118 replies to this topic

[Dætha]

Loving the story so far, keep up the good work.

[Reina Takayama]

Dætha, on 21 June 2013 - 07:32 PM, said:

Loving the story so far, keep up the good work.

Thanks so much ^^

[Reina Takayama]

Chapter 11


Where there once was a door, it was now a gaping hole, smoking and crumbling around the edges like a twisted version of a giant's ashtray. The patrons at the bar gawked speechlessly, all heads turned at the grand entrance.

A grand entrance it was indeed. The Crow's Nest Tavern hadn't seen any form of violence or action in decades, with the prowl of the Lionguard and the Captain's Council holding their official meetings there. In fact, the tavern had started to become a sanctuary - despite the gruff and dangerous - there was an unspoken social etiquette in place. Everyone would keep to themselves, stories and secrets hidden or traded and what was spoken of in the Crow's Nest, didn't leave the bar.

To have the door blow open, was asking for trouble. The amount of potent warriors were unknown. Though there were civilians and normal citizens sitting in for a good tale or drinks, any one of them could had been a powerful sorcerer of the elements or a mysterious assassin or maybe even a politician under guise. There were weapons laid down against tables, left to sit at their feet, or stowed in the corners, like umbrellas during a rainstorm. Weapons were so common place, no one would give them another glance.

But they had the advantage of surprise. And the customers were at a disadvantage from the influence of alcohol. Within seconds, there was a great cloud of billowing smoke filling the tavern, from the doorway to the farthest corners, as if a crude artist painted the world in whites and greys. The structure of the tavern was tightly enclosed so the noise of the bar wouldn't spill over to the rest of the city but it was unfortunate this made it easy for the attack.

Though many had reached for their weapons, and the air began to crackle with arcane power, it was a breath too late. While blinded by grey fumes, there was the sound of bodies beginning to collapse onto their tables and floors, slumped unconscious. No one was able to make out the perpetrators.

A few coughing victims staggered towards the back door.

And it wasn't a surprise that the Asura Professor was clutching his large alloy case possessively, screaming for help. Perhaps his height, or rather, lack of height kept his head below the suffocating gas.

Behind him, he could hear the sounds of heavy clanks of weapons, snarls and hoarse voices shouting. Cracks of tables splintering and glass shattering on the ground. Heavy footfalls and a booms of gunfire. Flashes of light and supercharged energy discharging. A defiant bubble of protective aura that pushed through the smoke but it soon disappeared. But no one could see what was happening.

A blind struggle.

Who was it? And what did they want?

"Professor, we need to move."

The panicking Asura was glued to his seat despite his intellectual struggle to process the most logical and effective method to escape his predicament. His body has seized up but Liric's voice snapped him out of his frozen state.

"O-Oh, yes yes, of course, let's go."

Liric had one hand pressed to her face, her glove blocking out the toxic fumes. Under her hand however, a smile found a way on to her face, quite amused at her employer's breathless, distraught expression. Her heart rate had not increased at all - she was used to dangerous situations. This was where she excelled. This was where things would get interesting.

Just after the door had been blown open, she had seen the billowing smoke throttling towards her and braced herself with an expel of her reserve energy. This would flush her body of symptoms and conditions through her skin, repelling the effects of the fumes. In the split second time frame, she could use her extra hand to block out the toxicity. All was well, but it rendered one hand useless.

With the other hand she threw her sword on her back and began to steer the Asura's tiny shoulders in front of her, as fast as his little legs would propel him. Tekks, on the other hand, was hugging his cubic container ferociously and trembling at the knees. He knew what he held was worth a fortune. And perhaps worth his life. If the perpetrators was here for him, he would be in trouble. Big trouble.

He knew coming to this tavern was not a good idea. But he was supposed to meet his acquaintance. Someone who was paying top gold for this experimental project he would attempt. Frustration tricked down his brow in cold sweat. Both his money and his life was in danger.

