RP: A War on Concordia

Fightflight

Fightflight

Member
Above the busy streets of Life City - its people hidden away from the raging Concordian civil war - and above the street performers, the vendors and blacksmiths and factories upon factories crafting weapons and armor, above the bakeries, the butchers, the smoke of the slaughterhouse, the ringing bells of the church, was Mayor Nox Occulta's office at the very top of a golden, spiraling tower, like a gleaming beacon in the heart of the city, a bright shimmer coming off of it (courtesy of the powerful sun).


Within the office in that golden, gleaming tower sat the mayor, himself -- A chubby elf with no hair on his head and all of the hair on his chin and fat, sweaty neck. His squinty silver eyes were focused on a single ceramic unicorn, which was currently at the mercy of his thumb and forefinger while his other hand cleaned it with a tiny brush. If one were to examine the rest of his office, they may see cabinets aligned with many other unicorn statues of various size, texture and color. Even the rug in front of his desk had a unicorn - a black one - embroidered on it.


While his office was nice, it wasn't why Occulta became mayor. He was there to lead, and it was impossible to lead if his employees were late for --


"Sorry I'm late, sir!" Walter opened the office door abruptly, panting. He was running, and even that didn't stop him from being late again. Occulta snorted.


"This is why I partnered you with Huntings, Hobbes." The elf growled, shaking his head. "Where is he, anyway? Mr. Huntings is usually the earlier of you two."


"He's, uh, he's sick, sir. Flu. Really bad -- I'll just have to do his job for him." Walter responded quickly. In truth, Todd was mucking around with one of the factories, making sure that Life City's war effort was slowed down as much as possible. The factory had been fixed earlier than the two predicted, leaving their initial efforts a waste of time and effort.


"Well, son, you best be doing twice as well if you want to keep Mr. Huntings as a partner." Occulta sighed, putting his tiny unicorn down. He then reached into a drawer in his desk and pulled out a file, placing it beside the unicorn. "This file contains your mission, Hobbes -- At least, it contains all the details you need." The elf folded his hands on top of the file. Walter only stared at it. What could this mission be, he wondered, and how could he "fail" it without getting fired? Occulta answered his first question, of course. "You know the team of criminals that's been harassing my city, Hobbes? A certain... "Death's Shadow" and "Bloody Bull", as the citizens have called them?" Walter nodded. He didn't like where this was going.


"Y-yes sir?"


"Finding them and killing them may be much for just you, even with your skills with... What did you call it?"


"A... Katana, sir?"


"Right, yes. Even with that, I know it would be far too much to go against them alone -- You've seen what they've done, slaughtering my guards, my necromancers even... Well, no need to fight them, don't you worry. You just need to find where they live, then inform one of my necromancers immediately. In fact, I'll call one in to accompany you." Walter was fine with the mission up until Occulta mentioned the necromancer. Oh no. How would he shake him off? Walter told Todd he's join up with him later, but if the necromancer was following him, that could through a huge wrench in their plans. Still, Walter couldn't help but wonder --


"What's the folder for, sir?"


"It's got suspected areas, Hobbes -- Places where they may be hiding, as well as suspected people within this city. They may be hiding those monsters, after all."


"Why -- Why would anyone hide those two from the soldiers and necromancers?" Walter asked, even when he knew the answer.


"Haven't you seen it, Mr. Hobbes?? Some have been calling me a liar! The poorest of our city -- Why, they've threatened me with a rebellion! All because of them, those 'Death's Shadow' and 'Bloody Bull' characters! Some have even started to sympathize with the other cities! The nerve of them! I've -- I've kept them all safe and -- !!" Occulta was furious, flying into a fit of rage.


"Hey, hey, woah! Calm down, Mayor Occulta," Walter told the obese man with as calm a voice as he could muster. "I'll get right to stopped those two, uh, 'monsters', alright? Just keep calm -- Everything will be fine." While it certainly wasn't enough to fully calm his boss down (as the man was slowly turning into a wreck), it was enough to allow Walt to take his leave, giving Occulta a short salute, taking the folder, and heading out -- Only to be joined by a necromancer. Too fast. Too creepy. Walter hated necromancers.


"Off we go." The tall and pale cloaked man seemed to order Walter rather than suggest. What a miserable looking man a necromancer always was, with that cloak hiding every feature, save for the bottom half of his face. They never smiled either, not once. Probably out of their loyalty to their goddess of order. No emotion. Just a low, droning voice, so monotone it could put anyone to sleep.


Away they went, down that old fashioned elevator, and onto the streets. Walter had to find Todd and get rid of the necromancer. They had to carry out their plans; murdering Grand Marshal Aurelius.
 
Kiro exited his house shutting the door behind him quietly. He then began his walk going through the town humming softly. The dead was walking the streets, some were complete zombified and some were actually concious of what they were doing. He was of course paritally dead, died when he was only nineteen but was brought back by a shaman who practiced necromancer magic. He knew the shaman quite well and to be brought back by her? That only made everything better for him. Kiro smiled softly and stared up at the sky blinking softly. "If only today would get interesting, I may go visit another city." He knew all the cities were at war but it was enjoyable to get around and get out of town for once.


