Introduction
The Boundary. Its what separates this world from the one beyond. In this world, lives humans. On the other side, that's where the monsters live. Everyday, due to the sins and bad deeds committed by humans, the monsters from the other side are able to cross into this world. Some are good, just wanting to escape their own home. But, most are evil, coming to this world in hopes of bringing great harm to people. That is where my mom and the others step in. They are the Undead Exorcists, and it is their job to defeat the evil before it destroys this world.
~ From the Diary of Lilith, Daughter of Daisy, Schwarz's Leader.
Schwarz is a sprawling metropolis, with the poorest of the poor and the richest of the rich living within its city limits. Within this city is the UE. While it appears to be a bar with almost no business to speak of, it is also the home of the cities resident Undead Exorcists. Humans brought back to life by a witches magic, they are in charge of protecting this city from what lies beyond the boundary. Demons, monsters, old gods, youkai, if you can think of it, it exists in that world. It is the responsibility of the Exorcists to destroy those who cross the boundary.
Important plot points
The Boundary: The line between our world and theirs. As far as anyone can tell, the Boundary has been around for as long as there has been us. Theories state it is the gateway between two realms, a tear in space if you will. Others say humans and these monsters once lived together, and the Boundary is a powerful spell that now separates the two worlds.
Undead Exorcist: Someone who was born a human, but died and was resurrected (in a way) by a wielder of advance magic. There are only five people living right now with the power to create an Undead Exorcist, one of them being Daisy. Exorcists are immortal, unable to die even if eviscerated to the point only a single cell remained. They will always regenerate. They can however be killed by the person who created them, and an Arc Weapon (get into that later), or a monster harvesting their soul. Along with this they have incredible strength, speed, and senses. Most spells will not work on them and they have the power to steal an ability from a monster, though they can only have one at a time. Finally, they are able to "Undead" a weapon (sword, gun, bow, even a stick). This causes the object to morph to their own particular tastes and it greatly increases the effectiveness of the item against monsters. The lifespan of an Exorcist is unknown as they do not age. Due to the fact many are cut down against monsters, their average is not that high either. The oldest exorcist lived to be 589, so most just assume that's the maximum age they could reach.
Undead Exorcists have many reasons for doing what they do, but the reason why the organization continues to this day is due to one major reason; Profit. There is a thriving and vast black market trade for a lot of these monsters remains. Witches need certain things for spells and rituals Then, you have collectors, who are humans aware of the Boundary and pay a great deal of money for certain "bits".
The EU: A bar on the bad side of town designed to throw off anyone looking for something to find. It often acts as a haven for "good" monsters to congregate without fear of persecution by Hunters or evil monsters.
Monsters: Monsters is a general term for supernatural beings that exist past the Boundary. Like I said before, there are more well known ones like demons (not made in hell mind you, but have similar appearances and abilities) vampires, werewolves, youkai, etc. Then there are ones that we as contributors to the roleplay can create. Keep in mind, these enemies will be tiered, and some will be much stronger than others. Most are able to take on the appearance of a human, while others have to often pay a witch for a spell to change their appearance. By possessing a human, they receive an incredible increase in strength and by harvesting souls can do terrible things.
Arc Weapons: Weapons created from the remains of the most powerful entities to ever cross the boundary. Only one organization has the influence and money to create such weapons; The Sect. Arc Weapons are wielded by the Shepherds and are usually modified with each new person they pass on to. There is an even higher subset of Arc Weapons called Holy Relics. These are weapons made by High Priests from the souls of witches. Only five are known to ever be made, with only two being in the possession of the Sect. Undead Exorcists are told to run if they come in contact with someone carrying such a item.
The Sect: A religious organization that hunts down and destroys those who cross the Boundary. Unlike the UE, they do not do it for profit, but purely to destroy anything that threatens the human world from beyond. They are however flawed in one major area. Unlike Undead Exorcists, they kill all trespassers, regardless of intent or creed. Even those who cross the boundary to live a peaceful life are still guilty in their eyes.
Shepherds: The hunters of The Sect and wielders of Arc Weapons. They have been known to target Undead Exorcists, as they view them to also be an abomination.
Zero Space: A simple spell taught to all Undead Exorcists. When they find their target, activating the spell allows them to enter a neutral zone that exists outside of the current. It allows them to battle and chase their target without fear of injuring others or causing damage to the world around them. However, they can only cause someone to enter Zero Space with them if they are within ten meters of said entity and have their sight on them, making the spell a little tricky to execute.
