom thing charged in I would venture to say that he is guarding himself and or a fool. Either way I need that money, so some one is going to die tonight. With that said Daud tossed the vile at the desctated Phantom creature.
Once that was done he picked up his Leviathan Blade and looked at the two fighting, hoping the vial he tossed would aid. "That thing as a big mouth, wonder if he has ever fought some one like me." He said as he held the shield up in-front of him as the shields field arised. "Time to make a dead man out of this one."
Herston suddenly stood up, grabbed his ciup, and mumbled, "I'll get some more coffee."
After he was outside, he started mumbling, "Should I? She wants to know about Serris. But.... No, no way..... That's crazy! Yeah, wait no. Maybe.... What was I talking about again?"
He forgot, then entered the room. "Hello!"
OOC: Herston's a dummy at times. xD Wonder why did Serris recruit him.
"Hai!" Alec responded, waving. Internally, thought...
More coffee? He doesn't even know how I got the coffee! Whatever, better find out more about Serris's game...
Alec inquired towards Eve, "So, where were we? Oh yeah, you were going to tell me about the game and such." Alec pulled up a chair and sat down, expecting a long, long, LONG explanation.
OOC: Is it OK if Eve just does something like 1 wall of text later...? It would be a shortcut, since I know everything already (blah blah maze, yadda yadda Operator, derp derp Desna rescue, woof woof The Swarm, meow meow etc.
I see Lucario in bad condition but I get hit with a vial and see it was a curse vial... I look at the warden and said "You're not as weak as I thought." I never tried launching my plasma since I would take damage but my claws could still be used though. Never used them before but I can't really run away. I laugh at the warden "You won't beat me without Lucario and Lucario isn't swarm you stupid warden." I started to laugh manically and I realized my swarm com was fixed. I talked into it and said "all void ghostmane stalkers rush towards my location, I have been cursed by a warden." I close the link and prepare for battle.
((OOC: @Dark, you forgot the part where I shocked myself to make myself immune to my attack and Lucario is now knocked down.))
Daud did not move as he waited. Of course an unseen smile was on his face as he knew the phantoms plans at this point would not work so he decided to give a little word of warning. "You know, I hate people like you. Talk to much and always judge things before knowing whats really going on. Take this into note before you make your next move. No one is immune to a sword threw their heart, this is a Spiral Order building thus in maybe less then ten minutes Knights from the order, maybe even Desna will burst in here. Secondly all Knights have a Communications device that serves as a sort of Transmitter, incase you don't recall that means the order is very well hearing this as well as have a location were to find me and him. So, before you get over run and find yourself in a early grave, just run away because even if you manage to kill us you won't get away in time to escape a small army of Knights." With that said Daud held his shield in front of him as he steadied his blade. It was a long gamble but if he was right, the creature really only had five minutes maybe less because of how quick the alarm was sent from the Security room. "Ah one more note for you to take into mind before making a fool hearty choice. I am use to dealing with your kinda on a normal bases, so it your thinking about trying and curripting us and or kill us, its not going to work. Two Knights can work together, and seeing this one beside me is a cursed creature I can make him stronger." Daud pulled out a second curse vial and tossed it to Creep. "Bottoms up mate." Daud said as he went back to his defensive stance. Well only one Curse Vial left. But I still have three Poison vials, even if it does not hurt him the way his body is contrusted this will make him slow down and weakened enough for normal attacks to effect him.
I look at the warden who seemed to be doing nothing but he said "You know, I hate people like you. Talk to much and always judge things before knowing whats really going on. Take this into note before you make your next move. No one is immune to a sword threw their heart, this is a Spiral Order building thus in maybe less then ten minutes Knights from the order, maybe even Desna will burst in here. Secondly all Knights have a Communications device that serves as a sort of Transmitter, incase you don't recall that means the order is very well hearing this as well as have a location were to find me and him. So, before you get over run and find yourself in a early grave, just run away because even if you manage to kill us you won't get away in time to escape a small army of Knights." I then thought "That's bad, getting swarmed by tons of knights would kill me even with my high defense." The warden then said "Ah one more note for you to take into mind before making a fool hearty choice. I am use to dealing with your kinda on a normal bases, so it your thinking about trying and corrupting us and or kill us, its not going to work. Two Knights can work together, and seeing this one beside me is a cursed creature I can make him stronger." As soon as he said that, I saw him put out another curse vial and throws it to Lucario and said "Bottoms up mate." I see Lucario standing back up and said "You are lucky I don't have the swarm army with me but you are not getting away easily." I run out but I knew the void ghostmane stalkers where in the building. I rush back to the Grand Arsenal to regroup my thoughts and said "Good luck trying to defeat the stalkers but I wonder if Lucario is that person's nickname. I then realized, I might need to go back to Haven and find the vendor selling curse vials since they are still there.
