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Monday

"Oh, what a beautiful day!"

0 · 411 views · located in Artamus

a character in “Kindles of War”, as played by AceofSpade

Description




Monday






Image
Name: Monday

Age: Looks mid-thirties.

Race: Monday appears human.

Appearance: A sophisticated gentlemen in all regards, Monday is described as an enigmatic individual at best. This individual stands at a not-at-all imposing height of 6'1". Short locks of well-groomed red hair crown his majestic head, perfectly framing his gentle eyes and noble features, suggesting a highborn inheritance. His audacious mane ends in a concisely cut fringe that splits just enough to reveal portions of his forehead yet hide the bulk of his ears. Monday is always immaculately dressed, concealing the magnitude of his musculature. As part of his motif he is always seen wearing a traditional tuxedo over white silken shirts, a seamless blend to his porcelain complexion. Silver cufflinks hold the ends of his sleeves together, whilst a black bow tie loops around his neck, daintily completing his decorous appearance. The normalities stop there as the lower end of his jaw remains encased in a moulded green gas mask. Monday is never seen without it, and its purpose adds to the mystery surrounding his ambiguous existence, partially hiding the lower-half of his expressions. One can never be too sure what guise lies behind the cryptic words and smooth mannerisms.

Personality: Amidst the growing turbulence few people ever seem to know the direction of fate. One man who seems to hold all of the answers is Monday. Though possessed of a range of quirky mannerisms (likely aimed at disorientating his associates), Monday's guidance is always unnervingly accurate. What organisation spawned the mythical being remains a well kept mystery, but for the moment, Monday seems content with guiding the actions of a select few individuals.

Abilities: Monday's abilities are an utter mystery, much like his intentions. Despite this, observants postulate that Monday seems to be capable of using a vast array of otherworldly powers such as disappearing and reappearing at will. Interestingly, Monday has yet to display the true extent of his powers so his capabilities remain frustratingly unknown.

Equipment:
None but the clothes on back and the occasional trinket.

Strengths:
Sage

Weaknesses:
Cryptic
Untrustworthy

History: No records ever exist of a man named Monday, leading many to conclude that the name is simply an alias. Monday has never appeared long enough to devulge any parts of his history. He appears and goes simply as he pleases, passing quietly through history.

So begins...

Monday's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Touya Khan Character Portrait: April Rosevolt Character Portrait: Damea Reese Character Portrait: Monday
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Damea’s smile widened as he rose to the apparent challenge. Leaning forwards to elaborate, his motion elicited further squeaks of protest from his chair. April’s blue eyes rolled in their sockets, expressing her evident skepticism.

“I figured that if you wanted to go after a Therian, you might want someone who knows them. I would also suggest not taking the one you have to your head quarters. You know as well as I that they'll torment him and then kill him once they've got what they wanted. Unfortunately, we are ruthless to the Therian's,” Damea explained. April blinked at the comment. Her instincts screamed at her to put an end the interrogation or silence the dishevelled whelp before her. Did this mercenary know what he was suggesting?

“Not that I sympathize with them. They are, after all, trying to steal from us as well as reign terror on the cities. I just don't like killing them out of spite, leaves a bad taste in your mouth,” Damea added with practiced ease. Try as he might disguise his empathy behind moral codes, April’s spike of contempt had already coloured her judgement. Unconvinced, she rested her arms behind the spine of her back in an unyielding fashion.

“What I would suggest doing with the one you've captured is use him to find the rebel leader. Seems he knows quite a bit about the guy whose leading all those raids lately. Did you know that the Therian's are very closely knitted together? They can tell when another Therian is nearby, has something to do with that metal technology they all have on their bodies. Damage the metal and they become useless, and from what I've heard it's quite crippling, very painful,” Damea resumed without waiting for her response. The reference of organic technology coaxed her mind with images of Touya. Scolding her recklessness, April reflected on her incredible fortune. Losing her composure and attacking the Therian like that was out of character. If the Therian had so wished, he could have killed her earlier with the claw like implements that snapped out of his bracer. No, he should have by all rights. At such close proximity, and given the nature of her uniform, she would have been a lifeless corpse within minutes. Then again, so would he, but if you are desperate enough, anything is possible.

“Anyway, you'll need help on this if you wish to track down the rebel leader. I'll even work for free for you, out of the goodness of my heart. I don't need anything, but I do want to help you. What do you say my lady? Think you can give me a chance to prove myself to you?”

“I’d like to help you Mr Reese…” April spoke at last, withholding the unspoken but. Her eyes scanned Damea again for any signs of betrayal. She would first address his proposition, “But you realise that you’re asking me to break orders, correct?”

April wiped away a braid of yellow hair, rolling it back behind her ear, “You see this as an opportunity to exploit. You’re nothing but a conman. You have no consideration for the effects your little ‘plan’ will have on people like me.”

“Nobody works for nothing Mr Reese, not me, not anyone. So I wonder what exactly is it that you’re after? I have a duty to uphold Mr Reese, not just to the army, but to all of humanity. Headquarters needs this information. We need to stop those terrorists, though the question is whether or not what the Therian says is true. I guess we’ll soon find out,” April finished as soon as a quiet knock came at the door to the living room. Reginald, having sensed that an important conversation was underway, had waited patiently outside for April to reach some form of conclusion.