Schwarz: The city where this takes place.
Important People
Daisy: Powerful witch and the leader of the Schwarz group of Undead Exorcists. She receives contracts and puts what the Exorcists recover on the black market. She is a relatively young witch by most standards and has never made any Exorcists herself. She can always be found in the bar along with her daughter, Lilith.
Roth: Works as a bartender at The EU to make ends meet while he tries to figure out his place in the human world. He is the old god, Thor. But, he has no intention of causing problems. He often watches Lilith when Daisy has to step out. Also, he has a reputation for making an incredible martini. As an old god, he was once worshiped by humans, but their egos spiraled out of control to the point the humans turned on them, causing them to flee back into the Boundary.
Asther and Rolan: Information brokers who will often pass jobs to EU in exchange for a small cut of the profit. Only Daisy knows their true origin. When others ask they often respond that they are just, "Simple businessmen looking to make an honest living."
Will add to as the roleplay goes on. We need five roles for this roleplay to start (Four actually, since I will be one of them); 3 Undead Exorcists and 1 human who will be the focus of the first part of the roleplay. If we get to the point, I will allow people to start making others characters (members of The Sect, powerful monsters, etc.).
Character Sheet
Name:
Age: (No older than 150)
Appearance: (Please, no real life people)
Personality:
Ability: (If they have one. Remember, his can change anytime your character wishes simply by taking one from a monster so its not that important, No Crazy-level ability to start with though).
Equipment: (What do they usually carry and more specifically, what does it look like when your character wields it).
Any questions, fill free to ask me in the OOC
~ From the Diary of Lilith, Daughter of Daisy, Schwarz's Leader.
Schwarz is a sprawling metropolis, with the poorest of the poor and the richest of the rich living within its city limits. Within this city is the UE. While it appears to be a bar with almost no business to speak of, it is also the home of the cities resident Undead Exorcists. Humans brought back to life by a witches magic, they are in charge of protecting this city from what lies beyond the boundary. Demons, monsters, old gods, youkai, if you can think of it, it exists in that world. It is the responsibility of the Exorcists to destroy those who cross the boundary.
Important plot points
The Boundary: The line between our world and theirs. As far as anyone can tell, the Boundary has been around for as long as there has been us. Theories state it is the gateway between two realms, a tear in space if you will. Others say humans and these monsters once lived together, and the Boundary is a powerful spell that now separates the two worlds.
Undead Exorcist: Someone who was born a human, but died and was resurrected (in a way) by a wielder of advance magic. There are only five people living right now with the power to create an Undead Exorcist, one of them being Daisy. Exorcists are immortal, unable to die even if eviscerated to the point only a single cell remained. They will always regenerate. They can however be killed by the person who created them, and an Arc Weapon (get into that later), or a monster harvesting their soul. Along with this they have incredible strength, speed, and senses. Most spells will not work on them and they have the power to steal an ability from a monster, though they can only have one at a time. Finally, they are able to "Undead" a weapon (sword, gun, bow, even a stick). This causes the object to morph to their own particular tastes and it greatly increases the effectiveness of the item against monsters. The lifespan of an Exorcist is unknown as they do not age. Due to the fact many are cut down against monsters, their average is not that high either. The oldest exorcist lived to be 589, so most just assume that's the maximum age they could reach.
Undead Exorcists have many reasons for doing what they do, but the reason why the organization continues to this day is due to one major reason; Profit. There is a thriving and vast black market trade for a lot of these monsters remains. Witches need certain things for spells and rituals Then, you have collectors, who are humans aware of the Boundary and pay a great deal of money for certain "bits".
The EU: A bar on the bad side of town designed to throw off anyone looking for something to find. It often acts as a haven for "good" monsters to congregate without fear of persecution by Hunters or evil monsters.
Monsters: Monsters is a general term for supernatural beings that exist past the Boundary. Like I said before, there are more well known ones like demons (not made in hell mind you, but have similar appearances and abilities) vampires, werewolves, youkai, etc. Then there are ones that we as contributors to the roleplay can create. Keep in mind, these enemies will be tiered, and some will be much stronger than others. Most are able to take on the appearance of a human, while others have to often pay a witch for a spell to change their appearance. By possessing a human, they receive an incredible increase in strength and by harvesting souls can do terrible things.
