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The final attack was unleashed on the beast as she touched ground again. Nym watched with widened eyes as the guy held onto the Zaghnol's tusk and overloaded it's power. She saw the beast spazz, before falling to the ground, sparks jumping from the beast's body. She raised an arm to protect her eyes from the dust cloud that soon spread across the whole arena, waving a little at the air around her.
She lowered her arm as the dust seemed to be clearing, noting that the guy that had made the final move had collapsed on the ground nearby to the fallen beast. If the Zaghnol was strong enough to survive that blast - and Nym sure hoped not - then that guy would be in danger. Her first thoughts were to rush over there and help try and drag him out of the way, but once again she'd frozen up, watching and waiting to see if this was finally over. Her gaze wandered round nearby to the beast, also trying to spot Charlotte and the werewolf guy and Jayx's friend.
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The shock coursed through her as Zaghnol hit the ground with a sickening thud. Energy sparked across its body, tusks most of all. Charlotte looked around, not seeing much as the dust had been thrown up by the contact. Though blind by sight, her ears heard the cheers and screeches of the Colliseum's crowd. What had they left to cheer for? Their favored beast was down.
Realizing she was still attached to Zaghnol, Charlotte pulled her fangs out of the skin steadily growing cold. She tiredly jumped off of Zaghnol's shoulder and walked closely around the beast until she was looking straight into the huge eyes. They were wide-open in shock.
Charlotte turned, not wanting to see him any longer. She took heavy steps out of the dust cloud, looking for her allies.
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Everyone except a small flash of blue that was scurrying across the sand as fast as it's little legs could carry it.
"Nym!" The mini-chimera yelled as he got closer to the freshman, almost skipping as he got closer to her.
Nym couldn't help but grin widely as she saw him. He looked much happier than before, preparing herself for his pounce by crossing her legs and stop herself from leaning back - instead opening her arms and welcoming him back.
He didn't have to jump high to reach her, wrapping his blue furry arms around her neck as he drew closer, holding her tightly. Nym couldn't help laugh at his actions, gentle wrapping her skinny arms round the chimera.
"Well you're a happy Morris," She commented with a chuckle, though was silence as the Chimera pulled away for a moment, his eyes suddenly hard.
"Do you know how much you scared me?!" He asked, a rather stern look on his face that seemed to shake the laughter out of the young girl. She gingerly shook her head, and he seemed to scowl more. "That pig could've killed you with that shock, and you just stood there!" He told her, watching as Nym's jaw dropped a little. Morris suddenly pressed himself against her again, his voice much more emotional now, almost as if he was going to cry.
"Don't ever do that again..."
Hearing this, Nym's small smile returned, making sure she didn't laugh at his gentle voice. It was like he was being an overprotective sibling or something. Not that she would know, she was an only child. She gently stroked the little blue creature's fur on his back,
"Okay, Morris." She replied quietly, "I'll get out the way next time."
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Am I dead? I sure hope not. Althought I guess I did take out the boss. Funny though, he didn't feel like he was made of flesh. Perhaps I'm just kidding myself. There doesn't seem to be anything interesting going on here, I wonder what I'm suposed to do now.
With no way of keeping track of time, Rio floated around for what seemed to turn into weeks thinking about whatever came to mind. He pondered about the source of the strange powers that he aquired and how they had been affecting him. He could still feel traces of power from the other kid lingering in him. It was interesting, Rio began experimenting with his powers in order to find the extent of it.
To start out, he charged up his palm to a normal level. Then pumping more energy into it, it began to spark.
Electricity huh, I wonder why electricity, I always played a midfield mage when I was in the VR machine. Heh, Cure Light Wounds 1d8+1/caster level. I wonder if I'll ever get to go back to a normal life.
Just for old time sake, Rio performed the spellcasting gesture that he had grown so acustomed to during his VR time, Acid splash. Raising his right arm straight up and dropping his left arm straight down, he began to move them clockwise (relative to the way he was facing) until they had switched positions, then keeping his fingers pointed straight out, he brought his hands together until his fingers were pointed at each other. To his surprise, a greenish icoor appeared. With a firm thrust, he pointed the fingers on his right hand outward, sending the acidic ball flying.
Amazing, I would never have thought that those would actually work in real life/
He quickly tried several of the other spells he had used when he was in the VR machine. Unfortunately, none of them worked.
"Guess I'll have to level up some more"
He joked to himself, as if he were in a game. Finally, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep. A moment later he could hear the roar of the croud and felt the hot sand under him. Apparently he was back to where he started. Oppening his eyes, he could see the others in a half celebration half shocked state.
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The music became very bleak as the Zahnol collapsed and fought its death until the final moments. The announcer made their victory official and the crowd roared with excitement. Bittersweet was this moment for Aemyle. She was glad that the fight was over, but she couldnât help but shed a tear or two as she heard the final notes of the Zaghnolâs song play out as the Swordsman dug his blade into the mechanics of the poor creature.