She turned around as Reginald entered the premises, smiling unequivocally. “I’m not going to assault this one, if that’s what you’re worried about,” April sighed at the intrusion.

“I trust you won’t do anything too brash, mam,” Reginald said, raising a cynical eyebrow at her, “I’ve patched up that faceless. He’s good to go, poor soul. He’s been through a lot.”

“Things will only get worse once for him once we reach HQ,” April murmured.

“It’s the… sensible thing to do,” Reginald said, nodding slightly, “Handing him in that is.”

But not the right one eh? April thought with look towards her medic. He gave her an elusive shrug and then gestured towards the door, “I’ve cuffed the faceless back to the bed for the moment. I’ll be outside when you’re ready.”

“I’m ready now,” said April. She looked towards Damea, unnerved by the discoloured gaze that had so nonchalantly observed her throughout their talk. “Mr Reese, you’ll be coming with us for the moment also. Corporal Reginald, summon the caravan. Let’s move.”




An hour later

High noon struck the city with its light, illuminating the open streetscapes and reflecting of tiled roof tops. April’s soldiers, D company, had assembled around the caravan, acting as guards to the convoy. There were three carriages in total. April had prepared three alternative routes to take and split her soldiers equally amongst them. It was a precautionary measure in case anything happened. Of course, her presence near the second carriage might be a giveaway, but as the assailant you could never know for sure.

They were about half-way into their journey now, riding into the heart of the city. Victorian-esque architecture surrounded them on either side, presenting a hedge row of houses comprised of red brick and brown slate. They stood rigidly, back to back, side to side in identical terraced designs. Bay windows and the occasional coloured brick broke the monotony of chalky red, but no space was wasted.

Their approach blended in for the most part. The constant echoes of clip-clops and coloured uniforms were not entirely distinguishable from the mundane activities of the civilian populace. April kept a cautionary eye out for danger in any case. If the Therian’s story was true, the terrorists were not about to let information of their whereabouts be discovered. Inside of the second carriage Touya had been laid to rest alongside Damea. Of course, they had been careful to restrain both of them. Their weapons and valuables were kept in a locked box.

“Not a bad day, eh Lieutenant?” Reginald commented brightly in an attempt to diffuse the tension. He was now dressed in his full combat gear. A leather armoured tunic and the golden yellow and blue of the national army.

“I would like to get out of the city and go on a holiday,” April mused wistfully, though never neglecting in her control of the carriage’s reigns. Reginald sat beside her, filling the two seater design. Around them were fifteen men from D company, led by Sergeant Dubois.

“Aye, anything to get away from this mutt and grime,” Reginald concurred, “Imagin-”

“Excuse me mam!”

Feeling that someone was attempting to grab her attention, April looked around in reaction. She spotted a tall, gentlemanly man walking briskly to keep pace with the carriage. Oddly, he wore an apron over his formal suit and a green gas mask of some sort. An industrial worker perhaps? Or maybe a vendor of some kind? A box was attached to his chest via some straps that wrapped over his shoulders. Inside were a collection of pretty metal roses, just the petals without a stem.

“Excuse me mam! Would you be interested in trying our new products?”

“No thank you,” April replied, “I’m not interested.”

“Actually, you know what? You look like you’ve had a hectic day. Have one on me,” he winked and then tossed her a flower before she could protest.

Slightly flustered, April caught the thing in her other arm. She considered turfing it after a brief inspection, but that would be violating the council litter rules, so she placed it within her breast pocket for the moment.

“What an odd man,” April remarked.

“Hmmm?” Reginald hummed.

“Nevermind,” April said before frowning as her view returned to the street, “Is it just me, or has the street gotten much quieter?”

Reginald blinked and like a curtain had suddenly been lifted, he too noticed the drastic reduction in populace. “What in the worl-”

Death struck from the rooftops as cross bolts peppered the convoy. Three bolts immediately hit April and she toppled wordlessly before she could even respond, taking two bolts to the arm and one to the chest.

“Defensive positions!” Dubois screamed, “Take cover!”

"Protect the prisoner! The faceless have come for him!" Reginald called, reaching to help April.




Something small and silver flew between the barred opening in the carriage. The object landed on the floor between Damea and Touya as a red haired man passed by outside, revealing itself to be a conventional key, tiny and unassuming.

A moment of silence followed the interruption, and then all hell broke loose.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Touya Khan Character Portrait: April Rosevolt Character Portrait: Damea Reese Character Portrait: Monday
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#, as written by Siryn
Damea Reese






“I’d like to help you Mr Reese… But you realise that you’re asking me to break orders, correct?”

She eyed him carefully before reaching up and swiping her blond braided hair behind her ear. Damea didn't respond only returned her gaze as he had been the entire time.

“You see this as an opportunity to exploit. You’re nothing but a conman. You have no consideration for the effects your little ‘plan’ will have on people like me.”

“Nobody works for nothing Mr Reese, not me, not anyone. So I wonder what exactly is it that you’re after? I have a duty to uphold Mr Reese, not just to the army, but to all of humanity. Headquarters needs this information. We need to stop those terrorists, though the question is whether or not what the Therian says is true. I guess we’ll soon find out,”


He smiled at her, figuring that she was going to be one that would be hard to win over. Of course he'd lied about not liking the Therian's, if he'd spoken the truth out right she would have never heard the rest of what he wanted to say to her. Either way it seemed that she'd picked up on his lie well enough though, that was suggested by the way she stood facing him. A knock came at the door and she turned to it. A man entered and the two exchanged words about the Therian.

