The Elder Invasion: CHAPTER 2 - Shapeshift Town

[Neko Archy]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

"Aw, geez..." Archy rubbed the back of his neck and glanced around the room. "This is always a hassle.." He sighed, then looked up at the comissar.

"You're new here, so I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt. I work directly for Mrynodyn as one of the highest ranked mages and higher level scientists for the shapeshifter's guild. My I.D's in my back pocket, if you don't believe me. It also has a line to the effect of "This man is allowed to do crazy shit that benefits society as a whole". Now the doors are being replaced with some I helped build that border on indestructible, something that would not have gotten done if the old doors were in working order. As for the child beating, it's pretty clear that Soul here was emotionally disturbed at that point in time, and really, who can blame him. I sat out on the war, but it led to the annhillation of the older Iwaku. That's gonna leave some scars." Archy paused for a moment, then spoke quietly to the guards.

"I just came from Ainrue Forest, where all these giant robot spiders are spawning. Now I was with another guardsman from your organization, who was looking for some "treasure". I'm not sure if he found it, but soon afterwards the giant robot spiders started appearing. I know as well as anyone else that correlation does not imply causation, but it does point it's finger and whisper "it's him". So mayhaps you should stop harassing the person here trying to clean up your mess and go back to your posts."

His voice regained it's usual volume.
"Now, we are in an infirmary. I'm nice, so I wouldn't try to kill you in the event of you firing, but I could cripple you and the guards around me for life before anyone gets off a shot. This would all be very traumatic for the children, a waste of time and resources, and most importantly, I would get blood all over my already messy shirt. And nobody here wants that. Lower your guns, and we can avoid a rather nasty incident."

((Archy responds by pointing out that he is a high-ranking member of the SS guild, and that this is part of his job. He goes on to mention that it might be the guardsmen's fault that the giant robot spiders are appearing in the first place, and that if they keep harassing him and Soulless it will all get rather bloody and messy and there will be lots of paperwork and nobody wants that, do they?))

 

[Asmodeus]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

"This Infirmary would be a lot fuller if it wasn't for these guardsmen," said another voice. Through the doors of the main hall, a number of Legacy Knights were returning, two of them escorting an impatient-looking Pirogeth.

"Whatever your station, Sir" said the lead knight as he approached Arachnion, "It does not exclude you from the rules of common courtesy."

Their hands were on the hilts of matching swords, sheathed in ornate scabbards laid with golden symbols. From the other side of the hall, more of Asmodeus's robed companions started to gravitate towards Archy, TC and Myrnodyn, curious, questions on their lips.

"Common courtesy?" rasped Necromaniac Grumpy, glaring up at the Knight. "Haven't been in too many wars, have you?" He nodded to Arachnion. "Like the man said, we saw these things awaken. So why don't you get your hands off your swords and listen to what we have to say."

The knight smiled and answered with a respectful bow. "I will see your eye-witness... and raise you a nemesis." They brought Pirogeth forward. "This man claims to have killed one of those things. So maybe it is YOU who should listen to US."

"Maybe YOU should stop stirring people up when they've just been nuked," muttered Anton as he herded the children away from the argument.

"Maybe you should all shut the hell up and get out of my infirmary!" snapped Doctor Grant from nearby.

"We need to organise," barked Commissar Nihlus. "Before the enemy regroup and come back here." He glared at Archy. "THEN we'll see how strong your doors are, Scum!"

"You know, I'm getting real tired of those guns," Archy replied.

"We have a duty to these people," interrupted the Knight, trying to centre himself in the circle. "These outbursts and territorial disputes will only invite hysteria."

"Would you rather bring Asmodeus down here and have him rave like a lunatic again?" replied a Shapeshifter guard.

"Please, everyone..." sighed TC.

"Asmodeus sees what is coming. It is YOU who are blind!" retorted another Legacy Knight.

"Can't trust him," muttered Soulless.

"As far as I'm concerned," said Piro, "I'm the one-eyed man in the blind kingdom here."

"Hold you tongue!" shot the Commissar.

"Are you people deaf!" shouted Grant. "Get out of my infirmary!"

"Put the guns down. I won't ask you again," warned Archy.





[SUMMARY: An argument brews between the various factions in the castle.]

 

[soullesshuman]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

Soulless stared at the gun, right into the barrel. He merely grinned, unfazed. A simple gun couldn't do anything. He didn't mind a bullet. He stepped from behind Archy, the appearance of something he called 'fun' have diffused his previous mixture of emotions. The scientist mentioned being able to cripple everyone before a single bullet could be shot. He almost wanted to start such a gunfight just to see what would happen, but wouldn't that cause too much trouble? It wasn't like Insanity. One couldn't just cause a fight and leave, never to be disturbed again. The outside didn't work like that. Such a rule was one of the first things he had learned once he started his wandering.

Instead, his expression clearly read 'shoot me, it looks like fun!'. When his 'friend' or what he assumed to be his friend warned them that he was a high ranking member and all that of some society and a friend of Myrn, the father of that little girl, he was tempted to blow a raspberry to taunt the man. Instead he stuck his tongue out and made a funny face. "Nyeeeeh." Feeling playful and mischievous now, he simply smiled. He's been stuck with worse than a bullet and he's survived.

