Chains
Fleshling
Mistress Of Awesomeness
Posts: 133
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Post by Chains on Oct 1, 2009 19:57:35 GMT -5
Habitual instincts rose, kicking to the surface, and Alexander transitioned from cautious to combat-ready in a judder of reflex. He caught a glimpse of the young man, speeding past them and away, but any ideas he had of giving chase were squashed (rather mercilessly) by what came next. Chrystabelle had called them 'shadows.' Shadows that moved without a caster. Shadows that seemed almost material somehow, as if they were made of a darkness that had solidified. Night's blood clots, alive and aware. And hostile. It surprised him to no end then, when Chrystabelle took several steps forward--he tensed, ready to spring to her aid--not to attack them, but to try and speak with them. Alexander experienced a dizzying wave of incredulity at that. Can't you feel it? he wanted to ask her, You'll have more luck trying to ask the sun not to shine, than dissuading these things. Their hunger, and their violence...it's inseparable from them. "It's no good," he told her, voice low in case he provoked the enemy. "Something tells me they can't hear you. And even if they could, they're not going to listen." He stepped up alongside her, ready to put himself between her and the darkness, and said softly, "We should-" He never got to finish that thought, for in the same moment as he started speaking, there came the bark and snarl of more gunfire in the night. Then hard footsteps, running, slamming, against the concrete, and two humans-a man carrying a woman-came bursting onto the scene.
"Nice evening we have out, don't we?" the man asked with a grin. Alexander shook his head marginally at that, more out of disbelief than actual disagreement. "What is going on?" he demanded. "No. Wait. Don't answer that just yet. Call me insane, but I think our time's about to run out-and I, personally, wouldn't like to be around when it does."
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Geinkotsu
Fleshling
Our characters are only but a piece of ourself. Help it grow into a fictional you.
Posts: 209
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Post by Geinkotsu on Oct 1, 2009 23:07:27 GMT -5
Zachery ignored the two who had seemed to follow him and kept up his pace. But then skidded to a stop as a large and massive shadow stood there. It had a human form, bolts in its arms and it’s mask was black and only covering the eyes. It had long flowing red hair and it let out a menacing growl down at Zachery. He looked up at it, aware of it presence, but no fear showed on his face even though he knew this was not the average blue masked piles of goop he incinerated earlier. The slits of the mask showing his eyes glew red. It wasn’t going to mess around.
He took a step back and start mumbling something under his breath. Before he could finish his incantation, it struck him with it’s large fists and sent him skidding across the pavement. The masked demons were numerous. And they seemed to come from nowhere with no warning. This was unnatural, even for him. Although, being sent to a strange and vast city with no one but Mindless around wasn’t exactly called ‘natural’. Zachery laid there unmoving as if the strike had either killed him or rendered him immobile. He pulled his arm underneath him and pushed himself up in a sitting position. His face not visible except a small glow. His entire demeanor changed into something other than careless…. It was dark and had such murderous intent. His aura hung around with the strangest feeling of ice and fire and a thousand writhing snakes. It was an uncomfortable feeling that made you want to get far away from this boy.
His head rose slightly and he looked at the large demon, his face was clearly seeable and he had a killing look in his eyes. Zachery glared at the large masked demon in front of him. His black and white short hair was dripping with a wet substance, though it was hard to see in such darkness of this night. It leaked down the right side of his face and dripped off his chin onto a small puddle by his face where he had been laying moments before. It was crimson, the eerie moon reflecting off of it as the black pavement surrounded it. He rose his hand in the same fashion before, bracing it with his arm with his other hand. “Hado…twenty four..” he whispered coldly. The middle of his palm burst into small red flames, licking his finger tips as it started to spin slowly in a circular motion. Without warning, a large funnel of fire burst from his hand and hit the enormous masked shadow, his black limbs glowing red with metal as the fire seemed to wrap around him and keep going in a tube of reckless uncontrolled fire that seemed a bit more dangerous than last time he used it. The orange glow outlined his appearance in the darkness and he looked evil compared to his quick sprinting figure a few short minutes ago.