Arc Weapons: Weapons created from the remains of the most powerful entities to ever cross the boundary. Only one organization has the influence and money to create such weapons; The Sect. Arc Weapons are wielded by the Shepherds and are usually modified with each new person they pass on to. There is an even higher subset of Arc Weapons called Holy Relics. These are weapons made by High Priests from the souls of witches. Only five are known to ever be made, with only two being in the possession of the Sect. Undead Exorcists are told to run if they come in contact with someone carrying such a item.
The Sect: A religious organization that hunts down and destroys those who cross the Boundary. Unlike the UE, they do not do it for profit, but purely to destroy anything that threatens the human world from beyond. They are however flawed in one major area. Unlike Undead Exorcists, they kill all trespassers, regardless of intent or creed. Even those who cross the boundary to live a peaceful life are still guilty in their eyes.
Shepherds: The hunters of The Sect and wielders of Arc Weapons. They have been known to target Undead Exorcists, as they view them to also be an abomination.
Zero Space: A simple spell taught to all Undead Exorcists. When they find their target, activating the spell allows them to enter a neutral zone that exists outside of the current. It allows them to battle and chase their target without fear of injuring others or causing damage to the world around them. However, they can only cause someone to enter Zero Space with them if they are within ten meters of said entity and have their sight on them, making the spell a little tricky to execute.
Schwarz: The city where this takes place.
Important People
Daisy: Powerful witch and the leader of the Schwarz group of Undead Exorcists. She receives contracts and puts what the Exorcists recover on the black market. She is a relatively young witch by most standards and has never made any Exorcists herself. She can always be found in the bar along with her daughter, Lilith.
Roth: Works as a bartender at The EU to make ends meet while he tries to figure out his place in the human world. He is the old god, Thor. But, he has no intention of causing problems. He often watches Lilith when Daisy has to step out. Also, he has a reputation for making an incredible martini. As an old god, he was once worshiped by humans, but their egos spiraled out of control to the point the humans turned on them, causing them to flee back into the Boundary.
Asther and Rolan: Information brokers who will often pass jobs to EU in exchange for a small cut of the profit. Only Daisy knows their true origin. When others ask they often respond that they are just, "Simple businessmen looking to make an honest living."
Will add to as the roleplay goes on. We need five roles for this roleplay to start (Four actually, since I will be one of them); 3 Undead Exorcists and 1 human who will be the focus of the first part of the roleplay. If we get to the point, I will allow people to start making others characters (members of The Sect, powerful monsters, etc.).
Character Sheet
Name:
Age: (No older than 150)
Appearance: (Please, no real life people)
Personality:
Ability: (If they have one. Remember, his can change anytime your character wishes simply by taking one from a monster so its not that important, No Crazy-level ability to start with though).
Equipment: (What do they usually carry and more specifically, what does it look like when your character wields it).
Any questions, fill free to ask me in the OOC
- 14 posts here • Page 1 of 1
The Story So Far... Write a Post » as written by 5 authors
"Lilith! Going home already?" Lilith turned around to her school friend, waving back to the other girl with a wide smile on her face. "Yeah, my mom doesn't like me out when its dark. Bye!" With that Lilith continued on her way, leaving the safety and security of the nice part of the city. It was her daily routine to head there after school each day. If she went back to her actual house, there would be nothing there accept shadows and the occasional dusty relic that Daisy doesn't care enough about to clean. No, in her mind her real home was The EU, a bar with a reputation for catering to oddballs and the most unsavory of characters. Lilith couldn't tell her friends that was where she actually went after school because if she did, it would bring all kinds of attention to the place that it would be better left avoiding.
Lilith boarded the subway train, an odd thing to see someone her age doing by themselves, but she was more than able to defend herself. Hell, she didn't have a choice but to be. Even on this train, she could see it, the darkness only ones like herself could see. There's six on this train, she thought to herself, gripping her book-pack tightly and turning her head down to the ground beneath her. Not all darkness is evil, she knew that. But, taking such a chance as getting noticed was something she couldn't do this far from her "friends". Putting her earphones in and humming along with the song, she tried to get her mind off of it. A task that had become daily, though she didn't mind. She knew, even if these six were wanting to bring harm to her, they knew the ramifications for such an act would far out way anything they could do to her. Yes, just as she knew them, they also knew her, and it made some fidget with fear.
