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Post by Iron Mouse on Dec 26, 2009 0:11:19 GMT -5
“Shit!” Avery tumbled out of the doorway and slammed face-first into the floor. Stolen groceries skittered to the four corners of the kitchen. She’d shot through the automatic doors only to shoot into her kitchen, and onto a wet dishrag, at the same speed. She cursed herself for not looking where she was going. She picked up the offending rag and threw it across the room. It splashed into the sink, splattering cold rancid dish water over the counters. She gathered up the groceries and set them on the only available counter space. The building’s super hadn’t picked up the trash from the last tenant. And there was a lot of it. She’d get to picking it up later. Something shiny and black dropped off onto the floor and scurried under the closest pile of trash. Avery frowned. Roaches. Maybe she should clean up now. Had she stolen any garbage bags? No. Damn.
She sighed and walked over to her tiny tv in the living room. She jimmied the button until it clicked on. A red haired woman in a white robe looking thing appeared out of the static. She smiled warmly “-mages are holding their annual festival and-“ Static reclaimed the screen. Avery growled. “Oh come on.” She swatted the side of the machine as hard as she could. The screen went black. She hit it again. Nothing. “f*ck me running sideways.” She shook her head and plopped onto the dilapidated couch. Another roach ran out from under her and joined its friend in the trash pile.
“It’s only for now”, she told herself. This had been her mantra for a very long time. For five years she had scrambled around the streets of the city, stealing food and sleeping on newspapers. She’d been so afraid for so long to use her power, plagued by what ifs. What if she accidentally walked out of a doorway halfway around the world again? Or what if she shifted appearance and never changed back? What if someone recognized her and sent her home? These had been replaced with a new if: What if she starved to death? Avery began stealing food, then money, getting control over her powers a little bit at a time. She found Marcell and his crew after that and made a “delivery” for him in less than two seconds. She got paid immediately, in cash, and had secured herself a job as the best coke mule in the city. She’d also secured her current shithole. It was only a matter of time until she had enough money to move out of her current shithole and into something way better. Filthy floors, roaches, going hungry, that god awful smell, it was all only for now. Avery wouldn’t. Would. Not. Escape those lunatic bastards just to die like a dog on the street.
Someone knocked. Avery’s head jerked up and she made her way to the door a silently as she could. She probably should have yelled “who is it?” but what if it was someone trying to… Trying to what? She thought for a few moments. She wasn’t on the street anymore. No one was going to take her apartment from her or anything of hers for that matter. She no longer had to hide and sneak to survive. Maybe she should break the sneaking habit. She peeked out of the peephole. Marcell was standing impatiently in the hallway. He knocked again. “Hey Avery, open up!”
Avery smoothed out her ratty shirt and tugged her black hair until it looked presentable. She clicked open all four locks and swung the door open. “Yeah?”
“The hell took you so long?” He cut her off before she could answer. “You remember that guy I was telling you about?”
“Carl or something?”
“Carlo,” he corrected. “He wants to see you. Now.”
“Uh. Ok.“ She looked around the apartment, wishing she had slightly nicer clothes to change into. “How do I…” He didn’t expect her to just jump through a doorway that she didn’t know the location of did he? They could end up in Bejing.
“There’s a car out front.”
“Oh. Ok. I’ll meet you in the lobby then.” She promptly shut the door, locked all the locks, and walked through her kitchen door into the lobby downstairs. She hadn’t been expecting to see Marcell’s new supplier for a long time. This would be interesting. Avery frowned. Interesting things usually sucked for her.
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Post by Hamuu on Dec 28, 2009 17:44:18 GMT -5
The two small roaches scurried through the trash pile, not randomly searching for food as their mundane cousins did, but instead they traveled through an intricate tunnel system that lead to a small crack in the floor. Waiting patiently the first roach watched his brother flatten and squeeze he carapace though the hole before doing the same. Once in the floor boards their path was much easier, following the pipes and wires until they reached the roof.
Bare of any obstructions, they were able to quickly close the distance between their exit and their master. Their legs gripped onto his crimson cloak and they pulled themselves upward. Whether he had known of, or felt, their approach was indeterminable as he made no movements until the two roaches were perched on the back of his armor clad hand. Slowly he brought them up to his face, hidden in a shroud of scarlet red cloth. A black vapor, somewhere between mist and smoke, wafted from the hoods shadows and permeated the air around the two insects.
“So,” his voice was indistinct, the type easily lost in a crowd, “She’s finally traveling on foot.”
The vapor quickly retreated, leaving the two roaches as they were crushed within his fist. He opened the palm of his hand to reveal a crumpled and torn trading card called Twin Roaches. He let the two pieces fall to the ground before returning his gaze to the street below.
Bernard would have smiled if he had a face, “I wonder what pawns fate shall grant me today.”
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Post by AngelicTragedy on Dec 30, 2009 0:15:04 GMT -5
A large black bird rested on a flag pole just outside the building Avery waited in. To anyone on the street level, the bird would appear just as such, a bird, but on a closer inspection the true creature would be far more frightening. Powerful feathered wings hid short nimble arms and a thin scaled neck. The beast appeared as nothing but a crow at rest but was truly a Tradora-Sengress, a Tracker, one of the most feared types of dragons for their fierce attacks and ability to hide in plain sight. This Tracker watched Avery with a keen eye and waited for a moment when no one was looking. Finally that moment came and the beast burst into flight. It soared straight up and across the street to its waiting master.
Marius stood with arms crossed, his flat gray eyes took in every movement in the street below. At this height no one would notice him, but he could keep tabs on everyone in sight. Many hours of research and more than one physical altercation had brought him to this slum in search of the girl with golden eyes. Though he had no proper name he had found the meager home of the drug runner. Doubt in his mission danced at the edge of Marius' expression. Was this girl really so important that it required one of Drakengrads most skilled warriors and personal student of Valon Lorsha to bring her back? Granted, this girl did fit the description of a race that existed on their isolated floating nation but one had not been seen in longer than anyone living on Drakengrad could remember. As the Tracker crested the building Marius put out an arm to accept the dragon and heard its mental report.
“Hmm, entered the lobby through a doorway but didn't actually pass thought it. That's our girl. Keep tabs on her,” Marius said to the small dragon and sent in back after their charge. “I've got to get mentally prepared for this.
Marius turned to cross the roof and begin his preparation for confronting the girl when a bitter taste filled his mouth. Something very dark and vile was in this city, something that was so potent that it literally made the air taste of evil. A brief quiver of fear ran down Marius' spine but quickly transformed into glee. Someone or something in this city was so powerful that they were almost on par with Valon and Marius had a feeling that he would be finding this being and facing them in battle. A death smile ran across Marius' face and then vanished.
“I look forward to when we meet...”
