Introduction
Shattered-World-Torn
~--xxxXVXxxx--~
Jen took her place on a great pillow, moving to sit on her knees and feet, over looking those who had spent such great time and power to commission her abilities. Dressed in ancient Japaneses robes from a world long since lost and replaced, the matured human female took a few deep breathes, breathing in the incense at her sides, the powerful herbs and magical essence that was burning would boost her sight to see pure truth and give the answers that she would soon be asked for by the many knights in glowing golden and silver armor before her. Around them, Jen's most trusted friends and allies, in many shapes and forms, some of angelic influence, some of demonic, some not even human in any form at all prepared to watch over her and protect her if needed.
βOkay oracle... it is time for us to learn the real truth of our great goddess. Tell of us the end of the world many ancients call Earth... and how it was blessed with such great divine power.β The leader of the knights, a woman who held herself above all the others there stated, clearly on edge and annoyed over things, but not thrusting it... or at least trying to force it all upon the oracle before her.
Jen just closed her eyes for a few, the incense slowly swirling around her and making her give off a a gentle emerald hue of light before she at last opened her eyes, now entirely covered in a blinding light as she looked up to the ceiling of the ritual site, her stone mason preparing to etch her words into the almost untouchable stone of the timeless obelisk behind her as Jen spoke at last, her words echoing throughout the temple in its entirety.
βSo many had predicted the end of the world, the end of times, of all life, of existence. Everyone had their own ideas, every religion a prophecy, every culture a legend, every person a theory. There were many common thoughts to the this question, many answers, many debates, but still many common theories.β
βNuclear War, a death by fire and radiation, the world already on the brink of war, a very common idea, the so called Doomβs Day Clock less then a minute from the end.
Divine Intervention, a sudden rapture or reckoning, a devil rising to power and claiming all land, or perhaps a great divine power whisking away all the chosen and purging the rest.
A new plague, some great sickness that would sweep entire nations to their feet, cutting the so called human infestation of earth to its knees at long last.
Global Warming, a constant rise in temperatures and solar radiation, scorching fields in drought or melting the ice caps, possibly even both, a death by fire and ice.
A meteor, a sudden crash of such great magnitude the ice age would return in the new blanket of ash and dust that would cover the world.β
βSo many theories, so many ideas, so many storiesβ¦ and all wrong. The end of the world was unlike anything anyone could have predicted. It did not however come without warning, even if the end was nothing like anyone had suspected. It happened so quickly, mere days of warning, a glint of something dark in the sky, like a perpetual bolt of black lighting appearing over several cities across the globe, doomsayers rising like mad, entire nations preparing for the worst they could image.β
βAnd then, just like thatβ¦ the end cameβ¦ and then it was done. Billions justβ¦ vanished, never to be heard from again, but the survivors wereβ¦ changed, just like the land.β
βWe now call our homes by Vex-Chari-Noda, some supposed ancient phrase that no one can place, part of no recognizable dialect, written or spoken, just supposedly meaning a βShattered-World-Tornβ, a perfect and fitting name to our worlds now.β
βWorldsβ¦ pluralβ¦ manyβ¦ earth ceased to be that day. Now small continents and strings of islands are all we haveβ¦ if that. Each world is small, like some giant crater, just some massive hole in which different things and places exist. An impenetrable mountain range surrounds each crater, the sky leading to what we know of space and the moons, but each world is different. Some are of fire, molten fields and magma filled plains, endlessly spewing burning rocks and sulfur where fire rains from the sky so few can survive. Some are of water, an ocean with no real land aside from the strange spires that jut up from its waters, and the mountain range that surrounds it, endless rain pours down, and the ocean has no apparent bottom. There is even a world where the mountains surround the world as it is known, but nothing but air exists there, open nigh endless skies with a dense fog that creates a boundary from which you either never return or find yourself going from the bottom to some random point just below the highest reaches of the atmosphere.β
βConnecting these worlds are the great chasms, the tunnels, some large enough to drop a small city threw, that go on for hundreds of miles, always carved somewhere in the main part of the land, sometimes in impossible places, such as on a floating island, maybe the middle of the ocean where the water just does not flow leaving a giant hole at an impossible angle that heads down to it, even in the very clouds. Each world is connected to as few as three other worlds, and as many as nine, but all the paths are different, no instances of portals connecting to each other again within any two falls.β
βNow our people are splintered and fractured among our many worlds, no one has ever explored them all, even with the great changes we have gone though, those of us who have survived these past 400 years. Rumors suggest that there are as many as 1000 worlds made from our once singular earth, reliable sources able to describe the twisted new lands well, trust worthy maps available in all kinds of forms for those who know how to look for them, the survivors scattered among them all, if they can survive in these strange new lands.β
βMany indeed have come to survive over the past four hundred years. Those humans that survived the shattering received some form of great power. Many used their new gifts to survive, trying to continue the world as it was before. Just as many let their new gifts go their head, letting the powers that had become part of them to control their actions, becoming raiders and bandits, merely taking what they wanted. For all former humans though, life was set to a new course.β
Final passage etched on the Time locked Obelisk, and the last ravings of Truth, as Spoken by an Oracle of Prophecy, Jen Gates, strongest of the Truth Whisperers, before her death at the hands of Mira Juneborn, Commander of Warcraft and Leader of Eighth Crusader Order's entire war machine called The Hand of the Goddess. Great effort when into the ritual of Truth Speak, funded and supplied by the Eighth Crusader Order. Jen Gates was executed by beheading mid Truth-Speak for daring to speak blasphemy in the eyes of the Eighth Crusader Order, for outright claiming that Divine Intervention, the holy caring gentle hand of the Great Goddess did not choose to help Earth ascend. Although protected by many powerful creatures of various worlds and several mighty survivors from Earth, Jen was struck down mid Truth-Speak, before any true answers of what had caused the Shattering to happen. The Eighth Crusader Order proceeded to lay waste to all forms of so called Oracles of Prophecy for being misguided and led by false powers. The Oracles of Prophecy are no longer a great power anymore, all of their greatest Truth-Speakers were former humans of earth, and no one born of the new worlds has shown any where near enough skill to speak such great Truths again.
~--xxxXVXxxx--~
The tavern was open and filled with heavy smalls of ale and lager, a large dwarven mining party there enjoying a great find of jewels in the world. The tavern owner couldn't believe his luck for that night, having to call in everyone he had work for him, all of his bar maids working hard in the mess, his entire harem rented out entirely and already claimed for turns that night.
In one corner of the bar though, a dwarf older then all the others sat at a corner table, his head almost leaning on the table in his drunken actions. "So you want to know about earth huh?" He speaks a bit, the ever-tongue gem in the amulet he wore giving him perfect speech, entirely hiding the fact that the dwarf was drunk off his ass, or at least his speech would hide such a claim.
"Yeah, I was from earth, I'm an ancient." The dwarf laughed a little bit. "Use to come from a place called York... or something like that. NewCity maybe or something... bah who cares, it was a horrible place, no real freedom there, everyone trying to tell you want you can can't do. You had special words for everyone, and if you tried to use another word for em, they got pissy and next thing ya know you were getting cussed out and damn near wars broke out over it. Bah... glad to be a dwarf now. Sure I kinda miss being as tall a full horse sometimes... but I love ma new body even if I am short. I can flip wagons and the very stone bows to my voice, ma name is respected and if I wanna call some big one a fool, aint no one going to get on my case about it." The dwarf laughed, his ever-tongue amulet having a few minor shifts in the words here there, but working well enough given who it had to work with.
"Aye.... when those black birds came that day, and started to blot out the moon, it changed everything. People who survived that shattering... whelp they done changed all right. I become a dwarf like many of those who shared a tower of housing with me. Found others like us who took us in and next we all knew, we were happy to be dwarves, if it took some time to get use to being one anyway. I heard other humans got changed all sorts a ways too. Some grew fur and fang, others got scales and tails, eck, some even remained human if you can believe that." The dwarf continued, happy to drink keg that was given to him for the story he was telling.
"I know some turned to angels, others to ta demons, and some of em even gave up legs entirely becoming humanless things. They say some great Goddess did it all. Bah... rubbish. And all this stuff about females taking over world after world enslaving men. Let em try to come here and change things. Dwarven people will always have a king, and his queen will lead as much as she always does at his side, the two of em running things proper thinking of all the dwarves and the people who rent our surfaces. Foolish tales of some great goddess who gives her favor to the chosen aint naught but rubbish." He grunted.
"Now you want to know what real powers come from. Aye... I may be an ancient... a human from earth at one time... but many o da powers that come up... they all be ancients just like me. Many of us earthens got lots a da power during the shattering. Not like most of you cultures who just showed up after the shatterning. No... real power is ancient power. Some o us humans... when they done got changed... they turned to real angels and demons and gods and devils. Those four legged dragons with the big wings... now they be powerful and all, and I aint shamed one bit to say even i take cover and hope they pass when a angry old one shows up... but some of us ancients... I think some of us ancients could take em on in a fair fight. All this talk o some great goddess... aint naught but another ancient da got lucky and gained real power... and since she don't seem to want to show herself, she either don't give no damn about them crusades or she don't even really exist. Its all just some other bogus religion... like that christy thing I thought was before the shattering." The dwarf states slamming his mug down a bit on the table looking over their guest.
"No... you won't see us dwarves bowing down... Run off those crusades more then one we have... and we'll keep doing it again and again, brothers and sisters in arms... nothing stops a dwarven war machine if we can reach it. Stupid dragons and their scaly wings... only reason why we respect em is cause they smart beasts with wings. They know they got power and they know to use it. I can't stand the fires meself, but many o my brother and sisters in da clan can and we can know to let them hold them off and then the rest da us do our part and pick up and hammers and axes to put the pieces back together again. You want a real ancient... ya, just look to our king... now that's an arcaner dwarf, leads our magical forces in battle head on and let me tell you, arcane roasted lizard is a rare delicacy!" He laughed.
"Wh-what... oh... more about the old world. Eh... not much to really tell about it. I mean you can see pieces of it in every world there is, if someone didn't build over it. I heard there coulda been as many as 10 billion people on it... and it was only the size of of many 6 of da moons!" He cried out. "And they were all surface dwelling humans. Why... what's so weird is that they I use ta believe that Earth was more water then land... but nah.... water ain't that common in any form. I mean sure there's those water worlds with the spires and sand and stuff... but that's only a few worlds... outta what I say has to be thousands... at least!" He grunted a bit. "Every world came from earth, but no way so many of us woulda died during the shattering. The Truth men say that only a few million humans lived to be changed... that's as much rubbish as that stupid goddess." He goes on.
"No... wat... look I've said my part about Earth, and I don like repeating it. It wasn't special and I say most of the stuff was lies. This keg is nice but I've got coin for better to tell stories how I want and there are better people to listen." He grunts a bit, finally waving off his companion, grabbing a barmaid now clearly done with his tale, the shadowy figure he had been sharing the story with getting up and leaving.
Minor ramblings of Earth from an ancient, turned dwarf by the shattering.
~--xxxXVXxxx--~
The entire gothic stone cathedral was in a hush, only the sounds of weapons being sharpened and cared for echoed softly in the massive structure. In one corner where the old kitchen use to be sat an elderly elf gal, war scarred and still hiding within her over sized dragon scale cloak to try and retain some privacy to her scars. βYeah... I'm an ancient... one of the best hunters too. What do I hunt?β She asked looking over her shadowy companion. βJust look around... how many other creatures have bones that large you dumbass. I hunt and kill dragons. Real... dragons. I've got 27 to my name alone, and over 200 assists. I manage at least one confirmed kill or assist every other year... and run off at least a dozen more each year as well...β She states still hiding her face as she sharpens her sword.