((OOC: Yeah, your threats got the better of me but the ghostmane stalkers will hurt you at least and the finder is still there... Also, you said Creep (or Creeper), that's Lucario's failed name but it could his real name and Lucario is his nickname. Lucario is thinking of this as we type.))
I am on the ground weakened and hear the warden and Antasma talking. I couldn't hear what they where saying because I was so weak. I then see a vial on the ground and it was a curse vial. I drunk it and got a lot of energy from it and stood back up. I thanked the warden and Antasma left. I thought "No-way he's leaving without a fight." I randomly put my hand on the ground which was weird because I didn't do that before and I saw some hidden enemies and said "There are ghostmane stalkers here but they are swarm which means the grand arsenal has been taking over." I then thought "Why did I put my hand on the ground, that's something my previous self did... Wait a second, is the light energy in my other form." I told the warden to prepare for these ghostmane stalkers.
((OOC: The "other form" is the one I had until I got the light energy and I decided that Creeper should be my real name with Lucario being a Nickname. Just wonder if Thin approves of this or not.))
The pain...it's too much...darn you Nitscu! Claire crumples to the ground, the pain of withdrawl now being almost too much to bear. With both of them blacked out, neither noticed the approach of a clean-shaven man in a brown trench coat and brown wide-brimmed hat. He slung both of them over his shoulders and transported them back to the dungeon. He laid them down on the floor of the room where several other people (Alec, Eve, and Herston) stood gawking at the newcomers.
"Don't worry fellas, it's just me. You've got yourselves some new company." He tipped his hat and stepped out.
__________
Serah called up Desna and reported, "Nevo says to get ready to 'push' because he's about to do something 'stupid.'" Desna cursed and replied, "Make him stop." But it was too late...
OOC: Though it may seem that Alec had feelings for Claire from the simulation, he didn't. It's just the shock of seeing someone you thought didn't even exist that you trusted with your life. Also, I left it kind of a cliffhanger at the end, since the Trench Guy is Thin's person.
Alec looked in surprise. Actually, he didn't. He'd seen enough crazy stuff today. He was, though, rather fed up with this.
This is ridiculous. What's next, an entire army come-
Alec double-checked to make sure. Yes, that girl...
The last person in my simulations - the last one I can remember at least.
However, Alec was wary. Very wary. And fed up. He used nearly all of his energy to make a ring of ice around the two people, one who looked eerily similar. A hand of Serris, perhaps? Maybe all those simulations had real hands and goons of him, so it would be easier for him to find images of people to plant into the tortured person's mind. And that trench coat guy...
Alec barked at Eve and the boy who's name he STILL didn't know in a voice that was completely different from the cheery tone a few seconds ago. "Stay here. Watch them." Drawing out his Combuster, Alec opened the door where the Mr. Trench Coat had went through.
Alec arrived just in time to see the man jump into an airspeeder through a hole in the wall. The man looked at Alec and tipped his hat to him. "Howdy! How can I help you, partner?"
Alec looked askance at Trench Coat. His tone, though, took Alec off guard. For about .5 miliseconds. The next moment, Alec was replying, hand on his Combuster, "You really don't know how you can help me? I'd think someone with your intellect would have known that beforehand." Giving the appearance of being casual, Alec continued, "For starters, I would like to know how in Vog did you teleport these people here?"