Damea frowned then, it was hard to think that she would still let the Therian be taken to the dirty hands of her superiors. However, as the conversation continued, Damea took notice of the doctors hesitance to allow the Therian to be taken to the higher ups. If he could get the doctor alone perhaps he could talk some sense with him and change this woman's mind. Maybe. It was a long shot, but one Damea was willing to give a shot.

“Mr Reese, you’ll be coming with us for the moment also. Corporal Reginald, summon the caravan. Let’s move.”

Her words shocked him and he grinned up at her. So, she was going to bring him after all. That made things easier. Even if he was being taken to the higher ups as well, at least he'd gotten his foot in the door. That made it much better for him to wiggle his way all the way in. As for what she'd asked of him earlier, what he wanted, he chuckled softly to himself. He didn't want anything to be honest. The one thing he did want, was to see the Therian's rise to the challenge and overcome the wall of prejudice. He wanted to see what this Therian was capable of.


Touya Khan






"What's your name?" The voice of the male who'd been tossed in the carriage with him annoyed him. The human didn't know what the meaning of silence was. Touya was utterly tired and at his wits end. If only he could untie himself he would cut the man apart to put an end to incessant questions.

"Touya," he answered angrily.

"Damea, it's a pleasure to meet you Touya."

The Therian opened one eye and glanced over to the man who was seated across from him. Touya was laid up on a cot in the carriage, still too weak to do much else but rest his body. He'd been gathering his energy since the doctor had patched him up and stopped the bleeding from his side and leg. He could have healed himself, but he didn't see the point in it really. The human across from him was dressed in fine colors that stretched neatly across his frame, light colored hair that dropped over his face and accented his mismatched eyes.

Touya turned away then and closed his eye again. He settled into the cot as best he could aside from the jarring of the carriage that rolled across the dirt road. His body had long since become numb from the sharp movements. He didn't want to talk to the human anymore than was necessary and hoped that his pretending to sleep would deter the man from further conversation.

"How did you get wounded, Touya? I've always pictured your kind to be really strong, stronger than us humans anyway."

Touya heaved a sigh and opened both eyes to stare at the ceiling. He didn't offer an answer to the man only glowered at the top of the carriage cursing his luck to be stuck with a chatter box.

"Hey, I'm sorry if I offended you in anyway. I'm just naturally curious. I enjoy learning about the Therian's you know."

To this Touya turned his head again and watched the man named Damea. What a curious human. Who ever thought that learning about his kin was 'enjoyable'. It was strange to hear those words, too strange really. So much so that Touya grew even more weary of the man and began to think that he was working for the woman who drove the carriage. Had she put him up to it? Told him to act nice and friendly so that Touya might drop his guard and talk randomly? Well, she was completely wrong if she thought that would work. Besides, what could possibly be so damned important that she needed to resort to such measures to get him to talk? The location of the rebel leader of Therian's? He'd gladly give the name, but she would probably kill him just for spit.

"Not really a talker are you..." Damea sighed, leaning his head backwards against the wall, "You know, I'd always found your kind really beautiful. Even more beautiful than the elves and they're a sight to see if you haven't seen them yet. A little mean sometimes if you say the wrong thing, but they're mostly good hearted. You see, I think of the Therian's being the same way. You guys have your faults, we all do. But in the end, you're just human, like us," Damea leaned forward and pulled a cuffed hand forward to look at it, "You bleed just like we do. You breathe the same air, love, laugh, cry. It's all the same. I don't know why we fear you. Maybe it's because we don't know you very well and the technology that you guys have."

"You fear us because of the one who is threatening you," Touya answered coldly.

"He speaks!" Damea shouted out in glee, startling Touya.

"Of course I speak, you idiot!"

"Well, I wasn't sure. I mean you only said your name to me, I didn't think you understood our language."

"Same with her," Touya growled in annoyance, "You humans are so damned ignorant."

Damea laughed heartily at that, "Yeah, that we are. I apologize, I wish I could change that. Unfortunately not all of us are as open minded as I am. For now I guess we'll just have to start changing that hu? How about it Touya? Would you like to be a friend of mine? Who knows, we could change the minds of a lot of people. What could it hurt?"

Touya watched him carefully, staring for a long time. He didn't smile, nor did he respond. His thoughts were deep on what Damea had offered him, a friendship, with a human. How odd. What could it hurt? Well, Touya could think of a lot of things and none of them were all the pleasant. As he was thinking there was a sudden noise outside and the carriage came to a complete halt, jolting Touya harshly.

"Protect the prisoner! The faceless have come for him!"

Touya tried to pull himself up but forgot about the restraints holding him. He tugged on the ties holding him down frantically. He had to get out there, if it was the Therian's, he knew who it was and they weren't after him persay. He pulled and pulled on the cuffs around the corners of the cot. He was so concentrated on trying to free himself that he didn't notice Damea getting up from his spot.

A soft click filled the air next to him and Touya flicked his gaze over to the human. Damea grinned at him and lifted his hands to show them to be free of the cuffs that had held him moments before. Touya stopped struggling and watched in utter amazement as the human reached over and uncuffed him. Slowly Touya sat up once he was free and watched Damea with an eyebrow raised and his eyes narrowed.