βI know more about then most races collectively know. Dragons showed up during the shattering. They came in numbers, found a world to claim as their own, and then killed or ran off ever one within 3 chasms of their home...There are many dragon like creatures out there... but only one kind of True Real Dragon. Four legs, two or four wings, large curved horns over their head. Three claws per foot, their front feet much more dexterous and able to grab things, they can even write with their claws. Large and deadly, all of them have some kind of elemental breathe attack. The worse of them them have magic... and tons of it at their disposal.β She explained.
βAny real dragon will kill you as soon as look at you, everything is beneath them and have they don't have fear. If they run in legitimate fear... then the other dragons will disown them. You can typically tell a lot about a dragon by their colors and their head. Meaner ones... the older ones have elaborate horns or gems embedded in a crown around their face, almost like war paint. Those horns... they sell good, just getting one the size of my arm could pay to restore this abandoned cathedral twice over. Of course... killing one with that much power... you'd have to be a demi-god or a demon with an army to make it work. And there are only so many ancients with that kind of power.β
βThat stupid goddess all these crusades fight for... Ha... a joke. If... and I mean if she exists... sure she might be able to take down an elder dragon... but its a joke if they think they fight in her name. I've seen a dragon tear right through one of those mighty crusades... left it in shambles and without any kind of order. Any man that can help properly stand up to a dragon... I say he's bought his freedom, even if it was only once. No slave can stand up to a dragon after all... not a real dragon. Most men are worthless, but if one can muster the nerve and actually help fight a dragon... or even help kill it... he's free as far as I'm concerned... I've personally made sure some men were freed after helping to kill a dragon even.β She stated looking over her guest some as she continued to sharpen her blades.
βYou want to know about earth? Yeah... I was there, was some lowly china girl in a land not her home when it happened... me... I say that dragons did this... There's one of em... massive... only two large curved horns... some giant rounded stone that rests between them over its head. That one... I've only seen a poor picture of it once. But that one... that one I hear about a lot... They say this one rules over all the others from the world they laid claim to. The dragons... the real ones lose power the further they get from their home world. No one dares to get closer then four worlds if they can help it because that's where most of the elders still openly hunt... and if an elder finds you there... whelp you had better pray to anything that will listen to save your soul.β She stated.
βIf you're hunting dragons... you'd best do it at least a dozen worlds away from their home world. Of course they further they go, the weaker they seem to get. I've never seen a real dragon more then 40 chasms from their home world. And the one that was that unfortunate 40 worlds out... he was caught by some demon prior and was being towed around like some kind of trophy. I heard that when the demon when to snag another to show off though... he was killed by an elder that made utter fun of him the whole time. In all the thousand worlds we have now... only a small handful of them are safe from dragons from being to far away.β She continued.
βThe dragons are the only thing I can think of that could have caused the Shattering. And if there really is something more powerful then the dragons out there... well I personally hope it's done with us here. Now if you'll excuse me... My blades are ready... I have a trap to set up to claim this month's bounty.β She stated grabbing her armor and leaving the shadowy figure behind.
A quick review of dragons as told by one of the great elvish ancient hunters, as told by personal experience.
~--xxxXVXxxx--~
The gentle hum of soft music and the quiet whispers of pray filled the giant white halls of the First Crusader Order, its marble halls filled with priestess's and prayer folk as the shadowy figure moved through the halls, going to see one of the temple maidens in the main garden.
It didn't take long for the figure to reach the garden, where they were greeted by the temple maiden, the elf with a set of large furry cat ear headband, furry gloves and boots, and a fake tail on a waistband around her long white dress.
βWelcome... you are the newcomer coming to ask of the great goddess?β The temple maiden asked, holding her hands up as though she were a playful kitten, giving a fake purr.
The shadowy figure just nodded a bit. βOh, you are so lucky to come today. Why it is almost time for her lunar festival. On this special of years, our great goddess shall bless our crops for another great bounty.β She smiled, spinning around little. βAll praise to our goddess, may her touch shelter all the worthy.β She said, the figure merely nodding again.
βWhere shall I begin?β She asked. βOh... her origins? What do you mean?... Where did she come from and where is she now?β The temple maiden lowered her hands a bit, unsure how to respond. βSadly, none of us know much of the goddess, only that we have her great blessings. Why is was the goddess who helped those of Earth Ascend and gave birth to so many new worlds for us to spread her word to.β The temple maiden said.
βBut she is with us now. It took her many years after the shattering to return to us and show us her presence again, but we all know that she is with us. She stood up and slew the foul Demon Arochoa who was enslaving many precious females from over a dozen worlds, and then one day was found castrated in his own foul court. Those few survivors told us of her great image, the wondrous feline form that we now know is her form today.β The temple maiden happily smiled and turned to acting a little like a cat herself again.
βWhy after that, even if she has remained away only watching us from a far for the past 300 years, we know that our great crusaders spread her word and give all of use females great honor, while making sure to those unworthy males at our feet.β She smiled. βIt is with her blessings that the great city, our wondrous capital of Zenos. Why... our great capital flourishes so greatly, with our great president and her first manservant, no dragon even dares to set foot there.β The temple maiden practically cheered a bit.
βWhy... the Great Goddess even lives in the jungle world right next to our. Although none have returned from her world, we know that they are with her now in spirit, and we humbly await the day that she chooses to appear before us again.β She smiled greatly, giving her best fake purr yet.
βWhat... you wish to visit her?β The temple maiden gasped a bit. βWhy... of course, I can point you on the way to make the pilgrimage, but be warned. The world she lives in, it is not one of ease, and many great beasts, bears and boars, tigers and lizards the size of tanks roam her great jungle.β The temple maiden smiled. βCome... if you wish to make the pilgrimage, then our temple can help you prepare for the journey and give you a safe place to pray for her favor.β She smiled, only to give him a a strange look.
βYou merely wish to know where she resides?β She asked. βAre you sure you do not wish to prepare properly for your grand pilgrimage? Please... I would hate for someone to go unprepared for such a journey... I see... Very well. Our Temple Master can show you the way.β The temple maiden said, bowing lightly and making way to let the figure pass.
First teachings of the Great Goddess at all temples for new coming females seeking the comfort and superiority that is being female among the largest of the newest cultures formed after the Shattering. Even with differences between the various orders and cultures, the general first teachings are all the same.
~--xxxXVXxxx--~
βWhat!β The large amazonian lady practically barked out looking over the shadowy figure. βI am still the greatest history in any world there, even back on earth.β She practically slams her fist down on the table in her large study. βI've seen cultures right and fall, entire empires rise and die, and this whole thing of some cat girl being some great god that caused the shattering is some pathetic sham at its finest. I was old when the shattering happened and there was no goddess then, and there is no goddess now.β She growled a bit moving books around her study.
βYou want to know the truth of that interesting religion. Well.. the crusaders have been around since the start of the shattering. Bunch of women got together once the dust settled and blamed men for all the problems, and that was the first crusade, only took place over about 12 years in just five worlds. There was no goddess then even, just a bunch of angry women who went to war and made it very very personal against anything with a cock between their legs. And trust me, I have seen wars first hand. When men go to war, its just stupid, but its typically over quick. Sometimes there is a good reason, but honestly, war is hell. When a woman goes to war, its personal and she seeks to make sure to completely destroy and rewrite everything in her favor when its done.β She stated firmly.
βAfter that first crusade though, the women involved built up a nice little empire, started to prosper, and then the dragons show up about 10 years after they claimed their first five worlds. That started the second crusade which failed horribly. That first dragon was felled quickly, and so were the next few, but they were all younglings. The women got arrogant and tried to take out the nest and ventured off to find the dragon's home... Out of the hundred thousand who went out to claim a new land, maybe 50 returned. The second crusade started off strong and nearly tripled in number of the course of three worlds before it was smashed and the elder dragon put them in their place scattering two of the five worlds of the crusaders.β She went on pulling out a few books and showing some crudely drawn maps.
βIt took another 10 years for them to gather themselves up again and start fixing the mess left behind, but by then the full blown demon, an ancient human with tons of treacherous power over the minds of people began his own rise to power. It was that demon that led to this so called goddess being born in the end. The third crusade started well giving this empire four more worlds where men got enslaved, but at the same time, Sin as he was calling him was recruiting a harem of thousands of his own, mostly females in positions of power that he would walk up to and take. The third crusade ended with him creating the so called death line, a chasm of molten lava and charred stone around one of the great chasms that connect the worlds.β She stated pointing out to a few images.
βI've been to the death line, and I tell you, it wasn't a demon that made it, it was the work of elementals, no doubt more of his tricks. I say Sin had no real power aside from illusions letting him weave whatever story he wanted through smoke and mirror stories. Whatever the case, he alone stopped the third crusade from advancing over his world and took his place as a demon for close to 40 years. Over those years, that empire grew, but it had no gods, not a damn one at all to its name. Hell... it beat other groups in their world for daring to even mention the word βgodβ to damn near death.β
βNow, at that point, it had been 72 years since the shattering and things were starting to settle down and us changed ancient humans were making our place among all the new worlds and cultures. We had all comes to terms with our new lives, our bodies, or at least most of had and that's about the time that we were even starting to get called ancients by the newer people who came to be with the shattering. And this is when the tale gets real interesting. You see, Sin had become a major power, even the dragons didn't bother him and most avoided him. His harem was said to be the tens of thousands and he did some awful things to this girls. Meanwhile, the Crusader Empire was preparing for its fourth crusade to claim more worlds.β She explained moving over and grabbing a small thin book, opening it up to show a rough sketch of some female figure, with a clear tail and ears of cat, as well as paws and feet of one, one hand clearly covering her large chest.
βThis is the best sketch I can muster based on what the survivors say. Sin was about to go collect the president of the crusaders herself just after she sent out the fourth crusade. An emergency collection of troops was gathered, the scared fifth order... a laugh and a joke if you ask me... or mini crusade was going to march on Sin as soon as word got sent to the president since it would take the fourth crusade at least a month to get back and re-arm. When the fifth crusade arrived though... they found Sin screaming and whining, crying like a child, his famed and all mighty horse cock laying several feet away. Someone... this cat girl... had castrated him in his own court according to the slaves there. Now... not one damned crusader today will ever admit this... but the slaves that were there say that it wasn't a cat, or even a female who walked into Sin's court that day. They said that it was some human male, and that he was in a very bad mood. He walked knowingly into the court demanding something about water that had strange effects according to the slaves, but all his questions were ignored by Sin.β She explained.
βNow... Sin let this go on for a bit, before he just got up and slammed his clawed hand through the guy's chest. The slaves around them at the time say that the guy exploded in kind of bright light, and then he was gone, this girl was in his place now.β She said tapping the sketch again. βShe snapped at him, jumping back, barked something at him in a tongue that Sin must have known cause it made him smile a lot and talked back in the same tongue, but the slaves couldn't place it. He just circled the cat for a few before grabbing her ass and chest while she tried to keep herself covered with her tail and one hand. The slaves were... not happy to mention much of what happened next, but apparently in one quick fluid set of motions, this cat girl had tossed Sin back into his throne like he was a rag doll, slashed his chest open and castrated him before throwing him back to the center of the throne room. Turns out Sin was a sex demon and all of his power came literately from that fucking horse cock he had between his legs. Squealed like a girl and told the cat everything he or she wanted to know very quickly before she left. A few hours later the fifth crusade shows up and that's the first mention of the goddess at all.β She explained. βRumor has it that Sin is still in his now pity cave still crying and holding his crotch.β
βAs for the girl, no one has heard of her since personally. The crusades ran full steam ahead though with this thing about a goddess being the great savior and almost over night, her status as a god was set. Rumors spread rumors, want of something spread like wild fire, and the story only got more and more obscure until finally... after 300 years and 11 massive decade long crusades in her name... she is the so called single most revered goddess among half the major worlds in one shape or another, and yet the girl herself is nowhere to be seen or even heard at all. Twelve Mighty Crusade orders are set in her image, and she doesn't even have a name, but even the dragons are supposedly afraid of her. Many claim to know where she is, some jungle world and if she is still alive, then she picked one hell of a damn good spot to hide. To castrate Sin so fully so quickly in his own court, she could survive the beasties in that jungle easily, and there is no telling what she found inside the world. No one knows though since you can fly there... the very air kills you if you try. Now you can glide there a bit, but if you have wings, you don't use them there or you suffer, that makes her world dragon-proof.β She explained.
