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A Mad Hatter
Dec
fmod Member
2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Just a quick status update: Started writing again. Chapter 10 = work in progress. Interlude II = Almost done, but it needs a little more time just to check for grammar errors and all that fun stuff >.>

Expected ETA: Within....next 3 weeks if all goes well. If not, then expect it by the end of September/ beginning of October.
^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

29-Aug-2010 02:56:02

A Mad Hatter
Dec
fmod Member
2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Chapter 10
<><>
“It begins where it ends. It ends where it begins.”

V opened his eyes at the odd voice and beheld a strange sight. He didn't recognize anything he saw in the strange place….where this “place” was could be anyone’s guess, though he did know that he must have been on some kind of hill since he had a good view of the terrain.

He first noticed the sky. Instead of the odd twilight colors the shadow plane was infamous for; it was instead a deep crimson color dotted with orange “clouds” which seemed to vanish as soon as they had appeared. He also noticed that a strange wailing noise was droning on, but he couldn’t pinpoint the source of it for some reason.

The landscape was just as hellish as the sky, for it was little more than broken bedrock, and he wasn’t surprised to see the odd volcanic crater or lava stream dotting the land in seemingly random places.

Other than that, he seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. His first guess about his current location would’ve been that the shade spymaster had found a wizard to cast him into the Abyss. However, he then remembered that he was at the Keep before he fell asleep and woke up in the place, which meant that any magical means were automatically ruled out.

At least, he thought, that was assuming the shade was telling the truth when he said that a magic sponge surrounded the building.
^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

11-Sep-2010 03:56:33 - Last edited on 20-Jan-2011 00:45:48 by A Mad Hatter

A Mad Hatter
Dec
fmod Member
2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
He recalled the events leading to his current predicament clearly. After his encounter with the agent who was employed by the same power that had recruited V for the job, he had tried to pursue other options before committing to any plans that involved going into enemy territory.

Unfortunately, the various gangs around the poor parts of Ukrosha had no way of getting into contact with the local rebellion, and, much to his dismay, those who claimed they did were in fact just out to rob him blind. So, after his fruitless search, he had decided that the best course to take would also be the same one that was likely to get him killed.

Luckily for him, the shade had made good on his promise, and managed to smuggle V into the keep without alerting the guards. He didn't get much time to probe the shade for any details concerning the Keep, because the shade had left abruptly, claiming that he had to make preparations for some unspecified ‘guests’. After that he had drifted off to sleep and gather his power for the coming storm that would surely come to the Keep, and then had awakened to…this.

Shapes moving in the distance caught his eye. At first, he thought that maybe he was seeing things since they were so far away, but they got closer by the moment. He also noted that the wailing sound was getting louder and more overbearing. He quickly fumbled for the weapon hanging from his belt, and took aim at the shapes. He didn't know if the thing would even work, but if it didn't…well, he thought it would be for the best to not dwell on that. He wasn’t sure if he could rely on his power here, because for all he knew this place could be one of the Keep’s many defenses.
^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

11-Sep-2010 03:56:58 - Last edited on 20-Jan-2011 00:47:28 by A Mad Hatter

A Mad Hatter
Dec
fmod Member
2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
He saw the fliers first. He threw himself to the ground as piercing shrieks emitting from circular silhouettes drew rapidly closer, and he heard them fly overhead as they missed their mark. He caught a glimpse of the abominations, which seemed to consist of little more than the severed head of a corpse, with hair which had been acting as a mockery of wings to propel it forward.

A rotted tongue was writhing around the mouth, which seemed to be full of glass and other shrapnel. He made a mental note to avoid the deadly appendage, and looked back towards the advancing shapes on the ground below. He could see the creatures in more detail now that they were closer, although he had no clue what he was looking at.

Some of the creatures seemed to be little more than zombies, albeit faster ones than usual for that type of undead. Others seemed to be some sort of ghost, but instead of the transparent spirits which were common sights in graveyards; these seemed to have consisted of some sort of unnatural red energy. Some of them crackled with the alien power, while others seemed to have been drained to the point where they could barely bring themselves to appear in the natural world.

He saw more creatures, however. He knew some of them as Eoliths, the weaker and more vulnerable cousins of the vile and powerful Aboleth race, while others appeared to be more demonic in nature. He didn't get the chance to observe any details, however, because he heard the wailing come back to his ears in full force. He turned onto his back, and V pulled the trigger on his odd weapon.

He met with success. A tiny ‘pop’ emitted from the item, which caused several small missiles to burst forth and connect with the corpse-heads. Some of the creatures exploded on contact with the magical energy, and V sighed in relief as he saw the rest of them immediately turn around and fly away with haste.
^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

11-Sep-2010 03:57:17 - Last edited on 20-Jan-2011 00:48:47 by A Mad Hatter

A Mad Hatter
Dec
fmod Member
2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
His jubilation was short lived, however. A grunt caused him to jump to his feet, and he was met with a zombie nearing the top of his hill. V aimed for the head and fired his weapon, but the zombie lurched forward, causing him to miss. He muttered an oath and took a step back, and saw more zombies marching towards him. The undead seemed oblivious to their fallen companion, and an idea formed in his mind. V concentrated, and felt his power flow in this realm. Good, he thought. Now he had a way to ensure his survival.