**********
A man in a custom fitted gray suit sat on a bench just outside of Avery's building. He held a small mirror in one hand and fussed with this sandy blonde hair. Black had begun to show at the root and dance throughout his short mane. The man made a mental note to have his hair redyed when he got around to it. He shifted the mirror slightly and began to put in his colored contacts. With each his eyes changed from a vivid green to a sandy brown just slightly darker than his hair. Once the man was satisfied with his facial appearance he began fussing with his copper colored tie and sapphire colored shirt.
The wave of evil was not only felt by Marius but this man a well. Though the force at street level was much stronger the man seemed to soak up the force like a sponge. The man frowned slightly at the thought that not everyone could enjoy the vicious evil presence that he now wallowed in. Absent-mindedly the man pulled a small device much like a cell phone from his pocket and glanced at it with a disturbing smile on his face.
“An Aldra-Sa in town and this wonderful presence...Looks like my lucky day.”
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Post by Iron Mouse on Jan 4, 2010 1:55:02 GMT -5
It was starting to rain. Avery frowned. It had been raining off and on for the past week. She really needed to steal a jacket or something soon. Maybe some clothes that didn’t make her look like a hobo. That’d be nice too. She glanced nervously around the lobby, hand perched on the door handle. She hated not being near an exit. Especially right now. For some reason she’d been feeling more anxious than usual for the past few days. Maybe it was the rain.
She looked out at the black sedan parked outside. It was probably the nicest car for five blocks. Come to think of it, it was probably the nicest car Avery had ever seen. And the only car she’d ever ridden in. The driver was waiting by the back door.
“You ready?”
She glanced from the sedan to Marcell and back again. “Uh? Yeah. Yeah let’s go.” The rain started coming down a little harder as they stepped outside. “So why does-“ Something slammed into Avery’s left side, hard, sending her tumbling across the wet sidewalk into a nearby bench. She looked up to see a very angry man struggling to get back onto his bicycle.
“Watch where you’re going you stupid cow!” He hopped back onto to bike and peddled off.
“Hey f*ck you!” she called after him, and then sighed. One of the most important meetings of her life and she was soaked. She was the unluckiest person alive. She looked down and murmured, “dammit.”
A pair of hands hauled her back to her feet. The hands were connected to a grey suit and a confident smile. “Are you alright?” He had a thick accent that Avery had never heard before.
She jerked away instinctively. “Yeah fine. Thanks.”
“It is no problem miss.” He pulled something out of his pocket. “My card,” he explained, handing her the tiny white rectangle. “If you are ever in need of rescue again, don’t hesitate to call.” Avery swore that the man was about to bow before Marcell pushed roughly on his shoulder. “There a problem here?"
“No problem.” He held up both hands in a gesture of surrender, flashed Avery a smile, and walked away.
“F*ckin’ wierdos. You alright Avery?”
“Yeah. Wet. Cold. Bruised. But I’m okay.” She inspected the card. Plain white with a phone number emblazoned in bold black letters. She fully intended to flick it aside but… She looked at the number one last time, and slipped it into her back pocket. “Hey, what the hell was that accent anyway?”
Marcell gave her his best you-have-to-be-joking expression. “German.”
“Oh! For some reason it just sounded weird to me.” German? What the hell was German? Avery had never heard the word German before in her entire life. She climbed into the back seat and watched Marcell pull two straps across his front and snap them into a metal device coming out of the seat. She fumbled for a moment before finding hers and doing the same.
A blast of frigid air hit Avery and she shivered. She felt Marcell’s eyes settle on her chest, and frowned again, wishing for the umpteenth time that day that she had a jacket. Or that she wasn’t wet. Or that she wasn’t cold. She glanced at the door handle and wondered if she would be able to use her powers while in a moving object. She shifted uncomfortably, looking out of the window at the passing buildings. A giant crow lifted off of a nearby streetlight and flew out of sight. Avery’s frown deepened. “Creepy ass birds.”
“What bird?”
“I’ve been seeing these giant black birds all over the place lately. It’s starting to really freak me out.”
“What crows? That’s a bad luck. They’re supposed to follow you if you’re going to die.”
She looked back out the window. “Oh goody.”
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Post by Hamuu on Jan 11, 2010 17:23:21 GMT -5
Bernard shuffled slightly; something familiar was on the air. He stood from his crouching position and allowed his misty black essence to waft beyond the edges of his hood. It shifted and coiled in long ethereal strands before retreating back to the confines of his cloak.
"An Alda-Sa? Interesting… But it can't be Valon. This one's far too puny to be a king, though it wouldn't matter. None of them even know who I am…" Bernard chuckled as he sunk into the shadow his cloak cast over the ground.
He reappeared several feet behind Marius, walking out of a shadow that rose up along a thin wall. The metal boots he wore clicked on the metal roof; no doubt Marius already knew he was there.
"Hello friend!" Bernard called out politely, "Might I inquire what brings a young Aldra-Sa such as yourself to a mundane area such as this? I don't suppose you're hunting for anything in particular, are you?"
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Post by AngelicTragedy on Jan 13, 2010 9:28:08 GMT -5
Marius looked over his shoulder at the new arrival and let his left hand slip to the hilt of his sword. So this what the cause of the presence that he felt so strongly. Even with the unease that Marius felt in the pit of his stomach he was ready to defend himself to the death in need be, but surely this being wouldn't want to expose himself in a city so large.
“I'm sorry, but I'm not your friend. My business is my own and frankly I wouldn't ever need your help. Now take your big, metal boots and walk back the way you came.”
OOC- Very short, but it works.
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Post by Hamuu on Jan 29, 2010 16:34:00 GMT -5
Metal gauntlets clanked against steel boots as Bernard's cloak fell to the ground. He hadn't taken them off, he'd simply reverted the corporal portions of his body back into mist. Swirling through the air faster than Marius could react, the mist wrapped around his neck. It hardened into a hand that lifted the warrior from his feet.
"You're an insolent young fool." the voice came from every direction as the mist swirled around him, "We possibly could have helped one another, but it looks as though you need to be taught a lesson in matters."
The hand pulled Marius into the vortex, the mist cutting at him like small dull knifes. His body was flung around in circles several times before he was finally ejected from the dark swirling mass and off the edge of the building.
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Post by Iron Mouse on Mar 21, 2010 0:58:44 GMT -5
“So what’s he like?” Avery continued to stare out of the window. The neighborhood was getting progressively better the farther they went. Buildings rose higher and higher out of the streets. The cars they passed got better looking too.
“Carlo? He’s not exactly jolly. Got a really bad temper. It’s best not to piss him off. Normally doesn’t like powers at all. Normally doesn’t like girls either.”
She frowned, not taking her eyes off of the passing cars. “Should I change?”