Aemyle closed the distance between her and the creature. Its corpse still twitched with the remnants of its electric energy, and its eyes were still wide open. She stared at the lifeless orbs with sadness, wishing she could close its eyes, as was proper for any creature. Though arrogant and sadistic, the creature was a warrior and deserved better treatment than the staff of this place would probably give it. She rested a hand on one of its tusks, her hand tingling a bit with the residual electricity, and closed her eyes.
âFwyna ye jusui, Adonai,â She prayed, âFerre ye orea i liâtteâŠâ
Guide it home, Adonai. Bring it peace and restâŠ
Without looking at the Zaghnol again, she distanced herself from it. Without much thought, she plopped down next to the first person in this group sheâd met. Xavier was lying face up on the dirt floor of the coliseum. His phone rang, and gave off an odd fanfare of sorts.
âFiguresâŠspam.â He chuckled, the fatigue obvious in his voice, âThoughâŠit is pretty fitting.â His laugh rose, as did the volume in the melody she now heard in his mind. A chill R&B melody with a hint of electric guitar that she vaguely remembered being heavy on the violin and electric guitar during the battle.
She giggled a bit as well as he commented on the day being âOne hell of a Mondayâ. It felt good to hear a happier tune than that of the late Zaghnol.
âI concur,â She smiled, âYou fought valiantly...as did our comrades.â
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The dust had cleared and things were settling down. The crowd was waiting for what was next; so was she. Charlotte looked around at the others; they all looked tired but no one was hurt too bad. Charlotte collapsed beside her two comrades and shifted back to a lost and very worn out Junior girl. She curled up, blood still dotting her face, mouth, and hands. She didn't want to wonder how the hell a mechanical beast had blood- her head was hurting to much. Charlotte relaxed her muscles, forcing herself to let go of being so jumpy and alert.
Her eyes half-opened, she traced the scar under her ripped shirt from the wound Preston healed with her finger. Xavier was right- Mondays were never her best day.
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Strange, I don't remember seeing these people before.
A voice came over the speakerphone announcing the champion of this arena, Demetri Maverick, a name he had never heard before.
Well, I guess he's important if he is the champion of the arena.
Rio's vision cleared up a bit and he could see the people standing over him a bit more clearly. A middle aged woman was standing in a maid outfit, a young girl in a red dress and someone from Atari high, Jayx he thought he remembered.
"Hey, Jayx, it is Jayx right? Did we win?"
Rio's voice was still a bit faint and he spoke his words slowly. It still seemed to him that he had been floating in darkness for weeks, so he was having a hard time remembering what was going on. Perhaps things would make themselves more clear in the future. In the mean time, he attempted to sit up.
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"At least it's all over now, eh?" She mumbled quietly to Morris, an honest smile on her face as she looked down at the mini-chimera that now sat infront of her, the sparkles having returned and lingering around him again.
The lights seemed to disappear though as it was announced that the Champion Demetri Maverick was entering the arena. Instead a flush of anger and annoyance seemed to take over the blue creature. Nym looked at the Chimera curiously,
"Do you know him?" She asked, not recognising the name at all. After all, she had not met with the man the night before.
"Yeah, I do!" Morris said, stomping his little feet on the sandy ground as he ruffled his feathers, making himself look bigger than he was. He almost looked like he was going to march his way over to the guy. "He's the guy that rewrote my code! Levelled me down! Made me weak again!"
He went to scurry off, but Nym caught him by the tail, holding him back. He didn't seem to appreciate the treatment, and Nym was surprised about the amount of strength she had to use to keep him from escaping her hold.
"Morris! If you get angry, he might do more than rewrite your code..." She tried to reason with him, "You might not be given the chance to get strong again..."
She managed to pull him back enough to gather him up in her crossed arms and hold him there, the squirming creature now hanging defeated in her hold. Nym hoped that he would keep quiet while this Demetri guy was around, not wanting him to get in any more trouble than he had already gotten himself in.
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âSpeak of the freaking devil...â he muttered.
Charlotte looked at everyone around the Coliseum stands. The spectators were cheering loudly now, earpiercing shreiks that awaited the famed Demetri. Personally, she just wanted the man to give her some answers, but the others of her comrades didn't seem so excited. Everyone was worn out, and this was stress enough to wonder how to get back home- the man full of answers was keeping them to himself, and watching the tired high-schoolers for amusement.
She blinked and looked at the dusty arena floor.
Is this what my life holds?
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He seemed rather impressed with the performance of their group over all. Aemyle couldnât help but avert her eyes when he mentioned her skill in battle. Again her mind went to her alien status and she wondered if she really should tell him exactly where she learned her skill in marksmanship.
âIâve been thinkingâŠDemetri has some explaining to do. Something just doesnât add up. I know a lot of these kids we were fighting, and they just donât seem like the âend the worldâ type. I think weâre being toyed withâŠâ Xavierâs attitude suddenly became a lot more grave. He did have a good point. Demetri had a lot to answer for.