He looked up at his friend, calling him emotionally disturbed and a little scarred perhaps. "I'm fine. I'm perfectly fine." He replied. "They can shoot us, I don't mind." He spoke, glancing at the knights once. Swords? Bah, he's been stuck by worse as well. Now they were arguing. It seemed everyone was on edge, and for just a few spiders that were fought back and a man that had killed one of them? He didn't like those Knights. Like Asmodeus, they were far too self-righteous. Maybe if they were taken down a few notches... Well, he could do just that.

 

[Sakura]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2



There was nothing there. Only darkness. And she was all alone... Sakura fell backwards, falling onto the ground, the Sheathe cradled in her arms. Her eyes were blank, terrified by the sudden rush of emotions that rushed at her. She could no longer see Asmodeus or the room, instead she was in another place. A cold and dark place that was filled with a dreary sense of foreboding. Everything was dark. There was no sound except that of her own sobbing. I'm...I'm crying? Tears trickled down her cheeks, but she couldn't even feel them. As seconds passed, Sakura felt as though she was getting colder and colder.


"No dark thoughts... you'll use it well, won't you...?" Asmodeus whispered. "Nothing can corrupt... little Sakura... little sweet Sakura..."


A-Asmodeus-sama? Where are you...? Where is...everyone? Sakura wondered. She could see someone ahead of her, some faint figure that was eerily familiar. As it came closer, she realized who it was, "Oniichan! Razumatazzuniichan!" She wanted to jump up and hug him, but it was as though he had not seen her. He was smiling and walking away. "Oniichan!'" she tried to scream, but she couldn't speak. She hadn't seen him in so long. She hadn't seen him since they all said that he died. She hadn't believed it; she still didn't. Someone like him, someone who had saved so many lives and inspired her so much could not just die. She tried to reach out for her brother, but she couldn't even move. She felt paralyzed, frozen... O-Oniichan..." She struggled against this feeling of helplessness. And as his silohette disappeared, she felt a, dreary loneliness surround her. The same kind of feeling she got everytime she tried to convince herself that he was long dead, I don't want to be alone....I want to be like Oniichan...I want to save people, I want to help them...I can't feel alone...It's not like me...to be afraid.. She couldn't help it, she was crying. Somehow, she felt as though this strange darkness was swallowing her up, threatening to erase everything she believed in, threatening to take away the very substance of her own personality. It was a shallow, cruel darkness, a blank feeling that was so emotionless and dreary that it made her feel sick. I have...I have to overcome this...

She continued to cry, pulling her knees up and resting her forehead on them, staring down at the glinting surface of the Sheathe in her lap. What are you? Why are you making me feel this way? She bit her lip, the tears blurring her vision. She couldn't stay like this forever, but she could give in to this feeling. No, she shook her head, deciding against it. She couldn't give in to the darkness. She couldn't give up now. She had so much she wanted to do, so much, help so many people, make so many friends...

The image of a crying, teary-eyed Asmodeus. The fallen-angel to whom Sakura felt a great deal of respect flashed through her mind. He had begged her to take this Sheathe from him. What was this item, such a powerful thing that it brought suffering to someone such as him ? Sakura could not understand, but she would not let it control her like this. She knew herself better than some magical Sheathe. I'm not a lonely person...This isn't me at all... She reached for arm, pinching herself and shutting her eyes tightly. Wake up! Wake up! Asmodeus-sama needs me! I can't let him suffer anymore! I won't let this sheathe make both of us sad!"

She blinked several times, her eyes fluttering to adjust to the change in light. She stared at the white of the bedsheets, gasping. She was back! Or awake! Or whatever it was. She looked down at the Sheathe in her arms, in slight confusion and then wiped her teary eyes on the sleeve of her shirt, getting up quickly. "It's all right, Asmodeus," she mumbled, her voice a little shaky, "I-I'm o-okay," she said, smiling just a little, "See ? I'm perfectly fine..." she twirled around slowly, still holding the Sheathe and let out a little sigh.

"So there's no need to be so scared."

Because I will always be here to help you...just like Razzumatazzuniichan~



[After Asmodeus gives Sakura the Sheathe, she falls down and goes through a mental struggle. She feels like its darkness and loneliness is swallowing her up. Thinking of her brother, Batman (Razilin) and her friends, she struggles against it and breaks free. Albeit, still a little shaken up, she faces Asmodeus and attempts to cheer him up.]

 

[Warmaster Death]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

"I saw several thousand of my closest comrades butchered in minutes during that war, i was on the front lines when Paorou unleashed his bombs, do you see me running around attacking children?" as Nihlus holstered his bolt pistol, a flash of rage crossing his face before it was replaced by a mask of emotionless calm, Koler strode over to Archy, the look on his face one of disbelief
"as for your comments Regarding Mizdogg, I doubt a genetic creation vat can really wake up Gaian Seige weaponry, I mean that Ork has been searching for the device for eighteen years, only now has he actually found it, whats more, these guardsmen have bled, some have died, to allow your people time to retreat, these men fought side by side with guild forces, and your just gonna piss all over that aren't you" Kohler gowled, the men behind him all lowering their weapons and moving the the edges of the room.