“What?”
“I could be a man…If that would help.”
Marcell cocked his head to the side and sat that way for a long moment. Then his eyes widened and he gasped. “Holy shit! You mean you can…uh…” He pointed at her groin and wiggled his finger. “You know...”
She looked at Marcel and quirked her eyebrow. “Yeah,” she said slowly, “I can. I don’t have to, but I can.”
He said nothing in return.
“Should I?”
“No! Uh, I mean no. Uh. You don’t have to,” he sputtered. “I already told him you were a girl so you can stay a girl ‘cause if I show up with some random guy he’ll-“
“Marcel.”
“-prolly freak out. And I really don’t want Carlo to freak out. And plus you’re wearing girl clothes so if you-“
“Marcel.”
“Please don’t grow a prick in front of me.”
Avery inhaled deeply. “Marcel, I’m not going to grow a prick in front of you.” She leaned back in her seat. “I just want to know how to act around your boss.”
“Don’t grow a prick in front of him?”
Avery didn’t laugh.
“Keep your head down and keep your mouth shut. You’ll be fine. He’s uh, a little irritated lately. ALK bastards have been pushing in on our neighborhoods so there’s been a lot of shit goin’ down.”
“ALK?” She tilted her head to the side.
“Allmighty Latin King Nation. Bunch of f*ckin’ spic bastards. They’ve been hassling us for years. That and we’ve had a couple of MS13 guys we’ve had to get rid of. They’re huge but Carlo, he’s got people all over the east coast that have his back. Old cosa nostra guys, like the Godfather. That’s us, man. We’ve still got codes of honor and class. It’s so badass. But the ALK has been really pushing it for the past couple weeks. Everybody’s on edge. Carlo’s been pissy, even more than usual.” He glanced at the driver. “Not that it’s not unwarranted or anything.”
“Damn.” Avery pretended to understand. She had no idea what a spic or a Godfather or an MS13 were. She decided against asking. “So he’s not in a good mood, and he doesn’t like girls. Yay.”
“It’s all good. As long as you keep your mouth shut and do what you’re told, Carlo’ll be happy and you’ll get paid.”
“And I really really want to get paid.” She looked back out of the window. Getting paid was all she really wanted. Gang wars weren’t exactly her idea of a good job but it was either that or starve. Once she had enough money she could afford a better place, away from Philadelphia, or maybe just a better neighborhood. A neighborhood where the buildings didn’t sag into the streets like wet paper bags and the bins weren’t overflowing with old garbage. She’d get out of here, and she would get a better life, and then… And then she drew a giant blank. She couldn’t think of any kind of definite goal other than “get out”. Maybe she didn’t need one. Getting a nice place with a nice pile of money would be enough.
She was thrown violently from her daydreaming into the back of the driver’s seat. Breaks squealed on the pavement, horns blared, and Marcel flung his arm across her chest to hold her back. The driver slammed the horn until the red car in front of them crawled forward and parked next to the curb. A very large teenage boy jumped out of the driver’s side and stamped toward their car, cussing. Avery reached for the door handle. Their driver frowned and calmly accelerated toward the angry boy. Had the kid not jumped out of the way, Avery assumed that her driver would have probably calmly crushed him into the asphalt.
“Jesus Christ!” Marcel looked back at the Mustang. “The f*ck was that guy’s problem! Holy shit!” He looked at Avery. “Uh, you alright?”
“I’m not dead. So…yeah. You can move your arm now.”
He smiled in embarrassment and crossed his arms. “Sorry. Everybody’s been acting like f*cking maniacs. Bad mojo.”
She looked back out of the window. “Yeah,” she said, nodding, “Really bad mojo.”
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Post by AngelicTragedy on Mar 21, 2010 23:35:10 GMT -5
OOC- Not my best post but I'm being poked my Iron Mouse to do this so hopefully next time around I'll be able to write a more personally satisfying post.
BIC- Marius was lifted by the swirling mist like a rag doll and flung from the roof of the building like a leaf in a storm. Sailing head over heels, Marius hurtled towards a face to face meeting with the solid brick of a nearby apartment building. With a sickening smack and an earsplitting crunch he entered the small modest living room of a Philadelphian couple. Marius climbed from the shattered wood and shredded stuffing that was once a couch and pulled a long strand of suede from his pale hair. A slight trickle of blood dripped from Marius’ scalp line and into his eyes giving the surroundings a red tint. Drawing both of his blades and backing to the door, Marius took up a defensive stance. From a hall to the right a middle aged woman rushed into the shattered remains of her home.
“Who the hell are you?!” the woman screamed at the top of her lungs.
“That’s not quite that important right now, though I am sorry about your home.” Marius snapped back and refocused his attention on the gaping hole in the wall.
*****
“…Detectives are calling this serial killer ‘The Crimson Butterfly’ because of images found on the bodies of his victims. There are no leads at this time as to the identity of the killer but the FBI has been called in to aid in the investigation. Profilers have informed us that the suspect is a very introverted, impotent man between the ages of 17 and 35. If you have any information on this case please call the Philadelphia Police Department.”
“These American profilers are fools if you ask my opinion.” The blonde man said softly.
“I beg your pardon?” his hair dresser asked as she ran her hand through his hair.
“I’m sorry, I’m just commenting on the fact that these Americans could not be farther from their suspect than they think. He started his murder career in Europe and is far from impotent.”
“How do you know that?”
“Pardon my manners, my name is Volkner Metzger. I’m something of a German police official working with Interpol and I’ve come to hunt down this monster and return him to justice.”
“Oh thank god, you had me worried. I thought that you were the murderer for a few moments there.”
“Oh my lieblich I could never so do something of that vile nature. It would be wise if you were to learn more about the nature of this creature so that you may better protect yourself. Perhaps if you were to perhaps come with me to my hotel after you finish my hair I could tell you exactly what you need to know.” Volkner said with a sly smile on his face which was quickly returned by the young woman.
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Post by Iron Mouse on Mar 21, 2010 23:49:18 GMT -5
OOC: Perhaps this post might have been more personally satisfying if your character wasn't impotent.
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Post by Iron Mouse on Apr 4, 2010 15:36:20 GMT -5
“So this is the stray power?” Carlo frowned from his side of the desk. He hadn’t changed his expression since Avery and Marcell had entered the room, but his frown seemed to get more disapproving the more he looked at Avery. There were two other men by the door. Big guys. With guns.
“Yeah this is her. Uh-“
Carlo held up a hand and Marcel stopped talking. “Your name is?”
“Avery.”
“No last name?”
She shook her head.
“And you’re from?”