The train came to a stop, Lilith removing her earplugs and stepping outside onto the platform. Making her way up to ground level, she took a heavy breath, as she always does, of the denser air that inhibited this area of town. Looking across the street, she saw her "home," looking as dead as usual. The EU sat unassuming, directly across from the subway. The windows were old with designs and writing that looked like it hadn't been updated since the 40's. The sign that hung over top of the entrance was made of wood, with The EU written in chipped, white paint on it. Despite all this, the bar was just over ten years old, the antique look being cast upon it by a witch wanting to draw less of a crowd. If one were to ask someone who lived in the neighborhood, The EU has been there since the forties and has been past down through the generations to Daisy. The tricks of a witch, you would guess. Lilith looked both ways, then ran across the street. It was fall, so the sun had already set for the day and the night was quickly approaching. She opened the door, the sound of a slight creak made her twitch, even though it was a sound she had heard her entire life. "Ah, there's my girl." Lilith looked to the familiar voice, seeing her mom, Daisy, sitting at the center of the bar. Across from Daisy behind the bar stood a young blonde man, tall in stature with a cigarette resting between his lips as he cleaned a glass. "Oi, Lilly, did you bring your math book?" The young man said, putting the glass down on the counter. Lilith nodded and hopped up on the bar stool beside her mother. "Thanks for teaching me, Roth." Lilith looked around the bar, seeing it deserted. However, it was even more so then usual. "Aw, I thought I was going to get here before everyone left." Lilith hung her head. "Hey, what do you mean everyone?" Her mom said, flicking her daughter on the forehead playfully. Roth filled the empty glass with whiskey, Daisy wrapping her right hand around it and pulling it close to her mouth. "They'll be back later to spend time with you," Daisy said before taking a small sip of her drink. "God help whoever they want to spend time with now."
Meanwhile...
The shadow panted heavily as it ran through the halls, scurrying around each corner trying to escape its pursuer. Smashing through a door at the far end of a hallway, it found itself trapped, having just came through the rooms only exit. It began clawing at the walls, throwing its fists haphazardly trying to breach the concrete. It froze solid at the sound of footsteps behind it, getting closer and eventually stopping. It turned around to see someone shrouded in the darkness, much the same way it was. "Who the hell are you?!" The shadow yelled, backing against the far wall. The person calmly raised their right hand and whispered the word, "Zero," before snapping. From him emerged a dark purple light that engulfed the world around them, dying everything in purple. The darkness disappeared as a result, and the two were both revealed to what they were underneath. The shadow was shown to be a goblin, hideous in appearance with green skin, long limbs, a potbelly, and an elongated nose, to name a few odd features. "Th-This is Zero! Exorcist?!" The goblin said, its eyes widening even further and its breathing becoming difficult for it to control. The man was revealed to be almost homeless in appearance, were it not for his clean shaven face. "Why would an exorcist bother himself with me!" Lucas lifted his left hand, holding a plain looking scabbard in front of himself. "Because, you are no ordinary goblin, are you? I know your secret." Lucas spoke in a condescending tone, as if his adversary was beneath him.
The goblin looked down at the ground and began to laugh manically. "You should of let me got away." The goblins left arm began physically morphing, turning into a large blade that extended thru to its shoulder. "I am Drol. The Shapeshifter! Now you die, Exorcist." Drol lunged at Lucas, laughing as he moved. Making contact, Drol laughed even louder. "Haha, how do you like that Exorcist!" Its laughter continued for a few seconds, followed by the laughter dying down, and eventually Drol revealed a stunned look on its face, unable to comprehend what was happening in front of it. Its blade made contact, of that it was certain. But, it just stopped, as if resting on Lucas's stomach. No matter how hard Drol pushed the blade, it just wouldn't go in. Lucas removed his sword from the scabbard. As the blade exited its holder, the cold steel turned black, a smoke emitting from it. Lucas looked up at Drol, a smile on his face. "Green." With that, Lucas gently pressed his blade up against the neck of Drol. Without even following through with the cut, the slice formed on Drol's neck, its head falling to the ground, and then its body. Lucas sheathed his sword as he watched the body of his opponent morph into its original state, a completely white form with no definition to speak of, the perfect form for someone formless. "Let's see, if I can remember correctly, its their eyes collectors want. Its the only thing that stays consistent through their transformations." Lucas picked up Drol's head and gently put his left index finger and thumb on the beings right eye. "Should probably do this more cleanly, but whatever."