A moment or so later, a giant cat flopped down before the two of them exhausted. Aemyle worried for only a second before she recognized the creatures song from somewhere. When the creature morphed into a curled up Charlotte, she knew where sheâd heard the melody before.
âSheeshâŠyou must be bushed,â Xavier said, âI think itâd do us all some good to head back home.â
Ladies and Gentlemen, weâd like to congratulate our winners! This is a very special event, as this guest never comes to see matches as they unfoldâŠplease welcome the champion of the Multiversal GamesâDemetri Maverick!
The announcer called out, turning Aemyleâs attention away from poor Charlotte.
Xavierâs tone darkened once more, âSpeak of the freaking devil.â
Aemyle was tempted to sympathize with him, but she had no way of knowing whether he was affiliated with the whistling man who had provided their new abilities. What she knew was that he probably knew what was going on, and that he might understand how she became one of 8-Bit Cityâs anomalies. The singer stood in order to look around, her ears searching for a song to identify him by. When Maverick made his appearance, she wanted to know just where he was, for she would not be the only one with questions.
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She tried to push it away, thinking it was only her alarm clock. Eyes still shut tightly, she reached out and felt around for the button to turn off the music. Her hand only found the leg of someone beside her. Charlotte opened her eyes and looked around. Alarm shot through her. This was not her room. Jayx's leg was not her alarm clock. And this was not the Coliseum she remembered she was just in.
The red couch she was resting on was becoming more uncomfortable and made her anxious. She sat up now and realized Xavier was awake. This is when she also realized that the rest of her comrades were sleeping soundly around them.
"I am getting sick of surprises." Charlotte muttered, taking in a breath as she turned to face Xavier.
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Unfortunately, a wave of drowsiness hit her, and her grip loosened greatly on the mini blue chimera. Everything seemed to fade to black, even the sound of the crowd was fading away.
Nym knew she was tired, but she didn't think that it was so much so that she'd take a nap in the middle of a collesium. She was glad she was catching some sleep though, it was necessary for if she was going to continue to try and help in this little adventure of theirs.
The silence was soon ruined by the pulse of a techno beat, drumming into her head in a rhythm she could not quite follow. She squeazed her eyes shut tighter, refusing to let this ruin her sleep. Next was the nudging, the prodding and poking of tiny digits agains her side.
"Nym..." A small voice called over the beat, a few more prods following it before another call of her name.
"Five more minutes..." She mumbled, turning her head to face the cushions of the sofa. She was not given her five minutes though, as there was still more prodding and calling.
"Fiiiiine..." she moaned, prying open her eyes as she turned back. Morris stood close to her face, big eyes staring into hers, making her jump back a little. She heaved herself up to sit, the beat of the music now making her head throb. She held a small hand to the side of her head, moaning a little.
"Can someone turn it down?" She half mumbled, half whined, not having yet looked at where they were now.
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âHowdy.â Maverick waved cheerfully, as if what heâd just put them through was perfectly normal. âLooks like you had one hell of a fight. But you pulled throughâŠâ
âNo thanks to youâŠI think itâs time youâve come clean Maverick.â The Swordsman's voice was dark. His song, though echoed as if played through a radio, echoed this at a mezzo-forte level.
âIâve told you everything, I may have twisted words and perspectives a bit, but I never lied.â The Man with dreadlocks gave his fingers a snap, causing an odd magic to begin.âWe have a lot to chat about, Iâd rather not have all these people watch me get death stares from a bunch of children.â
Before Aemyle could comment about how he should elaborate on their situation regardless of location, Demetri gave a smirk and a clap, causing the dizziness from earlier to return. This time it came swiftly and efficiently, blurring her vision and bringing the sandy ground up to meet her. She was helpless to fight the coming absence of consciousness.
In the darkness of sleep, a sudden electronic beat pulsed into her head. Next she could feel the bass beating in her chest, though not from her heart. A techno melody drew her eyes open to see red fabric darkened by her shadow. After blinking a couple of times she registered that what she should be seeing was sand, not the cushions of what felt like a couch.
She shot up with a muttered curse of Rrilma, displacing a still sleeping Preston. Her initial reaction of wanting to shoot something died the moment she realized that she jostled the young one rather rudely.
Ignoring the odd scene of the extraterrestrial night club before her, she turned to be sure she hadnât knocked Preston in the head as she sat up.
âI apologize for waking you. Did I harm you?â Aemyle inquired. Preston held his head for moment and moaned but then shook it in reply. His blue eyes, still laden with sleep, surveyed their new setting. Aemyle looked around too, discovering that one of the new kids shared the couch with them- the girl who had shown the ability to use force fields. On the end of the couch next to them was the young man Preston had spent most of the battle healing. The girl's arm was draped over the end of the couch as if reaching for the young man.