“Kemble street, near Olney.” She kept her eyes cast down, staring intently into Carlo’s shiny metal paperweight. Her face, little more than a white blob with a black blob on top, twisted upwards over the brass. She stared and gave short, one sentence answers that she had been rehearsing in her head, and tried to will her body to stop shaking.
“And before that you lived…where?”
“The Basilica.”
Carlo exhaled deeply. “I don’t believe that you’re from the Basilica Cathedral. I don’t even believe you’re from Philly Avery No-Last-Name. Where are you from?” He repeated slowly.
“She doesn’t remember anything,” Marcel blurted, and was met with a sharp glare. “Uh. Sorry.” He began examining a very interesting spot on the floor.
Avery shook her head and looked Carlo in the eye for the first time. They were heavy and dark, and seemed to shoot through her skull. “He’s right,” she lied, “I really don’t remember anything.” They looked at each other for a long moment until Carlo leaned back in his desk chair. The chair Avery was sitting in was probably the nicest piece of furniture she’d ever sat in, but at the moment it felt like concrete slabs covered with leather. She looked back at the paperweight, her hands trembling with anxiety.
“Alright,” he said judiciously. “What do you do?”
“I walk through doorways.” That sounded completely retarded. “It’s easier to show people,” she quickly added.
He leaned farther back into the comfier looking chair. “Alright. Show us how you walk through doorways.” The two big guys manning the door laughed.
She took a deep breath and stood up. “I need two open doors. Any two doors as long as I know where they are.”
He looked at the big guys. “Open that door and this one.” One door led back out into the hallway, the other was the entrance to a closet behind Carlo’s desk.
Avery strode quickly towards the hallway. As soon as she exited into the hall, she reentered through the closet. She made a small “ta-da” motion before exiting through the closet and entering back into the room from the hall door.
Carlo nodded, dark eyes wide with surprise. He let her sit back down. “And you can do that in any building?’
“I can do that with any door in the world as long as I know where it is. I can do it with archways and windows too, but they have to be open.”
Carlo’s gaze became more approving. “Marcel says you can shapeshift?”
“Into other people.”
“Well then show us.”
“Okay..um…” she thought for a moment, and then took a deep breath. Her hair retracted back into her skull and bulky muscles shifted into place on her arms. She winced at the familiar stabbing pains of moving her own muscles and bones. Muffled sliding and cracking sounds broke the silence of the room as the bones in her face rearranged themselves into stronger, more angular shapes. She was a boy from the waist up. Herself, but male. Carlo looked unnerved and didn’t speak. She held up a finger and started to change again. Hair grew curly and long, fading from black to brown to red to blonde. The gold pigment in her eyes dissolved into blue. The muscles faded away and her face rounded back out. She smiled. “Yeah, uh, that’s about it. I’m not going to turn into a bear or anything, but small stuff I can do.”
Carlo remained speechless for several moments before finally regaining his composure. “Well…damn. I’ve never had a single useful power work for me, but you,” his mouth split into a wide grin. “you can be anybody you want anywhere you want. That’s useful. I have a job for you tonight and if you don’t screw it up it’ll be the first of many. Welcome aboard, Avery. Jerard’s going to drive you to two warehouses, you move three hundred kilos from one to the other in less than two hours and I’ll give you five k out of my own fucking wallet.” He slid a small silver rectangle towards her. A cell phone. “Yours, in case Marcel or I need you.”
Her blue eyes widened. “Uh. Yes sir.” Five thousand? She could buy…anything. Her head spun with the number. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“But,” his expression sobered considerably. He leaned forward in his chair and locked eyes with her. “I don’t trust you. And I sure as hell don’t like you. If I find out you lied to me about anything, if you think you can skim off anything for yourself, if you stop paying for what you use, if you give me any trouble whatsoever, you’re gone. Understand me, power. Gone. Now go move my product.”
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Post by Hamuu on Apr 11, 2010 15:32:53 GMT -5
Tendrils of thick black smoke raced toward the gaping hole. Each was separate but they moved in unison, weaving through the air. Bernard’s disembodied laugh bellowed though the apartment as Marius leapt to the side of the room, just in time to avoid the mass of smoke. It struck the ground hard but made little sound. The smoke reared up like a wave before crashing against Marius and holding him firm against the wall.
“You’re not as strong as Valon are you?” Bernard’s voice hissed, “I’ll be careful not to kill you too fast then.”
The smoke pulled back, keeping Marius in its grasp, and plowed into the wall. Bernard used the young Aldra-Sa like a battering ram, plowing through wall after wall as the two barreled through the apartment complex. They pierced through the building like a bullet through flesh, each wall crumbling as Marius was forced through them. The last wall let forth an explosion of bricks that plummeted to the street below.
“You must tell me, can all of your people fly?” Bernard asked as he dangled Marius in the air, “Better yet, show me.” The smoke retracted away and allowed him to fall.
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Post by AngelicTragedy on Apr 23, 2010 21:35:46 GMT -5
OOC- I did not read this back before I posted it, and I don't plan to. My brain is tired. lol
BIC- Marius smiled slightly as he plunged from the side of the building. Blood glazed all of his teeth and rolled onto his chin as the ground loomed ever closer. Though Marius could not fly he was far from unable to take care of this situation for as he neared certain death the sky came alive with huge black wings and a clicking cry. From the nearby buildings and streets came large flocks of what at first had appeared to be crows but now could been seen to be much, much more. Large black wings carried feathered and scaled bodies the color of onyx shot through with crimson and azure lines. Long, slender necks ended in avian heads, beaks filled with needle pointed teeth, which clicked and clacked. Each foot consisted of four toes tipped in wickedly curved talons the color of blood.
The mass of black dragons crowded around Marius and gripped him with vice-like strength. While one Tracker wouldn’t have been of much help but with the sheer number of them slowed Marius to a stop and enabled him to reach the ground without turning his body into a bloody spot on the street. The Trackers took back to the sky and Marius looked up at the gaping hole in the building that he was forced to destroy with his flesh. His body was growing weaker and if there was no physical flesh to fight Marius was nigh useless, magic not being among his talents.
“There’s got to be a way to kill this thing, but how? I can’t cut this bastard but he seems to be able to kick the shit out of me. Time to resort to what I’d hoped I’d never have to do again. Sewer, here I come.”
Marius cast a quick glance to the building where he knew the shadowy monster watched and cast him a very rude gesture. Using the hilt of one of his blades as a pry bar, Marius opened his path to the dank, reeking world below and jumped into the blackness.
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Post by Hamuu on Apr 28, 2010 12:27:50 GMT -5
All over the city, and in some of the outlying areas, people were evacuating. They’d heard about powers, these days you’d have to live under a rock not to know they existed. The problem was they’d never dealt with a situation like this. Usually you heard about it on the news happening somewhere else, usually in Asia and almost always it was the Poké Isles. Something like this hadn’t happened on American soil since the war between TR, the Alliance, and the Rebels. They weren’t prepared; they were falling into panic and chaos.