βI can't even keep track of all the legends that surround this girl now though... Damn culture got divided up and split so many times, each one going on differently about the same girl, that its fucking crazy. A few the cults she has are all about secrets and everything to make matters worse. I tell you... this girl is an ancient alright, she's from earth, but whether she was a she or a he back then, no one knows. She has a full set of various religions after her now though. If she's still alive, then either she don't care about all this praise or she ain't happy with it at all. Either way... if she didn't want to be a god, she missed her chance long ago. This entire religion is based off rumors, smoke and mirrors, and pride. And ain't no crusader going to say a damn thing to make me believe otherwise, its all a fake religion that is enslaving men wherever they go. I say let em all burn, they ain't worth the time of day...β She stated. βNo you go on and get, You've got your fifty gold worth of time and I want you out of my way.β
A detailed and thorough over look over the Great Goddess as told my famed historian Julian Banks, as told after centuries of detailed digging and investigation over the truth of the so-called Great Goddess of the Crusades.
~--xxxXVXxxx--~
βHas it really been that long.β The feline humanoid asked as she sat on top of the tank parked a few miles out from the edge of the lake in her home world. She was resting in her large strange armor consisting mostly of a trench coat and shoulder pads at first as she looked over the bodies of the dead around, all female, all wearing the same glowing silver and golden, and now also blood crusted armor. βFour hundred and one years since it happened....β She sighed a bit, looking over her large four digit hand like paw.
Slowly she stood up and hopped from the side of the smoking tank, the thing heavily battered and beaten, not longer usable as she started to search the collection of crusaders at her feet for anything she would even want to bother with. Most of anything that she even remote saw of use were the coin pouches they carried, which she stored in her own magic pouch, until at last she found the commander of the crusaders, just throwing her body off into the woods with ease. βStupid arrogant....β She grumbled, mumbling some more as heard the body impact hard against a tree nearly a hundred feet off in the distance, only to look down and see a letter on the ground still tucked into the crusader's belt, the belt having been torn off when she was killed no doubt.
Leaning down, she plucked the letter, clearly enchanted with magic to protect it from wear and tear, and unfolded it. βLet's see what's on the agenda today...β The feline started looking it over. βThat's this Mira's seal again, which means this group was hand picked... and they are going on and on about everything...β She sighed before finally coming to the good part towards the middle.
βWe must find and gather the personal favor of The Goddess. I have sat idle long enough. She will be presented to our capital with the greatest of honors and I have chosen you to go see her path to our greatest of cities be cleared and officially offer our hand of respect, honor, faith, and above all else, servitude to her glory.β The feline hissed a bit reading the letter skipping ahead a bit. βIt is imperative that we are the first to personally be given her blessings and have her take up residence in our temple so that the Royal Order of the Goddess can be the unquestioning and proper Ruling figure of all the Crusader Orders. It can only be with our entire combined might that we will be able to control the entirety of the land, and all of Vex-Charo-Noda, including this foolish Dragon Empire. Only when will all know their place and will the pathetic rabble that males be forever in their place at the feet of their superior female.β She hissed heavily as she stopped reading and threw the letter back.
βOf all things I've done, how could I let this continue for 300 years... How could it even have been 300 years....β She sighed a bit, moving over and quickly stepping into a pool of water, a bright bluish glow moving over her from the water helping her calm herself. βI can't just go charging off to Zenos... Gen Chari, the trade world...I could gather when I need to there to start with. All major worlds do trade there, it shouldn't be too hard to hear things, no matter which body I'm stuck in.β She stated starting to think clearly again. βBut how do I correct this... I've spent the majority of all this time isolated here... This will be a long battle, but I can't let this fake image of some stupid god continue...β She stated starting to walk off into the woods as something stirred off in the distance, the predators of the jungle coming to collect the feast of dead bodies, an easy meal.
Personal thoughts of Alexia, as heard by the shadowed nameless figure, marking the coming of a new era for Vex-Chari-Noda.
The Story So Far... Write a Post » as written by 4 authors
Gen Chari, The Trade World
Alexia landed easily, intentionally hopping off one of the gravity-carriage, the small hovering barge-like vehicle making its way to one of the massive camps out in the open instead of under a large naturally formed pavilion in the massive stony grasslands. While the rides offered by the barge were cheap, it was just easier to pay at the start and for the cat girl to get off when she wanted to instead of deal with the large number of crusaders would be seeing the barge land at its dock just outside their camp.
The cat girl checked her pouch on her large dull gray hoodie, making sure her spell-deck and coin purse were there as she straightened herself up and looked around the massive world. βGen Chari... bigger then I thought. Glad I took the barge.β She said to herself as she started to walk along one of the paths, the rain little more an a minor annoyance right now with her outfit, her hoodie clearly a little larger than it should be for the humanoid girl with cat like features, but she chose it well, the outfit hiding her body and making it hard to get a good look over her figure. In the rain though, she also wore a set of slightly large sweat pants a dull gray like her hoodie and a strange little skirt for her tail, to keep the fur on it dry as well as she moved through the grasslands.
She wanted to avoid the various Crusader Trade Camps for as long as she could, having a very direct and special kind of hatred for the Crusader Orders. As such, her first stop was to one of the largest trade camps in the place, already seeing the massive decorated stone pavilion of the Navus's personal site of trade a mile or so out. It was easy to identify, the the massive car sized scarab-like creatures posted at all openings to the pavilion, and living on top of it, a swarm of colors reflecting off their massive shells hiding most of their bodies in the distance making the structure almost look alive itself.
She sped up and in just a minute at a light jog for her, she was at their gates, stopping and letting the guards look her over, clearly taking her scents and pheromones to judge her, before moving aside and letting her into the giant stone structure.
All around, thousands of insectoid creatures formed a sort of hexagon network of tents and trading stalls all throughout the place. The last time that Alexia had seen so many people, it was at a sports event from before the end of the world. Still, this place was clearly larger then the last sports stadium she had been too, almost five or even tens times larger if she had to guess at first glance trying to recall the place.
She shook her head though, getting herself back on track as she looked around. She needed information first and foremost and it was easy to spot a large band of crusaders heading towards the center of the pavilion. It was always easy to spot a band of all female warriors in their glowing gold and silver, or onyx and sapphire armors who held themselves so much higher then others around them.
With her sight now set, the rest of the place fell silent to her for the most part, all the various trade tents sort of vanished to her, Alexia uncaring for the thousands of offered goods for now, just wanting to start following and get some information on the crusaders, only really keeping an eye out to see if she was being stared at for her looks or being followed.
She followed from a ways back though, pulling her hood up a bit so that she could see and hear better, finally showing her face and ears, as well as removing her tail skirt for now since it was dry inside the place, but it was clear that she was still hesitant to pull the hood all the way back, trying to avoid the gaze of all though.
As she got closer, she could see that this group of crusaders were clearly not as bad as most. While they still held themselves higher than others, they were also clearly looking for other women to join their ranks, happy to talk and speak with other females, and even bite their tongues and not outright call out males for being the lesser gender.
In her work to follow the crusaders though, she had slowly forgotten to ease the power she held as she tried to keep her emotions under control first seeing these crusaders went on and on about the great goddess they praised, not even knowing that the figure that they called their goddess was actually stalking them in a sense. Little by little as she tried to hide and stay calm, the aura of her true power could be felt by those with the ability, showing that she was clearly someone not to toy with, and that even though she tried to hide her body and looks, she was also clearly someone to be respected and possibly even praised or feared. At the very least, she was an Ancient, and one of true considerable power for those who could feel such things.
Already now, some heads were turning to face this new power that was felt, some out of curiosity since the power was mostly relaxed, some turning just to see who they could try and sell some of their best goods too, and some just trying to figure out who it was in general.
"Lets see..." He pulled out several large shards of dragon bone, something that could be fashioned into weapons, or used to make high grade enchantments. "I'd like ten bars of chocolate, and five cans of the red canned soda, please." He said politely. The vendor eyed the dragon shards, raising a brow.
"And where'd you get them, eh? Find them lying around on the ground or steal 'em?" The vendor asked. "Or ye trying tah swindle me?" He asked.
"Certainly not, good sir. These are true dragon bone shards. Allow me to demonstrate." He stated, creating a flame in the same hand as the shards, the fire engulfing them. As the man watched, he could feel the heat and see the shard's unchanging in color or shape.
"Aight, ye convinced me. Five bars 'o chocolate and three cans of red soda." The man counter offered.
"14 bars of chocolate and seven cans of soda." Sam retorted with a smile.
The vendor spat some "Ey lad what ya doing?! That ain't how it works!" he growled.
"The more you barter, the higher it goes. I could always take these elsewhere. I'm sure there are other vendors here with chocolates and soda." He chuckled.
"Dammit lad. Fine, 10 bars of chocolate and 5 cans of soda."
"14 bars and 7 cans, as I said."
"BAH! Fine!" The man growled and put the goods on the table.
"So glad we could come to an agreement. Here ya go, with some extra." Sam said, putting a couple more large shards on the table before taking his chocolates and soda.
The man stared in a bit of shock, but didn't complain and quickly took the shards before any thief could snatch them away. Sam bowed his head before returning to his stride through the markets. Here and there, he dabbled, bartered and browsed through several vendors to see what they had to offer, managing to stock back up on utility cards that he had used over the past several months. As he browsed one selection of potions, he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand and turned his gaze elsewhere, knowing of very few people that'd set off his instincts like that.
"Well well....I'll be damned." Sam chuckled to himself, approaching feline from the side. He pulled out a chocolate bar and unwrapped it before holding it in front of Alexia's face. "ya know, ye may wanna calm down some before you draw every eye in the market." He said, offering the chocolate to her. "Been a long time, Alexia, doing well?"
He had seen pictures and read the notes on the trading camp but it was quite different seeing it in person. So many scarab like giant insects walking around their camp. It was quite a sight. The source of the powerful aura was close. With someone of that much power, he decided to observe for the time being and of course see whatβs up for trade.
It was a little while before he spotted something that caught his eye. A glowing silver ring inlaid with a green emerald. There was a tag below it calling it a Chameleon Ring and with a price of two Dead Patched gold coins. A price much higher than any ring would be worth in his eyes. β¨β¨βTwo Dead Patched coins?β Ravyn asked and received a nod in return. He pulled out his currency pouch checked itβs contents. True he had the coins to pay for them but he wouldnβt let himself get ripped off. He pulled out a crystal clear diamond looking gem. βThis. Is a Solarian Fire Diamond.β Ravyn held it in his hand and a fire like glow was at the center. It was crystalized magic shaped into a fist sized diamond. One that size held a large amount of magical essence.
The merchant looked over the gem and countered. βThat gem and one Dead coin.β
βStill too high. That gem and five high quality gems.β The dragon pulled out five gems. Two diamonds, a sapphire, a ruby, and an emerald. All of which were very high quality.
The merchant checked each one. βBah. Take it.β He handed him the ring and gathered the gems.
βThank you.β Ravyn gave the merchant a bow and left the tent.
The moment he left he got a big wave of power that drew his attention to a male human and a female feline. He didnβt immediately attribute the power to the human, it could just as easily come from the feline. For now he decided to follow and observe the pair. He did get close enough to hear their conversation even if it was on the rude side. Hopefully they were friendly and would be so after they discovered him.