The red cloaked man threw his hand out towards the horde of undead, and snarled a word of dark power. The zombie on the ground briefly pulsed a purple hue, and then violently exploded in violet flames. Those closest to the corpse bore the brunt of the blast, and the flames seemed to spread at an unnatural speed among the horde. Within seconds, they were no more.

That didn't stop the ghost creatures from flying towards him, however. He didn't have time to react, and as a result the spirits flew right through him. He felt nothing.

“That’s odd,” he remarked in surprise. The beings seemed to be as surprised as he was, and flew towards him again as they renewed the attack. V stood his ground, and let the odd spirits fly into him again. This time, they appeared behind him in a visibly drained state, and some of them were literally flickering in and out of existence.
^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

11-Sep-2010 03:57:40 - Last edited on 20-Jan-2011 00:51:20 by A Mad Hatter

A Mad Hatter
Dec
fmod Member
2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
The spirits suddenly faded away. V looked around in confusion. In fact, he noticed that all was quiet now. He got his bearing back, and noticed that a huge, jagged shadow loomed in the distance. Yellow eyes appeared in the clouds, and a rasping, angry voice bellowed throughout the landscape.

“STOP! This is...None of your...Business, strange one.”

V was unsure of how to answer, so he let the apparition ramble on. “This matter is...Not yours...The Captor is not...what he appears to be...please help...Free me...so I can...fight him.”

A new voice echoed through the air. This one rang in stark contrast to the voice which supposedly came from the shadow thing in the distance. “NO! Stay back!”

V turned and saw a tattooed man in blue robes and carrying a staff coming up the hill towards him. Some of the tattoos seemed to be glowing, although he couldn’t tell for sure because of the lighting in the strange realm.

The angry voice roared in rage. “Deceiver! You should not...be here in...this place!”

The blue robed man aimed his staff towards the shadow and shouted an obviously arcane phrase. The staff glowed, and the shadow seemed to dissipate rapidly.

The eyes flared in rage as its last words echoed throughout the realm. “It begins where it ends. It ends where it begins. A storm brews, Damned One. I shall await you at The Gate.”

~^+^~
^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

11-Sep-2010 03:58:23 - Last edited on 20-Jan-2011 00:52:46 by A Mad Hatter

A Mad Hatter
Dec
fmod Member
2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Cold air wafted across V’s face. He looked around, and saw that he was no longer in the strange hell he was just standing in not more than a minute ago. Instead, he was back in his room at the Keep, and he found that his power had apparently withdrawn itself in response to the magic sponge.

The room was no different than what could be expected for that of a normal soldier in the army. There was a bed in one corner, a small desk near the door, and a small chest for his belongings at the foot of the bed. It made sense, for the Ordinators stationed at the Keep weren’t meant to live a life of luxury, so their rooms were decorated as such.

However, the blue robed man was a new addition. V stared at the newcomer, who seemed to be in a trance. He noticed that the man’s tattoos were indeed glowing, and potent magic was literally coming off in waves from them.

“I know what you are thinking,” he said. V stepped back in surprise, though he hadn’t meant to. “That place was real back there. You are lucky to be alive, even with the power you wield.”

V quickly drew his weapon and aimed it at the stranger. “You have five seconds to answer, or I shoot. What the hell was that about?”

The blue man opened his eyes and responded, “It’s a long story, but since you asked...we were in the mind of something that should not exist.”

“Alright, let’s say I buy that. Who are you and why were you there with me?”

“Who I am...is not for you to know. At least, not yet.”

“What, not even a nickname to call you by?"

The man smiled. “I’d like to think ‘The Mysterious Man’ has a certain ring to it, no?"

V couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s a bit clichéd to me, but whatever floats your boat.”

The man nodded and replied, “Call me what you wish, then. I have little care for names anymore. Now, as to why I was there with you, I was actually seeking you out.”
^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

11-Sep-2010 03:58:57 - Last edited on 20-Jan-2011 00:54:13 by A Mad Hatter

A Mad Hatter
Dec
fmod Member
2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
V raised an eyebrow. “That seems to be happening a lot to me lately. What makes you think I’d believe you after what I’ve been through?”

“An honest question. Unfortunately, the answer will require some time. Would you care to holster your weapon and listen, or did I come in vain?”

V thought for a moment. “I’m on a schedule, unfortunately.”

“Understandable. Luckily for you, I have a way to get around that.” The blue man waved his hands around the room, and his tattoos began to pulse violently.

Nothing seemed to happen at first, and then V noticed that something seemed….off. The realization of what it was came quickly. “A time stopping spell. Can't say I’ve seen one of those used in a long while.”

The man grinned. “Glad to know my talents impress one of your power. Now, I have some explaining to do. I need your help.”

~^+^~
^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

11-Sep-2010 03:59:25 - Last edited on 20-Jan-2011 00:55:09 by A Mad Hatter

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