âA night club?â Preston muttered.
âRi kagen,â Aemyle replied, âI am wondering what was going through that manâs mind as well.â
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Snoozing away happily Tyler sat in a chair, snoring loudly while his chair rocked back and forth as an H.P Lovecraft worthy small scale eldritch abomination stood behind him in a guarding manner. Abruptly waking up from the sudden bright light and confused conversation from somebody who he was too tired to look at, that was until his other side said "Look! Quickly! They could be food?! Food good, eat food, gnash food, find it!" causing him to open his eyes and notice the new arrivals. Mostly kids his age or slightly older. Standing up slowly but surely he walked about a single foot over to them with the eldritch Cthulhu monster man behind following him. AGR rifle in hand (not connected) he points it at Aemyle and says with his cute little southern accent "You all musta been brought by Demetri. And since I won't be letting you talk till the end of this little talk of mine I might as well tell you were you are. Ahem Welcome (Cthulhu monster echoes it perfectly) to Demetriâs Place, a multi-universal rest stop, or at least that's what he tells me to call it. Personally I call it the Fuck reality I'm making out with chicks from the ninth dimension! Club (another Cthulhu echo). Currently we will be serving you your DOOM (echo)! Man isn't frank awesome (points to the Cthulhu like beast)? You can get back to being a bouncer frank I can handle it from here. Where was I? Oh yeah DOOM well I'm just kidding yah there, thought I was serious right? Well we currently stand on top of the VIP section yah lucky bastards, and below us is the main dance floor for all the rest of the inter-dimensional travellers. Did I forget to mention that? If so then this place is where everyone who has ever traversed the dimensional rifts go to for a nonstop party." taking a deep breath in he continues by saying "I am the co-host for this club whose name is Tyler Corrigan." he extends his hand to shake Aemyles hand and does the same for the others before taking off his helmet revealing his skin, hair, light orange eyes (reptilian like slits in them), and infectoid gas mask organ. (But thatâs not odd considering the fact that they could fully see his backpack like duel weapons)
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âThat monster, the Zaghnol. You mean to tell me you held a hand in creating it?â It was His voice that spoke. His violet eyes watched each and every movement of the one they were sitting across from. The two men sat on opposite ends of the round couch, partaking in beverages that came from crystal clear wine glasses. The room was dimly lit, only a single cylindrical light fell from the ceiling above, casting its illumination right into the open center of the couch. âWhat excuse could you possibly have for creating such an abomination Maverick?â His gauntlet covered palm gripped his blade tight.
âWould you listen if I told you? Zaghnol was another one of my mistakes for way back when. Iâm just glad they finally took care of itâŠâ Demetri spoke next, leaning back into the cushion of the red leather. Golden orbs locked into the gaze of the violet, casting a pair of daggers all their own. A somber look, uncommon of the manâs persona appeared briefly. âAnyways, Iâm much more interested in your situation. How is it that you materialized in this Dimension? Youâre supposed to be watching over Jayxâs consciousness,â The enigma paused, noticing the grimace on his counterpartâs face, âYou donât understand a word Iâm saying, do you?â The man with the black and white hair shook his head and let out a deep sigh.
âNo, I donât. I canât even remember my own name, let alone how I materialized outside of Jayxalineâs consciousness.â He looked down to his open palms; they were trembling. âWhen I first shed bloodâŠI felt something stir within meâsomething that hadnât been brewed in a long time.â He cinched his fists.
âYouâve noticed it then. Youâre different from her other friends. Kid, Karen, Brave, Odd.â Demetri held his hand out just and inch away from his own body. âUnlike them, you have a physical form by natureâthe fact that youâve been able to regain it though, and how you regained it is beyond me.â The Gatekeeper shrugged. âWe may have our Mystery Man from last night to thank for that one. As for your memoriesâŠthatâs something you have to regain on your own. I believe Jayx could be the keyâŠI could give you youâre name if youâd like.â
The man without a name shook his head, slowly heaving himself off of the couch. âNo. It bothers me enough that we need you as much as we do in this endeavor. I donât want you to name me as well.â He adjusted the orange scarf around his neck.
âSomehow, I knew youâd say that.â Demetri grinned and rose up from his own seat, fiddling with his tie out of habit. âI hope Tyler hasnât turned them all into swiss cheese in my absenceâŠâ
* * *
Xavier listened intently as the kid introduced himselfâbut only until he decided to point his gun at Aemyle. Something told him that if this one wanted to, he could have took them all out swiftlyâbut despite that little voice in his head that said not to, he rose up from his grounded position.
âYou said youâre with DemetriâŠ? Youâre not as subtle as he is,â Xavier placed his right hand ever so lightly on âTylerâs shoulder, while a blue flicker started around his left one. âAt least it took me a day before I realized I didnât like him.â His bravado was in rare form today.
At that moment, there was a flash of light from another end of the VIP deck. âDemetri.