"I told you didn't I? I want to be friends with you, not enemies," Damea winked, "I would lose if I were your enemy."

Touya gave a slow nod and pushed himself to his feet. Damea stood a good foot taller than himself, and he had to lift his head to look up at the man. He turned and went to the box that held their weapons and items. He eyed it carefully for a moment before activating his bracer. Once again there was the loud sound of snapping and steel sliding out. Tightening his hand into a fist he leaned over and swiped at the box, cutting open the top of it cleanly.

"Wow, well... I guess that's one way to do it..."

Touya rolled his eyes and retrieved his swords. Once they were sheathed back onto his lower back, he slammed his arm into the door and pulled downwards, cutting around the lock. With a sharp kick he opened the door, splintering wood as he did so. Jumping down into the street, Touya came around the back end of the carriage only to throw himself backwards as several crossbolts rained down at him. He winced slightly at the sudden movement he'd just performed. Hissing to himself, he berated his thoughts on not actually healing himself, now there was no time.

Peering out cautiously he spotted the woman who'd put him into the carriage. She was down in the dirt and from what it seemed, she was injured. He frowned and reached back, drawing his blade. Snapping it outwards, the weapon uncurled and formed the long sword that he favored.

"Hmm, remind me to get one of those when we're threw here," Damea whispered to him. Touya turned and glared at the man without answering. With a slight roll of his eyes, Touya darted out from the cover he'd taken and moved towards April who was too much in the way of the crossbolts. Stepping over her, he dropped down next to her and lifted his blade. He cut through several of the bolts that were aimed right at her, deflecting them from harming her further.

He turned for just a second to assess her and noted the three bolts that afflicted her. With his free hand he reached out and quickly removed them, albeit a bit roughly -he wasn't particularly in the mood for mercy-. Once the bolts were removed he stretched his fingers over the wound in her chest and began healing it with his magic. Golden light expelled from his palm and washed over her chest. Touya was so concentrated on healing her wound that he'd forgotten about the crossbolts, until one hit him.

Knocked sideways from the sharp impact, he lost his balance as he'd been kneeling on one knee. He moved swiftly and caught himself, bracing his body over April's. Wincing, he ground his teeth together and looked to who had shot him. His eyes widened as he caught sight of the man. As he'd figured, it was Val that was attacking them. Why, though, Touya wasn't sure, but then when did what Val planned ever make sense?

Standing, Touya left April to her own devices, figuring that with the worst of her wounds healed, she could handle herself. Drawing his other blade he extended it as well and activated all of his metal along his arms. The three blades uncurled from their hiding spot along his arms and the metal extended to cover his fingers. Fully armored, his power began resonating around him, giving him a slight glow. It was pure energy that revolved around him, making him seem whiter than normal. The unnatural glow grew and a second later, Touya had lunged forward, launching himself at the single man who'd caught his attention.

His sword came up at the last second, crossing with the larger mans. The individual whom he'd engaged with stood just a bit taller than him, definitely bulkier in mass and held a cruel smile upon his lips. Touya pushed hard against the man, but not enough of his strength was behind it to stumble the one in front of him.

"You didn't heal yourself did you, Touya?"

"Val.. what the hell are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious? Come to rescue you of course. I figured this would happen after I let you go. I wanted to show you how ruthless these human's are. They aren't going to care for you like we will. Therian's keep to their own, Touya. We don't need them around. All we need is their technology so we can survive."

"It is this same logic that destroyed our homeland you know."

"Or so we're told. You can't really believe that can you Touya? None of us remember anyway! We've been asleep for so long. Anything could have happened. Now, why don't you be a good Therian and stop resisting me!"

Val swiped his swords outwards, knocking Touya back, or rather throwing him instead. Touya hit the ground hard, coughed as he lost the air in his lungs and slowly pulled himself back up. His side burned painfully as he stood, but he tried not to show it. Val, on the other hand must have noticed. A flip of his sword and his usual smile was all Touya had as a warning. Steel clashed again, pushing Touya backwards a second time. Val's second sword came at him from the side and cut his other side, though not as deeply as the first.

Touya quickly disengaged and went at it again, this time with more vigor. He drew more energy into his body, the pure magic glowing brightly. His swords moved swiftly as he fought Val. Steel scrapped across steel and sometimes when they hit just right, sparks showered. Touya now used his forearms as well, the deadly curved blades launching out towards Val, forcing the man to go slightly on the defensive.

"Now you're fighting! Show them how deadly we can be, Touya! Come at me!"

Touya ground his teeth and lunged forward, pushing himself to his limits. Every movement was seemingly smooth, though. His swords and curved arm blades moving all at once, each twist and turn gave more momentum for another move. In this fashion both Therian's moved about the street, locked on each other only.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Touya Khan Character Portrait: April Rosevolt Character Portrait: Damea Reese Character Portrait: Val Character Portrait: Monday
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#, as written by Siryn
Image


April's voice telling them to leave echoed what Damea had said. However, Touya couldn't move all that much from the pain in his side and he was still loosing a lot of blood, making him dizzy as he stood there leaning on Damea. Reaching out with a shaking hand, gold light filled his palm and extended to his deep wounds. He had to heal them, and quickly if he wanted to get away from Val still breathing. The light sunk deep into his body and began rebuilding his organs, muscles and tissue. It took a little while longer than he wished, but it did the job.