Midnight rushed through an alley way quickly. There were men shouting behind him while he laughed maniacaly. "Stop there! Come back and give it up!" Of course it was only the city guards rushing behind him holding swords swinging them angrily. Only ten minutes before a window had been shattered as well as a few display cases from the store Midnight had been in. He enjoyed causing trouble and the more he caused the more it was.


Midnight stopped and fell to the ground with an 'umph' noise after running into a larger guard gently hitting his hand with a large club. Midnight simply stared up at him his eyes wide as he looked cowered in a fear holding his hands up. "No please don't hurt me!" He only smirked as he looked to the guard the ground rumbling softly before pushing up about three feet knocking the guard flat on his back. After this Midnight jumped the wall and rushed back out to the streets only to take his cloak off letting his white shirt and black pants tossing the cloak to the side. From here his black streaked snowy hair reverted to a simple snow white as Night was now in control, Night had only stopped in a single spot looking around the area in confusion. "How did I just get here?.."


Renshii grunted as he adjusted a few more bolts on the back of one of the cyborgs. "There you are Jin, all fixed up please pa-" Renshii sighed seeing the cyborg walk out the store not leaving a single dime. "Of course. No payment again. I need to get money upfront next time." Renshii reached in his pocket feeling around for money of sorts and found only a few dollars (Coins maybe if no bills?) "Just barely enough to get me a sandwhich if they feel like being nice today." He said this and put the money back into his pocket. Renshii then grabbed a mop from behind the desk and started mopping up around the metal stool cleaning up the grease the cyborg had dropped only to stop hearing a bell ring from someone entering. "Yes can I help you?" He asked before turning around only to see two robots staring at him. "I told you I'm not paying him extra money. He screwed me over so he ain't getting any extra money." Renshii then moved over to the desk opening a drawer looking to his pistols. "Please leave I don't want any more trouble." He said that then began reaching for the pistols in case anything would happen.


Jack ordered his men to drop anchor as they stopped in the bay of unicorns. He stared at all of them. The mystical beasts he heard about. He was told even one of them alive would bring him riches beyond his ever lasting dream. "Men, welcome to heaven...." He said this in a soft voice his eyes were wide as he seemed as if he didn't believe it. "Henry.....Get a boat ready would you? I want a closer look...."
 
The two robot mobsters only looked at each other, their dome-like heads making a soft creaking noise from the effort, then whirred back, locked on to Renshii.


"We all have families to feed, 'sir'." The buzzing voice came out of the robot on Renshii's left, "You can't let your bitterness stop business." Then the one on the right piped in.


"The boss doesn't like stopped business!"


"Right." The left robot confirmed, pulling the fingers back on his giant arm to reveal a shotgun within his arm. "We don't want this to get ugly, do we, 'Vacuum'?"


The robot on the right only snickered. He wanted it to get ugly. A good excuse to tear apart a filthy air-breather with his bullets.
 
Marceline's red hair stood out from her snow white ears that sat atop her head,"Ahhh!Unicorn Bay is so peaceful..."She moaned aloud as the sand brushed over her feet and in-between her toes.Marceline smiled as a cool breeze blew through her hair.


"Ahhhh!What a nice day!"Marceline cried as she placed her feet in the water.When she did she noticed that a ship had pulled up on the bay,"Whats this I see?"The young woman questioned the universe as she looked at it from a distance.


Even though she was at a distance she completely visible.In fact she stood out from the rest of the land,mostly because she was the only other moving being their.Her red hair glowed,as did her ears,and another eye-catching thing was that she was half naked in a bikini.
 
The sound of the metal grieves clicked on the tile then grew silent as his feet met the rich crimson rug leading to the Mayor's chambers. The servants slowly tucking their head at the presence of the man. Irvines movements were full of force and pride as he marched through the halls of the pig mans lair. Swinging the doors open almost tearing them off the hinges Irvine surveyed the man the man as he fondled his toys. "Make this quick Occulta I have a war to win." Irvine's voice held a heavy aggression to the man he found so vile. He was the main power of the city the face and the hands. Irvine was the sword and shield though, the power seemed to be tipping towards Occulta's favor but only in a minor fashion. Irvine was not hear for pleasantries and only here to report the situation and see what Occulta needed. "The damned City of Dead is pushing its way north east through the forest. We need to stop them before they get more footing in this damned land." The perfume scent of the room stung and bit at Irvine's nostrils. This lavish scent was unwelcome to his senses as he preferred the smell of planes of war, the steel from the armor, the smell of blood. The city walls made Irvine feel uneasy as the game of power began to take place between men with pen and coin weaseling their way up through the ranks using their lips on asses to get what they wanted. Irvine was taught if you want something you must take it by tip of sword.
 