Bernard’s mist like essence pulsated and grew as he fed on all the negative emotions. It wouldn’t last for long though, once most of the populace had fled he’d find himself expending more energy than he was gaining. Right now though he was more than fine, plus the aldra-sa had not het bored him. Until Avery was close enough to sense again he’d just have to continue toying with his prey.
“A sewer? Do you hope to find some sort of monster down there that can defeat me?” Bernard laughed as he flooded the entrance with his mist only to see dark empty tunnels leading off in a few different directions, “Interesting, so there is something more to you…”
The mist floated motionless, as though he were contemplating what course of action to take. Slowly, it started stretching out to fill the empty pipes until it had stretched as far as it could go. Bernard flattened himself against the ceiling and with a massive burst of power tore though the pipes and asphalt. When he was finished, he looked down at the revealed section of pipes.
“Running away like a kafit bird. Well, I’ll just have to get rid of any place you could possibly hide.” Bernard’s voice echoed as he repeated the process.
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Post by Iron Mouse on Apr 29, 2010 0:06:04 GMT -5
“I’m sorry you’re going to have to go around.” Rain hammered the roof of the car and sprayed in through the open driver’s window. A cop wearing one of those ridiculous looking yellow parkas was directing traffic away from Market Street. “The north part of town is being completely evacuated. There’s been an attack, it’s not safe. If you live between Market and Cheltenham please seek shelter.”
Jerard pounded a fist on the steering wheel and turned the car away from Market Street. That was the third roadblock they’d run into. There was no way to get to storehouse to move the coke.
Marcel leaned forward to talk to the driver. “Try one more time, from 35th street. If we can’t get there, we can’t get there and I’ll tell Carlo.
He sighed, nodded, and kept driving.
Avery looked nervously around the car. Not being able to see outside was really messing with her. Water sheeted down over the windows, making her feel as though she was trapped in a tiny box. She fidgeted, feeling more uneasy than she had all day, everything seemed off. Like one of those pictures where you’re supposed to find what’s different. She hated those pictures.
Marcel tried to start a conversation several times throughout the car ride, but Avery only gave grunts and one word responses to everything he said. She didn’t feel like talking. She just wanted to get this over with, get the money, and go home. She glanced out the back window, not able to see the car behind them, just the squiggly distorted headlights. More squiggly lights flashed up ahead and the car rolled to a stop. Red and white bars lowered and Jerard knocked the car into park. A train howled to their left, it’s light shining around the bend in the tracks.
Marcel frowned. “Sonuva-“
The car lurched forward with a crunch. Avery was slammed face first into the passenger’s seat. Another jolt shifted the car forward another few feet. The light from the train closed in. Another impact threw the car forward. It only took a minute for the realization to set in. Avery unbuckled her seatbelt and threw her door open. Rain pounded the pavement outside. The car shot onto the tracks and she heard the train’s horn blaring in her ears. Marcel’s mouth moved and he held out his hand to her. He was shouting something. Something frantic. She grabbed his hand as the left side of the car crunched in, something warm splashed her face, and she was thrown out of the passenger door and into Carlo’s office.
She shot through Carlo’s open doorway, still holding Marcel’s hand and tumbled into the desk. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision. She was holding Marcel’s hand. She stared wide eyed for a moment. That was all of Marcel that she was holding. A high pitched scream erupted from her as she flung the dismembered hand across the room, scrambling to her feet.
Carlo wasn’t in his office. Avery looked wildly around the room and found bulletholes in the walls and a smear of blood leading out of the door. She shook her head. No. This wasn’t happening. No.
“You hear that?” Another accent she’d never heard before. Footsteps thundered down the hall, and three dark complected men rounded the corner and stood in the doorway. Avery froze like a cornered animal for a moment and lunged for the door. One of them lifted a pistol and shot as she crossed the threshold. The bullet hit the far wall as she disappeared.
Avery stepped out of her kitchen door into a gaping hole. She caught herself on the doorframe looked in astonishment at what was left of her apartment building. It was as if something took a giant bite out of the top of the building. Rain soaked her hair and her clothes as she sat in the doorframe and wept. All of the work. All of the starving and scraping and clawing her way into a gang. Her dream of finally being able to stop living like a dog was gone. She shook and cried and pounded her fists on the wet floor for the better part of a half hour before deciding she needed to go somewhere else. Somewhere safe or at least dry.
The Basilica was the only safe place in the city. She walked through the Reverend McCulken’s perpetually open office door and passed into the chapel. She curled up on one of the front pews and cried until she slept. Her dreams were filled with monsters and dogs that fought in the street and tore each other to pieces.
A rough hand on her shoulder woke her up . “What are you doing here?” Reverend McCulken glared down at her. “Get out of my church. Now.”
At first she didn’t know where she was or why the Reverend was there. Then the events of last night flooded back into her and she sighed. There was no place for her at all.
“Stop that.” A nun, one Avery had never met in her days at the church, swatted the Reverend’s shoulder. “The child deserves kindness.”
“I know this child. And I want her out of my church immediately.”
Avery sat up and blinked the sleep out of her eyes. “I-I’m sorry Reverend.”
“Michael,” the nun scolded again, “at least give the girl some dry clothes and hot food-“
“No,” he spat.
“Reverend Michael McCaulken, you will-“
“No. He’s right. I’m sorry.” Avery stood and looked down at the floor in shame. “I didn’t think anyone would be back in the morning. I’ll leave.” She turned and went for the door. The nun followed close behind.
“Child, I have no idea what you did to Reverend McCaulken that would make him deny you the hospitality of the church, but I’m sure he’s overreacting. Is there anything I can do?”
She shook her head. “No sister,” she said with as much respect as she could muster.
“Surely there’s somewhere you can go. Someone who will take you in?”
She stopped and looked at the sister. “Actually, I guess there is.” She fished in her back pocket and pulled out a slightly soggy business card with a phone number still clearly visible. “Guess it’s better than nothing.” She slid the new cell phone out of her pocket and dialed.
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Post by AngelicTragedy on May 4, 2010 12:12:08 GMT -5
"Oh lieblich, of course you're welcome to join me in my hotel." Volkner almost purred into his cell phone. "I'll send a cab right away to bring you straight here."
Closing his phone and placing it on the table in his suite at the Hotel Palomar and a fierce smile erupted across his face. The beautiful, if not a bit strange, frightened girl from the following day was playing into his lap. Digging into a nightstand drawer Volkner pulled out a phone book and thumbed through quickly for a taxi service and placed the call to pick up Avery. Once the call was made he lay back on the bed and blissfully dreamed of what was to come.