Daud reached behind him and smiled as he looked at the other man. "Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to show you something truly weird." Of course the Warden was trying to be loud at this point. As it stood Ghostmane Stalkers were his least favorite creatures but they were weaker the further away from the Core even if the Swarm had them. With a quick yank of his hand Daud held aloft one Vial of Poison, one Vial of Fire, and last but not least a Vial of Shock. "Behold the magic of mixing and matching. With one quick act I will make those who our eyes can't see, more visible." With that said Daud opened the Fire Vial and Shock quickly mixing them together till it looked like the glowing of the liquid wanted to burst. After that he tossed the Poison vial into the air till it hit the roof and let a cloud of poison erode to life. "And with a quick flick of my hand," tossing the mixed vial together into the cloud an explosion happened sending out a shock wave of all three leaving behind a thin layer of poison and shock all around.
Slowly one by one the creatures could be seen with their situates as well as start to suffer from the effects of breathing the poison. "This will make them visible for us, however I would get something to cover your mouth and nose other wise you might die. This concoction is lethal and makes the air statically charged. So anything that deals electrical energy would get a real boost from this." Daud said as he walked forwards. Since his armor was build for the hazards of the Shadow Lair it was harmonically sealed as well as had an air filtration system to keep out the partials in the air that held swarm infestations. Holding his Shield up and Leviathan Blade tall, quickly moving to the first Situate and slashing as quick as he could. Being a Warden he was not known for his speed, but the power behind his blows were enough to make any creature think twice. "You know, I an't the fastest in the world so if ya could pick up the pace."
The warden looked at me with a smile and said in a loud tone "Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to show you something truly weird." I look and see him mixing a bunch of vials together but some ghostmane stalkers managed to blindsight me and hurt me. I knocked them with the rest of the ghostmane stalkers. The warden then threw the potions in the air and said "This will make them visible for us, however I would get something to cover your mouth and nose other wise you might die. This concoction is lethal and makes the air statically charged. So anything that deals electrical energy would get a real boost from this." I thought "Anything that deals shock gets a boost... If Antasma comes back there could be trouble." I started to suffocate from the poisonous air and fell onto the ground. I closed my eyes and thought "Come on, find something to protect myself." I stood back up with an aura around me which seemed to block the poisonous air but made my defenses lower. The warden was moving forward and said "You know, I an't the fastest in the world so if ya could pick up the pace." I put up my shield and pushed a ghostmane stalker to a wall. I pulled out my Divine Faust and killed it but when it died, it dropped swarm particles indicating that he was fully corrupted. I then see another one but he wasn't moving. I move towards it and see it was a decoy which blew up in my face. I started to lose eyesight again when I hear saws buzzing and I said "Not this time ghostmane stalkers." I counter most of the saws but 3 of them hit me which knocked me onto the ground. I thought "This aura is helping me survive this poison air but it's made my defense worse." I launched a charged Divine Faust shot on the ground and cleared up some more void ghostmane stalkers. I couldn't see the warden who I still didn't know his name who I hoped was OK or at least, in a better position than I am. I struggle to get back up and fainted from weakness... My thoughts before fainting was "Not many left, just hope the warden can defeat them..."
((OOC: The aura around me came from the creature I temporarily was.))
Nevo took his plate shield off his back, and charged towards the knights shooting at the rangers. He couldn't see anything but the back of his shield, but he knew that he had caught a lot of attention. Bullets pounded on Nevo's shield, ricocheting back towards the knights. Most of them ducked in time, but some unlucky ones got a bullet to various body places.
Nevo slammed his plate shield into the ground to make a temporary cover. He looked at Desna, and nodded.
Watch them. Okay. Herston thought, then patted Eve on the shoulder. "Watch them. Whatever that guy said."
And he slumped backwards. Asleep..... AGAIN.
Then he jolted back up. "If you need me, don't wake me."
And he slumped backwards.
Astran ponders Alec's question for a bit, as if he didn't know the answer. "Well...goodness, I have no idea how I got them here! Do you suppose it was magic?" He winked and revved the speeder's engines. "It was fun talking with you, but I really must be going. Toodles!"
Meanwhile, Claire wakes up, rubbing her eyes and forehead. She tries to get up, only to find herself bumping against a clear, ice-cold wall. She can see a few familiar faces outside. "What the heck is going on here!? Who are you people!?"
__________
((I'll get to Nevo in a bit...))
I shifted a bit in my unconscious state, closing my body in, as the air cooled down around me. But of course I didn't know this, because I was out.