Occulta snorted, but otherwise kept his properness, putting down his unicorn once more. "I am aware, Aurelius, otherwise why do you think I called you here?" The elf stood from his desk, eyeing the man with his steel-colored ones. "My question to you is how large this group of Bibentus's is. Getting attacked from the outside is a given, Grand Marshall --" He stepped away from his desk and over to his window, looking down at the city below. His city. "-- But I am currently more concerned with getting attacked from the inside." His chubby hands were tightly folded behind his back, and their grip on each other only grew tighter. "So how big is the group heading our way, Aurelius? Because if any other general can handle it, then I'd rather you be watching the docks tonight with your men!"
 
The smell of woodsmoke was what she noticed first. Then the crackling of the flames as they greeted her, waking her from her slumber. Wake up little one, a new day has begun. They cooed to her, like the voice of a mother to her child, not that she would know. Like all Asfe'kahl she was an orphan, technically. Abandoned at birth to be nurtured by fire, by heat. This particular Asfe'kahl had been born in the fires of Fire city, in the great bonfire that was never allowed to dim, and she almost thought it was that same fire when she awoke. The heat reached her, warming her skin as she stretched and found herself confined in a small space. How had she got there? Why was she surrounded by metal? She yawned, smiling sleepily at the fire. 'Hello.. How long have I been asleep?' Many moons, we're at war again. 'Oh? well, good thing i woke up.' She said, inhaling deeply and then letting a burst of energy explode from her body, sending her spiralling into the air and through a wall. The building ignited as she skidded to a halt outside, watching in absolute awe as the flames consumed the building, accompanied by small explosions. Her eyes gleamed and she giggled a little. 'My apologies!' She called to the building, as though it could respond. Or perhaps it was to the owners. It didn't occur to her that she might have killed someone had they been there. She waved to the building, to the flames, to any possible casualties even. 'I'll see you soon!' She called to the fire, and it whispered back in its crackling tones. She beamed and turned around to find herself face to face with two strange beings (walter and the necromancer). Her eyes widened a little as she started back. 'Oh, i'm sorry, was that your place of residence? They say they are thankful for the food..' She said, hesitating a little, a fiery finger on her lips as she wondered if perhaps she had done wrong.


Looking from one to the other, she waited for their responses, wondering who they were as she rocked back and forth on her heels, looking around in awe at the city. 'Well, this certainly isn't Fire city, of that i'm certain. So, where am I? Are you two the welcoming commision? Oooh do you speak to the flames too?' The gleam was in her eyes again, a childlike spark that floated around her. She was nothing if not inquisitive. No pun intended when I say she cast a glow about her that others couldn't help but notice. Her ancestors would say she was a trouble child, not worth worrying about, too inquisitive, too laid back, too likely to fall from the path they had set for them, but she saw no problems with curiosity. If one did not enquire, one would learn nothing. She thought about this now and smiled again. 'I'm Mavis, if you please.'
 
The necromancer only gawked at the flaming woman, his invisible gaze shifting between her and the flaming building behind her. All the while, Walter just laughed, having a tiny nervous breakdown. The plan was perfect and so much was going wrong today. He stopped himself after a few seconds, shaking himself off, then realizing the seriousness of the situation.


"W-we've got to put that building out! There's people in there!"


"The firemen will come." The necromancer said calmly. "First, we must dispose of this foul creature murdering the innocent people of Life City." He then took out a dagger from within his cloak.


"Are you mad?" Walter hissed at the necromancer, "She doesn't look like she did that on purpose -- certainly not the cackling demons Occulta always describes --" But the necromancer cuts him off.


"The same Occulta would want this creature dealt with immediately. Watch your tongue, Mr. Hobbes, lest you be branded as a sympathizer." He then swings the dagger at the Asfe'Kahl's throat.
 
"It seems they are moving some 5,000 strong... It will be a while before they seek open battle. They are using that accursed forest for cover. We should have just slashed and burned that wood to the ground." Irvine was irritated by the mans request but he couldn't really deny as the mans main attendant in war. "I have been gone for a while... You pissed someone else off Occulta?" Irvine had known the specifics to the mans problems as getting debriefed by a messenger from the City of Life. Pushing out his chest slightly the man who stood at a 6'5 towered over the foolish runt before him. The sight of the two in the room seemed to be that of the opposite, a fierce lion like man and his prey only this time the power had been shifted to the prey. "You have the 7th legion for one night." With that Irvine clicked his tongue in defiance to the prospect of helping this man. He quickly turned and swung the doors open as the roared and moaned from the force. The click of the boots sounded as he walked down the hall and out of the manor. As he descended down the steps his vice general and body guard were present. "Marcus, Grab the 7th and head to Dalhammers point, and send the vanguard to the docks. Seems we have a pest problem. Niche your with me." With that the man and his two companions mounted and road off in their respective directions. His bodyguard the one from the Yamato rode next to Irvine as the walked through the city streets. "Niche let's go survey these docks. If that pig brought me back it must be for a good reason."
 
Even though he rarely slept, even this was boring enough to almost send him to sleep. Fifth rod stock on his latest little traps. The glint of the diamond from the light of he dying forge as the rod stock was slowly and painstakingly pulled through it, the metal slowly becoming wire, getting spooled around a revolving spindle as he cranked it at a steady speed. The light shined off silvered blue metal of his skin, reflecting around the room in a spiraled pattern of his movement.