 

[soullesshuman]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

Soulless gave Nihlus a soft glare at the comments he spoke. If there was one thing he refused to tolerate was a man thinking that he hasn't seen the deaths of many, many men, women alike. His temporary hallucination was... only temporary, after all. He didn't allow himself to back down in fear of such a thing as that man's gun, still believing that he could take such a weapon and walk away unscathed. "It was a mistake." He replied coldly, his aggravation only helping the room's charged atmosphere. "Didn't mean anything by it."

For a moment, he remembered back to the mere fragments of memory he was allowed to have as the world open up before him, heated and boiling blood spilling out as the ground itself creened and cry as if in terrible pain. He didn't think anyone could understand how he felt when he saw such. He had barely entered puberty, how could he be expected to remain perfectly reasonable in actions and mind after his time not only with the King, but now this sudden shift where he was completely and utterly alone?

The boy looked up at his scientist friend, wondering what he would do from here.

 

[Neko Archy]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

"Nonsense. I'm not a complete psychopath, which is why I started talking instead of just fighting." Well, that went smoothly. Nothing more than a few ruffled feathers. Now the Knights were new; he hadn't seen them around before. They said they were following Asmodeus, a man reviled by some and praised by others, but that's not what made them seem...suspiscious. Rather it was their conviction, their determination that they were right and everyone else was wrong. A fairly normal view, but he got the feeling that they just took it too the extreme.

Also there was that gaian siege weaponry thing. He'd have to look that up sometime.

"Sorry for the commotion, Doc. This sort of thing just tends to happen." He looked down at the boy following him.
"Soul, Mryn should be around shortly. Try not to do anything too drastic until then, alright?"

 

[Myrnodyn]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

Standing behind Tyler Crane, a crease in his brow and his fingers softly rubbing his temples to get rid of the headache that was slowly pushing against his skull, Myrnodyn had just about had enough of the bickering around him. As much as he had tried to keep things organized in the last eighteen years, it just all seemed to be falling apart around him again. Growling softly, he opened his mouth to speak, calling attention to himself.

"If you all have calmed down and directed your grievances at one another...would you all please...SHUT...UP!?"

He rubbed his brow and closed his eyes for a moment before continuing to address the small group in front of him, hoping they would keep reasonable from this point.

"Sir Kohler. Thank you for your vigilance. I think I can handle it from here. You are welcome to stay around and listen to what I have to say as a representative of the Barship, as well as discuss our options later. You, Archy. The cost for the labor of replacing that door comes out of your budget. Progress is good, but expensive. I don't want you making a habit of blowing out our doors during what is essentially war-time."

Stepping in the middle of the circle, forcing the knight who stood there to back off a little he spoke to the collection of knights next. "I will thank you for bringing this man to my attention. I would like to hear the details about where you found him later. Both from you..." Myrnodyn shifted his gaze towards Pirogeth at this point. "...As well as you."

His gaze followed it's trajectory to fall on Soulless. The look of the face shockingly reminding him of his own origins and home, the insanity and randomness behind the eyes barely contained. "Welcome to Shapeshifter town. I am not sure what you are doing here right now, but you are welcome to stay for a while. If you want to know anything please direct your questions to Archy later. For now, I think the guards over there are handling room assignments." He pointed Soulless in the right direction, hoping he would take the soft hint and leave the group to discuss thing for a while.

Turning around in the middle of the circle of people to now face Tyler Crane and Grumpy, he now crossed his arms in front of his chest in a casual manner. "You guys were with Archy here when those 'spiders' awakened? You'll have to tell me all about it. Please do so while we all walk to my private quarters here in the castle." He looked at every person of the group. "And then we can get ALL of these issues sorted out in an organized manner."

With that he walked off towards the door leading to the inner hallway, Assuming that those who wanted to talk to him, would follow him.


OOC:

Spoiler

A frustrated Myrn steps in and tries to sort things out, before walking off to his chambers of residence in the castle, assuming everyone will follow him.

 

[Palonis]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

"Boy, talk about overreacting..." Turd said as he directed the children away from the arguing men. As Myrnodyn began to calm down the situation, he turned and told the children, "You probably should get back to your parents."

"Whatever!" said the one with the red paorou cape, who went off to do whatever he liked. Still, it was something.

Walking past the guards, now that he knew that he was allowed to do so, Turd turned and asked, "Hey, you wouldn't know any scientists or engineers in this castle, would you?"

"Try the room two doors on the right as you walk out," one of the guards supplied, obviously happy that the young summoner was going elsewhere. "There's a guy in there named Nylock, as much of a weirdo as they come. Still, he claims that he's a scientist."

"Thanks. Why all helpful all of a sudden?"

"Just go away, kid, okay?"

----------------------------------------------------------

"Ninja! May I have a word?" Tromping through the corridors, dressed in armor as they were, the three large vikings and small ninja man were still somewhat conspicuous. However, so frenzied were the castle's preparations, added to by the chaos of all the new entrants inside the castle walls, that they weren't being called out for being larger or smaller than the norm, respectively. At least not yet.

"If it's something we can discuss while we walk, Torsty," Palonis said, trying hard to keep up with the much more muscular vikings.

"Splendid." Ducking into a side corridor where there weren't as many people, the viking lord stepped beside the ninja. "Now then," he said, "what is this about Asmodeus being alive?"