(OOC: lol)
OOC: Yeps, coffee is capable of nearly everything! :D
Alec chuckled as he saw the speeder speed away. He considered zapping the speeder, but decided against it. This stranger was...interesting, to say the least. Reminded him of the people he learned in history class at 6: people from this place called "Earth".
A bounty hunter. This'll make things interesting...
Alec walked back to Eve and the boy who he STILL didn't know. Observing that the woman was awake, and noting her bloodshot eyes (most likely from withdrawal of some sorts, either Warp Dust or BLaze Pepper), he made a new batch of ultra-strong coffee and added some medicinal herbs, giving a wholesome, fresh smell. Holding it out, one hand ready to zap her with lightning if she should attack, he offered, "Coffee? It'll make the pain go away. Drink first, then questions." Noticing that the man was shaking from cold, Alec walked to the bag and tossed a firekit over the ice wall.
Having cleved threw the first Stalker Daud turned and looked at the last Ghostmane Stalker. "Thanks mate." the Warden said as he moved, of course the loud clanking of him rushing was rather loud causing the creature to retreat and try and get around him. With a quick turn Daud found he was indeed right as he found the Stalker face to face. With a quick charge Daud stabbed his blade into the chest of the creature leaving it to dissipate back into partials of energy from which it became infected. Remembering the other Knight Daud put his blade back into the Holster of his Shield and put it on his back leaving his hands free. Well maybe it was the poison that kills them the rest of the way but this room is a lethal danger zone for at least another half an hour. Daud thought as he picked up the fallen Knight and made a brake for the exit, since his Armor protected him from the air Daud was fine but the man on his shoulder was going to need an antidote before long.
Once outside Daud found he was indeed right about the Spiral Order sending in a group of High-ranked Knights. The moment he was out side Daud was met with what looked like a group of Cobalt knights and some Specialists who were gearing up for an entrance into a Swarm infected area. Each one seemed to be applying air filters as well as patching up the loose holes in their armor. Of course seeing Daud push out with the poisoned Knight caused some attention to be given but not alot. Two Cobalt Knights rushed over to check them for vitals and the basic's of health however nothing major. When they got to Lucario the two could see the signs of heavy poisoning and rushed him off to a tent. Before they went Daud stopped them and pulled out what looked like a small capusal no bigger then the with of his palm. The top was red and the bottom was clear with a white liquid floating around inside, "Hold him still for a moment." Daud said as he pulled the red part off showing a hypodermic needle as well as a small presure gage that was green. Walking over the man Daud lined the needle and poked it into his arm and watched as the liquid entered his vians. "He should be fine." The two Knights nod as Daud turned and looked at the building. "Alright you phantom, looks like you jumped a little higher in the capture or kill list. However the woman is still the prize."
((I like coffee. :3))
Claire took the coffee and greedily drank it down, not caring that it was piping hot. She wiped a little off her chin and handed the mug back to Alec. "Questions. Now. Who the heck are you?"
Alec sighed. "There's always going to be those people who snap at everyone who's been nice to them." He contemplated the current situation. Unfortunately, his demons were currently on a rampage of rampagingness, so he couldn't exactly concentrate very well. He tried to keep himself careful of what he said. Hopefully, he wouldn't say anything stupid, like drunks do in a stupor.
"Very well, miss. I'll ask you some questions, and you'll ask me some. I'll answer yours first. I am Alexander Prelude. Probably don't know me. However, I'd like to know who are you exactly, Finder?" Alec's kind voice suddenly turned rock hard with the word "Finder". She looked exactly like that woman in his simulations. It was natural for him to be rather wary of someone who he highly suspected was working for...him.
((OOC: As the title suggests, this is a dream sequence. Also the "cursed warrior" is basically Lucario but when he was younger. The line shows when Lucario wakes up.))
"I wake up but when I look around, I see the unknown passage. I thought "No, that warden betrayed me!" I walk through but I don't see anything but when I looked at myself, and see the aura gone and the sword I had vanished. I thought "This must be a dream but it doesn't make sense to have this swarm related dream." Then a dark creature came from the ground who had a black body, black arms, black head, blue eyes and white hair. This creature said "Antasma done well, he's put you to sleep and you won't wake up until I leave. The void ghostmane stalkers particles managed to create this bizarre dream since you can't be corrupted because of the stupid curse." I said "Who are you?" The creature said "I am not saying my name but I am 1 of the 3 swarm leaders and 1 of the 2 unknown passage leaders." He launched what looked like a pure dark energy bolt at me and I barely dodged it but I got hit by the recoil. The creature said "Curse will die right here!" He floated towards me and slashed at me which knocked me back. He charged another dark bolt at me but something blocked it. I look behind me and see my old life which I didn't die from. The creature said "No threat at all" until he got hit with a gran faust from a cursed warrior behind him. The creature said "This is not worth it right now but I will get you!" The creature disappears through the dream floor..."