Gremmy was asleep in his nest, dreaming of whatever monkeys dream of. Possibly the uprising where they kill off the humans. Hal would smile softly at that idea, continuing until the entire rod was pulled through the diamond as thin wire.


Then he just had to work on the connections. He would work the fores of the forge back up, heating the metal, before putting it into a melting pot, letting the furnace do its work, the automated boiler keeping the heat up with the bellows. He had the moulds ready, the wire done. Soon the cheesecutters, as he had nicknamed this little trick, would be done. It was for use against cavalry, but when done right, in the war the voices were telling him about, it should cause enough confusion to route the enemy.


People were not thinking right. They were thinking wrong. They were seeing a battle as death, death and more death, large battles. He was not the type to think like that. He was fighting a smaller war, as well as a large one. He had more than a few little tricks in his arsenal, This was just the start. He had a few barrels of caltrops, the cheesecutters. He let others make the guns, he wasn't as good with them. No point of working on a weapon that decimated their own people. Although that did give him another idea. A few quick sketches using charcoal on his workbench. Might be interesting to try.


He would return to his senses, checking the metal and stirring it a little. He would take his time preparing the moulds, sliding the loose ends of each wire into the boxes through the opening. He would take the metal from the furnace, pouring it in. It would take a while to cool down and hold onto the tightly wound wire. This should be an interesting experiment, to say the least.


The silver blue metaled robot would stand when it was done, banking the fires for the moment, letting the metal cool. Anyone could do what he could, he just would lead it in his own way. Besides, it will be fun to see if this idea worked.
 
Nishijima raised her long sword into the light and examined the edge, before swinging the sword in the enclosed room. A dangerous act if the room had another person in it. Thankfully, the blacksmith had wisely left the whetstone alone for Nishijima, and departed the room. The bright and early morning called for Nishijima to keep her blades sharp and ready for action in the case of an emergency. Grand Marshall Irvine and the Mayor seemed to be on conflicted sides now, and the tension was about to snap. This seemed like that time back in Yamato when one of the Emperor's subordinates attempted to murder the Emperor himself. Had Nishijima not been there to deflect the blade and cut down the assailant, the Emperor wouldn't have been alive today.


The Emperor. Nishijima reached for the other two swords that lay behind her, both sharpened as well and cleaned. She sheathed both of them in their respective scabbards before retrieving her odachi, and rested the non-cutting edge on her shoulder. Without dallying any further, she walked out of the blacksmith's, and nodded to the stout man who stood outside the door, peddling his own blades. While he was familiar with Nishijima's presence here, he could never understand why she wouldn't choose a better sword, rather than stick with her trio of old blades. At least she paid for the use of the whetstone. With a wave, he sent Niche on her way.


She was supposed to head to the Mayor's office, since her current master was there concurrently. She found herself meeting the Grand Marshall's vice general. She did not bother to greet him, however, only a small nod, before waiting patiently for Irvine. When the Grand Marshall exited the office, he seemed to be in a huff, quite displeased with something. Nishijima did not query and only listened to his orders. The docks, huh? Pests to exterminate? Seems like a blast of a time. Maybe she can peruse the ships available there. Silent as always, she fell in step with Irvine's mount and stayed beside him, her fingers drumming the hilt of her odachi. Whatever or whoever these pests are, she'd happilty cut them down. As long as she was paid and got closer to getting a ship back home.
 
Kiro scanned the streets of Death City only to head for the exit to the door. Nobody liked someone who left the city, and Kiro enjoyed it. He would be back soon enough but he wanted to do something rather then explore the city, it wasn't alive enough for him and he would much rather be a place he could see more then an undead nightmare. Once Kiro was at the gates of the city he looked to the top of the wall his eyes lighting a deep purple as a heavy gust took to the area wrapping around Kiro allowing him to disappear only to reappear at the top of the wall. Kiro examined the view only inhaling deeply taking in the fresher air from above. After this a small slab of the wall seperated itself and began to lower Kiro down on the other end.


((Kiro is being left out of the next two posts while on the way to life city unless something intervines with his walk then I'll post something with him.


Night simply shrugged still unsure of what was going on or even where his cloak went. He only watched as two guards rushed past him as if looking for someone. "Hm wonder where they're going." H then began walking the city watching the scenery and examining the streets. He enjoyed walks, they were simply amazing to him. He didn't like the thought of there being anything dark and evil, this was Life city wasn't it? Full of life and happyness is how he thought it should be and always should be. Night soon stopped seeing the smoke in the sky from a burning building, he then quickly rushed towards the building hoping he wasn't to late and nobody was hurt. Once Night made it to the building he stopped only to stare at the fire woman that was talking as well as the two infront of her.