âEveryone just calm down. Sheesh I canât leave you all alone for long can I? Already ruining the peaceful atmosphere I worked so hard to create hereâŠTyler! Stand down!â Xavier pulled away from the âwelcoming committeeâ but not until he removed his gun from Aemyleâs dome.
âDemetriâŠâ Xavier muttered.
âDemi! âŠand, huh? Whatâre ya doing with him?â Jayx ran right up to the two men, confused as to how they stood next to each other without killing one another [well, really without Him killing Demetri]. âDidja guys play a game without us or something?â Her brows knitted, eyeing the both of them suspiciously.
âAhâŠehâŠnot exactly.â Demetri scratched his head.
âPlease. Like Iâd ever do anything enjoyable with an oaf like Maverick.â He scoffed, walking over to Jayxâs side.
âHey nowâŠthatâs not very niceâŠâ The dread-locked man winced. âWhatever. Looks like you all already got welcomed by my friend Tyler here. He works with me, just like Styx and AlistairâŠwhom youâve all already met. Theyâre around hereâŠsomewhere.â He shrugged.
âQuit beating around the bushâŠtell us why youâve been toying with us? Why did you try and get us to kill each other?!â Xavier clinched his fists so tight, they began to erupt with their respective elements. This display caused the Gatekeeper to chuckle just a bit.
âAha. Simmer down. I was getting to that,â There was an empty loveseat on the deck, which the man took for himself, but not before motioning for each of them to do the same. âThe ones I met last night. Each one of you felt it didnât you? The voice, the rush. Youâre powers increased; didnât they?â Demetri eyed each one of them with his golden gaze. âThat was why I sent you all to the Coliseum, that, and one other thing.â He now had his left hand raised, one finger was already extended, while he just now began extending the second one. âThe others, who just met me today. I wanted to know the full extent of your powers. And how they differed in nature to the othersâ.â
Xavier blinked. How did he know about the voice? Then again, he shouldnât have been surprised: it was as if this Demetri character knew everything.
âWhy did we have to fight each other though? Couldnât have throwing us in together give the same results?â He held his arms out to the side, bewildered. The Dimensional Club Owner shook his head.
âNah. If I would have done that, brought all of you together, none of you would have went through the emotional tension needed to increase your level of power. Catch my drift?â
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âYou said youâre with DemetriâŠ? Youâre not as subtle as he is,â Xavier put a hand on Tylerâs shoulder, trying to be a man, âAt least it took me a day before I realized I didnât like him.â Aemyle was in agreement.
Just then, a flash of light, followed by the voice of Maverick redirected all of their attentions. âEveryone just calm down. Sheesh I canât leave you all alone for long can I? Already ruining the peaceful atmosphere I worked so hard to create hereâŠTyler! Stand down!â Tyler removed his firearm. That was the first thing Demetri had done all day that Aemyle approved of.
âDemetriâŠâ Demetri muttered.
âDemi! âŠand, huh? Whatâre ya doing with him? Didja guys play a game without us or something?â Jayx added, wondering why the Swordsman was with Maverick. The Swordsman denied her claim.
âHey nowâŠthatâs not very niceâŠâ The dread-locked man too offence to an insult from the Swordsman. âWhatever. Looks like you all already got welcomed by my friend Tyler here. He works with me, just like Styx and AlistairâŠwhom youâve all already met. Theyâre around hereâŠsomewhere.â
Aemyle remembered Styx, and vaguely wondered where he might be among the crowds in this place. Despite her initial suspicion of him, he ended up seeming like a nice guy. She wondered if she might find him again to apologize for her threatening him with her own firearmâŠ
âQuit beating around the bushâŠtell us why youâve been toying with us? Why did you try and get us to kill each other?!â Aemyle was astonished with Xavierâs display of anger.
Demetri explained as they all took seats on the deck with him that he had brought them to the arena not only to test their skill, but to help them increase it. Xavier looked as astonished as her that he knew about the voice. He seemed to know quite a bit on many subjects.
âWhy did we have to fight each other though? Couldnât have throwing us in together give the same results?â Xavier asked.
âNah. If I would have done that, brought all of you together, none of you would have went through the emotional tension needed to increase your level of power. Catch my drift?â
âAlso, it is better to lose a vicious hog-cyborg than an innocent teenage mutant,â Aemyle pointed out, seeing Demetriâs logic in that one sense. Her own questions continued to eat at her. What are the unexplained phenomena in 8-Bit City? Why was she taken from her home? Would she be able to get home? It was as if all of her anxieties were surfacing now that her answers were finally within reach.
âMr.Maverick, sir,â She spoke up. âI have a request. Rather than try to answer each question individually, would you start at the beginning? Preferably starting with the odd phenomena plaguing 8-Bit,â
In this manner, she was able to release one of the questions nagging at her.