“Soon my lieblich, soon…”
*****
Marius moved with the speed of a man possessed. The filth and grime flew past as Marius shot through the winding tunnels below the streets of North Philly. He had heard the distant sound of the street being ripped away, but it was far to the north of him so he wasn’t too concerned. The sewers were so much like the swamps and bogs that the serpents that he drew power from that he was in his element. Once the sound of shattering concrete was so far away that he felt safe Marius began taking off his armor and clothing, putting it in a pile on a relatively dry patch of concrete. Pulling a slip of paper from his robes and placing it on the pile, hands splayed wide of the pile, and began to chant.
“The gift of Sari’n, ten thousand gates crafted from Jade, the blood of the Earth, ordained by the High Mother. I call upon the might of silver magic, to Drakengrad.” And as the chant finished the armor and clothing was gone.
Ducking into a service tunnel, Marius took a seat and waited. Cracking and rattling echoed through the tunnels once again, but not just from above. Snapping, scraping, stretching, and slithering sang in the sewer. In the pitch blackness nothing could be seen but Marius’ eyes seemed to flare a cold grey light. In the space of a single blink, human pupils slit into horizontal ones.
“Come and get me you misty bastard….”
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Post by Iron Mouse on May 6, 2010 0:42:53 GMT -5
“- terrorist attack in Philadelphia Pennsylvania last -“
“- are blaming Summoners for the recent attack on-“
“- President has declared a state of emergency-“
“- could not be reached for comment. This attack seems-“
Avery shut the tv off. Every news station was showing the same picture of a bashed in building with the street in front of it ripped to pieces. It showed the same three second video of a man being shot through a building like a bullet. She didn’t see why everyone loved television so much. It was actually really boring.
She looked around the well lit, well furnished, place of a hotel room and tugged uncomfortably on the new shirt she was wearing. After she arrived Volkner, once he finally revealed his name, insisted on a hot shower and that her clothes be laundered. In the meantime she wore a pair of boxer shorts and one of his button-down shirts. The fabric felt incredibly expensive. What the hell did this guy do for a living?
"So how is it that someone as beautiful as yourself got involved with gang savages?" Her blonde host emerged from the kitchen area with a hot cup of what she assumed to be tea and placed it on the table.
She frowned at the word beautiful and looked into the cup . "Money. I mean I've been homeless for four years. Money is sort of an issue. I got sick of begging change off of people you know."
"There are other ways to make money, lieblich. Didn't you ever consider your other options?"
Her frown deepened. There was only one other option for making money and she would be damned if she ended up like her mother. "I'd rather push drugs than turn tricks thank you kindly." She paused for a moment and before he could speak added. "And what's a lieblich? It sounds like something I should go to the doctor for."
"Oh, excuse me, it's German for 'darling'. It's a term I only use for a...special...few people. I didn't mean any offense in regard to work. I would never expect you to become a common street whore.” He sat on the couch next to her. You're much more special than that. I could tell the first time I met you."
She met his eyes for the first time since she’d gotten there. "Special?" They were a light brown that reminded her of her own eyes. She searched for something. Something insincere. Something that would validate all of the anxiousness and mistrust she felt for this man, and found nothing. "You first met me less than a day ago. What's your angle? You don't know me, you invite me over at the drop of a hat like you can trust me, and you're calling me darling and special after I told you what I do for a living. Aren't you even the tiniest bit phased? Shouldn't you want me out of your house at this point? Shouldn’t you be calling the cops?"
"It's slightly difficult to explain,” Volkner looked down into the untouched cup of tea, “but I'm an empath. I can sense others emotions and over the years I've developed a certain profile that I enjoy the company of. You happen to fall in that category. Your emotions are powerful and, if I may speak frankly, I am enjoying how quickly then change."
"Wait you...you can do something not-normal?"
"Of course. I can tell you can as well. We powers tend to gravitate towards each other."
Her eyes filled with hope. She'd finally found someone that knew what it was like. She sat there, speechless for a moment. "So…you really did want to help me." She regained her composure, looking less awestruck. "Sorry. I'm not used to people being nice unless they want something from me."
"I want what you're willing to give.” He brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and cupped her cheek. His hands were incredibly warm. “I know that this life can be difficult. It's hard to find someone that you can trust."
Volkner's arm slipped around her waist and he drew her close to him. He smelled vaguely of something sweet that she couldn’t quite place. As he closed the distance between their lips, she smiled slightly. This seemed like a dream. Like some sort of fairy tale. Prince charming had come in with his German accent and called her beautiful and would take her off the streets to live with him in his palace happily ever after. Or, at the very least, she’d found someone she could trust.
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Post by Hamuu on May 7, 2010 14:33:56 GMT -5
Bernard was no longer gaining power and he knew it. Enough people had fled that those who remained, huddled in fear wherever they hid, were not enough to sustain him. He was running out of time.
“You have been most enjoyable,” Bernard said as the mist permeated the last section of concrete. “I’m sure that if I were given the same choice, I would choose toying with you again over the boring wait atop that apartment building.”
The pipe and concrete crumbled and were thrown to the side. Light flooded the last section and even Bernard wasn’t prepared for the mixture of scales and feathers he saw waiting for him.
“Well, well, well. You certainly are full of surprises,” the mist slowly began edging toward Marius, a hollow laugh echoing within.
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Post by AngelicTragedy on May 21, 2010 1:23:18 GMT -5
OOC- The following post has been put in Spoiler tags for the faint of heart. Frankly I think that I've handled it well and didn't put in nearly the amount of violence that I had planned on at first. I was compelled to tone it down because it's difficult to write a torture scene without feeling like a bit of a monster. You've been warned about content, so don't come crying to me if you are offended. BIC- “And I’m not even a fully developed Aldra-Sa. Too bad you’ll never get to see one because I’m going to kill you right here.” Marius said through an overly large smile full of wickedly sharp teeth. Bernard had been correct; Marius had made quite a transformation. His upper body remained much the same as it had before but now without his clothing and armor Marius’ many battle scars stood out in stark contrast to his pale skin. From his shoulder blades a pair of large, gray wings that arced around Marius’ shoulders like a feathery cloak. Silver white hair now fell down Marius’ frame and gave him the slight appearance of a hag. Slit pupils regarded Bernard with a simmering hatred as Marius began to advance on the mist, but not on the legs that he once used to run. Now Marius moved on the body of a killer. Stretching out at least twenty-four feet from the waist and moving like a hunter, a massive snake body the color of obsidian carried Marius in place of feet. Yellow diamonds ran along his spine that were filled with red scales giving the appearance of combining a Black Mamba, a Diamondback Rattlesnake, and a poisonous Garden Snake. “You know the old saying about snakes right? Red on black, friend to Jack; red on yellow, kills a fellow.” Marius stated as he reared up on his haunch and let loose a sound that was half roar and half hiss. ***** Seconds before their lips touched Volkner smiled like a madman, and that’s when Avery felt the injection. The needle slid smoothly into her femoral artery and the contents began surging through her body. To Avery it was like her brain began to release all control of her body but she could tell that they were still connected by the unaltered feeling of her surroundings. Volkner rose from the couch and strode back to the adjoining bedroom. A moment later he returned from the blackness of the room with a leather case which he sat on the floor at Avery’s feet. Pulling up a chair, Volkner took a seat in front of the unmoving Avery and gave her a lusty look that verged on insanity.