The blaze simmered out and smoke drifted up from the demon. It’s form didn’t move and the red glow coming from the eye slits of it’s mask was gone. Was it dead? Was it truly dead? It’s mask hadn’t broken apart like others and it didn’t dissipate into a black smoldering smoke. But then again, it wasn’t like the group of shadow demons that the four were dealing with behind him.
There was a quick flicker and the red glow came back to it’s mask’s eyes. Zachery took a woozy step back. He had used to much energy in that last blast. His arms were by his sides as the demon blurred in front of him, then followed the rest of the scene. He used his arms and rubbed his eyes. Trying to unfog his head. His body was tired from using the same spell plus the binding spell in such a short amount of time. And he couldn’t fight these shadows physically for he wasn’t strong at all. He was a lean petite guy with the tactics to defeat his enemies. But the blow the large masked demon had dealt struck his head and he couldn’t think strait, let alone fight. The thing was muscular and strong. A physical shadow. And he couldn’t fight it in his current state. He hadn’t even reached the next cross road before the giant came out of no where. And he was only about 150 some feet from the four that was dealing with the group of small shadows of florescent blue masks and the few that had blue brilliantly designed masks.
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Post by Tig on Oct 2, 2009 1:44:51 GMT -5
Trouble, she could scent it, she could nearly taste it. It gave her thrill, the thought of a battle, of death, destruction. She observed from a roof top, taking in the scene, gazing upon the two humans, and others she didn't know.
Demons, oh how she loved fighting demons, she jumped down from the roof, landing on her feet already in a stance, ready to fight. Lifting her hand, she created a fire ball and threw it at one of the demons.
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Post by citizenmike on Oct 2, 2009 1:53:16 GMT -5
Veronica slowly drew herself away from Johnny's arms. For now, she wanted to be on the ground, with both legs standing. Looking at the direction of the alley, Veronica spoke, "We have to leave... Now... The four of us alone won't be enough to stop this.".
Johnny heard the loud and unannounced sound of commotion chiming behind him. Turning his head, he saw the figure... Someone must still be back there... Johnny drew his gun and motioned back to the alleyway.
"Johnny!", Veronica called out... It was too late.
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Geinkotsu
Fleshling
Our characters are only but a piece of ourself. Help it grow into a fictional you.
Posts: 209
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Post by Geinkotsu on Oct 2, 2009 20:42:26 GMT -5
Zachery had been preoccupied with the large demon in front of him. But decided he wouldn’t be able to get rid of it. He quickly turned to see Johnny going towards the alley as Chrystabelle and Alexander dealt held off the group of shadows. A sudden rush of adrenaline shot through his blood. His heart racing. Thumping loudly in his chest. Johnny. He was in trouble. He could feel it. Zachery let his feet swiftly carry him to the alley, everything seemed so slow. Within second, Zachery stood in front of Johnny, hands out and feet braced.
There was a rather large humanoid shadow standing there. She had a golden mask and her skin was covered in pure black. She was like the other one down the street. Making its way to the group. Blood spilt to the ground. Dripping in heaps. Zachery’s arms fell to his sides. The shadow’s fingers were extended like sharp blades into him. Two in his thigh, one in his shoulder and chest, the other stuck in his arm. He had stopped them as best as he could, Johnny, at the most, only gaining a gash or two. Zachery’s eyes grew dull, he looked back at Johnny with a faint smile. Blood dripping from his lips and down his chin “Run…” he breathed. His voice distant and almost inaudible. He swayed for a moment, loosing his vision, then collapsed. The humanoid shadow retracting its claws and standing there with an odd posture.
Most of the shadows had stopped, all making grumbling gurgling sounds. The humanoid demon let out a small shriek, along with the other humanoid shadow. They retreated for some reason. As if something was calling out to them to return. The large blobs of ink melted to the floor and slid away in clumps, vanishing within the shadows and into the sewers. A few of them stayed, refusing to let go of their bloodlust. But they were only the weak ones with the brilliant blue masks that seemed to glow off the moonlight.
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Post by citizenmike on Oct 3, 2009 0:19:03 GMT -5
Johnny aimed his gun at the remaining blobs. Stepping slowly to Zachary, Johnny said, "Come on kid, while we still have a chance... Lets go.".