"This way!" Sara was holding the door open with one hand as they grew nearer, her figure solidifying through the haze of the fog.

Just as they reached Sara, an immense figure came in from the same doorway.

A opaque shadow seven feet tall, shoulders as wide as the opening, and a monstrous horned head. There would be no way past.

When the smoke thinned around them, they saw rows of jagged sharp teeth and fiery yellow eyes. Not cleanly groomed lightly patterned but dark brown fur, rugged and matted with travel. 500 pounds of muscle.

A charr.

"Ah, so this is where the party is."





Next Chapter

[Rassy]

hooray, charrssssssssssss

[Sortilege Sam]

this "500 pounds of muscle" doesn't sound friendly

[Dætha]

But you don't know what it is yet in detail exactly, It could just be a really really really tall and fat quaggan in a Charr outfit. And quaggans. . .They're nice and friendly.

[Reina Takayama]

im debating whether to leave it as a cliffhanger and switch scenes, or continue it properly.... LOL

[Dætha]

Reina Takayama, on 23 June 2013 - 09:27 PM, said:

im debating whether to leave it as a cliffhanger and switch scenes, or continue it properly.... LOL

Switch scenes at the cliffhanger, and make the charr the new bartender. Readers won't know what hit'em.
Well, thats what I'd do anyway.

[Dætha]

Sortilege Sam, on 23 June 2013 - 06:13 PM, said:

this "500 pounds of muscle" doesn't sound friendly

Rawr, Giant 500 pound Quaggan Pirate. Its so FRIENDLY and huggable <3

[Sortilege Sam]

OMG it's pink and has an evil eye patch! GET IT CHASE IT AWAY!!!

lol i kid, i lub all quaggans and every color they come in

[Cyrano de Marbourg]

It's a 500-pound monstrous giant Quaggan in a charr suit?  Or is it ten 50-pound quaggans all in the same charr suit??

Somehow I don't think this was the suspense topic Reina was hoping for, lol

[Dætha]

Its more like six 83.33(repeating of course)-pound quaggans all coordinating in the same charr suit. One for each leg, One for each arm, One for the head. and a really fat one for the body.

Durrrr

[Dætha]

Rawr Fear the Quaggan Coordinated Charr Pirate. Its not exactly 6 quaggans, but I just gave a rough estimate. Now its twelve 41.66(repeating of course)-pound quaggans.

[Cyrano de Marbourg]

The level of effort in that graphic representation is simultaneously impressive and hilarious.

[Dætha]

Yup, im such a pro.

[Reina Takayama]

oh gosh u guys. LOL. i love comments and a good conversation here, please keep those comments coming as new chapters go up, but i'm afraid some ppl subscribed to the thread, assuming there are might think there's new chapters when they get notification xD

Btw, working on chapter 12 right now

[Reina Takayama]

Chapter 12


Thousands of miles away, rolling thunderclouds covered the great plains, stretching a shadow across the land like a plague of locusts and swallowing every inch of the ground. Until all was plunged into darkness. Only purple flashes of light buried deep in the clouds above flickered and thunder roared in the skies, splitting the air like the echo of a dragon.

From the distance, there was a pillar of darkness from the heavens that descended in a lazy spiral. But despite its mesmerizing appearance, its cyclonic gale could surely tear the earth apart.

The metal shells of patrol tanks paused in their tracks. They spotted the destructive force from the distance and ventured cautiously out to investigate. However, they noticed the dark shape was approaching fast, advancing with speed like they had never seen before.

The tanks spun around on the spot, as fast as their treads can go, and began to pull their heavy bulk away from the approaching storm.

But it was too late, the tornado was gaining on them. They could hear the air around them statically charged, howling and screaming in ears of the passengers, and the strength of the storm shaking the ground beneath them. The world around them was tearing apart.




***



They cautiously took a few steps back, edging away from the rippling illusion. They hadn't been seen yet.

But did they know they were here? If they hadn't known, they wouldn't be standing guard in the first place.

They most likely were lying in wait.