"Didn't you hear?" Palonis replied, "It seems that our angel friend has come back, and as of right now, he looks like shit."

"What? How? Why?"

Palonis shrugged. "Beats me. However, it seems that he's here. You can't be too surprised though. I mean, I'm here too, aren't I?"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't tell people a lot of stuff. If it's any consolation, you're not the first person I've not told stuff to."

"So wait...Asmodeus is alive, and then these strange beasts arrive? Is this a coincidence?"

"Can't tell. In the meantime, we can only figure out the truth if we find him, so we might as well do what the sword says." Looking at the sword in the scabbard on the back of Torsty's bodyguard, Palonis asked, "Oy! Stabby! Know where Asmodeus is?"

"Sorry," Came a muffled voice from the scabbard. "Ah'm too busy bein' inconspic'yus. Why don' ya jus' ask 'round?"

"Stabby! I'm warning you, don't push it!"

"Ninja, maybe he doesn't know. If Asmodeus is here, he shouldn't be hard to find anyway."

"Grr.....sure, fine! But if we can't find that angel, I'm throwing this sword out a window!"

(Summary: Turd hears from a guard about Nylock, and follows directions to find his lab. Meanwhile, Torsty and Palonis have a private discussion about Asmodeus before deciding to find him and ask him some questions.)

 

[Vay]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

Mr. Tea had been no help, in the end the twins had just taken a walk around the town and then headed for the room provided for them.

The light streamed through the windows as Aki snored, Aya sat up slowly and walked over to the window and looked out across the town. Aki stirred and when she hooked at him he opened his eyes. "What did he mean?" she asked, and Aki blinked in surprise. "You asking me? Well I don't know maybe hes just a crazy old man." he said sitting up. [/color=red] "Nothing hes said has made one hundred sense has it?"[/color]

"Hes not crazy!" Aya said almost defensively. "He wants to ask us something."[color]

"Crazy people still ask questions." Aki replied raising his hands "why don't we go see him? he might know where we can get more breakfast.

Aya glared at him "You want to go out like that?





A few minuets later they emerged out into the day, clean and changed, and walked off in a random direction, Aya hoping to find Mr. Tea, Aki looking around for breakfast.

 

[megane-kun]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

Faramond woke up from a dreamless sleep. He looked around, surprised by his surroundings. Light streamed from the large windows barely covered by the thin and delicate white curtains. This same light illuminated a large room. The bed stands in the middle of the room, beside it, on either side, stands two nightstands, both of which have lamps on them. A desk lies empty beside the windows.

"No. Get a grip, Vincent," Faramond told himself, "You aren't at home yet. Not in any foreseeable future, perhaps, not in any future."

Faramond sighed at this thought.

"Anyways, what am I doing in this place?"

Faramond closed his eyes and strained to remember what happened the day before. His meeting with the twins and that old man Tea. That meeting led to Faramond being sidetracked into a sight-seeing trip with the twins, a supposedly fun sight-seeing trip in the town of the shapeshifters.

It has been fun, for most part. The trip was enjoyable, until the long arm of the plot dragged them into a mess. The train they were in was hijacked, or something, and there was chaos. The next thing Fararmond knew, the train crashed into the town of the shifters.

Faramond asked the old man Tea, which he thought to be an agent of the plot, some questions. Not the tough questions, but some practical questions regarding what to do, or where to go to next, but the old man had given no straight answers to their questions. When asked, the old man merely looked around slowly, at the buildings, the sky, the horizon, and finally at the young trio watching him expectantly. Neither Aki nor Faramond needed Aya's insight to know that he was thinking hard about something.

At length, the old man said something: "You're lucky to be alive. What do you do when you feel lucky to be alive? What can you still do that you might have done before this all began? Whatever those things are, go do them first, then find me again, and I will answer your questions, and you will be ready to answer mine."

Faramond wondered about what the old man said, but, in the end, he had to trust the old man's instincts. He have to. Or the plot would send a more sinister agent after them.

Shrugging off those thoughts, Faramond looked out the window and thought it best to get ready for the day ahead.

 

[Asmodeus]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

Asmodeus's hand gripped around Sakura's, his other coming to her face. The Sheathe lay between them, sleeping like a golden viper, beautiful and all-destroying. Now both their faces were stained with tears... both trembling with the ghosts of torments past.

"I don't want to go..." Asmodeus whimpered, his grief too great for Sakura's SoulArts to soothe.

"Go? Go where, Asmodeus-Sama?" Sakura frowned as she felt the angel trembling helplessly.

"He's coming... to take me... kill me. Me... I don't want to go!"

"Who?" Sakura asked, holding the sheets as Asmodeus tried to hide himself again. "Who's coming?"



* * * * * *


Down below, in the main atrium, Necromaniac Grumpy got to his feet, coughing a little and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Myrnodyn had restored some semblance of order and was moving the delegates away from Grant's infirmary. The Commissar was following the Shapeshifter Regent, along with Archy and TC and that oddly-familiar boy in the straightjacket. As for the Knights, Uriel had stepped forward and was speaking on their behalf, taking Pirogeth with him.

As they left, Grumpy approached the grizzled Knight who had been arguing earlier.

"If you have a moment, I wish to speak."

"Do I know you?" the Knight asked as he rebuckled his sword and moved towards the praying congregation at the back of the hall.