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I wake up in a panic and see some knights looking at me...
((OOC2: This is the dark creature's appearance if you need to know.))
This 'Alexander Prelude' clearly didn't like her, but if he thought he knew her, he had another thing coming. That, and he had no business trapping her in ice. She casually drew her Voltedge and fired a Callahan shot through the ice wall, shattering it completely. As she had no intention of using it on Alec, she twirled it and put it away.
That coffee must have improved her mood.
She threw off her cloak and hood and took a seat on the floor with her legs crossed. "Dam right I don't know you. I've never seen you before in my life. But since you're obviously familiar with me and my 'profession,' why don't you tell me who the heck I am?"
She was almost going to enjoy toying with him. Almost.
Alec chuckled as the woman shattered his ice wall. Her personality seemed just like the simulated one. Maybe Serris duplicated personalities as well? The wall was mostly for show. If needed, he could've made one stronger than steel, and cold enough to freeze everyone in this room in seconds.
Unfortunately for this woman, Serris seemed to have practically planted her ENTIRE personality into the simulation. Having "known" her for what seemed to be years, he knew when she was angry, happy, or "I'm going to rip out your liver and feed it to the fishes and then shoot you seven times in the chest and toss you into a river of lava." She was, as the game Skolvers & Skeletons (Eat that, Wizards of the Coast!) put it, doing a Bluff/Intimidate Check. She rolled a 1 to Alec. Her question though...
Hmm. I really don't trust this person. Hell, she could secretly be a guy, and I wouldn't be surprised anymore. Tell her who she is, eh?
Alec thought about the memories again, but managed to keep them suppressed enough. For a second or two, his mind flashed with sickening recollections. Then he grinned, recalling various aspects of this person. Apparently, Serris was very, VERY, lazy. It was almost as if he had done a cut-and-past job with his torture. Every single person had a distinct personality that Alec knew had to be lazily taken from their real behavior in life and shoved into the programming; they were simply too diverse for even a mastermind to design. One? Easy to design. Ten? Harder. Three hundred? No one could have that much time. He now remembered nearly every facet about this Finder, besides her name. Oops. He'd have to pull a Bilbo (Lord of the Rings) for this one.
"Easy enough," Alec replied. "You're a deadshot, a quick-footed ambusher. A person who prefers strikes from the shadows rather than a head-on attack. Yes, Finder, I know you. You're battler extraordinaire, improviser, and also, torn. Torn from situations that you'd rather not discuss. Torn from addiction. From Warp Dust (or was it Forbidden Fruit? Gah, the years take your memories first). Oh yes, I do know you, Finder. Associate of Serris. Bane of all creatures unlucky enough to cross your path. Beloved of Avery, who's now lost. How? I don't exactly recall. I just remember the most important details. And one of them is that you are dangerous. Highly dangerous." Sensing some vaporous gasses nearby that caused,
From page 146 of the Spiral Medical Handbook. Carbon Disilicon (Random thing I made up) can cause headaches, dizziness, and unconsciousness. It can also cause giddiness. It's commonly excreted by Slooms attacking knights, causing them to lose consciousness within seconds.
Alec prepared to draw them into the room if need be. Walking over to his bag, he made two coffees. Drinking one, he offered the other to Claire.
"Then again, just because we don't trust each other (and probably would kill each other without hesitation) doesn't mean that courtesy is impossible," Alec cheerily said, his voice much different from his previous one. "Coffee?"