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Geinkotsu
Fleshling
Our characters are only but a piece of ourself. Help it grow into a fictional you.
Posts: 209
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Post by Geinkotsu on Oct 3, 2009 0:44:28 GMT -5
The words echoed within his ears. But who’s words were they? Zachery opened his eyes and looked up. Seeing Johnny above him. He took a moment to regain the movement in his limbs and turning on his back. He coughed for a moment, “I don’t think I can walk.” He said. Referring to the two holes in his leg from that monster’s attack. He was lucky enough for the injury in his chest had evaded all his organs and wasn’t fatal. But he was in quite a lot of pain, even though his face didn’t show it. His facial expression was almost always the same. Emotionless or slightly amused. Nothing else seemed to phase him.
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Post by citizenmike on Oct 3, 2009 2:05:21 GMT -5
Johnny motioned close to Zachary and allowed him to fall against his shoulder. Johnny held him up and helped him out the alleyway.
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Chains
Fleshling
Mistress Of Awesomeness
Posts: 133
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Post by Chains on Oct 3, 2009 2:22:15 GMT -5
The quick turn of events had not been lost on Alexander, who had hovered protectively in front of Chrystabelle and watched through Senge's eyes. With a quick backwards glance at the girl to make sure that she was alright for the moment, he started forwards to meet Johnny and the injured man he supported. He ducked a little to drape the wounded man's free arm over his shoulders, supporting him on the opposite side and taking more of his weight. The stench of blood was strong in the air. "What happened?" he demanded. "Are they coming back?" He could have sworn he heard the darkness whisper behind him, a mocking echo of his concern: back...back....back... but it could have easily been his nerves. He was wound up tight, like a spring inside some delicate machinery. Subconciously, he itched to fight- itched to release the tension that had been building inexorably within him... If they were threatened further, he would gladly welcome the opportunity for action. Whatever it is, I'll stall it, he thought, as the three of them limped out of the alley, I'm sick of being prey to this damned city. I'm sick of being hunted.
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Post by cyansky on Oct 3, 2009 12:29:46 GMT -5
Asri and Syl were perched on the roof of an abandoned building that. It was tall, grey and rotting and in its ruins… What may have once been a beautiful business, was now in ruins. It was sad to Asri how life was brutal like that. No matter what beautiful things humanity created, Lady Fate would be there to ruin it. Was She a being of death? Or about life, for all the children the living had and the happiness they made have once had? Thus, was she both? Lady Fate was an integral deity in Asri’s religion, Her Lady Luisine’s sister, the one who made lives for all the humans that existed on the world of Salsaria.
As far as Asri was concerned, Fate had cursed him at birth… cursed him… to become this! A twisted mockery of what an angel was supposed to be, a bringer of death… The Angel of Plagues… that was what he was called in Heaven… And with damned good reason, much to Asri’s dismay. A few times before, he had accidentally obliterated small colonies of demons just because one of them had the stupidity to steal his hand sanitizer, and the same thing happened to some of the smaller Spheres of Heaven as well. It was for this reason why Asri was well-known in some of the larger Spheres of Heaven as the ‘Angel of Plagues,’ and was often shunned for this reason, being seen as a walking poison… as Nokolui had specifically calibrated his curse so that it would get out of hand easily… it was why most low-level angels stayed away from him… unless he was at work… that was different… very different…
He hugged Syl tightly, as he thought about what he was doing here… Animus would never have called someone like him to its reaches, because his curse had enough power to empty the city of most living beings if he ran out of hand sanitizer. It would be a disaster… and would Syl forgive him if he accidentally killed all of its friends again? Would he be a bad person for being cursed?
Syl was resting in his arms, as he cradled its head against his chest, listening to its light breathing. Animus had restored its innocence, made it more child-like, albeit harder to keep an eye on, but… did an angel like Syl deserve a cursed man like him? Syl wasn’t really an angel… but… it could have been one… had it been human, Luisine would have surely made it join their fold… while being almost shattered by a dark past, its innocence… Asri felt tears roll down his cheeks as he cradled it. Syl hugged him back in its rest, not realizing the thoughts that went through its guardian’s head.