βS-sam... right?β She growled just little more more, a minor blush on her face from her small outburst, but still enough to embarrass her cat form for now, her female body quick to get embarrassed lots of times, usually either resulting in her shying away, which thankfully she did, or other times entirely lashing out. βWhy are you bothering me?β She asked after a few, Samuel having taken a clear step back though from her. Most eyes still searching for the power that had been there, but avoiding her now, those few that did confirm it was her now thinking quickly of not pestering her and glad that someone else did first at how she hissed. βI'm a little busy.β She stated, moving over and looking around again, only to lose sight of the crusaders for now, but she could find them against easily, they weren't exactly being sneaky or trying to hide.
She just let Samuel look at her for a few, uncaring if he looked since he really couldn't see anything, nor usually wanted to and he had helped her out a few times before even if her secret of being a dual was still very much secure right now. Thankfully though, he did in fact help distract her at a key time, the vendor next to them having several dozen kinds of silk and clothes cards set up, knowing better then to act on her directly from how she hissed so fiercely at Samuel.
Still she just nibbled lightly on the chocolate at least prepared to listen to his words as she reached out and felt some silks, smiling a little at this bluish spider silk that felt so greatly, one piece being constantly run through a shredder and breaking it, only for the shredder to repair itself and try again. She reached into her purse and pulled out a Dead Patched Gold Coin for as much as she could, the vendor not saying anything, but happy to give her several dozen yards of the silk in a few colors that she just stuck into her magic pocket for now before turning to face him. βYou can still speak...β She said softly, not realizing that her hiss had been far more fierce then she intended and did almost drive Sam off entirely making it appear that she had been ready to kill.
"Baa, good fortune and fair 'mount a' diplomacy."
Down in a shady recession in the camp a shady man garbed in a dark trench coat and bowler hat conversed with a short white furred anthropomorphic goat person. The shady man was none other than Red Eduard, a man who keeps to secrecy lest he go down in infamy.
"So..." Eduard laid his suitcase flat atop the goat man's stall, paying little care to the trader's wares which earned him a growl of discontent from the salesgoat. His eyes scanned over a set of glass vials and tools to a side, a set he had spied since he had arrived. "What will you take for those glass containers?"
"Baa, that alchemy kit'll cost 'ya a solid fifty gold pieces." The goat's eyes narrowed.
Eduard knew well enough that the glass kit wasn't worth more than thirty given their workmanship. He might of haggled the price but at the moment he could feel an old and... somewhat familiar power eminating from someone within the camp grounds. He looked away to see who this strange feeling might belong to but as he diverted his attention the trader gave a loud clearing of his throat.
"Ah yes, the transaction." Eduard halfheartedly responded to the goat's bid for attention. Not really concerned with gold to pass up an opportunity to investigate this potential opportunity he absentmindedly reached into his suitcase and pulled out a small sack of coins of much variety.
"Here, keep the change." He dropped the bag on the stand top in front of the goat man before taking the rack of glass vials and other mixing tools, scooping them into his magic bag within the case. Before the trader could confirm if the amount of money he gave him was sufficient Eduard was off to investigate the anomaly.
Walking as his eyes scanned the area he saw the group of crusaders set up in the center. They were not the source of the power which had seemed to drop off quite quickly. Turning a corner he spied a woman with feline components conversing with a man clad in armor underneath a cloak.
Rather than approach unprovoked he continued on past. He'd keep an eye on them but he figured it would suit him better to know more about them than they did about him. Until such a time where they'd warrant more of his interest he'd simply watch, keeping a general eye on the lady to see perhaps what she might be seeking. Having a common pursuit is a most marvelous means of making an introduction after all.
Sam had to sigh internally, he had hoped to slip in and out of this market unnoticed, but Alexia's presence wasn't exactly a good thing to leave be. "Also, I believe I owed ya some of this from the bet I lost last time we played." He said, reaching into a bag and pulled out three cans of cherry Pepsi and another chocolate bar. Several decades ago, he had met up with Valen in a market, and it was a good reunion, all things considered.
As they enjoyed some good, a large army laid siege to the city, intent on taking it by force. One thing led to another, and Sam was introduced to Alexia. Well, by introduced, he saw the conditions needed to change into Alexia, and the carnage that followed was, considerable. Alexia certainly had more physical strength than most creatures he had seen or fought. So it went without saying that he'd rather not have Alexia get jumped in the middle of a large market. Her destructive power was considerable, and anyone with enough wits would notice, but it would take more wits for them to realize that she was way out of their league.
He let his eyes run across the many faces in the crowd, and he saw several sets of eyes that could potentially be looking at them, but without using magic it'd be difficult to determine if they were actually looking at them or at something near them, and he didn't want to draw any more attention than they already did. Still, he was glad he was able to calm Alexia down, though it did cost him some pristine chocolate, still holding the rest of the chocolate bar out for her to take.
"So... if my guess is correct, you're here to research into your little 'pest' problem?" He asked. Sam had known Alexia, or rather Valen before the shatter. While he was a decent guy, Sam recalled him having a temper, and that wasn't lost in the cataclysm. Still, some traits carried over into Alexia, one of them being a temper. "They have been getting more active lately, at least that's what I've heard from merchants and traders."
Sam had no love for countries similar to where the crusaders come from, given the fact that his former home country turned into one. So if Alexia wanted to stir up some trouble with them, he'd most likely help her if he accepted it. "I just got off from a hunt, so I'd be more than happy to help if you'd like it."
βYou had a lot of eyes looking for youβ¦β The male human said. ββ¦but thereβs at least a few people watching now.β The dragon hoped he was stealthy enough to not be counted but wasnβt sure. Experience has taught him that just because they donβt see you now doesnβt mean they havenβt.
It also seemed that this pair were old friends though neither appeared that old. Though with all the magic out there that doesnβt really mean anything.
ββ¦pest problem?β The male mentioned. What possible pest problem could bother someone with as much power as the feline had inside her. The only thing he could think of would be a true dragon or those crusaders. Some of his race that had encountered them reported back that, while they would take no for an answer, they could be annoyingly persistent.
At the mention of theβ¦ pests being more active, he really hoped that the pests werenβt true dragons. Crusaders he could avoid. True dragonsβ¦ While he was lucky enough to never have run into one, others of his kind werenβt as fortunate. The ones that survived to return back home told of actively being hunted upon sight. One even mentioned the dragon insulting them for being wannabe dragons and cheap imitations.
Not wanting to be too obvious by staying in one place for too long, Ravyn stepped away from the cloth table and walked past the pair. His eyes never focused on then but one ear was constantly pointed in their direction. A table nearby showing various pieces of tech caught his eye and he stopped in front of it. One good thing is it was at the table next to theirs.
βAnother band invaded my home... their commander had this on them.β She said, quietly, intent to try and hide most of her words right now, taking the soda and chocolate bar from his hands, but leaving behind in his hands the letter from the commander with Mira's seal still intact, those around maybe able to catch a minor glimpse of it
While the basis of the letter was clear, that Mira Juneborn, the most famous and powerful of the Hand of the Goddess ranks, was seeking out the Goddess herself as much as she could, her duties as the the leader of the Hand of the Goddess kept her too busy to actually enter the Holy Lands on a pilgrimage, and so she had hand picked a quick but powerful team to try and make first contact, while she prepared a total armed force to make the full journey at a later date if needed.
It was entirely clear in the end that Mira's only intention was to start a worlds war through a crusade the likes none of the current Crusader Orders could manage on their own, A Grand Crusade that would first unite the Orders entirely, by force if needed, and then unite the worlds to put all males in their place under their superior female counterparts, and even then only allow the greatest of females to partake in the Holy Order and Glory of the Goddess in person.
As Sam read it all though, it was also clear that there was a power and magic over the letter the pulled to him just a little, the very ink of the letter hiding its contents from prying eyes so only those properly reading could make full sense of any word on the parchment. The Wax seal that was meant to keep the letter closed was just as powerful, and should have made it impossible for anyone but the intended reader to even unfold it.
Even as Sam read it though, there was clearly a large section at the end that was blanked out, writing clearly there, but the ethereal words all pulled towards Alexia, clearly meant for her since she was great goddess after all intended to read them, which answered the question of how the letter could be opened, Alexia was letting Sam read and view the letter.
βYou see why I can't allow this to go further anymore. I should have stopped it in the first place... when I challenged and defeated Sin, but its a little late for that.β She said, her words still very quiet, only pieces of them could be heard even by those next to him, Sam's great sense of hearing letting him catch it all though as she continued to just cover herself and slowly start looking around again, seeing more and more crusader's starting to appear, one or two clearly having sensed her, and now searching for the power, but unable to now, no doubt hidden among the various stalls that she couldn't see past.
βLooks like you saved me a lot of trouble just now...β She sighed a bit, breathing hard, reaching into her pouch and pulling out a clear bottle of water, but the water itself was very much different. As Alexia drank it, a powerful calming feeling flowed over her, the water and her giving off the slightest bluish glow before fading away as her power leveled out entirely, showing that she was strictly just an Ancient for those with the spells needed to scry for them. βIf you want to help me... know that I'm going to Zenos at some point. And I will force change even if it kills me.β She stated. βThe Crusades have gone on long enough in my name...β She whispered.
When the woman produced a letter, handing it to her companion to brief him on some seemingly sensitive information, Eduard turned and performed an arcane gesture. He kept his body between him and them for the purposes of obscuring the spell. He knew their attention was drawn down to the letter so they were less likely to look up and spot his behavior.
With a few motions and a whisper under his breath the blood which ran down his throat started to run hot as though it were burning. It was a brief but intense moment as the blood he had drank was consumed to fuel the spell's effect. He could feel his mind start to buzz as his eyes dilated briefly. With a sharp breath he let the feeling overcome him. It passed just as quickly as it came and the spell was done.
A pastiche of colors filled his vision. He could now see the aura's of the various living entities that were currently visible. Their emotions, the types of creatures they were, the nature of the magic they possessed, all of it was now bared freely to him to an extent.
He could now see details which had hidden themselves, details in the form of interpretive color patterns. To a novice it would be difficult to discern specifics but he knew a great deal on the field of reading auras, magical and otherwise.
For example he could pick out who among the crowd were interested in this particular ancient he was keeping an eye out for. Intent belied a particular direction in which one's |Sight| leaned. Of particular note a dragonkin had some interest in them as well as the rather indiscreet crusaders set up in the middle of this camp. They weren't subtle as they talked among themselves, a couple going away to relay some information. Given how their intent was on her he could easily put two and two together. Despite their efforts they had drawn unwelcome attention.
To him it seemed the letter might be related to the nature of the scene as it possessed powerful magic. The nature of the magic used was quite typical crusader work though more powerful than the few letters he's seen. The crusaders he managed to claim one from were most reluctant to surrender it, hence why they now call the soil in some desolate world their final home.
After a swig of that water the woman's aura dimmed, leveling out to the state a regular ancient would rest at. Still, the crusaders were looking for someone and if the two didn't move soon the crusaders would find that someone.
Not that Eduard cared really. He was more just curious really.
Sam had fought many people over the years, and had gotten a smell for most of them. Blood magic wasn't difficult to sniff out given the fact it required blood to work. Sam continued speaking in a whisper that only Alexia could hear "I assume you don't want to make a scene still, but we need to move to a different area to single out the people watching us." He considered the possibility of sniffing them out, but given the sensitive nature of Alexia's task, he didn't want to put that in jeopardy. "We'll circle around the crusaders, best case scenario we lose them, worst case they follow but we should be able to find out which ones are watching."
Alexia and Sam began to make their way through the crowd at slightly hurried pace, making sure not to stand out, but going quick enough so that anyone who followed would stand out. Sam reached into a magic deck on his belt, a defense deck in case he had need for a certain spell card. Alexia would need to act as bait, but if they were still being followed, the card would give them the element of surprise they needed while being discrete. Sam started to speak again in a whisper only Alexia could hear "Well, the only way I'd get into the Z city would be me to act as your slave. Wouldn't be a far stretch, might even make the crusaders jealous. That's up to you though, not sure how it would fit into the plan you may have had there." When he said jealous, he was referring to the fact he'd 'have' a position at their goddesses side, and Sam thought Alexia might like that extra little jab.