Daud turned just as the Knight awoke. "Welcome back to the world of the living." Daud tossed the used Field injection needle away as one of the two Knights left to secure the building a little bit more. "In the time I got us out, these ladies and Gentlemen have shutdown all the Elevators as well as cut the power to that building save for backups. From what I can gather over the Communcations link I have right now, a Field operator is coming here soon to start reworking the power as well as remove the poison in the air. Turns out the Phantom went crazy and attacked the people deleting the Security footage so we have no way of knowing what went on for sure." Daud said as he walked over, more or less telling the Knight what he had told the other while he was out as well as what he should say if asked. "On a personal note, I must give you credit for lasting as long as you did with out a mask or something." Reaching up Daud took off his helm, the sound of his armor unsealing and releasing presure was heard. Looking at him Lucario could have seen his long Ghastly White hair, as well as the cuts and nicks of his face. But what could have stuck out most of all aside from his omnipresent frown, were the bags under his eyes. "Turns out that mixture I cooked up has some crosive propertys that are now slowly eating away at the eletical systems, an-
Before Daud could finish his train of though, the second story of the build blasted out as the Poisonis gas had erupted into flames because of the electicly charged air. Glass fell from the broken windows as well as small tongues of fire that quickly died out in the open air. "-d that is what happens when you mix fire, Poison, and Shock Vials. Any questions before I go on?"
((Uploading an entire personality to a computer is nigh-impossible. Serris got the basics down, like the general feel of her combat abilities and some surface traits of her personality, but he doesn't know her well enough to go deeper.))
Claire was unimpressed. "Pfft, Nitscu here could have told you all that. Did Serris put you in the simulations? I heard from second-hand sources that he did things like that." She sipped the coffee and closed her eyes to enjoy it. It had a delightful nutty flavor, unmarred by any bitterness. She put it down and gazed at Nitscu. He looked cute when he slept. Too bad he was gonna be awake in a moment. She slapped him on the side of his head and commanded, "C'mon, Nitscu! Get up, now." She looked back at Alec. "I gotta wonder though: why don't you trust me? Because, well, not that you would anyways, seeing as I used to work for Serris, but I find it odd that you made a point of it."
OOC: Kay Thin. All that he knows is basically that. Nothing more. Also, watch as Alec has his memory attack, for the first time made public!
"Nitscu? Who the darn cheesecakes is Nitscu?" Alec asked. "That guy over there? Ahh... Well, to clarify, I never even knew of his existence before today, O Finder." Alec made a mock bow, chugging down some coffee. He knew how to get on someone's nerves. He had first-hand experience from everyone's favorite evil mastermind.
Maybe I can get her ticked off, but not too much. She might reveal something about who she is.
Suddenly, the woman slapped the person who Alec supposed was Nitscu.
"Geez," Alec muttered. "How much of a social life can you get if you go around and break everything? First, the laws of physics (teleportation), then my ice wall. What's next? His neck?"
"Anyways," Alec continued. "He's out from pure exhaustion - trying to wake him up is like trying to slap him out of a coma. You'll slap his head off before he wakes." Whistling, Alec walked once again to his trusty bag, pulled out a syringe with the label "Adrenaline Shot.", and handed it to Claire.
"You don't exactly trust me, and vice versa," Alec said, "So I won't bother sticking a needle into someone you apparently know. Very well."
Alec continued, "And as for the part about Serris..."
Alec's voice before had sounded like sugar-loaded gumdrops. Happy, optimistic, almost silky, if his tone didn't sound too "innocent". All of a sudden, the gumdrop-voice turned into a hoarse, broken one, even with Alec's Bluffing skill.
"...Please, do" *cough* "...not mention it."
Suddenly, he felt like he had a headache. A painful one. Right in the left temple.
Oh Vog, please, not again...
Alec muttered, "I-I have to go and sleep. Too much coffee. I've been up for 20+ hours."
He walked to a random door that read "Dorms", locked the door, created some thick, harmless gasses that made the room soundproof, and rocked his head back and forth.
Then the visions came.
And he cried.
Alec's mock bow did kinda tick her off. It's not like she was proud of being dangerous! She couldn't count the times she wanted to just be normal again, to explore the Clockworks with her fellow knights, see the wonders of Cradle, chat with friends and guild mates...she would have given up everything to have that back.
Instead, she got a syringe with an adrenaline shot.
Then a thought popped into her head: what if she gave it to Nitscu? Would it wake him up? It was worth a shot. She injected it into his arm and waited.