Lucas exited the warehouse, the purple color that had engulfed the area quickly receding back to its origin, him. "I could use a drink. I wonder if Roth remembered to buy the ingredients like I asked?" Shrugging to himself he began walking toward the subway station, slightly happy that he managed to finish his job for the night before causing any real world damage.
Lilith boarded the subway train, an odd thing to see someone her age doing by themselves, but she was more than able to defend herself. Hell, she didn't have a choice but to be. Even on this train, she could see it, the darkness only ones like herself could see. There's six on this train, she thought to herself, gripping her book-pack tightly and turning her head down to the ground beneath her. Not all darkness is evil, she knew that. But, taking such a chance as getting noticed was something she couldn't do this far from her "friends". Putting her earphones in and humming along with the song, she tried to get her mind off of it. A task that had become daily, though she didn't mind. She knew, even if these six were wanting to bring harm to her, they knew the ramifications for such an act would far out way anything they could do to her. Yes, just as she knew them, they also knew her, and it made some fidget with fear.
The train came to a stop, Lilith removing her earplugs and stepping outside onto the platform. Making her way up to ground level, she took a heavy breath, as she always does, of the denser air that inhibited this area of town. Looking across the street, she saw her "home," looking as dead as usual. The EU sat unassuming, directly across from the subway. The windows were old with designs and writing that looked like it hadn't been updated since the 40's. The sign that hung over top of the entrance was made of wood, with The EU written in chipped, white paint on it. Despite all this, the bar was just over ten years old, the antique look being cast upon it by a witch wanting to draw less of a crowd. If one were to ask someone who lived in the neighborhood, The EU has been there since the forties and has been past down through the generations to Daisy. The tricks of a witch, you would guess. Lilith looked both ways, then ran across the street. It was fall, so the sun had already set for the day and the night was quickly approaching. She opened the door, the sound of a slight creak made her twitch, even though it was a sound she had heard her entire life. "Ah, there's my girl." Lilith looked to the familiar voice, seeing her mom, Daisy, sitting at the center of the bar. Across from Daisy behind the bar stood a young blonde man, tall in stature with a cigarette resting between his lips as he cleaned a glass. "Oi, Lilly, did you bring your math book?" The young man said, putting the glass down on the counter. Lilith nodded and hopped up on the bar stool beside her mother. "Thanks for teaching me, Roth." Lilith looked around the bar, seeing it deserted. However, it was even more so then usual. "Aw, I thought I was going to get here before everyone left." Lilith hung her head. "Hey, what do you mean everyone?" Her mom said, flicking her daughter on the forehead playfully. Roth filled the empty glass with whiskey, Daisy wrapping her right hand around it and pulling it close to her mouth. "They'll be back later to spend time with you," Daisy said before taking a small sip of her drink. "God help whoever they want to spend time with now."
Meanwhile...
The shadow panted heavily as it ran through the halls, scurrying around each corner trying to escape its pursuer. Smashing through a door at the far end of a hallway, it found itself trapped, having just came through the rooms only exit. It began clawing at the walls, throwing its fists haphazardly trying to breach the concrete. It froze solid at the sound of footsteps behind it, getting closer and eventually stopping. It turned around to see someone shrouded in the darkness, much the same way it was. "Who the hell are you?!" The shadow yelled, backing against the far wall. The person calmly raised their right hand and whispered the word, "Zero," before snapping. From him emerged a dark purple light that engulfed the world around them, dying everything in purple. The darkness disappeared as a result, and the two were both revealed to what they were underneath. The shadow was shown to be a goblin, hideous in appearance with green skin, long limbs, a potbelly, and an elongated nose, to name a few odd features. "Th-This is Zero! Exorcist?!" The goblin said, its eyes widening even further and its breathing becoming difficult for it to control. The man was revealed to be almost homeless in appearance, were it not for his clean shaven face. "Why would an exorcist bother himself with me!" Lucas lifted his left hand, holding a plain looking scabbard in front of himself. "Because, you are no ordinary goblin, are you? I know your secret." Lucas spoke in a condescending tone, as if his adversary was beneath him.