Males were only allowed to roam free in Zenos in certain areas of the city, and even then they were required to have special collars that would track them, control them with pain, as well as supply other functions to better serve the female masters. If Sam was to assist Alexia in her business there, the only logical option was to pose as her slave. Otherwise, sneaking himself in would be a rather large amount of trouble, and getting caught in a death trap like that city wouldn't bode well for his lifespan, for whatever is left of it.
As they walked though to try and get away, it became clear that the crusader's, or at least one faction of them, the 6thΒ Order had set up a direct set of trade shops within the Navus's main camp, no doubt hoping that their bold move would let them recruit some people that normally avoided the Crusader Trade Camps. In this situation, it was thankfully one of the smallest factions who now mostly moved through the camp, a few with powerful scrying magics now trying to find Alexia as well as she hissed a bit at the trouble that was brewing.
While the 6thΒ Order was one of the smallest Orders however, and this meant that the total number of magical scryer's would be smaller then a larger Order, it did have one unique issue however. The 6thΒ Order were not above recruiting for other Orders as well. While there were a large number of crusaders to avoid, the 6thΒ Order would also likely share their discovery as soon as they found it and given who Alexia was, even if she could avoid being named the goddess herself for a while, she had more then once almost been forcibly named as the Goddess's personal emissary by some groups that she had to kill to keep them from spreading word of her.
On any other given day, Sam's words would have meant a little more to her, but for now, she just lightly wrapped her tail around his hand to pull him along as though he were her body guard, making it look like he was leading her, when she was really leading him to hopefully keep more eyes on him since he was noticeably bigger then her.
Alexia knew her exit strategy though, she had at least done some level of planning before even coming out, and now made her way out to the eastern exit of the trade camp, to the gravity train station. Sam was quick to catch on to where she was heading, and while he was clearly a little confused about it, he let Alexia lead though given that she clearly had a plan.
Even as she approached, she pulled out exactly enough trade gem stones to purchase to tickets for the train as she moved up to a window. βTwo for the Benthoria Helix East line, rear car.β She stated as the vendor nodded. Although most of the gravity trains were built and operated by the crusaders, only those that strictly went to crusader camps were screened so to speak. General travel with the major lines throughout the worlds and into some of the chasms couldn't care less for men, but also didn't do anything to hinder or dissuade them. As a result, the gravity trains had become one of four major methods of travel in the worlds.
What made the rear car so easy for Alexia to use to her advantage though was that the rear car, although usually a cheap ride, having shared rooms and only a smaller service cart for the car, did have access to the balcony like platform on the very end of the train for those who wanted to see the travel with a better view. This made it easy for Alexia to just jump off at her leisure should the need arise, while also limiting the number of people around to watch. As a general rule, those in the rear car as well usually took the rear car for the cheap, but mostly private ride, those in the rear car generally having the decency of not bothering others.
As she paid for both her's and Sam's tickets though, she also made sure to look up to see how many seats were left on the rear car, only 6 left, which meant that every boarding right now would share the last room on the car. This meant that anyone else boarding the rear car would be forced to take a spot in the room with them while they waited for the train to disembark, and would make anyone following stand out. If they were truly following them, Alexia would have time to study them for a few as well as generally limit the number of people there. While they were in station after all, no one with brains even if they needed to would make a move against her, not with the sheer number of Navus resting as guardians all over the station. The Navus were great at detecting people with intent to harm, meaning that anyone who was following her with the intent to cause harm would be singled out and collected, asked to leave before even having the chance to board the gravity train.
For now though, they did have a small wait ahead of them, and while people were allowed and encouraged to board, it would still be about 10 minutes before the train left on its ways, Alexia moving with Sam into the last room of the rear car to wait now, merely opening up some soda and chocolate, mostly just to try and help Alexia keep calm.
While he didnβt hear anymore of their conversation, he did see them make their way through the crowd. Ravyn followed them and kept a little distance, stopping periodically to give the impression of looking at various wares. He considered using the new ring he got but the possibility of bumping into people and drawing attention kept the ring in his bag.
Through out his observation of the powerful feline and her male friend, he passed by a member of the crowed that had the scent of blood on them. Not something like a relatively new wound but somethingβ¦ darker. Like they specialized in blood magic. The feeling made his feathers poof out as though he touched a live wire. It took a few seconds for them to settle back down. While no schools of magic are forbidden by his race, very few try that path. He could count on one hand the number that have tried it. They eventually give it up for being too gruesome. Whoever this user is heβsβ¦ an avid user. For now he wanted to avoid this person and crossed to the other side of the market to do so.
As he followed it became clear they were headed for the grav train station. Apparently they were leaving for another world and the male was taking on the appearance of a bodyguard or possibly a servant.
Ravyn moved close enough to overhear their destination and car choice. Once they paid and left he quickly dropped a couple gems on the counter and bought a matching ticket. As he watched the pair head towards the rear car and once they boarded, followed behind. The dragon did note the amount of guardians and wondered how often they had trouble makers. Not wanting to appear too hostile, he took his scythe in his hand and muttered a command in his native language. The blade appeared to liquify and be absorbed into the shaft. Once complete it looked like an ornate mageβs staff. Satisfied, he put it on his back and boarded the train.
There was only one room remaining so hiding himself from the human and feline was no longer possible. Still, he wasnβt sure he was discovered and could play off being the explorer he is.
βHello.β The dragon smiled and waved to Alexia and Sam. He was pleasantly surprised to find the room empty save for Sam and Alexia so he took a seat across from them. He leaned his staff against the wall and pulled out his Explorerβs map. The screen lit up focusing on the current world with various notes. Some from him and some from others. All of which were in his language. A few movements of his finger and a note mentioning the chameleon ring was added. He kept his attention on the map while his ears were casually turned towards the pair.
What drew him to them, then? Were it mere curiosity he'd of simply let them be for he has more tangible leads to pursue. The leak of power from the cat woman was indeed impressive. The attention from the crusaders of the sixth order was also interesting.
Her resemblence to the statues these orders had erected of a female cat girl goddess was not overlooked either.
He could tell that the man with her as well as another in the crowd were alerted to him in one manner or another. No matter he thought. It will be no skin off my nose as I'll be passing through soon. I had best not draw too much attention in the meanwhile.
Seeing as how the two were looking to their heels for any suspicious pursuers he opted not to follow them but rather he followed after the crusaders who were in tow. He stayed well enough back that he was quite unseen to his main interest for the time being. He could tell the crusaders weren't looking out for tailers as they had developed a sense of tunnel vision.
Eventually they all arrived at the grav-train station. No matter what distances could be held there was not a lot to obfuscate behind while stuck in a lineup at the ticket booth. Seeing as how he noticed a humanoid's reaction to his magic's presence earlier he opted to let his enchantment drop, the active blood magic spell silently dismissed from being.
Eventually he got his ticket. He had noticed the cat woman and her companion head on down to the back car of the train so he opted to purchase a ticket for a seat there for himself. He was lucky to score the last ticket for that particular car.
Upon approaching the entrance he was cut off by a crusader who had apparantly taken a ticket of her own to that particular car. She was armored and equipped lighter than the more formidable looking women among their ranks, herself being slightly shorter than him, however she was still geared for combat all the same.
Keeping up the appearance of paying no mind he filed on board no differently because of this. Due to the other seats being taken it seemed this crusader was a bit seperated from the rest. This became all the more evident when they both approached what appeared to be their room. The lady stopped dead in her tracks upon seeing just who she was sharing a compartment with. It wasn't a complete revelation but it was with enough concern to warrant a pause.
Eduard had to catch himself to stop from colliding into the young woman ahead of him as she had stopped quite suddenly. He stood, looking mildly bored as he waited for her to continue into their compartment. He was far from bored by this but he wanted to give off a much more regular impression to any who might be looking. Faking normalcy was a skill he's been honing since the day he was born.
Sam yawned some as he took out a chocolate bar, unwrapping to cover the fact he carved the number '2' into it before handing it to Alexia, along with a soda. "May as well enjoy a nice snack along the way." He said, making sure the number 2 was out of sight of everyone else on board. Sam saw the recognition in her eyes but didn't say anything as he watched her chew the food down slowly. Sam took a sip of his own soda as he looked out the window, but made sure to keep in mind the scents that entered his nose. The two 'suspects' he had listed had not changed, but now there was a third scent that was growing curious.
He casually ran his eyes across the box car, and saw that the young Crusader that had entered before the last passenger was looking in their direction, but she was trying to make it not so obvious. Sam didn't believe that she was pursuing them to begin with, as she hesitated to enter the car when she saw it was an even mix of males and females.
He could only hope that she remained in her seat, and didn't cause any more trouble than they were already potentially in. He pulled out his old pre-shatter phone, having long since turned airplane mode on to save energy, as well as having deleted numerous apps that would only have purpose if he were in the old world. He plugged in an earphone into his left ear and started up a song before, looking at the window. However he wasn't looking through it, he focused on the reflection to keep an eye on the other passengers. As he watched, he kept shifting his eyes from the three people of interest. From what he could tell, the dragon and the blood user weren't going to make their move any time soon. However the crusader's glances started to become more and more obvious. Whether the woman just had intuition, some spell, or perhaps she caught a glance at Alexia's face from some angle they didn't quite plan on. However, he needed a way to tell Alexia without tipping off the anyone listening.
"Oh yeah, I forgot you wanted three silver coins, not two." he stated in a calm manner, reaching into his pocket and pulled out three silver coins before placing them in Alexia's hands, making sure they made eye contact to make sure she knew the three coins had meaning.
She just spoke quietly in a little bit of Japanese that he had learned from watching so many anime, the words very rough and slow though as she turned to look out the window, now counting seconds in her head.Β
Although her words were very very rough, Sam understood them well enough. He slowly turned straight to the crusader. "Miss, I hate to bother you, but your constant heavy stare is bothering my employer. She does not like being..." Sam started, still playing up the bodyguard angle as Alexia moved her tail a bit, tightening her tail around his wrist, making it seem like she was agitated, but Sam could feel the bracelet she was clipping onto his wrist, able to feel the gentle tingle of an electrical protection spell slowly spreading over him without alerting anyone.
Before he could even finish his words though, the crusader turned her full attention to him and snapped loudly at him. "Quiet Male!" She stated standing up now. βYou will know your place and only speak when spoken to.β The elvish crusader stated firmly, hand already on her blade. βYou there... Miss... could I ask that you remove your hood.β The crusader stated, her voice showing some respect now and even a kindness that showed none of the anger she showed at Sam mere seconds ago.
Alexia just looked away a bit more, giving a small shake of her head. She just needed another minute for them to pass the boundary field that surrounded one of the Great Chasms, a piece of land where there were no trade camps, and much more importantly, the Navus would not hunt others for causing a scene, doubly so if it could be called self defense in some shape or another.
βPlease Miss, remove your hood. I can sense a greatness about you. I wish to see how well the goddess has bestowed her image upon you. You may be destined as her personal emissary. Just image all the good you could do.β The crusader started, Alexia's grip on Sam's hand with her tail only get tighter as a sharp anger built up within the feline, starting to first just hurt Sam's hand a bit as the crusader took a few steps closer. βPlease Miss, let me see the gifts that the Goddess has given you. Think all of all the glory and honor you can bring in the of the Goddess.β She asked again, Alexia just shaking her head again, trying to control herself.
βMa'am... it is in your best interests to leave my employer alone.β Sam repeated firmly now, only for the crusader to once again return her hand to her blade.
βMale...I will not say this again. One more word for you and you will know your place as less then dirt before the might of a woman. It is with the glory, protection, and grand personal favor of the Goddess herself that let's me hold myself high, and just because you are too lowly to understand this does not excuse the fact that you breath because we women allow it, the Favor of the Goddess granting us true rights and privilege.β The crusader stated, Alexia's firm grip with her tail on Sam's hand clearly staying his own actions for now.