Reina began to wonder what the centaurs saw. As humans, they could see the town and its crops even from a distance away from the illusion. What then would centaurs see? And what might happen if they moved into the illusionary field? Would they emerge into another "instance"? Such questions were swirling, chaotic, as she tried to wrap her mind around it. Frankly, she was unnerved that she wasn't even concerned for their safety, but rather, more mind-boggled at the complex spell. Her time spent on books were far too much and she must have become more of a scholar than a mesmer.

"Let's find another route out." The guardian next to her only spoke of the obvious. He didn't sound grim at all, but held a carefree tone, trying to assure her everything would be alright. But she knew she had to be stronger, more independent. She didn't want someone else to be concerned for her, a knightly man or not. It was her life, her problems, and she would need to improve her skill until she could solve them herself. But until then, she kept silent and followed the Lieutenant.

Their feet crushed grass and weeds underneath with crunches that sounded much too loud in the eerie quiet. She couldn't help but wonder how long such an elaborate illusion would last. Was anyone maintaining the spell from a distance or was it permanent even if the casters left it alone? Her heart began to pound as she imagined the horror if the illusion fell apart around them.

"This way." Nathaniel had took them behind a row of houses and hugged the edge of the cliffs that kept the hamlet at the bottom of a valley. They turned the corner around a pile of massive boulders to come to the south entrance of the town. The south opening to the valley pointed towards the sea just a few more miles away, with a fishing village that stood at the bottom of the hill. From there, she could swear she smelled the scent of salt water but the arcane aura from the illusion blocked out most of it.

Due to the Seraph's personnel issues, the fishing village had been tragically overrun by krait, bringing about much grief and critique against Captain Logan Thackeray, who barely had enough time to be involved with his responsibilities on the coordination of Pact forces against the dragons. It seemed like the human kingdom was slowly falling apart, as piece by piece, threats closed in from all directions. There had been talks about the Captain's resignation to focus on the dragons, and allowing his subordinate to succeed his place. Yet, within the palace it was obvious Thackeray had no intentions of leaving Queen Jennah's side.

"There's more centaurs."

Indeed, even the south opening, as far as Reina could tell, was guarded by centaur forces. What were they waiting for? How did they know?

The Lieutenant counted around ten of them. "We have to avoid a confrontation."

But Reina laughed. "Do you think you'd be able to stand a chance?"

His expression darkened. "If that is a joke, I must say it wasn't very tasteful."

She was taken aback and said nothing. Did she injure his pride?

"Follow me."

"Yes sir."

He spun around and headed back into the town with her on his heels. Reina wondered if he was mad. From her view of his broad shouldered back, she couldn't tell what expression was on his face. Was it anger? Sadness? Hate? Did he not realize she was joking? Such a joke surely couldn't be too bad. But she realized she didn't understand him at all. Why did he sacrifice his duty as a Seraph guard? What his relation to her? Why did he know her anyway?

Questions that lay unanswered were begging to be answered, but she couldn't dare ask.

For the next while, neither of them spoke.

But the silence was shattered anyway.

There was a sudden flash of light piercing the sky. Then came a rush of wind, a ripple of waves through still water. It first staggered the crops near where they first entered the town, before rushing towards them to shake and rustle the trees all around, tossing dust, leaves and grass around their feet. Dirt and sand stung at their eyes and engulfed them with a newfound fury.

The illusion was breaking apart.

"H-how?" But the lieutenant said nothing and simply grabbed her hand. They took off running through the middle of the town, past the trees, past the thatched roof houses and abandoned crates. Their feet never stopped, pounding against the ground like their racing heartbeats. Running, running for their lives. The seraph was bringing them to the entrance of the abandoned mine which opened before them like the yawning mouth of a beast. It was pitch black inside, but it didn't look like he was stopping.

They had no choice.

They would plunge straight in.