I look and see the warden who then said "Welcome back to the world of the living." I saw random swarm particles all over the place but I thought "That creature must still be inside my mind." The warden then said "In the time I got us out, these ladies and Gentlemen have shutdown all the Elevators as well as cut the power to that building save for backups. From what I can gather over the Communcations link I have right now, a Field operator is coming here soon to start reworking the power as well as remove the poison in the air. Turns out the Phantom went crazy and attacked the people deleting the Security footage so we have no way of knowing what went on for sure." I thought "Antasma wouldn't attack this place randomly and kill everyone, if they were strong, he would have knocked some out and took them to the unknown passage to be corrupted." He then took off his helm and hear sound of it unsealing and releasing pressure. I look and see his hair which looked ghostly white and had tons of cuts on his face. The warden then said "Turns out that mixture I cooked up has some erosive property's that are now slowly eating away at the electrical systems, an-" I then hear an explosion that hurt my ears and then the warden said "-d that is what happens when you mix fire, Poison, and Shock Vials. Any questions before I go on?" I said "I have a few questions. What's your name, do you go through shadow lairs since you could tell that dark phantom who is called "Antasma" and finally, if you do shadow lairs, could you notice anyone that was corrupted without much problem? I hear a random message in my head saying "You will be re-corrupted with strong self-curse and light all gone. You have 1 day left."
Daud started to replace the filter in his Helm, the filter it's self was a mess with things that should never have seen the light of day. Looking back a Luicario he nodded. "Normally I am in the Shadow Lair guarding people who are not ready for the dangers of the third level. As for your second question, it would take me a moment but I can normally tell if some one is corrupted. It's hard to tell but how they act as well as their body explains everything." Daud placed his helm back on, the sound of the suite sealing up once more was heard as well as the filter on his voice. "Now, as for a name I am Warden Daud 'Deadman' Nychta, Butcher of the Shadow Lair. Won't lie, I have taken many Knights heads down there and up here its how I got my nick name kid. I am also the Second in command of the Darkwatch." Daud reached to his hip and pulled out his Silent Nightblade from it's Sheath. "I am sure you still remember the sting of this weapon as it was used by one of my Knights." Daud paused as he looked at Luicario, he was hoping for a quick glimps of some kind as if testing something. "Don't worry, this is not what I would use of the creature you call Antasma. However I must off this word about him. He might be powerful, he might be strong. But he is stupid and rash, acting because he things he can over power his foes before thinking about what they can do."
Placing the blade away Daud turned and looked at the now quiet building. "I can not lie, that creature will die in a most humiliating way. People who act like he does only ever find the subility of the grave as host to there sins. But its not for me to chose this. All I can say right now is that creature will die, and in the end when everything is said and done. We will have his head, and his body will be on a table, cut open for research." Turning his head Daud watched as a group of Knights rushed in with what looked like emergency equipment as well as tool kits to cut power. "I have my own sins to reflect on, thus I can say this from my past. I am young but still have seen this world for what it is and what it can make. This place they call Haven is no save place. Only by working together with others can we hope to make it safe. Yet things like this Antasma will always be, even as fool hearty and bigoted as he is." Reaching up Daud placed his finger on the side of his head for a second then turned and looked at Luicario. "Seems your friend has left the building because the search teams have reported null. Anyway, go rest for right now. I know I am going to take a nap when I get back to Section 37." With that said Daud turned and walked off, however he left behind an offer. "Your welcome to join be in the once place were your safe. For the most part."
It was like being launched out of the deepest part of the ocean on a rocket.
My eyes shot open, but I didn't see anything. My hands clenched, but I didn't move them. I think my mouth opened, but no sound came out. I could barely register the fizzle of energy as an electromagnetic force field exploded outwards from me. Except that it was unstable, having a constantly reversing polarity. I could also feel my chest heaving frantically, and the sweat literally pouring out form me.
I then realized that I could hear something, the roaring of my heart.
Twitching involuntarily, my body convulsed, a flicker of static leaping around me, before I slumped back on the floor. Groggily, I shook slightly as I came to my senses. The changed surroundings didn't make me the least bit scared, considering my heart was already flying as fast as a snipe from a crazed one star. Breathing rapidly, I crouched on the floor, wanting to go break open a wall or something.