However, what he hadn't expected was what happened while he was healing himself. April had turned and run. She'd left him and Damea, taking the chance as soon as it was offered to her. Damea, not quite understanding what was going on stretched his hand out towards her, "April! Wait!"

"Don't."

Damea looked up to Touya in shock as he continued to give the Therian support. Touya's pale blue eyes were icy with rage, but mostly with hurt. I doubt she really cares all that much for you. Maybe she just wants to keep you alive long enough so that she can enact revenge on me for destroying her unit of soldiers. She'll dispose of you right after, I'll have you know. Val's words came back to haunt him, though Touya didn't think that they would so soon. He had been right in the first place to doubt human's and their words. Even for Damea, he doubted the man. Every second they spent together he figured that the words slipping passed the overly talkative fire mage's lips were nothing but lies.

"I won't abandon you, my friend," Damea said softly, his eyes down cast as he glared at the ground. Touya shifted his gaze to the man but didn't say anything. He wondered what it was the human was thinking, but then shrugged it aside. He didn't care at that moment. Touya slowly lifted himself off of Damea's shoulder and started forward with Damea right next to him. They didn't get far though, as a peculiar looking man appeared before them. Damea reached down for his blades while Touya stood still, unsure of what this human wanted.

"Oh my, good day chaps! Where you about to head in that direction perhaps?" The man asked, pointing in the direction that April had gone. The woman was long gone, having gotten a head start while Touya had been busy healing his life-threatening wound.

"Well, if you were, I regret to inform you that a terrible storm is heading here from that direction. I'd avoid the forest especially, forest storms are particularly volatile this time of the year. My humble advice is, run while you can."

Touya's gaze shifted towards the forest behind them and the raging fire that Damea had started. By the time he looked back to regard the man, he was startled to see nothing there. Unsure of things he glanced to Damea who shared the same look he did.

"Did you see him too?" Damea asked. Touya frowned and continued scanning the plains for the man whom they'd just spoken to. However, he was cut off in his search by the sounds of gunfire and boots in the distance. His gaze shot up to see a black mass of soldiers coming towards the fire and the forest. He cursed under his breath and gripped Damea's arm tightly. He pulled the fire mage behind him as he started running out of the way of the human's army and also away from Val and his own group. His heart clenched as he began thinking about why April had left him and Damea. It was too convenient for her to run in that direction and then have an army come from there.

She must have planned it from the start. Perhaps that was why Reginald had left them that morning when they first started out to find the clan. She had sent him to warn the army that they were leaving and going in search of the Therian's. April had betrayed them from the start. Why he even thought that she had been truthful to him in the beginning was beyond him. He had lead her right to the Therian's... the Therian's camp... Touya's heart nearly stopped. Far from the ensuing battle now, he slowed in his head long rush with Damea panting behind him.

His eyes were wide as he turned to look back in the direction of the clan's camp and where the army had come from. It was too convenient. It was too... too much. He couldn't bear to think of it any longer, but he had to know. His hands flexed into fists as he stood there staring into the distance. His teeth ground together and next to him Damea looked out that way as well, curious as to what the Therian was doing.

"What is it?"

"The clan."

"What about them... You don't... No, no, no. They wouldn't, they couldn't have..." Damea's voice shook with realization at what Touya was implying.

"I will find out."

"I'll come with you," Damea insisted.

"No!" Touya shouted his anger at its peak. He whirled on Damea who shrunk back slightly from the sight, "I've had enough with you humans!"

"Touya, think rationally now, there must have been a reason for her to lea-" Damea was stopped in mid sentence as Touya reached out and back handed the fire mage, sending him to the ground. The human looked up at him in shock, but then his face smoothed as he sat there. Blood trickled down the corner of his lips from where Touya had struck him, but the fire mage made no move to retaliate. It took the Therian a moment to calm down and realize what he'd done. His hands clenched again and it took him some time to retract the blades in his arms.

"I..."

"It's alright. I understand your anger," Damea cut in, saving the Therian from speaking further. Slowly the fire mage stood again and brushed himself off, "I would like to come with you. I want to see if they are alright too. I care about them just like you do."

Touya didn't say anything, but started in the direction where they had come from originally. He moved quickly, figuring that the swift human would be able to keep up with him. It was obvious that Damea had lived with Therian's for quite some time as he knew so much about them and fought like they did as well. Touya moved across the plains as fast as he could, his heart heavy with betrayal, fear, and anger. Was this how Val felt?

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The fire that broke out before him startled him and he was brought back to the day that he had ambushed the humans. Almost all of his company was lost then and the sight of it right then drove a stake of fear through his chest. He slowly backed away, his eyes on the flames only. The fire moved, directing him back to his own people where once there, a huge wall of flames erupted out before them. Val stretched his hands out to keep his people from approaching the flames or trying to go around them. The fire lasted for some time before it began to die out.

When it did, it was too late for Val to comprehend what had happened. Shots rang out and several of his men fell from them in the first wave. Val's gaze shot around quickly to try to figure out where the attack was coming from. He couldn't see Touya or the two humans that had been with him. What Val saw only was a black mass of human soldiers coming after them in a rush across the open plains. Their destination was both towards Val and his company and also to the forest. The Therian felt rage and fear wash through him.