“Seems you’ve played into my hands you little bitch. I bet you’re wondering what’s happening and I plan to tell you shortly, but first I have to explain what I’ve already done. I’ve injected you with Tetrodotoxin, an extract from the liver of the Caribbean Puffer Fish. I’ve always liked this one, because it makes sure you can’t move but ensures you can feel everything that’s about to happen. I want you lucid for this, because it’s going to be amazing…” Volkner stated coldly in an accent less voice.
“You’re just like all the others, do you know that? You’re naïve, to easy to fool, to quick to trust. You just met me yesterday and thought that I would save your worthless life? How foolish of you little girl. It’s okay; I’ll teach you a lesson about trust and why strangers are dangerous.” Volkner opened the case at their feet and pulled out a ball gag, which he quickly strapped into Avery’s mouth.
“I didn’t lie to you about me being special, or even German, but other than that it was all a lie. I can read your emotions and in that regard I do find you special…because of the intensity of your fear. Fear is like a drug to me and I’m always looking for my next fix. Why do you think that I came to this God forsaken city? This presence in the air is drawing my kind from all over the world, and the fear is so delicious. You, my lieblich, fear just about everything about his world and I love that you do. Now, you know what’s happening so let’s talk about what I’m about to do to you. Your fear isn’t enough for me, so I’m going to take more than that from you. I’ll take your dignity, self respect, and in the end, your life. I can tell what you’re thinking and I know what you’re asking yourself. Is he really going to kill me? That’s not the question you should be asking yourself. It’s not if I’ll kill you, it’s how.”
Avery’s eyes suddenly became huge. Tears began to wash down her cheeks in long streams that only seemed to please Volkner even more. Volker stood and removed his dress shirt and undershirt. His body tone was impeccable and in any other situation it would have been attractive but in the current state of things it only served to frighten Avery even more. Pulling up a pant leg, Volkner pulled out a wickedly curved blade specked with tiny spots of rust that in the intimate lighting looked like spots of blood. Volkner sat the blade down on the couch next to Avery on one side and took the seat on the other.
“Now, we’re almost ready to play little girl, but first I think that I’m going to take my clothing back. I did spend a great deal of money on it you know.” Volkner laughed as he began to thrown Avery around next to him, removing his shirt and boxers from her by force. Tossing the clothing on a nearby table and surveyed her frame with a wry grin.
Volkner quickly flipped Avery over onto her stomach and jumped onto her back: grabbing a fist full of hair, Volkner pulling her head back at a painful angle. Pulling out another needle, Volkner plunged it into Avery’s neck. The contents of the syringe surged into Avery’s veins, causing her heart rate to increase dramatically. The adrenaline coursed about Avery’s body as Volkner whispered to her about not wanting her to pass out before the fun was over. Volkner grabbed his knife and slid off of Avery’s nude form and came to rest inches from her face.
“Now the fun begins little girl!” Volkner almost sang into her ear. “You’re going to become the next victim of the Crimson Butterfly!” And with that he began slicing into her skin with reckless abandon, slowly creating the visage of a huge butterfly in her flesh.
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Post by AngelicTragedy on May 21, 2010 23:18:22 GMT -5
OOC- I hate you...
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Post by Iron Mouse on May 23, 2010 0:44:38 GMT -5
No. The word just kept repeating itself. No. No. This wasn’t happening. No. There had to be a way out of here. No. She had to move. No. It was just another nightmare. No. She couldn’t die. Not now. No.The word slammed itself against the inside of her head and pushed out tears until she couldn’t see in front of her. In a way it was a relief, not being able to see him leering.
The pain was intolerable. Every time the knife bit into her back she fought the urge to scream. It broke the skin, tore at muscles, scraped against bone, and didn’t stop. She tried to shift her skin together to suture the wound but her body simply didn’t respond. She willed herself, screamed at herself to move. Nothing happened. The metal pulled out for a moment before plunging back in. She clamped her jaws around the gag and inhaled sharply. No. She would not scream. She refused to let him take that from her. She was going to keep all he dignity she could.
In the stillness of the room she could hear her skin tearing, hear the small shink sound that accompanied each movement of the knife. She heard Volkner’s breathing get more ragged and uneven as wave after wave of fear lapped against him. She heard him call her stupid. She heard him say bitch from between his gritted teeth. She heard that insane smile cover every word.
Hands jerked her chin up and wiped tears out of her eyes. Volkner gazed at her with something akin to admiration. The way people look at paintings in art galleries. He opened his mouth as if to speak and instead laugher bubbled out of him. Then he was gone and Avery suddenly felt his weight on her back again, and felt fingers moving over her skin. He stroked her hair and smeared blood on her cheek as he chuckled at her helplessness and drug the knife tip across her back. “It’s so beautiful,” he whispered.
She heard the jingling of a belt buckle and a zipper being undone. No. She tried desperately to move, to get away, to do something. Anything. Nothing happened. Her body jolted forward on the carpet and she screamed. It was a pathetic muffled sound with no form that dissolved into sobs. She rocked back and forth on the floor and, for the first time in four years, prayed. She prayed that someone would rescue her. She prayed that he would lose interest and stop. She prayed for unconsciousness, and for death. She wished that she could have died at the rail road crossing, or that she would have starved to death, or that she would have let those lunatics on the island burn her at the stake. She wished for an end. Any end. Anything that wasn’t this. The knife tore into her back again and she, stripped of dignity, whimpered and mentally begged Volkner to kill her.
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Post by Hamuu on Jun 2, 2010 17:45:52 GMT -5
OOC- I haven't forgotten about this topic. I'll post when I don't have a headache.