Asri couldn’t contemplate anything but being with Syl. He swore his life and soul to it, and that was a pact that he would never willingly break. Even despite his battered body and tainted blood, Asri had sworn to be by its side, and to protect no matter what. He was Syl’s guardian angel, and nothing could change that.
It was when they saw it happen.
Before their eyes, the moon turned yellow, clouds gathered, covering the sky in darkness. Masked demons began flooding the streets, most of them weak, with brilliantly blue masks. Asri watched from the roofs as they flooded the roofs like one of his plagues would to a town. He watched as they slaughtered any mindless got in their way. Asri, watched, horrified, as they spotted him.
Instinctively, Asri stood, letting Syl slump to the floor. He stepped forward as he reached inside his bag, took out a scalpel and held it hovering perfectly still, right above the skin of his left wrist. Asri justified bringing along the scalpel for use in minor surgical operations, but the real reason was darker than that. If Kiel couldn’t give it a wind blade, this would be a competent substitute. He watched as the demons headed straight for him. And with a grim smile, he cut into his wrist, allowing his blood to fall to the ground. It splattered there, hissing malevolently, emanating demonic energy.
Asri looked up at the twisted shapes of the blue masked demons as they approached, not showing the slightest hint of fear. The sclera of his eyes turned black, and his pupils became slits, as he performed a series of gestures. Under his command, the split blood formed itself into a summoning circle around him, with smaller circles at his right and left side.
It was then when Asri spoke, in a demonic language so harsh, that it made his voice sound inhuman and cruel.
“Houndtrackers, level 2, quantity two,” said Asri, as if possessed, “I summon thee, from this blood of the darkness of Night. Come forward for the protection of your brother, and for the glory of Nokolui!”
The circles swirled, as two wingless, dragon-like demons clawed their way forward. Their twisted forms were dark purplish in colour, their form monstrous and lean, ready for battle. These things were made to track and kill demons, and were among the stronger of Asri’s demon ‘friends.’ Naturally, he couldn’t have too many of them out at once without them demanding a larger price, but Asri thought that they would be sufficient for his and Syl’s protection. Almost immediately upon being summoned, they leapt and sprang into the midst of the masked demons, tearing a path of destruction behind them.
Under their wrath, the masked demons were thinned in ranks, as the Houndtracker demons savoured their demonic essences… their favourite food. Asri could feel their pleasure leak out to himself through their mental link. It caused him to stagger back groaning and clutching his head.
Master, master, master…
Asri flinched as they called him that. Master… what made him their master? He disliked having to summon them like this, more specifically what he had to say to do that. Was he really their brother? Or was it all just figurative? Asri’s thoughts were a whirling confusing as he bandaged his wrist, watching his demons tear through the ranks of the low-ranked masked demons. Only one thought ran through his mind as he finished bandaging his wrist and picked up Syl.
What am I?
It was true… what was he? He was an angel of Luisine, but his body was home to Nokolui’s blood... how could that be?! Asri didn’t know what to think about himself, as that chant repeated itself over and over again in his head. Master, master, master… All he could do right now was find someone who could look after Syl while he dealt with the threat, noting happily that Syl was still snoozing through it all, not even having the slightest clue on what was going on. Thankfully…
“If we’re lucky Syl,” said Asri, “we’ll be able to survive this with my sanity intact. Come on; let’s find the others.”
He spread his wings and took off from the roof, flying low enough so that the Houndtrackers could protect him from the masked demons. They swarmed everywhere, throwing themselves at him with reckless abandon as he flew on, as his two Houndtrackers efficiently cut down whatever demons got in their way. They weren’t enough to completely overwhelm the masked demons, but enough for Asri and Syl to navigate the city without getting killed.
Master, master, master…
“Damn it, stop it already!” yelled Asri at them, in their demonic language, “I may now be of Nokolui’s blood, but what makes you think that I control you?!” He had to find the others… they could protect Syl… so it… wouldn’t to witness the darker aspect of Asri’s powers. He didn’t control the Houndtrackers, and whatever orders he gave were never guaranteed to be obeyed. Once this was over… he would have to deal with them personally.