The forest was filled with children as well as their old and women. He gripped his weapons tightly, ignoring the burn across his stomach from where Touya had injured him. He would heal the wounds later. A sharp motion from his sword alerted his company what he wanted, "Protect the village at all costs! You five, get the village into the caves beyond the forest!" He yelled out, pointing at a group of Therian's who nodded and sprinted towards the trees. The rest of his company prepared themselves and rushed the oncoming army. Val lead the charge, his weapon twisting around in his hand. He'd lost the second sword upon having Touya attack him earlier. Not that it mattered, he was more than enough to take on the humans.

In a matter of seconds the two opposing groups collided and Val charged in with a blood curdling war cry. His arm swung out, slicing through several men, sending them flying backwards from the shear strength he possessed. His magic followed after and exploded in the midst of the humans. Several other explosions followed as his men enacted their own magic. Even with his group of powerful Therian's, some of his men died and many of the human's slipped passed to get into the forest. Val growled in rage and pushed forward, his eyes flashing wildly with rage. Every intent was to wipe out all the human's before him, even if it cost him his own life.

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Now far behind the army that had thundered across the plains, there in the distance was smoke rising. Damea felt his chest clench tightly as he witnessed it. Touya was ahead of him, leading the way back to the clan that had been not but a few hours from the forests of Creeid. It took them only twenty minutes to reach the clan's village, but it seemed like hours to Damea. The tents that had been pitched and perfect the night before were burned and smoldering on the ground. Fires still raged and the villagers were destroyed.

Touya slowed down and stood on the edge of the destruction, his eyes wide and his body rigid. Damea stood next to him in just as much shock as the tall Therian was. How could this be? The village had been bustling with activity not but a day ago... he couldn't believe his eyes at the sight. Once he took in the destruction as a whole, Damea began looking more closely. His heart was breaking as he witnessed the horrifying devastation. Something moved underneath one of the fallen tents and Damea rushed over there, hopeful that someone was alive.

He pushed the tent's burning pieces aside and uncovered a woman who was bleeding and burned. He rolled her over and the familiar face of Sheree looked up at him. Her bright eyes were dimming as she lay there in his arms. Damea twisted around and shouted for Touya to come to him. The Therian was next to him in a moment, kneeling down beside Sheree who coughed and reached up to try to touch Damea's face in her burned hands. Blood and soot covered Damea's cheek as her fingers brushed him.

"Ninia..." Sheree croaked and turned her head sideways, tears streaking her face. Damea looked to where she was though he didn't want to afraid of what he would see. Damea quickly turned away the moment his eyes caught sight of what Sheree was looking at. The little girl was face down in the dirt with an arrow to keep her down. Next to him, Touya was beside himself with rage. Damea could tell as he could feel the pure energy rising in dangerous levels around the Therian.

"They... came... thought we... rebels... scouts for... rebels," Sheree tried to speak, but Damea rocked her gently next to him and shook his head, tears streaming down his face.

"Don't talk, Sheree..."

"I tried... to stop them... we all did," Sheree's voice cracked as she cried, "Took many... of us... Don't know where," her eyes were staring off into the distance, possibly the direction in which the army had taken the captives. Damea doubted that any of the children were alive, and if they were they were now captives to the humans and subject to whatever they saw fit. The head quarters of the human army were not know for their mercy.

"Can you heal her?" Damea asked, his voice shaking. Touya glanced to him, his icy orbs cold and deadly. The Therian slowly shook his head. Sheree was far too gone for him to heal. There was nothing he could do. Even as he'd asked, the Therian woman grew still in his grip, her eyes still staring off into the direction of the human cities, tears falling from her eyes. Damea fell over her, sobs taking over his frame. Next to him Touya stood and moved across the burning village. Damea looked up just long enough to see through his blurry vision where the Therian had gone.

Touya turned Ninia over and stared at her for a long time. Damea felt hot tears explode forward anew as he watched. Touya's frame was highlighted by the fires around him and from the flickering light, Damea noted that the Therian was also crying. Turning to the fire mage, Touya stood with Ninia in his arms.

"We bury them, so they may reach Thriy."

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Character Portrait: Touya Khan Character Portrait: Damea Reese Character Portrait: Monday
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Touya Khan





“Lost something?~”

Appearing abruptly out of nowhere, a pale man lazily emerged from the dense shadows of the room. His entrance was seamless, stretched out from the pitch gloom almost as if he had been there the entire time. Oddly, from his formal dress and mannerisms, he was so far removed from frightening it was surreal. Gloved fingers, so pale they could have been mistaken as transparent, delicately brushed over the icy cold surface of a metal slab as he regarded Touya. Had it been April who slept there? Or was it Damea? Only Reginald knew.

“They do say forgetfulness is a form of freedom,” commented the gentleman. He seemed earnest, but one could never be certain if he were intentionally mocking the therian given the green mask.

“Or was it the opposite?” asked the man, doubting himself immediately.

Shrugging, he spared only a second to gleam over his thoughts. A mop materialized in his hands then, though perhaps it had always been there. Shifting over, he navigated its rangy head downwards, sloshing water in a bucket that was hidden behind the table. “But some things can’t be forgotten, not completely. Only a little light can lift the haze,” he advised, spreading sentences that sounded more like riddles.

Turning to concentrate, he worked his way around the table. The man’s back and forth motions were almost methodical, blissfully unaware that the room was occupied. Nonetheless, he dolefully wiped out puddles of blood, plunging his dripping mop into the pail several times for good measure. “It’s going to take me weeks to fully remove these blood stains,” he grumbled petulantly, clinging to some lost hope the building would be used again.