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Post by Hamuu on Jun 3, 2010 16:57:23 GMT -5
The black mist hung motionlessly in the air above Marius. For a moment, Bernard thought he had felt Avery - a small hint of fear mixed with confusion. His ethereal form rippled as he shook off the feeling, focusing his attention on the prey before him. “You, kill me? So far, you’ve yet to-” The emotions hit Bernard full blast this time; fear, anxiety, heartbreak, sadness, violation, and despair. A strange mix, unless… “We’ve wasted too much time.” Bernard wafted through the air in precise movements, no longer concerned with the aldra-sa before him. If his plan was to succeed, he’d need Avery. Without her, everything that had been set in motion would be meaningless. Without her… There, he’d found her. Bernard enveloped Marius. His serpentine form thrashed against him, but the mist ignored it. The two soared through the air towards a large hotel. “You may prove useful after all.” Bernard hissed as he let go of Marius, flinging him like a bullet towards the wall. As the aldra-sa hurtled through the brick and rebar, Bernard gazed at the scene within the room. A man was crouched over Avery, his pants around his ankles. The scum was taking pleasure as he carved into her naked, violated form. Whoever this monster was, he was about to get a face full of shape shifted aldra-sa. It wasn't very good, it felt rushed.
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Post by AngelicTragedy on Jun 9, 2010 0:23:40 GMT -5
Marius was tossed yet again into a building and shattered the brick and steel of the hotel into a fine powder. The huge bulk of his form took the brunt of the punishment well but a headache began to pulse behind his eyes. The longer that Marius stayed in his fusion form the more the pain would increase until it finally devoured him, causing him to revert to his animalistic instincts. Marius whipped his tail outwards and used it to slow himself to a stop but not before hitting a person and send him flying into the next room. Looking at his surroundings clearly for the first time Marius noted the huge pools of blood and there within the curls of his tail lay the girl with the golden eyes carved like a Christmas ham.
“By Aou’n, what’s happened to her?” Marius hissed as a figure appeared in the doorway of the adjoining room brandishing a black pistol complete with green LED laser sights.
“She’s the most recent victim of the Crimson Butterfly.” The figure stated coldly as he drew up his weapon and fired a shot into Marius’ shoulder. A three inch needle stuck out of the snake-mans shoulder and seemed to glow green.
“Poisoned, but that’s not going to affect me. It seems that you’re derived this poison from the Black Mamba I’m guessing. Too bad for you that I’m immune to snake poison. I guess that it comes with the territory being the Lord of Serpents and all. Step out here so that I can kill you.” Marius snapped back quickly as he began lowering himself into an attack position.
The man stepped out of the darkened room and Marius had to draw himself back from striking the man dead. Volkner had lost his right contact, revealing its brilliant green, and sustained a gash on his left temple giving the psychotic man an even more frightening appearance. Marius mouthed the name ‘Nade’ and pulled back slightly as the German monster approached. A wicked smile formed on Volkners face and he began edging himself closer to Avery.
“I think that you have me mistaken for someone else. My name is Volkner Fleischer and I’m the son of Gotzon Fleischer. I’m the child of science and as such some of the DNA of the one you mistook me for flows through my veins. I have the adaptability of you little Aldra-Sa and the raw potential of the Human race. I am truly the first of a master race. I suppose it’s sad that the first of this master race refuses to continue it. These little bitches don’t deserve to live and as such I teach them this lesson. Humans, women and men, are all pathetic. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to finish what I’ve started.” Volkner aimed his weapon at Avery’s head and smiled like a wolf about to kill a lamb.
Marius moved quicker than the human eye could see. The flesh of his neck, shoulders, and face pulled back into a wickedly shaped frill much like that of a King Cobra and bared his massive fangs. Twin jets of yellow-green venom lanced out at Volkner’s weapon hand. The thick liquid made contact and instantly began to melt flesh and bone. The pistol clattered to the floor, as did the hand that held it, leaving only a bloody stump of flesh and bone that dripped like wax from a candle. Volkner doubled over in pain and let out a scream that rang like the howl of a wounded coyote in the shattered hotel room.
“You may look like my master’s brother, but you’re nothing like the great prince. You’re a vile monster, but I’ll show you some mercy. I won’t summon Lord Lorsha to rip you apart atom by atom over the course of a week or so. I’ll make sure you die quickly and painfully shortly.” Marius placed a hand on Avery’s neck and felt a pulse, weak though it was, and turned his attention back to Volkner.
“It ends.”
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Post by Hamuu on Jul 31, 2010 5:41:55 GMT -5
Had he a physical body, Bernard would have shivered with delight. Valon's lap dog was fighting the other distraction, they would be dealt with in moments. In the mean time, Bernard need to set the final piece on the table. His cloaked appeared, wrapping itself around the smoke that made his "body" as his metal gauntlets and boots reformed around his hands and feet. He knelt near Avery, gently picking her up in his arms. Two things needed to happen, she needed to believe Bernard and she had to see Marius in his serpent-like form.
"Avery." Bernard cradled her head. "You're safe now. I've been searching for you for a long time. I know you needed someone to protect you, so I've come. I'm so sorry this has happened to you, I tried to get here in time, but this snake like man has been following me ever since I discovered where you were. He said he needed to find you, but I'm not sure if his motives are genuine. I think he's the one I was suppose to protect you from."
Bernard propped Avery up, so she could see Marius fighting her rapist. In Bernard's other hand he held two cards, both had the word 'death' written across them. One of them ignited and collected into a ball of flame. It soared up into the ceiling and onto the floor above them. It floated over the combatants and waited. Just as Marius stroke another blow, Bernard summoned the orbs power. Flames erupted downward and incinerated the aldra-sa's foe.
Now, it was up to Avery. If everything he knew about this girl was correct, then Marius in this form, would be the last thing she'd want to see. She'd choose Bernard, she would believe Bernard, she would obey Bernard. In order for that to happen, she would have to choose between them - Bernard or Marius. It was so much easier to bend someone's free will when they gave it to you by choice. He crumpled the final death card in his hand and waited, it was his insurance. If he didn't get Avery, then no one would.
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Post by Iron Mouse on Jul 31, 2010 23:16:49 GMT -5
Avery watched Volkner burn. She watched the winged Emissary of Jadis summon the same column of holy fire that had burned her mother. He coiled on himself, swinging his body in her direction. Her eyes widened. Panic flooded her again. He’d found her. Of course he would. The winged serpent had come to strip her of the power she had stolen from their god. He had come to send her to Kadal. She choked down the familiar smells of blood and burning. She felt sick. She felt weak. Blackness pushed in the edges of her vision. She was dying.
She could finally summon the strength to flex her fingers. Most of the poison was gone. She’d bled it out. Maybe, if she could die before the Emissary could burn her, she could avoid Kadal. She heard the smoky being talking, but didn’t understand. Was he actually made of smoke? Was he even there? Things went black for a moment, then cleared again.
“-he’s the one I was supposed to protect you from,” he said.
Maybe, she thought. Maybe he was a demon. They’d preached about demons. Beings that sought to destroy Jadis. Maybe. She didn’t take her eyes off the Emissary. “Kill it,” she whispered. “Kill it. Kill it. Kill it. Kill it.”
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