"I was one of the eye-witnesses. I saw the first Elder awaken."

"Then let us hope Regent Myrnodyn heeds your words. Excuse me -"

The Knight tried to move away but Grumpy gripped his arm. "I have words for Asmodeus alone. And I don't have... much time." The Necromancer curled over slightly, wracked by inner pain.

The Knight smiled and tried to unprise the man's fingers. "You should have a doctor attend to y..."

There was a pulse of Necromantic energy and black tendrils crept from Grumpy's hand into the Knight's flesh. The spell almost exhausted Grumpy, who leant against the man for support. But the Knight didn't see it, for his eyes were glazed, little specks of black circling his irises.

"I...need.. to see Asmodeus.... now!"

The mesmerised Knight nodded silently and turned, leading the way. Grumpy kept his hand on the man's shoulder, as much for support as for strengthening the domination spell.



* * * * * *


As the two of them left the room and passed through the northern hallways, they were sighted at a distance by a group of oddly-armoured imposters. Palonis and Torsty shifted their poorly-fitting helms and squinted, almost recognising the distant figure of Necromaniac Grumpy.

And another of their party had appeared to see someone they knew.

"Kniiiiiight!" growled the Sword of Tel'Nein, rattling on the back of one of the vikings. "Get tha' Kniiiiiight!!"

The sword continued shaking, fidgetting and grumbling. Not the most inconspicuous of behaviours....





[SUMMARY: Asmodeus tells Sakura he is scared that someone is coming to "take him away". Meanwhile, Grumpy uses a domination spell to get a Knight to lead him to Asmodeus. As he travels, he is seen by Palonis and Torsty. The sword they are carrying recognises the Knight that Grumpy is manipulating.]

 

[soullesshuman]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

Soulless looked up at Archy, quite content with what was going on here and wondering when he could some see Asmodeus. Although, this man seemed not to be interested in the angel but instead more interested in his current project for some sort of robot fighting force. He frowned a little at a thought, not interested in fighting. Instead, he paued a little, torn between following the scientist that may give him answers, or the scentist that he had been following before, much like a puppy.

However, it was about that time where he spotted a sick-looking man clutching onto a soldier. He tugged Archy's sleeved worriedly. "He going to be alright?" He asked softly, glancing over at the man. He remembered him from the little thing that he did at the infirmary. Why would the man want to leave the infirmary when he was sick seemed to confuse him. As far as he could understand, the infirmary was a place where the injured went to in order to leave the infirmary all healed. This man was surely not healed in the least, if the way he gripped the knight had any indication.

Quickly he grabbed Archy's hand in his own straitjacket sleeve as he followed, trying to catch the attention of the man and the knight. "Where going?! You look injured sir, shouldn't you stay?" He asked curiously, wondering what was so important that a man that looked like he would die within the hour was leaving the very place where he should be resting and recovering.

He, again, tugged the sleeve of his scientist friend, seeking for some answer to the pressing question at hand.

[Soulless is curious as to what Grumpy is doing and asks Archy for advice.]

 

[Neko Archy]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

"Right, it's been one hell of a day...I can talk to you later Mryn, but the short of it is that Grace thinks I murdered her non-existent sister, I want to start some of the protocols under Plan 9, and go out once I get that set up to see how we can stop these giant robot spiders from spawning endlessly."

Soul tugging at his arm caught his attention, and he turned to see what was the matter. Grumpy was looking rather sick and trying to get down the hallway with the help of one of the knights.
"..Hey, man, you need to take it easy. The infirmary is just back there, after all. If you're not able to stand on your own, you should probably go chill out there until you're well enough to do whatever it is you want to do."

 

[Pirogeth]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

The boy had taken away Myrnodyn's audience. With the knight also gone, well now Pirogeth had a chance to talk. "Ever so interesting and powerful your society is, yet these spiders seem to be a threat unchecked and uncontrolled." He began speeding up trying to catch up to Regent. "These Elders come to destroy what they like and feel no pain. That means they have no idea what their weakness is. So to survive the next encounter, I suggest you find some way to breach that outer shell. It is toughest of the three layers guarding the inner functionality circuits. Summoning circuits and power relays are just behind that first layer. After that is speed, movement, and receptor controls right before you get to the main CPU. That shell is weakest at the joints. All I ask in return for this information is that you allow me to fight those things."

 

[megane-kun]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

A mist-covered town greeted Faramond as he looked out the window. Beyond the mist, smoke from the still smoldering forest can be seen.

"I wonder how megane-kun is doing? Is he already dead? Or has he been lying unconscious the entire time I've been here? Or perhaps...?" he mused as he stared outside. "I... I still have a choice, right? I am not yet a slave to the plot, right? Right?" he asked himself.

He needn't answer those questions. He knew what he had to do all along.

It didn't take him long to prepare himself for a journey, his bag is already packed, and all he needed to do was to take a bath and change into more comfortable clothes.

Faramond took a map he drew way back when he realized he's been transported to Iwaku. A map of the Iwaku as he remembered it, and not, as he had feared, the Iwaku he has transported into. Nevertheless, he checked the map and encircled his present location, the Shapeshifter Town, and marked the forest, which was indicated on his map by a large area of curly lines and scribbles. By his estimation, Faramond thought he would be able to make it into the forest before sundown, that is, if he move fast.