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âMr. Maverick, sir,â Ameyle began. âI have a request. Rather than try to answer each question individually, would you start at the beginning? Preferably starting with the odd phenomena plaguing 8-Bit?â
Perfect start. Charlotte couldn't think of anything better to say, so she made herself comfortable and listened. She had noticed that her hearing and other 5 senses (yes, I meant to put 5) had grown increasingly in their sensitivity. As the others gathered round, she kept her ears trained to Demetri and her eyes sweeping around the night club beneath her. The pulsing music made her finger start to tap out the beat, which she thought she recognized as a new hit song on the radio.
People were dancing in the flashing lights, whether they looked like people- boys, girls, men, women- or were strangely shaped, even monster-like, it seemed they all were wearing tech-no-arcade-like outfits. Charlotte glanced down at her knee-high boots and scarf wrapped around her neck, falling past her waist and her military-style shirt with one button now missing. Thank you, Zaghnol. She thought. Also crossing her mind was the fact that she was a little out-of-dress; she had never really cared that she stood out in a crowd.
But now she was part of something.
Something she cared about.
And her mother always taught her to be respectful, and Demetri's answer seemed like something worth her respect. She turned back and watched and listened.
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She wasn't sure whether she was relieved or not to see Demetri coming towards them. Jayx rushed over to him and the man she recognised to be the one that had saved her from Zaghnol's attack. Nym seemed to have returned to her reclusive self as the man spoke of how he'd met with some of the group yesterday and some today. She didn't want to pipe up and introduce herself to Demetri.
"What about Nym?!" Morris seemed to have that covered, the freshman glancing at the mini chimera with a look that told him that he didn't have to bring her into this. He seemed to have not noticed as the chimera pointed to her, still looking at Demetri with his big birdie eyes. "You haven't seen her at all. Rude, not noticing her." He continued, folding his feathered arms in disgust towards the man.
"Morris, don't..." She whispered, her voice lost to the heavy techno beat. She could feel the redness returning to her cheeks as she felt like she'd been put into the spotlight, which she disliked greatly. Hopefully Demetri would take no notice of Morris and continue on like nothing was mentioned. Then the topic of her running away wouldn't have to crop up again.
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âI have a request, rather than try to answer each question individually, why donât you start at the beginningâŠâ It was the green haired girl with the curious eyes, Aemyle Elois that spoke next. A refreshing change of pace in questioning than that rude one Xavier. With a smile, he leaned back in his seat, as he draped his left arm over the arm rest of his seat, he crossed his left leg over his right, and rested his right one in his lap. The dread-locked host nodded firmly, quietly agreeing to the girlâs request.
âCertainly, Miss Elois. Thatâs actually more my speed.â He tapped his left index finger up against his chin, feigning nonchalant-ness. âThe 8-Bit Phenomena. HrmâŠthatâs a tough one to answer, a long story indeedâŠâ The tips of the Gatekeeperâs fingers began to illuminate with a light blue haze. With a wave of his palm against the air a large grid-like plane appeared, every inch of it riddled with flashing blips, colored in a variety of red, yellow, orange and blue. Now, with it fully materialized, he pushed the grid closer towards the children, allowing them all to get a good look at it.
âThat grid represents all of 8-Bit. The blips, as you could imagine, represent the people. See how little blue dots are left on there? At the beginning of the year, everyone in 8-Bit was blue. Now, thereâs almost no blue left.â Xavier stared intently at the grid, trying to make sense of the thousands of blips. Indeed, the majority of the dots were all either yellow or orange, with a few reds and blues sprinkled around.
âAhâŠpretty colors, but uh, what does it mean?â Xavier crossed his arms, brows knitted. Demetri chuckled, amused at the faces of the group.
âIt shows how many people have had run ins with the supernatural. Yellow to orange represents those with a bit of potential to âseeâ the phenomenaâlike our chimera friend there. Red on the other hand, represent either the phenomena themselves, or you all, people with powers that is. Hints why there are so few of those there are so few of those.â Preston gawked at the grid as he let Demetriâs explanation sink in. Did that meanâŠthere were more people like them in 8-BitâŠor?
âYou said things started changing at the beginning of the year?â Preston began, clinching the fabric of his jeans near the knees, âWhy? What happened?â
Demetri bit his lip, wincing a bit. âI still donât know.â Both Xavier and Prestonâs eyes widened in shockâthis guy not knowing something? That was hard to believe.
âDecember 31st, 2009. That was when I first arrived in your city. Iâm a Gatekeeper, I travel the dimensions in order to make sure everything is right.â Xavier watched as a few red blips flickered out on the grid.
âThat explains all those weird places weâve been. LimboâŠand the Coliseum. Does that mean Alistair and Styx areâŠwhatcha call emâ, Gatekeepers, too?â Xavier asked, confused, but the dread locked character shook his head.