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Post by kaybeezy on Oct 3, 2009 13:48:43 GMT -5
Chrystabelle watched the encounter with dazed eyes. For her, the whole thing appeared to be in slow motion, letting her see every minute detail. It was like a macabre form of poetry in motion; grotesque, but impossible to look away from.
The haze faded as the others began to speak, and she looked closer at the boy who'd been hurt. His wounds definitely didn't look fatal, but she imagined he was in a lot of pain. He didn't appear to be much older than her, though she figured he was something more than human. Just as those shadows had been, but much less evil.
"It looked like they'd been summoned elsewhere," she said quietly, unable to keep the worry out of her voice. "Maybe they'll just stay there," she hoped, following after the group. Her eyes warily glanced around the surroundings, praying that they wouldn't come back, but doubting it. Even if it wasn't tonight, they'd be back eventually. It was one of the things that made Animus...well, Animus.
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Post by cyansky on Oct 4, 2009 1:19:47 GMT -5
It was only when the demons began to retreat when one of the Houndtrackers indicated where some living people were, scenting them from a distance. Mindless or not, they didn't have enough experience to tell, but Asri decided to hope that it were some of the non-mindless residents. Before anyone could see them, he darted out of sight, landed a few streets away and retracted his wings.
He made sure his appearance was decent by looking in a mirror and brushing his long purple hair (which was suprisingly difficult considering its length). When that was done, he picked up Syl and headed for the group, the Houndtrackers following him in the shadows. They stayed back, out of sight, wary of the outsiders, but poised to defend their master if they presented themselves as a threat.
"Come on, Syl," said Asri as he approached the group.
He approached them shyly, holding it close to it, even it it left his bandaged left wrist in plain sight.
He shook Syl slightly as he walked, trying to wake it up, but failing. "Wake up, Syl," he muttered, "how in the world can you snooze through something like this?"
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Post by citizenmike on Oct 4, 2009 1:53:40 GMT -5
Still holding onto Zachary, Johnny nodded over at the stranger who had helped him and said, "Thank you.".
Veronica pressed her hands over her head as she replied to Chrystabelle. "I wouldn't count on it. Whatever they were, I won't be surprised if they come back sooner or later and I don't want to be here when that comes, so I suggest we take shelter where we can and gather supplies. Those things aren't going on anywhere and if know this city, they will be here to stay until we do something about it.".
Veronica noticed the sudden arrival of Syl and the stranger, rushing towards them, she noticed Syl's state and asked, "What happened to Syl?".
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Geinkotsu
Fleshling
Our characters are only but a piece of ourself. Help it grow into a fictional you.
Posts: 209
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Post by Geinkotsu on Oct 4, 2009 15:49:53 GMT -5
"I appreciate your hospitality." He said to both of them. Even though his voice seemed empty and far from gratitude, he did mean it. Although he was a loner, one to leave and wander, he knew when it was a time to have help. And that time was now. He could barely walk, let alone move, on his own. “We should find a place to hid where these… things… can’t find us.” Zachery said, looking up at the moon. It was still the eerie yellow, as if taunting them that this ordeal would never be over. If that was true, then what would it be like during the day? Thoughts like this were common in this kind of situation.
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Post by cyansky on Oct 4, 2009 16:47:15 GMT -5
Asri blinked at at the woman that approached him. From his link with Syl, he could tell that it knew that she loved it. Asri honestly didn't care, really, as he was new here and Syl unconscious. His priority was Syl, not socializing. He would help the others if he could, but he had to make sure of Syl's safety first.
"What happened to it?" he repeated, "it got worn out from running all across the city again, the restaurants, the arcade, the park, the streets... and simply put, its was worn out from all that adventuring. It's been napping for the past three or four hours and hasn't shown much sign of waking up. So yes, it slept through the whole invasion without much reaction."
Asri then noticed that there was an injured man leaning on Johnny. He was bleeding... and had two holes in his legs. Asri approached the wounded man and the other that was holding him.
"It seems as though one of you is injured," said Asri, "my condolences. I carry medical supplies with me, so if you wish, I can treat his wounds and speed their healing."
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