Faramond placed the map back into his pocket, took his bag and went towards the door. As he neared the door, he looked back into the room and felt a bit of sadness.

Faramond went out of the room and down the stairs where he saw Aya.

"Ei! Why so lost so early in the morning?" Farmond greeted Aya.

Aya was startled by this greeting and looked at Faramond. "Wah!! I... uhm... I was..."

"Looking for Mr. Tea?" Faramond said with a grin.

Aya simply nodded and blushed. Faramond wasn't so sure if the blush was because of him or his answer, or because he mentioned Mr. Tea. Faramond smirked at the thought.

"Well, I guess that old man's off somewhere. He did tell us to do what we wanted to do, right?" Faramond said.

"Wait, he said that?!" Aki, who had just joined them, said, interrupting Aya.

"Yeah, that's what I understood of what he said, unless you have any ideas as to what he really meant when he said that." Faramond replied.

"So does that mean," Aki said, grinning, "we're on our own now?" Aya looked at Aki with alarm but Aki looked at Aya and both nodded.

"I guess so..." Faramond said and turned away from the twins.

"You... You're going too?" Aya asked, her face slightly worried. Faramond looked at that worried face and sighed. "I guess I could use some breakfast," Faramond answered.

 

[Vay]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

Aki took a bite out of something on a stick. "So does this mean we're looking for breakfast now instead of the old man?" he said chewing, "because there must be..... COFFEE!" he pointed at a small cafe across the street.

"Tea?" Framond said turning to look in the direction Aki was pointing. "Or is it the member... CCS?"

Aya rolled her eyes, " Framond forget about Tea, we're listening to him and doing what we want, and for now thats breakfast." As Framond turned to look at her in confusion she walked past her with Aki leaving a confused Framond to follow.

 

[Asmodeus]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

Leading the hypnotised knight onwards, Grumpy ignored Archy and Soulless's shouts, just as he ignored the staring figures of Torsty and Palonis. He had no time for words.... he had no time left for anything... These were his last moments, and he knew it...

The Necromancer continued through the candle-lit hallways, guided by the Knight, whose body became more like a crutch the further they went. Grumpy's breath was wheezing and by the time they reached the stairway to Asmodeus's tower, he was practically limping.

The quartet of guards stationed there responded instantly, their instincts on edge following the earlier disturbances. "Another visitor?" the first guard snapped, "Haven't you people learned yet?!"

Grumpy's hand twitched, sending necromantic energy into the Knight and forcing him to speak. "We wish to see Asmodeus," the Knight answered, his mouth moving mechanically.

"Get in line. No one sees him until he's ready. Regent's orders."

The hallway candles flickered and an anxious look crossed Grumpy's face. With a shiver he willed the Knight to speak again. "Please. You must let me see him. It's urgent..."

He tried to move forward, but the four guards brought their TF guns to bear. "So's my trigger-finger, asshole," the guard replied, "VERY urgent."

The corridor darkened and the temperature dropped. The dust on the ground began to move, and the slight sound of grating stone could be heard, increasing Grumpy's panic. "Please. You must let me through. There's no ti-"

"GO BACK TO THE INFIRMARY AND TAKE THE OLD MAN WITH YOU!" the guard ordered. He gave the Knight a shove and the contact with Grumpy's hand was broken. The Necromancer fell to his knees and the Knight stumbled back, blinking away the enchantment.

"What the... what is this?"

At the same time, Soulless and Archy had finally caught up. "I've found him, I've found him!" Soulless skipped down the hallway towards Grumpy.

"Oh great, he's fallen over," Archy muttered, not looking forward to having to carry the man back to the armoury. Then he shivered too. "Why is it so cold in here? Who turned off the heating?"

From the other hallway, Torsty and Palonis approached with their retinue of disguised vikings. A sword in Palonis's hand seemed to be rattling and talking. "Thas 'im! Thas the Knight who serves Cap'n Asmodeus! Ask 'im where the Cap'n is!"

"Finally," Palonis said as he crossed towards the Knight, adjusting his poor-fitting armour. "Excuse me, Sir. We need to fi-" He stopped as he recognised the robed man on the floor. "Gr... Grumpy?

Hands grabbed Palonis's leg and Soulless's straightjacket as the Necromancer tried to get back up. "We're out of time. They're coming!"

"ALRIGHT!" the tower guard shouted at the assembled riff-raff. "EVERYONE CLEAR THE HELL OUT! THIS HALLWAY IS NOW OFF BOUNDS! GET THE FU--"

Torsty moved in and helped Palonis to pick the Necromancer up. Grumpy seemed to be trying to speak, but he was getting paler, his breath catching in ragged gasps. "They've come... for me..."


The candles went out. Everyone's breath turned to mist and a collective shiver ran through the group.


And from the shadows of the three hallways, a trio appeared.

"What.. the hell... are those?" Torsty asked as he and his vikings formed up around the others.

"Assassins... from the Nether Realm..." Grumpy whispered. "I stole something that belongs to them... A key... it brought me back here..."

"I'm guessing they weren't too pleased with that," Palonis muttered.

"Must... reach... Asmodeus..."