Renshii stared at the two bots only to kneel down and sigh, of course they were going to make it easy. But this was his shop after all and the bots did enjoy causing him some trouble. Renshii sighed softly and shook his head. "Fine just give me a minute." After speaking he grabbed his pistols and stood up holding them behind his back. "Lets go." He shifted himself and waited for them while leaning against the wall.


Jack had stepped onto the smaller boat and grinned as he looked to the land. Two crew members, Daniel and Hect were on the boat with Jack while Henry lowered them down. "Well boys lets go take a look at what chests full of gold looks like." Once in the water Daniel began to undo the tied ropes on the boat and sat down next to Hect as they began rowing to the edge of land.
 
"What are you hiding?" The robot on the right asked in its deep, droning voice. But the one on the left didn't feel like asking questions. The human had just given them permission to slaughter him, so why not just do it? All of the humans deserved to die, anyway. It was purely an insult that this one happened to find its way into their city.


"Kill him!" The left one screeched, raising his gun arm, ready to pour shrapnel into the fleshy beast's ugly little face. "Send him to the gods -- they're the only ones who'll accept him, anyway!" 
Meanwhile, in Life City's docks, necromancers were forcing kidnapped Death City citizens onto ships; slaves for barter with Terradas for extra food. The war had taken its toll on all resources, and food was becoming more and more scarce.


The docks were as grand as its city, with thin marble laid on top of the wooden structure and beautifully painted boats rimmed with sparkling gold (a Life City standard). The face of Kyria N'Kri was placed at the front of each boat for luck.


Todd, dressed as the Bloody Bull, looked at the boarding process with disgust. He was hidden, and had to remain hidden. The necromancers were currently checking over the undead beings - all under their powerful control - and counting each one, making sure they weren't missing any. But oh, how they were. A rescued Death City citizen was missing from the group and causing a great delay. "Hopefully enough of a delay for a certain Walter Hobbes the hell down here...!" Todd thought to himself, annoyed. Though he did smell smoke before, and that worried him. He knew his partner had a way of getting himself into trouble.


But this was their chance. It had been their chance, planned for a week! Walt couldn't just screw this up now!
 
Mavis' eyes widened even further, if that was possible as they spoke of 'disposing' of her. Was she a threat? She hadn't meant to cause harm. Well, she thought with some reluctance, I don't suppose they are the welcoming commision after all.. She was about to apologise for whatever she had done wrong when the necromancer drew a dagger and slashed at her. A ball of fire erupted and when the flames cleared she was standing a few feet away, wagging her finger at him. 'That's incredibly rude you know. I could have been seriously hurt!' She smiled again and then danced towards him, lithe and mesmerising as flames twirled around her feet, springing up whenever her feet touched the ground. 'It's okay though, I forgive you. My friends just want to get aquainted.' Before he could respond she had grabbed hold of his arms and the flames leapt from her skin to his. The moment they left her body their temperature increased rapidly and the smell of burning flesh filled the air. More flames replaced those on her skin and she watched with a very sombre expression. 'I suppose you just weren't their type.' She said, shaking her head sadly and looking at Walter with a piercing gaze. 'Are you going to try and hurt me too?' Her voice was similar to that of a scared child, confused, defensive, alert, reluctant. She didn't like hurting people. The echoes of the man's agony still lingered even as he perished. The flames cooed to Mavis, licking up her legs and reforming. Are you alright my child? They whispered in crackling tones and she nodded. 'I'm quite alright, thank you.' She responded, not caring to think about how she might look, talking to a voice no one else could understand. Do we need to feed on him? They asked and she narrowed her eyes at Walter. 'It all depends on him.' She spoke to him. 'My friends want to know if you're likely to cause harm to them or myself.'
 
"Buh -- U-uh -- F-friends?" Walter stuttered, his eyes shifting from her to the still-burning necromancer, his body quickly becoming a charred crisp, back to this flaming woman, the one who had murdered him then and there. Then, finally, he realized that she had asked him a question -- one that could cost him his life if he didn't answer correctly.


Walter quickly shook himself off and gave the burning being in front of him the best - nervous - smile he could muster after witnessing a man get gruesomely murdered by immolation. "No!" He exclaimed, raising his hands defensively -- it felt like raising his hands in front of a campfire. "What? No, of course I wouldn't -- Wh-why would I -- ? That's silly! Absolutely ridiculous!" He eyed the body again, one last time. "L-look, it's not safe for you to be here, though. Most people around here don't tolerate anyone like you, different from them, I mean. You need to get out of here." He warned her. How did she even get into the city? No, that didn't matter right now. She wasn't a soldier, she was just lost, and being an outsider lost in Life City could mean an unsympathetic execution. Walter thought back to Todd, to their plan... Well, hopefully the plan can wait.
 