âNah, theyâre special. Anyone with a keen knowledge on the workings of the universe can open up a rift, but only us Gatekeepers can do so legally. Anyways. On that day, December 31st, I noticed that things in 8-Bit werenât quite right. Youâre âequilibriumâ was out of whack. Youâre dimension was brushing up against other ones. This is really no biggie though, it happens all the time. Ever wonder why some people see ghosts? Or U.F.Oâs and âaliensâ? You can chalk all of those up to the dimension equilibrium.â Xavierâs head was spinning; this was harder to understand than calculus. Prestonâs face was pale from the bombardment of words.
âAhumâŠuhâŠâ The blonde haired boy was wiggling around in his seat. Demetri smirked, obviously noticing the boyâs confused state.
âThink of it likeâŠa radio. Different stations, frequencies, all of that. 8-Bit is just one little frequency on the box, all the other dimensions have their own, like the Coliseum you all just came from. But, thanks to a little issue from the station, 8-Bitâs frequency is interfering with other frequencies, causing some major repercussions. Such as a Chimera popping up in Recreational Districtâorââ
âTen kids getting super powers? âŠNot that Iâm complaining.â The senior watched as bits of crimson flame danced around his fingertips briefly.
âThat may not be because of the equilibrium. At least, as far as I can tell, thereâs some outside force causing all of this. Half of youâIâm referring to Don, Joel, Valor and Rioâreceived your powers some time ago. While the rest of you, all received them last night. The equilibrium of 8-Bit didnât start shifting until a few months ago, meaning, you first lot should have never had these powersâŠon the other hand. The group from last night have only one phenomena to thank, and thatâsââ At that moment, a particularly irritating voice cut into his monologue time.
âWhat about Nym?!" Morris seemed to have that covered, the freshman glancing at the mini chimera with a look that told him that he didn't have to bring her into this. He seemed to have not noticed as the chimera pointed to her, still looking at Demetri with his big birdie eyes. "You haven't seen her at all. Rude, not noticing her." He continued, folding his feathered arms in disgust towards the man.
It was Moe. That damn pain in the ass from last night. At that moment of his chiming in, both Xavier and Demetri felt a certain little vain throb in the corner of their forehead.
âYouââ Demetri snorted.
âDamn thing.â Xavier scoffed.
âNym Valentine. Sheâs in my file as well, though how you got wrapped into this is a mystery to me. But if you made it through the fight with Zaghnol, you too belong here.â His golden eyes flickered. âI hoped that Zaghnol would have fried you thoughâŠâ Demetriâs neck stiffly turned towards the mini-chimera. âBack to what I was saying before. You all, Iâm talking Xavier, Aemyle, Preston, Charlotte, Jayx and Nymâhave that little voice in the back of your head to thank.â The Gatekeeper averted his gaze from them all. âHoweverâŠI have no idea who that voice could belong to.â
Preston tried to think back to that night. There had to be something he was forgettingâŠwhat was itâŠ
The voiceâŠand then the rushâŠbut what happened before thatâŠ
The time-stop!
âMister MaverickâŠI donât mean to interrupt butâŠwere you the one that made time stop that night? In the Recreational District I mean.â Demetriâs eyes narrowed at the question. He had forgotten all about that. Someone had stopped timeâsomeone strong enough to even snare them in their trap. That man, the one with the blood red eyes.
Why donât you relax? Itâll be over soonâŠ
âTch, that one.â
That eerie ass whistle played in his mind to boot.
âNah. It wasnât me. But you managed to stir something in my head Preston. Those of you around last night, just as the time stopped in the district. Do any of you remember seeing another person walking through the crowd?â Xavier bit his lipâhow could he not remember?
âTch, how could anyone forget a pair blood red eyes like that?â The elemental answered.
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Xavier and Demetri had begun to show their annoyance for the little Morris, who had taken a very protective liking to Nym Valentine.
Demetri began to speak of the voice which had, in some way or another, caused their powers to show and increase. Charlotte remembered the night before... how a deep, strange voice had whispered from behind her thoughts and taken a hold of her fear and changed it into determination. To fight. To win.
Will you fight?
The voice echoed through her limbs and made her shiver.
Yes!
And then that burning energy had made her bones feel like fire. The shift, then heat of battle and the excitement of sinking her fangs and claws into the Chimera's neck. Pain hurt, but it seemed like a scratch compared to what it really was.
Preston asked an interesting question- Had Demetri Maverick stopped time that night?
âNah. It wasnât me." He answered. "But you managed to stir something in my head Preston. Those of you around last night, just as the time stopped in the district. Do any of you remember seeing another person walking through the crowd?â
Charlotte took a second to think- that night seemed like so long ago now. She racked her memory for hope of seeing blood red eyes...
"Wait," She looked up at Demetri. "During the time stop, I got on a dumpster and looked around- that's when I met Xavier and Preston. But I saw a few other people moving to. I remember seeing Jayx and I think Nym. There must have been one or two more, and I remember seeing a man that seemed kind of out of place. I didn't see his face, though." Charlotte realized that probably didn't help at all. She could have just seen anyone.