OOC: Think of the visions like in Star Trek, when Geordi was kidnapped by the Romulans and transformed, by showing him thousands of wartime horrors per second, into a killing machine, psychologically shattered.
Oh Vog, Isora, anyone being out there... MAKE IT STOP!
_____
"Mommy!" A young boy screams into the burning rubble. Tears flow like a rainstorm as the boy tries to find his mother. "Mommy! Where are you mommy!" Unable to find her, the boy falls on the ground, his face twisted past recognition with grief and pain. Suddenly, a pillar of ice appears and holds up the wreckage. The boy, being only seven, doesn't bother questioning what occurred. His only concern is...
"MOMMY!" The boy runs over to a soot-blackened corpse and uses his bleeding hands to toss away the debris crushing her. The figure's eyes open, and a pair of kind, beautiful, grief-stricken eyes meet the boy's chocolate-brown ones.
"Dear," the mother chokes out between intervals of coughing. "Mommy can't take care of you anymore. Go...go to Professor Hahn...he'll...take you...in..." The parent's eyes slowly close...
"MOMMY! PLEASE! WAKE UP! YOU CAN'T SLEEP HERE!" The boy's body convulses with grief, sorrow emanating from him. Suddenly, he sees another person, lying on the burning rubble.
"DADDY! DADDDYY!" The boy hollers, running towards his dad. "Daddy? Dad? ...... Daddy? DAD?" The boy has been too late. The figure, covered in charcoal, has long succumbed to the flames and smog. The boy's eyes fill even more quickly with tears as he realizes his father, too, is lost. Never again to take him to the petting zoos. Never to take him the Bazaar and give him a triple-scoop ice cream cone, the first chocolate chip, the second strawberry, the third the daily special. And his mother. Never to teach him again. Never to show Alec how to know when someone has a concussion. To think, that this morning, she had promised to teach him, and that she'll never be able to make good on it...
"No...please...mommy...daddy...don't go!" The boy sobs. Tears flow quicker than a waterfall. Suddenly, the ice pillar cracks. Screaming from fright and sorrow, the boy runs out of the ruined building, just as the pillar gives way and the debris falls...
"Professor Hahn? Mommy says to- mommy said to come to you. She's-she's-gone..." Alec sobs into the door. Suddenly, the door swings wide open, and a pair of arms grab him and yank him inside. In the room, Professor Hahn has a bullet hole straight through his head. His eyes are hollow, and his body is covered with blood and bruises. So is the rest of the room. Screaming, the boy tries to run away, but some hits him in the head with a piece of steel...
The young boy, paralyzed with horror, in a room he'll be in for twenty years, watches as before his eyes he witnesses horror after horror in war...
A young woman runs from the ruins of her hut, only to disappear in a laser blast from a cannon...
Two playing young children suddenly stiffen and fall, revealing a grinning man holding what Alec later realized was a Sentenza...
A sobbing couple are forcibly thrown onto a pier, where they are riddled with bullet holes from three men with Blitzes...
A group of men walk into a village, pull out their guns, and decimate the place, burning what's left...
A puppy whines as he tries to drag his master out, only to burst into bits from an artillery shot...
Alec screams in horror, in agony, in shock, in anger, in grief, in sorrow...
_____
Alec alternatively sobbed, rocked his head, and screamed at the memories. It's a good thing the room was soundproof, or else all of Cradle would have heard the cries.
Leave me alone! Leave my mommy and my daddy alone!
Slowly, Alec's sobs slow down, he lifts his red, tear-stricken face, and he collapses again in a paroxysm of mourning.
Mommy, Daddy, the people in that movie thingy, the simulation people...all gone. Forever.
Alec suddenly stops. He raises his head up, and yells until his voice is raw. "WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY???????!!!!!!!!!!!"
He buries his face in his hands, still convulsing with grief. That, and the fact that this will happen again. Many more times. Until the day he dies, he'll always be plagued, always be tormented.
I glance at Alec. He was drinking the canteen of coffee after munching down the dubbed CoffeeSicles. He said, "So... What games were you talking about?"
"I'd have to ask you one question, though, before I exactly answer the question." I say, before checking the barrel of the Blitzes. I mumble, "Hm... Thirty more needles each... I need to pick up what I put out..."
((So Potato...um...can understand it a little clearer...))
"You okay with that, Alec?"