Mavis eyed him with a very stern gaze, as if trying to make up her mind. 'Should we trust him?' She asked the flames. He is dispensible. If he harms you, we will take his life for penance. Mavis thought for a moment then smiled. 'Okay! You can take me on a tour of the city. You were very rude, not telling me your name.' She extended a finger and prodded him in the chest, pouting like a child who didn't get their favourite toy. 'So tell me, what title do you go by, and where am I?' His shirt remained untainted, still in the condition it was before she touched it. Not many knew her abilities of controlling the fire. She was often mistaken for being an illusion of sorts because she left no scorchmarks from simply standing. She didn't mind, it made her existance that much more interesting. Clearly not caring about his warnings of her being different, the girl stretched up on her toes, trying to see past him, the warmth of the building aglow behind her adding to her joy. She stood on the corpse of the necromancer, using him for extra height and not even flinching as the body crunched sickeningly beneath her weight.


'Such a strange place you live, not at all like my own. There the warmth is eternal, lovely and bright. Here it seems positively dismal. how do you survive such temperatures?'
 
"Wait! I-I can't just lead you around, i-it -- And I have a mission and --" the smell of burning flesh was all it took to remind him that he was completely at her mercy. It appeared that she was some kind of fire elemental from Fire City, and from his experience fighting against those troops, he knew how difficult it was to kill one with regular steel and iron. "F-fine, fine -- Stay here, though, I'll be right back."


With that, Walter ran off to Life City's tower, as that was where he lived, and that was where he hid his "Death's Shadow" outfit. He couldn't just parade around with a Fire City citizen out in the open. Occulta would already be furious about the dead necromancer. If the Mayor knew Walter helped a fire elemental, he'd be fired -- or killed! Walt bit his bottom lip at the very thought.


"Why keep this all a secret, Walt?" His own thoughts pestered him. "You don't need to play safe -- you need to make them fear you. You need to make them all bleed, Walter Hobbes." It would be so easy, too. He was skilled enough, he's felled countless soldiers of various types. Why not just slice Occulta's throat now? Why not take his head and use it as a hand puppet? That beast deserves it. He deserves everything --


"No, no, no." Walter muttered to himself, shaking away those thoughts. He quickly snuck in and rushed to his room, finding his costume and putting it on. Then, Walter made the descent down the tower from his room's window. Back to that fire lady he went.
 
Mavis beamed at him when he ran off, not even thinking that he could be going to get guards or a weapon to slaughter her with. And seeing how it barely slipped into her mind, there was no doubt in her thoughts that he wouldn't even dare try it. She hummed a tune to herself as she waited, marvelling in awe at the beautiful and strange city. She saw all kinds of people bustling past, giving her a sidelong glances and then hurrying away. At this she pouted. 'Why do they turn away so?' She asked the flames who caressed her skin gently. You are different, not what they are used to. They are weak, small minded people who fear those that they cannot understand. 'But surely they can't think that they themselves aren't odd looking? Why, that one just there is some sort of halfling, how can they not think that is peculiar?' They are taught to accept their own people, to accept what they see every day as normal and everything else as unnatural, to be repressed. The Asfe'kahl's lip trembled a little. 'That's highly unjust.. and seems.. lonely.. They must be very lonely people indeed.' She said, looking up as a man in a strange costume approached her. 'Who might you be? I'm Mavis, I'm waiting for my guide.' She said, obviously not recognising Walter, which in retrospect she would realise was the idea.
 
"I am your guide." Walter said, his voice now changed to a hissing croak. He did want to be an actor, after all. Just because the world ended doesn't mean he stopped practicing. "That man sent me to escort you out of the city." He took a bow. "Others have given me the name 'Death's Shadow', which is hardly a name, I think, so I suppose you could call me whatever you want." He was about to lead the woman away, then stopped and whispered to her in his regular voice, "Okay, I'm actually that guy, but don't tell anyone. My name is Walter and I'm not supposed to be helping you. Just keep quiet and stay close to me, and I can get you out of this city unharmed."
 
•Shai'hulud, within Life City•

​




​



The necromancer stood up on the walls of the great City, surrounded by an entourage of attendants who stood by, waiting to do whatever he asked. His violet eyes scanned the horizon while the wind whipped at the folds of his white robes and cloak, his gaze seeming to search for some hidden object in the clouds above. Mathwin, his secretary and chief assistant, calmly approached his right side as he too would look out into the distance. "...Holy one; we should return to the depths of the Inner City...you never know when one of those Metal City snipers may appear. I would be unable to live with myself if your person was harmed." Shai-hulud glanced at Mathwin, noting the sincere concern on his face. Sighing, Shai-hulud brushed a hand through his golden hair and turned away from the outside world...something he truly wished he did not have to do. No matter how much he wanted to help the innocent lives out in the wilderness, he knew he had a duty to those already within Life City.

​




​



"I wish this infernal war never occurred...so much needless waste of lives. Nothing could justify it; nothing!" Passion filled his voice to the brim, a fierce fire burning within the depths of his eyes. Mathwin gave his master a cautious glance before turning once more to the rest of the attendants. "Yes, your Holiness...nothing justifies this slaughter." Mathwin agreed softly, bowing as the necromancer began to step away toward the barracks that would lead them back to the city. The other people bowed in respect as well, waiting for Shai-hulud and Mathwin to enter the stone tower before following behind swiftly. Soldiers stationed there offered praises and prayers for the necromancer, speaking glorious words of 'the miracles of Shai-hulud' and 'the sacrifices of Shai-hulud'. The priest gave soft smiles in response, but said nothing...he disliked the veneration he received; he was simply doing his duty. The gash on his leg which he had taken upon himself from his recent 'healing' burned against his muscles, but he ignored the pain. He always did.