Alexia just kept staring out the window, only to grin as the train moved over the boundary at last, her forcibly kept calm face suddenly going into something a kin to a slasher smile for a brief second, her new dark facial expression showing for just a second reflected off the window unable to hold herself back now, her power flowing again.
Just as she was turning to face the crusader, the door opened up, another batch of crusaders from various orders were out in the large hallway of the train. βYou say you may have found the true emissary of the Goddess Crusader Xena? You have never named another to be such, and if you have indeed found her without naming any false prophets, you know the value this holds for both our Order and yourself.β One of them asked, clearly the commander of the unit belonging to the 6th Crusader Order, who this crusader served.
βI have... but she has not let me seen her face yet. I do sense great power from.... from... fr...β She stated having turned and looked at the other crusaders, only to stop a bit, blood starting to slowly dribble from her mouth suddenly.
In a quick flash, and clear show of powerful technique, Alexia has moved behind the crusader and plunged one of her short spears right through the back of the crusader's armor, into her lung and out the other side of her chest just barely.
Alexia just pulled back her hood, letting the other crusaders see her full face for a few as she leaned her head over the first crusader's shoulder. βYou have no right to speak of honor and glory using my name, and certainly not for personal gain.β She whispered into the elf's ear, her aura showing again, but visibly this time, Alexia's free hand pulling out a spell-card and invoking its magic, changing her outfit for a set of leather armor now, two large quivers on her hips, along with a few magic pouches, her hoodie and sweatpants now stored away.
The rest of the crusaders were all just entirely stunned for a few, the other few passengers in the room clearly not moving either as Alexia thrust the body of the elf forward, knocking all the rest of the crusader's back against the wall, except one of them who just backed up and started. βG-goddess... what have we done... why do you f-forsake us?β The leopard girl asked, only to have the throat cut in a quick motion, Alexia's claws red with blood at her side again, four large gashes on the leopard girl's neck nearly decapitating her.
βWhy do they always have to piss me off...β She grumbled, before turning back to the compartment. βYou all have two options here... one... make mention of the so called goddess and die, slowly. She is no god, nor do I give them my favor. Option two... forget you saw anything here. I don't give a shit what you do or tell them, where you go or anything, just fuck this image of a goddess...β Alexia stated, a surge of ice appearing in her hand, only to flash freeze the pile of crusaders as she threw another short spear through them into the wall. βIf you're really intent to help me... then let's go... I think I may have just of lost my temper and alerted every crusader on the train and then some to my presence...β Alexia stated, her words clearly aimed at Sam, looking right at him before she turned and opened the door the rear car's balcony.
βIt may be best if we transit between worlds as quickly as possible... before too many of these bumbling arrogant louts and pig-headed shit stains find us.β She stated as she walked out of the car onto the balcony, already seeing several people who could sense power looking at the train as best they could. "That chasm connects to a dessert world right?" She called back looking at hte chasm that they were near, the small hill having a large tear in it right through the middle, the glow of a void light coming off it of lightly.
When he noticed Sam hand a bar of chocolate and a soda to Alexia. He was tempted to ask if either of them would be willing to sell but decided against it. For now he would remain quiet and listen. Ravyn did notice the curious looks the crusader was giving the feline. He wondered if she knew her but with how much Alexia was avoiding them, he didnβt think it was friendly on the catβs part.
He put it out of his mind when Sam pulled out a device he hadnβt seen before. It had a screen obviously and looked quite old. Something pre-shatter maybe? The dragon had heard of those that survived the shattering and gained incredible abilities. Was he one? With them so familiar, was she one as well? Maybe that was why the crusaders were after her.
The dragon looked away for a moment at the blood mage and the crusader. This car was full of interesting people. His focus turned back to the human when he heard music coming from the wire going to his ear. Try as hard as he could he couldnβt resist asking about the device and the music. His question had to wait as Sam turned his attention to the crusader and politely asked that she stop staring at Alexia. He was interrupted by her angry reply basically telling the human male to shut up.
It annoyed Ravyn that the crusaders had such disdain for the male gender. Even though he was both, and some of his race that had interacted with them on rare occasions that were both, were treated as bad. If not worse for being part female. There was such hatred for non females, it was no wonder his race avoided them as much as possible.
It started going downhill rather quickly. Each time Sam tried to reason with her, her hand went straight to her sword. He had a feeling that if there wasnβt an audience she would strike the human down to get him to shut up. Her tone shifted quite easily between extremely rude towards the male to sugary sweet towards Alexia.
As he listened, the crusader revealed that she thought the feline was an avatar of their goddess. Alexia did have enough power to pass as one and, from the rumors his kind had collected, looked similar enough to where he could see where she would think that. He hoped it would end without violence but their fanaticism to their goddess was too great and the odds were high a fight would occur.
If he thought she would actually listen to him, he would have tried to get her to stop as well. But that could just make things worse.
βMaβamβ¦ it is in your best interests to leave my employer alone.β Samβs next warning, which turned out to be the last one offered, was spat on and her hand went back to her sword. Her long winded reply proved how deluded they actually were. Males were less than dirt, only fit to be slaves and breeding studs. How disappointing that there were those out there that thought like this. Females werenβt supposed to rule over males nor were males supposed to rule over females. They were meant to rule equally. At least thatβs how his race does it as well as the other races they get along with best.
Once the train passed the boundary, his ears immediately flattened against his head at the sight of the felineβs face. It was, to keep it simple, damned scary. He was beyond glad it wasnβt directed at him. If Alexia was this avatar of theirs or, hell the goddess herself even, she wanted nothing to do with them. The look on her face was akin to murderous hatred. To be honest it made him like her more that she hated them.
It seemed like she would end this conflict quickly until more burst into the room. βYou say you may have found the true emissary of the Goddess Crusader Xena? You have never named another to be such, and if you have indeed found her without naming any false prophets, you know the value this holds for both our Order and yourself.β Just when he thought this could end up being a longer battle than expected, in the blink of an eye he looked at the female crusader with a spear sticking out of her back.
He didnβt even see Alexia move. One second she was seated then βpoofβ appeared behind the crusader Xena with a short spear piercing the crusaderβs body. Alexia also answered one question, she admitted she was their goddess and hated the very idea.
Events went quickly from there. Alexia was a sight to see in a fight. She was quick, very efficient and a damn scary fighter. He in no way wanted her as an enemy. He knew he stood no chance against her. The leopard girl was quickly dispatched in a shower of blood. Ravyn didnβt spare a glance at the blood mage, he didnβt want to know what he thought of it all.
Just when he thought she would spare the rest if they agreed to not mention anything that happened, she froze them solid, nice bit of elemental control by the way, and threw a spear through them. Most impressive.
Once the fighting was over and calm fell back on the pair, they decided it would be a good idea to depart the train. After the power that was unleashed, it would be highly unlikely other crusaders werenβt alerted to her presence.
As they left the room, Ravyn grabbed his staff and followed them out. They were already at the end of their conversation when he approached βPlease, may I join you?β He asked the pair. βBeing part male and having an elemental affinity that could create ice, I think staying wouldnβt be healthy for me. Iβd be happy to trade for your temporary companionship if you wish. I think I could be useful and Iβd help out however I could. Even if you went after more crusaders.β
At first it started slow. He could tell from their rather refrained behaviour and the odd way they dropped subjects of topic that there was more than meets the eye going on.
Th crusader picked up on the cat person's energy quite well. She poked and prodded the woman, trying to make her reveal herself whilst belittling her companion. He had no word to add to this exchange, he simply sat and watched on with a bemused expression. He could feel the tension building like the crisp feel of winter forming it's first snowflake. One might say it was only a matter of breaking the ice.
Thankfully their little back and forth was interrupted by the arrival of the crusader girl's comrades. Their talk of the feline's potential service was cut quite short with a fast and duly warranted impalement through the woman's chest and body armor. For many the motions of the hooded engager would of been far too fast to follow but he could keep track of her movements sufficiently. He was well versed with techniques, knowing a number of his own. Her use of techniques seemed to act in place of magic for her as he watched her rend a anthropomorph's neck before using her technique to freeze the remainder of crusaders solid. At that point given the process of crystallization shattering them was more or less redundant as all that was left to thaw out were their dead bodies.
He stood, paying little mind to the dragonkin who was visibly unnerved by his presence, and strolled on down the car to the scene of the carnage. With the ends of his fingers pressed together he looked over her work, analyzing the mess with his crimson red eyes. "I give it a seven out of ten."
He rated the woman's performance. She was fast and effective however she paid little care towards bringing her foes suffering. Her means were simple yet boring, a means to an end rather than a true display of carnage at it's purest.
Seeing as how they were quite likely suspicious of his being a Hemomancer he spared not a second longer on his old charade. Going over to the flung body of her first victim he grasped the body by the back of it's neck, lifting it up and pressing the corpse against a wall.
"Crimsome Regus, Mortiferous Myst"
He uttered his dark magic, tracing lines with ritualized precision using his index upon the now deceased woman's chest. He could feel the cooling blood in her dead veins animate as he finished his incantation. The arms of the body lifted into position, outstretched against the wall. From his sleeve he produced a simple dagger and with a flick of the wrist he cut down the veins on both arms with the same ease an artist paints on a canvas. As the skin opened up blood started running out along the walls, flowing sideways instead of obeying gravity's laws. They shifted and ebbed like tendrils, eventually hardening against the wall.
As Eduard let the body go the blood held it fast against the wall by it's arms. The blood had formed long fleshy vines which clung to the wall with coagulants. The blood from the wound in the center of the body's chest help up the torso while the vines held the arms. Now that the body was in place he could arm it.
Waving his hand to the side and bringing his index and middle finger to the base of his thumb the blood could be visibly seen churning in the hole left by the hooded feline. The gesture was a preset magical trigger set by him, one of the more customizable aspects of casting. It was always wise to never make the gesture something the caster might make without intending to.
From the corpse up against the wall a red mist started to pour forth from the open wound in the chest. His spell had made the body generate a red mist from it's blood, rather quickly starting to fill the car with it. This way anyone who'd come in would be immediately exposed to the blood, liable to breath it in which is exactly what he wanted. He'd infect the intruders's lungs with corrupting blood which will allow him to directly tap into their blood too. The wonderful part was that since the effect wasn't inherently harmful he could pick and choose just who he wanted to harm and how.
With that set up he turned his attention inward. With a brief series of incantations he enhanced himself with improved physical ability and a number of magical defenses. He made note to protect himself against elemental ice given the company.
Speaking of company he turned to see if he'd drawn any particular amount of attention from the others. Given the number of crusaders on board he imagined he wouldn't take too much priority away from that despite his less than welcoming preparations. He didn't care the slightest as to how they thought of him but less enemies in his immediate vicinity meant less complications. She may of started the blood bath but he was more than happy enough to finish it.
"I presume you'll be getting off before the intended stop. It'll be a few minutes before we're clear of the chasm so even with stones ready to throw I'd ask you stow judgement until we're clear of these zealots first."
With his request pending he turned back to the entrance to their car from the rest of the train. He proceeded over to the anthropomorph who's throat was rent. With a fluid motion of his hands he extracted the blood from the open wound without needing to so much as even touch it. Before him hovered a ball of swirling blood. Extending a finger, the other hand kept still to maintain the blood's stability, he extended a tendril of fluid blood and started painting a Hemomantic rune upon the wall adjacent the door. He did very much the same on the wall opposite to the rune.
This was the Runes of Magic Draining, a set of runes which drains if not outright strips the magic from those who stand between the runes. He placed these as a trap for those coming in so they'd have no arcane protection to bar him from afflicting them most horribly.
He could of set up more magic and turn this whole car into a living death trap but he was fairly certain there was no time for that. Combat was impending.