The goblin looked down at the ground and began to laugh manically. "You should of let me got away." The goblins left arm began physically morphing, turning into a large blade that extended thru to its shoulder. "I am Drol. The Shapeshifter! Now you die, Exorcist." Drol lunged at Lucas, laughing as he moved. Making contact, Drol laughed even louder. "Haha, how do you like that Exorcist!" Its laughter continued for a few seconds, followed by the laughter dying down, and eventually Drol revealed a stunned look on its face, unable to comprehend what was happening in front of it. Its blade made contact, of that it was certain. But, it just stopped, as if resting on Lucas's stomach. No matter how hard Drol pushed the blade, it just wouldn't go in. Lucas removed his sword from the scabbard. As the blade exited its holder, the cold steel turned black, a smoke emitting from it. Lucas looked up at Drol, a smile on his face. "Green." With that, Lucas gently pressed his blade up against the neck of Drol. Without even following through with the cut, the slice formed on Drol's neck, its head falling to the ground, and then its body. Lucas sheathed his sword as he watched the body of his opponent morph into its original state, a completely white form with no definition to speak of, the perfect form for someone formless. "Let's see, if I can remember correctly, its their eyes collectors want. Its the only thing that stays consistent through their transformations." Lucas picked up Drol's head and gently put his left index finger and thumb on the beings right eye. "Should probably do this more cleanly, but whatever."
Lucas exited the warehouse, the purple color that had engulfed the area quickly receding back to its origin, him. "I could use a drink. I wonder if Roth remembered to buy the ingredients like I asked?" Shrugging to himself he began walking toward the subway station, slightly happy that he managed to finish his job for the night before causing any real world damage.
“Oh come on guys it never has to be this serious”
Rae was against the wall of a dead end alley way, he was chased in by three former gang teammates. Rae had left the gang he was in because he simply didn’t feel like he should be doing it anymore. Sadly for him the gang didn’t really take too kindly to that. The men didn’t seem to have any firearms on them, but one had a baseball bat so he could only assume they were going to beat him half to death if not completely to death. Somehow even with all the odds stacked against him Rae still held a cocky smile as the men walked down the alley.
“It became this serious the minute you walked out on us”
The man with the bat began to talk. He was easily the biggest among them. He wore a T-shirt and shorts undoubtedly to show off his muscle. Rae believed this individual should be wearing a hat as well to cover up the glare his bald head was shining into his eyes. The one on baldy’s right was wearing an orange hoodie and jeans, while the one on his left was wearing a dark blue T-shirt as well, though his muscles were less defined.
‘So how do I get out of this one?’ The men were right in front of them before Rae just had the thought of running right through them to try and get past them so he did. Rae tried to run in-between the biggest one and the smallest one, hoping to get though, sadly baldy managed to stop him completely before he could get through them. Rae fell back onto the floor. Shit, now what?
“So just give me another go and you guys will be in real trouble”
The smaller two ignored the statement, grabbed him and pressed him against the wall holding him by both shoulders. Baldy reared back his bat and swung at Rae stomach; he coughed up a good amount of spit and tried to pull himself off the wall before being pushed back. Somehow Rae felt that wasn’t even half of what that man could really do.
“How does that feel Mr. Tough guy”
Rae was slouched over in pain but after hearing the question Rae brought his head back up to look at the man once again. There was still some drool running down the side of his mouth when he said
“I can barely feel it”
Rae chuckled and his cocky smile returned once more…
Rae was against the wall of a dead end alley way, he was chased in by three former gang teammates. Rae had left the gang he was in because he simply didn’t feel like he should be doing it anymore. Sadly for him the gang didn’t really take too kindly to that. The men didn’t seem to have any firearms on them, but one had a baseball bat so he could only assume they were going to beat him half to death if not completely to death. Somehow even with all the odds stacked against him Rae still held a cocky smile as the men walked down the alley.
“It became this serious the minute you walked out on us”
The man with the bat began to talk. He was easily the biggest among them. He wore a T-shirt and shorts undoubtedly to show off his muscle. Rae believed this individual should be wearing a hat as well to cover up the glare his bald head was shining into his eyes. The one on baldy’s right was wearing an orange hoodie and jeans, while the one on his left was wearing a dark blue T-shirt as well, though his muscles were less defined.