​




​



When they were finally out of the barracks, Shai-hulud and his entourage began to make their way to the center of the Life City. He would greet the occasional civilian with a smile and a nod, accept a small gift of bread or fresh fruit and would offer a blessing in return. These small offerings would be arranged to go to the slave pens tonight. He passed a couple of fellow necromancers, exchanging respectful greetings with the black-garbed men and ignoring the suspicious scowls on their faces. Many among his fellows disliked the reputation he had made for himself; disliked him, period. However, they knew that they needed him to keep a good public opinion of their practices...so they 'tolerated' the Aasimar.

​




​



Suddenly, Shai-hulud's eyes rolled into the back of his head, resulting in him collapsing into the arms of his secretary Mathwin, who cradled him as gently as a newborn babe. Glancing up, the man frowned and shooed the gathering people away. "Stay back! His Holiness is enraptured by a vision! I said stay back!" The attendants and civilians hesitated before obeying; after all, these visions were practically prophetic...who knew what kind of futures lay ahead of them? As the crowd cleared, Shai-hulud gasped in air as if in pain, his face contorted and his muscles producing spasms from the incredible stress. Opening his jaw, he breathlessly spoke into the air, his words resonating with the magic within him. "...War! War has...breached the walls! Death, and pain...and blood! So much blood...the City falls! It falls! Dear Kryia N'kri, save us...! Ah...but hope is there! Peace! Peace can be found! Find the Angel in the Shadows...it is our salvation! Find the Angel!" His voice faded at the end, his body going limp and his breathing coming in rough and ragged gasps. The crowd watched in stunned silence; had they heard correctly? War? What war could he mean? Who was this 'Angel'? Uneasy murmurs began to spread, whispers of how it could be only a potential future...it may not happen, as some of his predictions had. As Mathwin propped up his master, he sent an angry glare at the crowd.

​




​



"Begone from his Holiness! Forget the words of prophecy; they are not meant for your ears! Begone, damn you! His Holiness leaves at once!" The people parted as Mathwin led Shai-hulud away from the staring, reverent eyes of the populace. The necromancer avoided the gazes of the citizens; what he had seen profoundly shook him. Dear Kryia N'kri, he hoped the future he saw never came to pass. Buildings burning, piles of skulls, unearthly cries shaking the blood-red skies above...it was a scene from hell. Shai-hulud said nothing as he was taken away from everyone toward the temple in which the necromancers practiced their magics, their footsteps sounding rather heavier than they had before.

​
 
As the horse grunted exhaling a low steam from its nose the war horse ceased walking. The man behind the reigns in a single motion swept his leg and landed on the floor as his armor clicked in the sudden motion. Irvine surveyed the dock slowly as he pulled the edges of his gloves stretching them to his large hands. A group of necromancers prowled about moving shipments of slaves to be bartered for commodities. Irvine continued to walk down the dock as the necromancers would not dare to even question his appearance. Walking in toe with his body guard he looked at her. "The rats will come seeking the head of the lion." It may have been an analogy but it was pretty clear that if Irvine made himself known the enemies of the city would be forced out of hiding to get rid of such an important piece. "Niche, which boat do you like? Or would you like a bigger one? Ah yes, these boats are far to dingy for you." Irvine moved his large hand underneath his chin resting it between his index and thumb. His large presence could be felt all over the dock as they moved onto it.
 
Nishijima only watched silently as her master left his horse to peruse the docks on foot. After all, what could she say that would have Irvine understand her? Instead, she fidgeted slightly, massaging the side of her neck with her free hand and rotated her shoulders as she followed after Irvine, glancing around the docks for any sort of threat. Irvine's grandeur would be out of place in this area, and he'd be spotted by his quarries soon enough. To be intercepted by these aforementioned personnel was an event that was sure to happen, especially if both a well-armoured man and a foreigner were seen together upon the docks, one carrying an unsheathed blade.


Irvine's comments on the boats was true. Nishijima could not help but to flinch at the poor conditions of the boats here. She wouldn't take them even if she were given them for free. Looks like she would have to hire a crew of carpenters then. Nishijima toyed with her ear-ring and scanned the docks once more, her sword-arm ready to fly and intercept any threat to her master. By now, Irvine's appearancr at the docks would've reached the corners of the area, and whoever these pests were, they'd be flocking in soon enough.


(Short posts. Bloody hell.)
 
Todd spotted their two targets as they stepped onto the docks. The time he and Walter had left to get the job done was short now, all too short. How could only Todd free the slaves, blow up the ships and kill the Grand Marshal, as well as his lackey in time? Well, perhaps he could at least kill Irvine, then get out as quickly as possible.