"Yeah, should give us plenty of breathing room." Sam said, pulling out one of his daggers since a longsword wouldn't be the best choice for close combat like this. He also pulled out his Glock 19, quickly twirling off the silencer and stowed it away. He saw the dragon and blood user approach them, and kept his guard up, but didn't attack. When the dragon asked as well as the blood mage, he blinked some. Given their current situation, staying here would be rather unwise for them to do. "Well, I personally don't have any complaints, but it's up to my employer." he stated.
As he spoke, there was pounding on the door. Through the small window, they could see the crusaders outside trying to force their way in. They had a few seconds before the female warriors decided to use magic. "Well we need to hold them off until we cross the chasm either way." The banging became louder and louder until it finally burst open. However, before the door hit the ground, Sam warped out of existence for a brief moment before appearing next to the door, quickly slitting the throat of a crusader that burst through. Right as the first one fell flat on her face, another entered, but Sam quickly dispatched her with a bullet through her neck. Thankfully the crusaders weren't armored like tanks, making it that much easier to slip small blades and bullets through the openings.
There was a rush of air behind him before he quickly ducked down out of instinct. A silver blade swung across where his head was, but he quickly slammed his back against the mage. He felt the crush of bones, gasp for air and cry of pain. He swiftly turned around and slipped his knife into her throat. His suspicions were somewhat correct, judging from the intense scent of magic coming off of her, but wore light armor and carried a sword rather than a staff, so he could only assume she was a warrior mage of some kind. He let her body fall to the floor before looking too Alexia "Quite the fan club you got here!" he laughed some. Truth be told, he could eliminate a lot of the crusaders with either his magic or abilities, however he didn't want to risk damaging the train, especially since they were about to cross the chasm. "Just remember, if this train stops in the middle of the chasm, we're either fucked or as closed to fucked as you can get. So for all our sake, don't go crazy. We have four people here who can tear apart this train on their own... now we just gotta hope the crusaders have the same mindset." He sighed as he heard another crusader start to stomp through the door.
Behind her, she could hear Sam and at least one other talking turning to see some kind of blue dragon like creature asking to come, as well as seeing a blood mage hard at work, starting to see the shadows of being a Person of Death around them as the group had been so wonderfully named imprinting magical blood runes in the middle of the car, making use of the corpses already.
βSo... you two are inviting yourselves to my side are we?β She asked hissing a bit. βFine... you can run away from this mess with me. This does not mean that I accept you at all. And like I said before... mention anything of that retarded Goddess ideology to me and you will die. I am still restraining myself right now.β She warned, only for something to jump up from the ground, a few more crusaders with air magics letting them jump onto the train from the side.
βOkay you all... I'm going to make this clear. I know that it will take two minutes for this train to enter that giant hole over there...β Alexia started, still facing away from the group, only for one of the younger crusaders, seeing the corpses of their comrades and just acting first, not even taking into account who their assailant could be.
βYou... you will pay for killing out sisters!β The dwarf, while still small screamed loudly enough for everyone last few cars of the train to hear, charged forward giving a great swing of her hammer, only for Alexia to side step, the dwarf easily turning on the spot and going for a second swing, an upward one to try and aim for the dead center of her target's chest, Alexia catching the hammer in its upward strike, stopping the hammer, only for its magical properties to strike out at her, hundreds of windy blades assaulting her, a sort of death of a thousand small cuts like magics trying to assault her. This only barely worked though cutting up her armor, and while some blood spilling from the cat girl as she was forced back a few steps, covering her body as pieces of her simple leather armor were cut away from her chest, she was still able to just ignore the weak attack against her.
It was at this point that the crusaders, even the dwarf girl realized who the cat girl resembled so much, the older two crusaders in the batch of five screaming out, trying to get the dwarf to stop, but it was too late.
Alexia forcibly help the top of her chest piece up with her hand, her anger showing in full now. The train was slowly and making its turn toward the hill passing through a series of magi-tech rings that would boost the gravity effect the train had to keep all of the passenger's feet in the right place as it started the massive fall through the chasm.
Like before Alexia just dashed forward, another spear in hand, this time a strong electrical charge over the spear as she plunged it right down through the dwarf's head, the spear acting like a very strong and violent electrical chair for the girl, making her suffer a bit before finally frying her brain and making her heart explode inside her chest.
The other crusader's just looked on, only to quickly knee, all of the begging forgiveness of the goddess through her gifted emissary, only one actually calling Alexia the goddess herself. She just hissed again, and loudly in anger, four spears thrown in anger impaling each of them and sending them all off the train, the three who referred to her as an emissary of the goddess getting iced over with powerful ice based techniques, the one who had the nerve to call her the goddess becoming a living lightning rod was she was forcibly thrown back.
Alexia just looked up through the car, able to see plenty of other crusaders trying to barge through the door on the far end of the car from the bulk of the train trying to get in. She just hissed a bit more, still holding her chest piece on, before pulling out another spell-card, her real armor this time. With a flash of light, Alexia now stood in a large red trench coat, bloody red with large shoulder pads being the bulk of her armor, but the coat was opened around her chest, revealing her shorts and sarashi bandages over her chest as well. Many parts of the armor were also covered in some kind of strange writing, a weird and dark, almost tainted and evil looking written dialect that seemed to be almost crazy in and of itself. βSo Sam... finished my Dead Coat... Think I'll finally stopped getting hit on at the fucking bars by bullshit idiots who think that little catgirl is too fucking cute to not try to get into bed now?β She growled a bit, uncaring who heard as she looked over, another minute before they would cross the barrier, looking up to see some crusaders trying to get at them by walking along the top of the train car.
βOkay here's how this works you two. You want to follow, here's what I am doing. Once we get into the chasm a good way, maybe a minute or two in, we're jumping off. We're going to out race that train and get the other side first, at which point we make our way to the next near chasm that doesn't lead to a Crusader World and then we go our separate ways unless you can prove to me you intend to go to war to fuck up the crusader's entire way of life. Because if there is one thing that they have done... its fucking piss me off.β She stated firmly, letting her aura slowly change to match the look of her new armor now, before turning to look over the back of the train, revealing a massive bleached bone white twin spiral symbol, a giant Marker Symbol from one of her more favored games before the shattering-event.
Thankfully, now that they were in the chasm, they'd have a harder time getting through the do, but that didn't mean they wouldn't get through. Sam pulled back an arrow and carefully aimed, currently using a dragon bone arrow given the fact that he needed to get through metal armor. He released the string before the arrow slipped through the window, cries of anger echoing through their car as one of the crusaders fell. He would prefer to use one of his guns in this fight, but the chasm prevented anything above simple weapons from working. However, this is one of the primary reasons he owned the bow, in the case he was caught in such a situation.
Sam continued to fire arrow after arrow through the window until someone pressed a tower shield against the opening. He growled some, without the enchantments that would normally work on the bow, he wouldn't be able to pierce a thick wall of tempered metal. By now, about a minute had passed since they passed into the chasm as they all backed up to the balcony on the end of the train. "Alright, just give the signal and we'll hop off this crazy train." Sam stated, the banging from the door growing louder and louder.
The door burst open as the crusaders all gave battle cries, a couple were cut short as arrows pierced their necks, Sam making sure to focus on the exposed areas in their armor. "Sooooo Alexia, any chance I can get a raise after this?" He chuckled some, a crusader launching several bolts from a crossbow at Sam, but he quickly dodged before they dug themselves into the walls of the hallway, as well as breaking a few windows. He continued firing arrow after arrow at the ever growing force of crusaders. While he wasn't anywhere near Vex's top archers, he could hold his own in 'normal' situations. "Alexia, remind me to bill your fan club for making me use so many arrows. Those things aren't cheap to commission ya know?" he sighed.
As Ravyn watched the crusaders try to bash their way in, a silvery and liquid like metal began covering him. It originated from various spots, namely wings, feet, arms, and head. In a very short time the liquid appearing metal solidified. It had a faint blue tint and covered the dragon from head to toe. The once soft feathers on his head, wings, and tail were now razor sharp and could cut through pretty much anything and even some enchanted metals. Even his claws looked sharper than before.β¨β¨βPersistent arenβt they?β His voice had a synthetic quality to it as though the armor was speaking for him. He kept his wings close to his body and his tail still. It wouldnβt be good to accidentally harm his allies. βAfter weβre safe, Iβd love to hear how this all started.β As he finished the door was busted in and fell to the ground. He watched Sam vanish and reappear next to the door frame and slit the throat of the first one through the door then shoot the next. Sam was not someone to be an enemy of. Neither was Alexia. The current batch didnβt last long against his speed and weapons.
"Just remember, if this train stops in the middle of the chasm, we're either fucked or as closed to fucked as you can get. So for all our sake, don't go crazy. We have four people here who can tear apart this train on their own... now we just gotta hope the crusaders have the same mindset." Ravyn heard Sam say to the three of them. He did have a point, if the train broke down the fight would last way longer. βIβll keep that in mind.β The dragon replied.
In the lull of the battle, he listened to Alexiaβs words. One being not to mention the goddess stuff. On that note he decided to ask Sam about it when out of ear shot of the dangerous feline. But the good thing is he wouldnβt be turned away. Alexiaβs plan was rudely interrupted by yet another group of crusaders, This time with a female dwarf in the lead. The dwarf put up an impressive, if futile, fight. Even wielding an enchanted hammer, so like a dwarf. It was a pity though it damaged the felineβs clothes. It only served to enrage her more. It didnβt help that they recognized her as their goddess.
The dwarf didnβt last long as the electrified spear was plunged into the dwarfβs head. The female twitched as she was electrocuted. He almost laughed then the rest kneeled before βtheir goddessβ to beg for forgiveness. Four spears thrown by their goddess ended their begging.
βSo Sam... finished my Dead Coat... Think I'll finally stopped getting hit on at the fucking bars by bullshit idiots who think that little catgirl is too fucking cute to not try to get into bed now?β Alexiaβs words made him wince at the thought of anyone foolish enough to try to get her into bed. He had a feeling that if they did live, they were probably left without one of their favorite body parts.
A pity, it seemed like he wasnβt going to get any attacks in. Oh well. Being around the pair it would only be a matter of time.
Ravyn listened to her plan. It was pretty simple. Jump off, go to a chasm that goes to a non crusader world, split up or stay and help make the crusaders rue the day they worshipped her as their goddess. βIβll join you. I have a feeling it will be quite a learning experience.β As he spoke, his ear caught the sound of crusaders on top of the train. He took his staff and touched the blue gem at the base to the roof of the car. At first nothing happened then ice and frost quickly spread across it, covering the inside and outside in solid slippery ice. The ice covered the door leading to the rest of the train. The one at the back was still usable. βI think I can be of assistance.β By now the blood mage finished his spells and joined the trio. βLet me know if you need a ride. I only warn you, no using your blood magic on me or I hope you can fly as well. If either of you need me to carry you two I can. None of you lookβ¦thatβ¦β He paused at the bone white spiral symbol. βWhat is that? I donβt think Iβve seen that before.β
βHello Sam. Iβm Ravyn Arcadia Valos. Itβs nice to meet you.β The armor on his hand liquified and vanished as he offered his hand for him to shake. βAnd you are Alexia. It is very interesting to meet you both.β After he introduced himself he listened to Sam chat with the feline. What trilogy was he referring to he wondered. A question for later. What crusaders didnβt fall off from him coating the roof with a sheet of ice, Sam expertly picked off with his arrows. He couldnβt help but laugh at the comment about billing the crusaders for the arrows. The look on their faces if he actually did that would be a sight to see. βSo what are your homeworlds out of curiosity?β Ravyn asked while they waited for the best time to jump.
Which he could do just fine. He just needed to prepare a body to take care of his fall past the chasm.