The three Assassins started forward in eerie silence. They were beyond reason and beyond resistance - the dread hand of Death itself. The four Tower guards barely had time to confront them before their doom was sealed. The gasmasked assassin moved through them, exhaling noxious gas from every pore of his robes. The guards fells, their faces and throats swelling up and cracking open. Their horrid gasps filled the hall as bubbling as their lungs dissolved and their stomachs burned.

"Everyone!" Palonis ordered, "Let's get this Necromancer to Asmodeus, now!"

"We're with ya!" the sword in his hand added.

The Vikings drew their weapons and charged the nearest assassin - the one with the bird mask, whose hands extended with razor-sharp talons to slice through their armour like butter. The seasoned warriors began to fall, their blood spattering the walls and flagstones.

The single Knight who had been with Grumpy drew his sword. "I'm with you!" He swung at the final assassin, the skeletal one, and watched in horror as his sword turned to ash. The assassin's hand struck out and sunk into the Knight's chest, turning everything to ash and putrid bile. The man toppled and the assassin lunged at Grumpy.

"I've got him!" cried Soulless as he landed on the assassin's back and hugged him with a lunatic smile. There was the sound of cracking bone and the creature reeled. Its hands slashed at the boy, shedding his blood, but every droplet that fell seemed to have a life of its own and ran back up the assassin's leg, burning like acid.

"Well, don't just stand there!" Archy shouted at Grumpy and Palonis. "Get moving!" As Archy talked he cast a spell and created a barrier around the gasmasked assassin, trapping the gas and flinging him against the wall. Palonis teleported out of his armour, leaving it to clatter behind him as he pulled Grumpy to his feet.

They started running, leaving Archy, Soulless and Torsty battling with the assassins. Vaulting the bodies of the dead guards and wounded vikings, the ninja pulled the Necromancer up the spiral staircase.

Behind them, Torsty rushed to the aid of his men, joining them to hack and slash at the beaked assassin. But their efforts seemed in vain. Their weapons turned to ash and their armour was sliced open by the raking hands of the creature. The assassin left them bleeding and disabled and stalked up the stairway after Grumpy.

Meanwhile, Archy was flung against the wall as the gasmasked assassin counter-attacked with a stream of noxious smoke. He kept his shields up, careful not to inhale, and sent a bolt of fire against his opponent. Then he used the opening to roll forward and grab one of the fallen TF guns. Archy fired, knocking the assassin back with blasts of transforming energy. Behind him, Soulless was giggling insanely as he continued hugging the skeletal assassin and eroding his bones.






[SUMMARY: Grumpy is hunted down by assassins from the Nether-Realm, who have come to punish him for stealing a Dimensional Key in order to return to Iwaku. Thanks to Palonis, Torsty, Archy and Soulless, the assassins are overcome and Grumpy makes it to Asmodeus's room.]

 

[Asmodeus]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

At the top of the stairs, Palonis and Grumpy fell forward as the beaked assassin loomed behind them. Having dropped the Sword of Tel'Nein, Palonis uppercutted it with a kai-strike then drew his katana, exchanging a series of blows and parries. His weapon strained under the necromantic energies, part of its edge lost to ash, the hilt growing heavier.

"Hooeee? What's happening?!!" yelped Sakura from the other side of the room. She got up and grabbed hold of her cake, keeping it safe as Palonis and the assassin wrestled across the room. And behind her Asmodeus scrambled off the bed and hid beneath it, whimpering in terror.

"No..no no no! He's here! Nooo!"

"A little help?" Palonis snapped as he rolled between the furniture, losing his katana as he was hounded by the assassin. He started flinging vases and ornaments at the creature, scrambling to get out of its way.

Sakura went over to Grumpy, who was collapsed on the floor, struggling to breathe. "Are you okay? What's going on?"

"Not helping!" There was a puff of smoke as Palonis teleported again, darting around the room and dodging the Nether-Agent.

"Use me!" the voice of Tel'Nein sounded. "Let me at 'im!"

Palonis scooped up the angel's sword and parried the next flurry of strikes. But finally he was caught and a slash of talons sent Tel'Nein flying from his hand. He brought his leg up to roundhouse, barely troubling the creature and receiving a burning wound to his leg. The ninja dropped, landing at the mercy of the assassin.

THUNK!!!

A shaft of stone slammed into the creature and crushed against it the wall. Bone splintered in all directions and its robes faded away like ink. The creature vanished and all that was left was the enlarged shape of the Sheathe of Iwaku.

Palonis sat up, noticing Asmodeus underneath the bed, holding the other end of the Sheathe.

"You really need to work on your timing."

"Haha! We got th' bastard!" the Sword of Tel'Nein cheered.

The sounds of violence faded and were replaced by a worried squeak from Sakura. She had put her cake aside and was looking at Grumpy. One of the talons from the shattering assassin had lodged in his chest. "Palo-Sama! He's hurt!"

Wincing at his wound, Palonis got up and went over to Grumpy, checking the embedded talon. "Alright, let's get him on the bed. We've got a lot of wounded to see to."

"No.... no!" Asmodeus whimpered, collapsing the Sheathe and retreating under the bed as they brought Grumpy closer.

"You found a way to shut him up yet?" Palonis asked, looking across to Sakura. But this little distraction was all that Grumpy needed. The Necromancer struggled free and fell down before the bed, reaching beneath it and seizing Asmodeus before he could scramble away.