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âThat grid represents all of 8-Bit. The blips, as you could imagine, represent the people. See how little blue dots are left on there? At the beginning of the year, everyone in 8-Bit was blue. Now, thereâs almost no blue left.â Demetri explained, with a bit of sarcasm thrown in by Xavier. âIt shows how many people have had run-ins with the supernatural. Yellow to orange represents those with a bit of potential to âseeâ the phenomenaâlike our chimera friend there. Red on the other hand, represents either the phenomena themselves, or you all, people with powers that is. Hints why there are so few of those there are so few of those.â
â Red on the other hand, represents the phenomena themselvesâŠâ This part of the explanation stuck with Aemyle. If everyone in 8-Bit was blue at the beginning of the year then that would make her the first red blemish on Demetriâs little grid.
âYou said things started changing at the beginning of the year?â Preston asked. Aemyle perked up a bit, hoping to hear the answer as well.âWhy? What happened?â
Demetri bit his lip with a wince. âI still donât know.â Disappointment caused Aemyleâs expression to droop. If he didnât know, then how was she to learn? âDecember 31st, 2009. That was when I first arrived in your cityâŠâ
December 31st? She arrived only the next day- not even 24 hours later, as she appeared hear with the shouts of âHappy New Years!â in her ears.
âThat explains all those weird places weâve been. LimboâŠand the Coliseum. Does that mean Alistair and Styx areâŠwhatcha call emâ, Gatekeepers, too?â Xavier inquired.
âNah, theyâre special. Anyone with a keen knowledge on the workings of the universe can open up a rift, but only us Gatekeepers can do so legally. Anyways. On that day, December 31st, I noticed that things in 8-Bit werenât quite right. Youâre âequilibriumâ was out of whack. Youâre dimension was brushing up against other ones. This is really no biggie though, it happens all the time. Ever wonder why some people see ghosts? Or U.F.Oâs and âaliensâ? You can chalk all of those up to the dimension equilibrium.â So, was this âbrushing upâ the cause of her transfer here? Everything sheâd heard told her no. She was taken here by some force. It was as if that lightning had grabbed herâŠ
Aemyle continued to think as Demetri rephrased the explanation for the others. Aemyle understood the concept now. 8-Bitâs dimension was out of balance, and Demetri did not know why. That unbalance caused the riftsâŠbut could it suck a being from her home?
There was more explanation, and it turned towards the subject of their powers. Demetri suggested that the unbalance was not the cause of this, and that some outside force had given them these powers.
âYou all, Iâm talking Xavier, Aemyle, Preston, Charlotte, Jayx and Nymâhave that little voice in the back of your head to thank. HoweverâŠI have no idea who that voice could belong to.â
That voice? After Aemyle thought about it, she did think it logical that since she had those powers and that voice knew who she was, that it could have been what kidnapped her. Preston brought up the time stop from the previous night, wondering if it was linked to Demetri. Suddenly, Maverick realized something.
âNah. It wasnât me. But you managed to stir something in my head Preston. Those of you around last night, just as the time stopped in the district. Do any of you remember seeing another person walking through the crowd?â
Others voice their recognition of the man in question, and once they did, she also recalled that peculiar set of eyes. When she remembered them, she remembered the uncanny whistle that went with them. Might he be the owner of the voice?
âI do seem to recall a man with eyes of such description.â She made a mental note of how oddly unsure her voice suddenly sounded. It was probably just because she felt so odd about her current situationâŠWhich brought up the question: Should she speak up now? The singer decided it would be better to speak up now, than to try to contain all of this mystery. It was not good for even a hardened Peregrinan body.
ââŠA-ah, Mr.MaverickâŠâ She started, âCould one of the dimensional interferences have the capability to, say, take a person from one dimension to another, unannounced? Or would it have to be the work of this enigma with crimson eyes?â
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"Well I remember the voice!" Morris piped up again, not having been shaken up from the intense glares that he'd recieved from both Xavier and Demitri. "It's what made me real mad before!"
Morris's voice seemed to fade out as Nym fell deeper into thought. They had all heard the voice during the fight, but unlike her they accepted what was going on and recieved their powers before her. She ran away, and the voice pretty much having forced her into this. It made her question whether Demitri was right in saying that she deserved a place here among these other people. She could've been considered a coward compared to the others.
Her thoughts wandered back to the voice, trying to link in the scarlet eyes that everyone seemed to remember, including Morris apparently. Why could she not remember them? She tried to look back into her memories of the night before, but found nothing. She didn't remember any glowing eyes. Not even in her dream did she recall such eyes. She shook her head slightly, feeling rather useless again as she hadn't a clue what they were talking about.
Perhaps the voice had hidden the eyes from her dream? Was that possible? More questions added to her list as she awkwardly held her arms around herself.
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(ooc)sorry it's been so long, lots of stuff in life went wonky)