Noticing that Touya was still watching, his emerald eyes glimmered, briefly displaying mild surprise. “Oh, strange. Usually you can’t see me by now,” he remarked, a ghost of a smile touching his unseen lips, “Alright, alright. If you insist. I guess I can chatter a bit more. I do wonder which path you’ll choose eventually. Humanity or the therians? I’ll leave you one clue to help make the decision. Toodle-oo.”

Something soft, yet solid bounced on the table before coming to rest. It rolled into light, revealing a recently severed arm, though the bleeding had long since stopped. Clearly effeminate, the limb ended in a clean cut just before the elbow. On closer inspection, a small object was found to be lodged between the fingers. Spherical in shape, it was an unknown badge of office. Segments of frayed, red cotton were still attached to the ends, suggesting the marker had been ripped from its origins.

Once again, the red haired gentleman had vanished without notice.

“What’s taking so long Touya? I hope you’re not pissing in there,” Miles hissed, his voice reverberating through the darkness to reach the therian, “We should move. I fear we have outstayed our welcome.”

Accompanied by Damea and the others, Miles had spent the majority of his time securing the surrounding vicinity. During that period, a noticeable lack of guards had passed beyond the windows. In fact, no body at all had appeared in the last several minutes. Eerily, the sounds of general chatter had ceased all together, only to be replaced by a faint clapping that echoed through the hallways. Miles shifted uncomfortably in his uniform, straining his senses for signs of potential danger. All the while he tried to ignore the persistent clapping. Every ten seconds the noise resonated through the tranquil building, like a death toll. What in the four realms was the cause of it?

“Smells like a trap,” Bastionne murmured, nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air, literally. The Lieutenant was practically invisible in the unlit premises of the hall. Deprived of his signature stubble machine-gun, Bastionne had restricted himself to a short sword in favor of stealth, even going as far as to dull the shine of the blade.

More clapping followed, maintaining tradition.

“Getting in here did feel far too easy. Think they want information on the identities of who still opposes them?” John responded, scanning the room from his crouched position.

Still the clapping continued, inevitably growing closer. Audible now was the distinct sound of metal rasping against stone.

“Nah, it’s probably just like Havoc said,” Miles intervened, unsheathing his sword in anticipation. “The scientist has a new toy and he wants to test it. I say, bring it on! I’m not worried! And for empire’s sake, can somebody stop that noise!”

Answering Miles, the clapping stopped. In its stead, a monster burst out from the darkness, eight foot tall and mewling wordless profanities. The thing charged forwards, heaving a mass of sinuous muscle and metal appendages that left the party gagging. Its disproportionate arms ended in one broadsword, and one giant hammer which it flailed about. Miles gulped, realizing it was the source of the clapping.

“I regret this immediately,” the Beast Slayer cursed.

John was the first to react, aiming his repeater crossbow down the length of the hall at the approaching hybrid. Pulling the trigger, he pumped the encroaching hybrid full of cross bolts before rolling aside desperately. No sooner had he done so did the hammer smashed through the wall behind him, pulverizing stone to dust. Bastionne had gone, lost in the chaos, but there were plenty of other targets left to massacre. The hybrid’s beady eyes focused on Damea and Miles, regarding them with deep hunger.

“Guess you smell better," Miles commented, brandishing his sword as the hybrid lunged towards Damea, broadsword swinging.

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Character Portrait: Touya Khan Character Portrait: Damea Reese Character Portrait: Monday
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#, as written by Siryn
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“Lost something?~”

Touya whirled around to the voice that called out to him. He had been engaged in looking at the papers strewn across the room. His eyes met that of a youthful looking man with a green mask over his face and an elegance that could have even rivaled that of the Therians. Touya's eyebrow lifted slightly as he regarded the man before him, not sure how he should respond.

“They do say forgetfulness is a form of freedom. Or was it the opposite?”

Touya, at this point was so confused that he didn't know how to respond to that. What was this man talking about? He wasn't making any sense to the Therian at all.

“But some things can’t be forgotten, not completely. Only a little light can lift the haze,” the man continued, his words were puzzling as Touya listened to him. He stared at the man as he suddenly gripped a mop out of thin air and there was a bucket of water right next to him.

“It’s going to take me weeks to fully remove these blood stains,”

What? Remove the blood stains? How... why was he doing that? Who was this man, where did he come from? These questions revolved around in Touya's mind as he stared at the man, unable to move or speak. He then recalled that Damea and himself had seen the same man out in the fields. Even then this person didn't seem to belong in their world, and his words were ever troublesome to make heads or tails out of.

“Oh, strange. Usually you can’t see me by now. Alright, alright. If you insist. I guess I can chatter a bit more. I do wonder which path you’ll choose eventually. Humanity or the therians? I’ll leave you one clue to help make the decision. Toodle-oo.”

If he... but Touya hadn't said anything out loud. He'd only stared at the man, perplexed at his appearance. The man's words were even more trouble some as he directly addressed Touya on the issue of the humans and Therian's fighting right then. Touya wanted what was best for both of them. It was just difficult getting there. Something bounced on the table beyond the window, making a soft sound as it hit and rolled into the light. It was an arm and Touya's eyes narrowed on it as he noted the cuts along the forearm, just below the elbow. The Therian's keen gaze caught something glinting and he could tell that it was something similar to that of the badges that the soldiers wore.