He pulled him close, his last breaths hissing into Asmodeus's frightened face. "You know why I came back... because I love this land.... and I know you do too...."

Asmodeus struggled, pulling at the death-grip of his assailant. "Please I don't want to go back... I don't want to...!"

Perhaps Grumpy didn't hear him... or perhaps he didn't care. Palonis and Sakura tried to get hold of him, but he wouldn't be budged. "You saved these people... but it's not enough, you son of a bitch... you're gonna earn your redemption... you're gonna lead them out of this..."

"No! I don't want to be him again! NOOOOO!!!"

The tower shook and the furniture Palonis had thrown began rattling across the ground. The air went from freezing to hot, then back again as a static charge in the air told them something was coming.

With his last seconds of life, Grumpy pulled his forehead against Asmodeus's, cold skin to trembling. "I... release you... from your curse!"

The chamber flooded with darkness, a thousand patches of black rushing though the walls and windows. Palonis and Sakura collapsed under the bombardment, feeling the objects striking their skin.

The feel was a familiar one... the feel of feathers.

There was a roar - maybe Grumpy's, maybe Asmodeus's - and everything faded in a pulse of light. Palonis and Sakura were flattened and the tower convulsed with a single vibration. A sound like rushing water drowned the world and then there was only silence...


Palonis opened his eyes again. The chamber was a mess: furniture broken, walls crumbling, window shattered, bed shredded. The ninja came up onto his knees, shaking the ringing from his ears.

The blade of Tel'Nein touched his throat and he freezed. Turning his head slowly, he looked along the length of the sword, up to the figure standing over him.

Grumpy was gone, and standing before Palonis, with the Sword of Tel'Nein in one hand and the Sheathe in the other, was a purple-robed angel with new wings shimmering in the sunlight.

"Well well, isn't this a delicious irony, my old friend? Restored to my true self by Razilin's sister and the two men who killed me. What a sense of humour this whore of a Cycle has?"

The voice was unmistakeable. Palonis heard the energy that infused that voice - the egotistical excitement and thirsting rhythm. But he answered all the same: "Are you going to use the sword I brought you, or kill me with your monologues?"

A second passed. The blade moved away and with a majestic spread of his wings the laughter of Prince Asmodeus filled the room. "Oh, it has been too long, Palonis. You and I could rule this world - we really could. But I guess that discussion can wait."

Stepping away from the ninja, Asmodeus stooped down and picked up Sakura, who had fallen on her cake. Dangling her at arms length, he smiled. "Didn't pick up on the clues there, did you, little one? But it's for the best. He had no reason to be so afraid... of going back."

"A... Asmo-Sama? What...?"

"It is only fitting that we fear ourselves." Asmodeus placed Sakura back down and turned, twirling the Sword of Tel'Nein and placing it inside the Sheathe. Then he clapped his hands together. "Now... I think my next Towers will be pyramid-shaped."

Palonis and Sakura frowned at him.

"I'm joking. Elder-battling it is. Let's mince." He started off towards the stairway.



[SUMMARY: Grumpy releases Asmodeus from his old curse and tasks him to protect the people. Asmodeus returns in full glory and with a more ambiguous personality than ever.]

 

[Jack Shade]

Re: Shapeshift Town - CHAPTER 2

Having retired from the restoration of his lab for a time, Nylock stood within the castle room assigned to him and rearranged the furnishings into the semblance of something he could live with. For the life of him he could not fathom why the shapshifting mongrel had taken control of this place. Bureaucracy and all its bothersome inequities were too much trouble for a busy scientist and Nylock had to wonder what king of progress Myrnodyn was making towards scientific accomplishment nowadays.

With the oversized spiders scurrying around the world, there was not a better time to be out among the people. Casualty rates were high...and law enforcement was low. Gathering subjects and continuing what some might call 'vile' research was never easier. The only trouble was being cooped up in this glorified prison. Nylock had a mind to march out and find Myrnodyn...douse in some of the experimental shapeshifter poison he'd been cobbling up and force that bearded joke to take matters more seriously. The people could find their own direction, but nothing was accomplished when you played savior to the stupid.

Fortunately he was interrupted mid tirade.

"'Scuse me," A voice piped from the door. "I was led to believe you're a scientist?"

Pausing mid thought, Nylock spun on his feet to face the man at the door. A plain fellow by any account but by the GODS someone had finally addressed him by his title. Nylock didn't know who the guy was...but he felt a strong sense to be of assistance at that moment.

"Why yes, yes! Do come in!" the scientist nearly sprinted to the door, ushering a bemused Turd inside before swinging the portal shut. "Allow me to introduce myself young sir, Dr. Amaren Nylock at your services...can I interest you in body modifications? A new weapon perhaps...uncertain times we live in, uncertain times. Or perhaps a poison? An Antidote? Say but the word and I'll have the means for creation. I..." Trailing off, Nylock stopped himself...no need to scare away the customer...not yet anyways.

"What can I help you with dear boy?" He asked again, sliding into a seat near the door. "These walls feel more like a cell every hour and I'd be grateful for a chance to do something..."


Summary: Nylock is overjoyed to have SOMETHING to do and welcomes Turd inside exuberantly...oblivious to what else might be going on within the castle.