The thought itself amused Todd. Who would have thought some kid from Philadelphia would be out and about in a fantasy (well, fantasy-like) world, assassinating important people and such? Todd actually enjoyed the excitement of it all. It was like a football game, only everyone was armored and people died in disgusting and terrible ways. Not that Todd minded the death. He'd seen enough of that back home.


Snapping out of his thoughts and setting his gaze back on the targeted duo, Todd knew he could not wait any longer. But he was not sneaky like Walter always was. No, Todd was not silent, he was loud and threatening. So loud and threatening was simply what he'd have to be. But he was meant to be the distraction, and a distraction means nothing without the action hidden elsewhere.


"If I die today, Walt, it's on your head..." Todd muttered angrily under his breath, then charged out from behind the corner of a fishing supplies store, immediately going for a necromancer and snapping his neck, then taking out his great sword and slaughtering another three. The other necromancers only stood, amused, even as their brothers fell. Irvine and Niche would certainly put down this dog. A mongrel who had been hounding them for all too long. But where oh where could his partner be? Where could that fool who dresses like Nurr-Dradus possibly be hiding?


"Grand Marshal Irvine!" Todd called to the man on the horse, clear even through his hood and bandit mask, "A pleasure to see you on this fine day!" 
In Death City, Lord Victor Bibentus walked among the commoners, greeting them all with a friendly, fanged smile, a shake of their rotting and ghostly hands. He made sure to do this every day, wanting to be known, personally, by all of the citizens. Though he did have his plans, as well as his doubts. Sending four thousand troops to Life City was a huge risk, but he knew that if he didn't keep the pressure on Occulta, the elf could do some serious damage to his city, and more importantly, his people.


His people.


They were once Halen Coldfury's people, back when he was human, a citizen of Life City. The memory of it all made him cringe -- just the thought of it. He recalled that fateful evening, hunting for his family, back when Life City was just a town, with no walls to guard it. He was a simple elf. He never asked to become a vampire, he was just the victim of an all-too-hungry one. And when Mayor Kaleth saw him, now a vampire within his town, Victor was given a choice.


"Leave at once, or be killed here and now. You are a beast, Bibentus. You do not belong among my people any longer."


His people.


"But what about my family?" Victor had dared to ask. And they were there, watching, terrified. Florence, his dear wife and Dalia, their perfect little girl. "I need to provide for my family, I can't just leave them!" What a mistake, speaking out against the mayor, as it was after that sentence that he motioned to his guards, who grabbed them both and cut them down on the spot.


"Now you have no family to worry about." Kaleth had hissed, those vicious words still ringing in Victor's head, even after a hundred and twenty six years. Those words that he carried with him, dragging himself to death city. And there he met Coldfury, a nosferatu vampire, ugly as can be, but with wisdom and kindness that more than made up for it. Victor was quickly pulled up and turned into Coldfury's right hand man, up until the moment the war started, and Coldfury was captured and beheaded. A message to Death City.


Now Bibentus leads Death City. He has lead it for quite some time now, him and the hard working undead of it braving the storm of the war together, and hoping that they may all pull through. All of them, like him, rejected from their home and taken in like freshly made orphans.


Bibentus found who he was looking for. "Hello, Markal." He greeted the lich. Powerful, perhaps cunning enough to have the advice he needs. "I hope the new offensive strategy can help us hold out long enough. Do you have any ideas on how to appease the other cities enough to ally with them? This separation shall be the death of us all, I think. At least, the destruction in our case."
 
Markal saluted his lord,and replied, "The Life City has it's fair share of dissidents. And their xenophobia has earned them the distrust of all others. We need to send envoys to the other Cities." He spoke the truth,as far as he saw it. "Our most likely allies would be of the Water City and the Metal City. If we get the Metal City on board,we even have shock troopers." He was,of course,referring to the pit fighters. Markal knew that the engineers of the Metal City were leagues above the rest,and was confident that they had some means of controlling their pet werewolves.


However,Markal had his misgivings. "Four thousand troops against a fortified city. It sounds like suicide,sir. The Lifers doubtlessly have an equal or greater standing force. And they'll have the advantage of fortifications. We need more troops. We need allies." Again,Markal was only speaking what he believed to be the truth. "Maybe we should keep on the defensive until we can secure allies?"
 
"I suppose you're right, Markal." Bibentus agreed, "I will have to ask a courier to send word to the general before they arrive. We wouldn't want a slaughter." He then scrunched his nose at the thought of the pit fighters. He knew what the lich was getting at. "To be honest, we only need their guns and high defense. There's no need to have werewolves fighting for us. Besides, this war is not theirs. They suffer enough in Metal City's arena."


Werewolves, while hated by most everyone (except for the nomadic Cervids), Bibentus understood as poor beings who never wanted to become what they now were. If a werewolf were to wander into Death City somehow, Bibentus made sure they had the humane way of dealing with them. Lock them up until the full moon sinks and the sun rises, then have them go along their way. Many disagreed with Bibentus's method but are quickly silenced when he reminds them that having no mercy was a trait best worn by Life City and their ilk.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 14 (members: 0, guests: 14)
Back
Top