"Who are you?" Touya asked finally, his voice having been gone from him till then, as he looked up into the room. However, what met his gaze was emptiness and he lunged forward, pressing his hands against the window to peer inside the room and try to find the man again. He had so many questions, so many things he wished to know of the man.

“What’s taking so long Touya? I hope you’re not pissing in there. We should move. I fear we have outstayed our welcome,” The voice belonged to Miles who was coming down the hall then. Touya didn't answer him for some time as he gazed at the arm inside the other room. His hands had slid off the glass and rested at his side. He didn't know what to do. However, as the words sunk in from Miles his lips turned into a frown. How degrading for the man to suggest such a thing.

"You could have a bit more tact, you know," Touya suggested as he turned away from the window and went to the desk. There were so many papers there. He hoped to find something that would give him an answer to his question about April's whereabouts. Anything at all. All the Therian needed was the tiniest of information to go off of. As he shifted around the papers, the conversation outside hardly reached him, though he could hear their words.

"I think Miles is right, Touya... we should probably leave," Damea called, sounding rather nervous or tense.

"Just a little longer," Touya replied as he shifted through the papers as quickly as he could. His eyes scanned all of the documents as best he could. Nothing. He couldn't find anything of any relevance to April. However, something did catch his attention and his eyes scanned the paper.

“Nah, it’s probably just like Havoc said. The scientist has a new toy and he wants to test it. I say, bring it on! I’m not worried! And for empire’s sake, can somebody stop that noise!”

Touya looked up, perplexed about what it was that Miles was shouting about. He hadn't gone through the entire the paper yet and had only gotten that April had something wrong with her already. His heart was tight as he had read the paper, but with Miles' sudden shout about someone making some noise, he was on alert. Touya stepped around the desk slowly and looked out into the hallway where the men where. It was silent, but then a second later and a being taller than Touya broke through the darkness and lunged at the group. It's voice wasn't human, but it's mouth was forming some attempt at words. A broadsword was on the end of one of its arms, the other was a large hammer.

“I regret this immediately,” Touya heard Miles curse as the man pulled out his weapons and prepared to fight back against the monster.

One of the elite guard was the first to attack, John, if Touya remembered correctly. The youth shot his crossbow at the beast that was coming at them. Several cross bolts later and the thing was still going at them. John moved out of the way quickly and he was lucky to have the instinct to move for the monster dropped his hammer-like limb down into the wall right where John had been.

It's next target was Damea then as it turned and issued a deep growl of pure rage. Touya moved then, drawing both his blades and snapping them out as well as engaging his wrist blades and claws. He raised his weapons and shoved off against the downward strike of the broadsword that was aimed directly at Damea and Miles. Touya rebounded off the enormous weapon, but it wasn't the weapon that did it, it was the beasts pure strength. Even so, Touya managed to deflect the weapon so that it missed his comrades.

More cross bolts filled the air as they sunk deep into the creatures bare skin along it's back as John was now behind it. Touya got his footing back and lunged forward again, intent on showing his own strength against the beast. His body glowed then and he was propelled by sheer power. Touya slammed into the monster and pushed as hard as he could. Damea joined him and Touya was rewarded with a wonderful sight. Damea twisted around quickly, the fire mage moving gracefully and fluidly with all that he'd been taught by the Therians. His blades whirled through the air, cutting and slashing at the thing as he moved from one maneuver to another.

With Touya holding the monster with his own power, Damea was free to cut the thing into ribbons. However, no matter how much Damea cut it, it didn't seem to do anything to the damned thing. After a moment, Touya began to lose his footing and his forward momentum. The creature must have felt it as well and he pushed back against the Therian. Another push had Touya sliding backwards and finally the beast swung outwards hard. Touya was thrown so hard that his body's impact against the wall put a few cracks in the hall way.

Touya was dazed then, the room spun for a moment before his eyes and he staggered trying to get his footing. After he was balanced again, his body glowed a second time and he twisted his blades in his hands. Touya's long hair billowed behind him as he pulled even more power into his body. He was trying to get as much of an upper hand as he could with this fight. The Therian knew that this wasn't going to be easy. Touya slowly raised his gaze upwards to eye the monster before them.

Damea, breathing heavily, slid next to the Therian, his swords held at the ready as well, "This is going to take a long time," Damea commented.

Touya only nodded. He didn't answer the mercenary because there was really no point to do so. What he was trying to figure out was how they were going to kill this thing. Touya's eyes narrowed as the monster lunged at them, swinging wildly. This must be the 'hybrid' that Reginald had mentioned. Was it the same one that attacked the place? Maybe. Touya ducked, moving quickly as his speed was enhanced by his power. The wall behind him where he and Damea had been standing burst apart. Together, Damea and Touya lunged forward at the creature, blades swiping at the thing. Blood spurted from where they cut it, but still the creature drove on.

Twisting around it turned to catch first Damea across his chest and threw him down the hall. Touya's heart clenched as he heard the crack of the hammer against Damea's body. A second later he was met by the same fate with the hammer as well. Touya was a bit faster and his swords came up to take most of the blow, but he was still thrown backwards with amazing force. As he slid across the floor, he ground his teeth together. Humans had built this? They were insane. They were preparing for something big, that much was for sure. Slowly the Therian got back to his feet.

Touya was sure he was going to stop it.