Next Chapter

[Reina Takayama]

Chapter 13

There was the sound of barbaric voices and shouts coming from the distance. A rumbling of hooves and sweeping sounds of swords being unsheathed. It could easily have sounded like an entire army, as the sound echoed against the rock and cliff faces, bouncing off the hard walls of houses and the empty cobblestone courtyards, just like the swirling wind and dust.

Reina turned to glance over her shoulder and caught the glimpse of a centaur barrelling around a corner behind a building. A brown figure, the shape of a human melting into the torso of a horse. Its body was covered in a thin layer of hair while its face bore a grotesque menacing visage. Certainly its didn't look human but the blend of the two torsos was eerie to see. This was her first time seeing a real centaur, only having studied about them in books, and seeing paintings done by tactical artists of the Seraph. It was still quite far away. She had an urge to see them up close but she swallowed her stupidity and followed the lieutenant's strong grip.

The centaur was only visible for a split second for they had dove right into the darkness of the mine. Immediately she could feel the air around her grow cold, sucking the breath out of her, and dampness descending upon her skin like the touch of ghosts. The temperature of the mine must have changed because there were no longer any heavy machinery or sweaty labourers manning its operations. Normally, she could expect it to be slightly warmer, and the heat of gases from tools rising.

They didn't stop running. The ground was still solid and their boots sounded like the echoes against planks of wood but she could feel pebbles and dirt becoming shifty under her feet. Her eyes slowly began to adjust to the dark. Yet, it was so dark she could barely make out the figure of the guardian a few inches away from her.

Nathaniel waved his hand, as they disappeared deeper into the mine and on the palm of his hand a light began to emerge. A peculiar blue-white light. It was a holy sacred glow that began to illuminate more and more of their surroundings, but at the same time, a gentle peace rested on them.

But the dim light was still slowly gaining on the darkness, a bit too late.

Suddenly, the ground gave under her and she realized she was stepping on air.

"Reina!"

She was falling and falling, rocks slipping beneath her feet as she gave a great cry, her heart leapt into her throat from the effect of gravity. But the Seraph was in just as much of a dilemma and he fell right behind her, sliding on his back down a vertical drop.

Air was whistling against their faces, dirt and rocks were tumbling after them, threatening to bury them alive. Instinctively, as they were about to hit the bottom, the guardian threw himself forward and pulled Reina to him and a blue glow surrounded them. It took the form of a sphere, and almost as if it were solid, rocks and dirt collided with its ethereal surface, bouncing off in different directions. Then, came a violent painful jolt of the ground beneath.

Everything jarred to a halt.

"Are you okay?!"

His voice was anxious, which was about all she could hear in the darkness. In response she could only cough up the soot and ashes that filled her lungs. Other than her burning lungs, her entire body was shaking, aching. There would probably be bruises and scratches all over.

She realized they were still tangled together, the heat of his weight and his arms protectively hugging her. All she could smell is the scent of his leather armor. She winced as she scrambled away, blushing furiously. Luckily, he couldn't see.

But they had no time to spare. They could hear the sound of hooves drawing to a halt in front of the entrance. It sounded distant and muted, far above, but they were audible. The hooves were hesitant.

However, soon, they began to enter the mine slowly, cautiously, the noise of their feet echoed throughout the mine, like the beats of drums. It was first scarce and few but they multiplied by the second, and like the coming of a storm, the pitter patter of raindrops increased until it was pouring and drenching the land.

They were on their way.

"We have to figure a way out."

"Let's get moving."





Next Chapter

[Vinava]

I bet that's the dredge........

[Dætha]

Isnt it obvious? They fell into an ancient Asuran Lab (Ya know, before we became...surface dwellers) and its obviously going to explode one way or another because it was asuran stuff. And then it'll cave in, and they'll have to find their way out. And then, JUST WHEN THEY ESCAPE. A HUUUUUGE explosion will happen, for no particular reason, just cause explosions are cool. And it'll be her and the other dude like "Blarenaiweufweaifwfahfafaf" as the explosion boosts them away.

There, I just totally predicted chapters 14-20