βOkay here's how this works you two. You want to follow, here's what I am doing. Once we get into the chasm a good way, maybe a minute or two in, we're jumping off. We're going to out race that train and get the other side first, at which point we make our way to the next near chasm that doesn't lead to a Crusader World and then we go our separate ways unless you can prove to me you intend to go to war to fuck up the crusader's entire way of life. Because if there is one thing that they have done... its fucking piss me off.β
"Fair enough. I'll get to making my way across." He casually replied, only half-listening to what she had to say. For the most part he generally tuned out most of what everyone was saying as it was by and large irrelevant to him. He knew what he was doing, he didn't need to be told as such by his current company.
His interest quickly waned in the ongoing conflict as it seemed the two were most focused on executing foes quickly. It was boring, dispatching foes simply as a means to an end. He found it mildly amusing that the two might find some of her methods brutal. Perhaps effective in it's own right but brutal? Far from it.
He picked up the dead body of a large crusader slain by Sam and took it out to the back balcony. He wasn't going to be long, most certainly not long enough to enter the chasm before he was done.
With his knife he engraved runes on the dead body, a handy way of getting a spell to go off without taking time to verbally and physically cast it. Finished with that he simply carved open the torso, cracking open the ribs with his enhanced strength and removing the organs from within. With a level of confidence bought with much practice he paid little to no mind to the meat he was tossing into the landscape fading below them. When it came to operating on bodies he was skilled enough to not concern himself with minute details, handling all the specifics on instinct. With the body hollowed out it was going to serve nicely as his vessel once out of the chasm. The broken ribs provided nice little handles to hold onto as well.
He waited at the back, looking over the side to the front of the train with an impatient frown as he chasm started to close in. With the three handling them he was fairly sure the crusaders would be of little inconvenience before he was ready to dive in, body under arm.
After a few seconds during which nothing else could be seen jumping down after them, Alexia turned and just in time too, side stepping a great sword, a few of the crusaders having clawed feet to step past Ravyn's ice on the top of the car. More were coming as well as she flat out decked gnoll crusader who dared to strike her, the canine's body crashing hard into the back of the train, already breaking a few ribs from Alexia's demonic strength, before being kicked clean off the back of the train screaming and howling out as she started to vanish in the lights behind left behind compared to the train's rapid decent through the void.
Alexia took a few to look over the gnoll's weapon, almost as big as she was, before jumping up and grabbing the top of the train, digging her claws into the ceiling a bit to keep her footing herself.
There before her were at least a dozen crusaders, Alexia just slowly raising the blade out to the side with one arm, a partial show of strength, but mostly just to get a feel for how heavy the weapon was, deciding if it she could throw it accurately without her techniques or if was better to just use the broad end more as a club and knock everyone out of her way.
Already through, as usual, her presence was having something of an effect on a few crusaders, some of them looking over her and having to look twice or more just to see who it was there standing before them.
βThe Goddess you so highly praise is angry... enjoy her wraith.β She stated before charging forward, her hard foot falls, cracking Ravyn's ice so she wouldn't slip sounding nicely as she quickly made her way along the roof, her foot falls followed but a quick scream as once again, a crusader was thrown from the train and fell behind.
A few of the crusaders doubted Alexia's words though, and didn't seem phased right away by the black and blue feline in front of them, and quickly moved to try and kill or capture her, only to be met with her powerful resistance, one swinging a heavy headed staff down, two more at the crusader's side with great axes trying to attack from the left and right.
Alexia just used her new sword to bounce the staff back up though, before getting right in their faces, out of way of the ax heads, and giving a full swing of the swing of the sword through all of them, cutting the first one in half completely, and digging the blade heavily and almost all the through the second one before it got stuck, letting go of the sword and taking up an ax as all three of the crusaders were thrown off the train as well.
Very few crusaders were even close to her equal as she looked over the next group of crusaders who were all backing away some now. βCome closer...β She hissed a bit. βI'm still angry.β She stated firmly, before dashing forward, now entirely over Ravyn's icy patch and no longer worried about slipping, giving massive downward swing of the ax, a few crusaders falling on their own now from her attack, trying to evade but with no where near enough room, others just tripping over themselves in fear to fall off.
A loud crash sounded though regardless, Alexia having dug the ax clean into the top of the next car, only three crusaders left standing from the dozen or so that had been there. She just gave her dark smile again as she moved past the embedded ax and dared them to step forward.
βDo you dare stand in my way?β She hissed a bit, one of the remaining three quickly jumping back and over the side of the train, grabbing the side and going back into one of the windows that they must have come out of in the first place. βAt least one of you were smart.β She stated before charging forward, using her claws this time and slashing hard at them, constantly forcing them back a bit, before going for a very sudden low kick that knocked them both off the train leaving Alexia a perfect platform to run down and build up speed. βYou move or you get left behind!β Alexia shouted out very loudly announcing that she was ready to run and get off the train now.
Although not as quickly as before, she easily dashed down the rest of the train, building up speed over the 20 some cars before reaching the engine, easily jumping the entire length of the engine to give herself a starting leap, landing on the very edge and tip of the engine care, and with one last mighty kick off, took off like a rocket, easily out speeding the grav-train.
Alexia knew that it would be a few hours now in free fall, just looking ahead of her as she fell, making sure to keep her arms and legs close to her to keep her speed. Once again, the letter from Mira Juneborn flowed through her head. It was the letter after that had really sparked her βdesireβ to do something, her need to admit she had no other choice if she wanted things to change. Either way now though, it looked like war was coming at her hand, and as she fell, she couldn't care less about any crusaders who got in her way. At first, it would be information gathering, checking her facts, and then she would march on Zenos. The sooner, the better, but in the end, Zenos would just be the first step. There were hundreds of crusader controlled worlds after all, but Zenos was among the biggest of their known capitals.
As she thought through, another name rose up in her mind. Brea Ever-Tongue, supposed leader of another order, but one that didn't think that she had straight up caused the shattering-event, one who wanted to speak with the goddess and learn the truth if the rumors were true. Alexia couldn't help but think that perhaps Brea would be a good second stop on her own march to put an end the crusader. Zenos would clearly be first, an example of sorts in way or another, to try and stop any more Crusades from taking more worlds, but perhaps Brea would be willing to help spread the truth of Alexia.
For Alexia so lost deep in her thoughts though, she hardly noticed the others there behind her a short distance, only the bright red glow of the ruby lights caught her attention, she was nearing the end of the void and fast, she needed to get ready to land, and refocused herself for now.
Ravyn turned in time to see Alexia pull herself on top of the train car. Not that she needed it but he decided to follow just in case. His armored claws dug into the train car as he climbed up like a hot knife through butter. It took only moments to climb up and watch Alexia take on the ones that didnβt slip off.
He would have melted the ice for her but she was strong enough to break the ice with her feet. Knowing he would be in the way if he jumped in to help, the dragon decided to wait and watch her work. Every move thus far he kept in his mind to be added to his βinteresting peopleβ section of his map. He knew his race would like to hear what the crusaderβs goddess was really like, how powerful she is, and how much she hates being their goddess.
No matter what weapon the feline uses, sheβs deadly with each one. Sword, staff, ax, she appeared to be a pro using it. Though unarmed she is still deadly. One after another went down to her attacks. A couple were cut in half, others were thrown off, or dispatched in other grisly ways. As she moved past his ice patch, he followed. The ice didnβt stop him or hinder him at all. His feet held firm as though he was walking over normal ground. He couldnβt help but laugh at how she taunted them. It even seemed to get one to turn tail and get back on the train.
βYou move or you get left behind!β Alexia said to him and the others. Before he could say anything, she bolted ahead running over the roof of the train to build up speed then with a powerful kick, jumped off. Not wanting to be left behind, Ravyn ran forward too. His foot claws bored holes with each step he took.
As his speed increased, his form changed. He grew bigger, longer, and went to all fours as his speed increased. His wings grew much longer and a second smaller set grew below them. The staff on his back melded into the armor that effortlessly adapted to his new form. While his speed didnβt reach that of Alexiaβs, but, with his wings, was able to get fairly close. βWEEE!!!!β Ravyn laughed and cried out as he dove into the abyss after the feline.
The now feral form dragon wasnβt close enough to any of the others to chat so he went over the events of the day in his mind. He has had adventures before but none quite as exciting as this. The only one that compares was when he explored some very interesting ruins. It ended up being a very worthwhile trip as well. He spared a look behind him and saw the other two members of Alexiaβs band falling behind him.
What an interesting group he joined. A powerful feline worshipped as the crusaderβs goddess. A male human with some surprises as well who is a friend of the felineβs. Andβ¦ a blood mage. The only one of the group he didnβt want to be around with his dark magic. For now he would avoid being close to him at least until he learns more about him. He became lost in his thoughts long enough that he could see the ruby lights signifying the end was approaching. His wings spread wide to begin slowing his descent.
He kept charging however, shoving his way through the group and even pushed a few over the sides before he continued charging. He saw Alexia further ahead of him, and picked up the pace until he launched himself ahead of the train. Once he was in free fall, he kept pushing himself faster and faster until he was beside Alexia and Ravyn βOk so, chances are weβre gonna get a nice welcoming when we get there. Do you want to run or fight?β He stated. He saw the red light coming up, and readied himself to make sure when he landed he didnβt wind up a nice red spot on the stone of the station. Thanks to his power, he could cancel out a lot of damage from physical damage. He could probably even give a semi-decent sparing match with Alexia, but that wasnβt something he wanted to test just yet, especially since she was considerably angry at how her plans were thrown out the window.
In all honesty, Sam knew what he was getting himself into, and he wanted to give it a shot. While the empire Alexia was after wasnβt the same one that screwed him over the first time, it would definitely give a nice outlet for some old anger.
βRun, get out as quickly as possible and without being seen. I still need information. After we get out, weβll cross another chasm start over from there.β
βGotcha. In that case, let me quiet our landing then.β As soon as they crossed the exit, Sam put up the barrier and surrounded his body in a blue glow.
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View All » Add Character » 7 Characters to follow in this universe
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Pandora Varys
Genetically engineered Chimera and Summoner
Red Eduard
A real fan of blood.
Holo
A scared girl who developed shape shifting powers, Holo did the only thing she knew she could when the world ended and become someone else. She changed herself 3 times before taking the name of Holo eventually thinking she had always been the Wise Wolf.
Ravyn Arcadia Valos
Blue dragon with feathered wings and mastery over air and water.
Valen
Two separate bodies, one mind and person behind them both. Confusion and mistakes sums up his past since the world ended and he now finally sets out to correct the mistakes he let grow too large.
Trending
Ravyn Arcadia Valos
Blue dragon with feathered wings and mastery over air and water.
Red Eduard
A real fan of blood.
Valen
Two separate bodies, one mind and person behind them both. Confusion and mistakes sums up his past since the world ended and he now finally sets out to correct the mistakes he let grow too large.
Holo
A scared girl who developed shape shifting powers, Holo did the only thing she knew she could when the world ended and become someone else. She changed herself 3 times before taking the name of Holo eventually thinking she had always been the Wise Wolf.
Pandora Varys
Genetically engineered Chimera and Summoner
Most Followed
Ravyn Arcadia Valos
Blue dragon with feathered wings and mastery over air and water.
Holo
A scared girl who developed shape shifting powers, Holo did the only thing she knew she could when the world ended and become someone else. She changed herself 3 times before taking the name of Holo eventually thinking she had always been the Wise Wolf.
Pandora Varys
Genetically engineered Chimera and Summoner
Red Eduard
A real fan of blood.
Valen
Two separate bodies, one mind and person behind them both. Confusion and mistakes sums up his past since the world ended and he now finally sets out to correct the mistakes he let grow too large.
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0 posts · 1 characters present · last post 1970-01-01 00:00:00 »
Dwarves are other there, Juro's over there.
0 posts · 1 characters present · last post 1970-01-01 00:00:00 »
Blessed are those who search for the Goddess. May their souls find peace at her side.
0 posts · 0 characters present · last post 1970-01-01 00:00:00 »
Welcome All to Praise the Goddess.
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Vex-Chari-Noda : Shattered-World-Torn
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