‘So how do I get out of this one?’ The men were right in front of them before Rae just had the thought of running right through them to try and get past them so he did. Rae tried to run in-between the biggest one and the smallest one, hoping to get though, sadly baldy managed to stop him completely before he could get through them. Rae fell back onto the floor. Shit, now what?
“So just give me another go and you guys will be in real trouble”
The smaller two ignored the statement, grabbed him and pressed him against the wall holding him by both shoulders. Baldy reared back his bat and swung at Rae stomach; he coughed up a good amount of spit and tried to pull himself off the wall before being pushed back. Somehow Rae felt that wasn’t even half of what that man could really do.
“How does that feel Mr. Tough guy”
Rae was slouched over in pain but after hearing the question Rae brought his head back up to look at the man once again. There was still some drool running down the side of his mouth when he said
“I can barely feel it”
Rae chuckled and his cocky smile returned once more…
One leg folded over the other, Juniper looked down at her watch again.
"Why do you need to know the time?" a voice said, footsteps growing louder from behind her. "You're not in a hurry to be anywhere."
"I'm not," she acknowledged, rising to her feet and stretching. "But there's someone else that should be."
"Waiting on somebody?" the voice inquired.
"Not anymore," she shrugged, slinging her bag over her shoulder and passing an offhanded look over her shoulder at the man behind her. "I'm done waiting."
"And I just got here, too," he sighed. He straightened up a little and jerked his thumb back. "Do you want me to head back?"
"That's up to you, Troy," Juniper answered, cramming her hands into her pockets as she began heading down the street. "It really doesn't matter either way." She slowed down as she said this before coming to a stop, pausing for a few moments. "But I guess I haven't had company in a while." She began walking again, noticing that her response was answered with light footfalls behind her. "So? Has life been busy?"
"No more than it is on any other day," he said, gradually catching up to Juniper's side. "It's almost like-" Troy cut himself off mid-sentence, slowing down his walking pace as his ears picked up on sounds in the distance. "Do you hear that?" Her lack of an answer either suggested that she didn't hear it or that she didn't care. The latter was probably more likely, though to what degree he couldn't make certain - for someone who acted so aloof and indifferent to everything, she fought pretty damn hard when she needed to. "We should check it out," he added. "It sounds like trouble."
"Isn't that a reason not to check it out?" Juniper said, her narrow eyes briefly shifting toward him. Troy picked up his pace and moved up ahead, gesturing down an alleyway on the other side of the street.
"Look, over there," he said, pointing. Juniper spared it a quick glance, registering a couple of thugs ganging up on a single person. Her gaze shifted forward again. "Aren't you going to help him?"
"No," Juniper said as she continued walking, slipping a cigarette out of a pack she'd kept in her front pocket. She lit it up and brought it to her lips, looking back down the alleyway. Her vision filled with smoke as she exhaled. Troy walked in front of her and stood in her path, visibly irritated with his arms crossed and his brows furrowed.
"Why do you always have to be like this?" he said. "Every single time, even though you're perfectly capable!"
"You're free to give him a hand if you want," Juniper answered coldly. "I won't stop you."
"Then maybe I will," he muttered, turning away in frustration as he headed toward the alley. He felt a hand wrap around his shoulder. "Now what?"
"I want to watch," she grinned. Troy rolled his eyes and sighed. Juniper rested with her back against the wall, her eyes following him down the length of the alley as he made his way toward them. He was about to open his mouth to give a warning when he suddenly feel himself lose any kind of nerve. Shit, these guys look kind of scary, Troy thought, wondering if it was really such a good idea. One of them's even got a bat...
Nervously, he looked back at Juniper for some kind of sign. She shrugged in response. Goddammit Juniper.
"Leave him alone," Troy barely managed to say without stuttering. Three against two. Not...terrible odds, but in all honesty, this probably wouldn't end well.
"On second thought, I don't want to watch," Juniper yawned, turning around as she started heading home. "If you end up in the hospital, I'll make sure to send you a get well card."
"W-Wait!" Troy stammered as he spun around. "Two - no, three meals! All on me, I'll treat you tomorrow!"
"And you'll pay for all of it?" she asked, stopping in her tracks.
"All of it!" he reassured her anxiously. Juniper stood still for a moment as though in thought before turning around.
"I'll think about it," Juniper said dryly, heading down the same alleyway toward them.
"Why do you need to know the time?" a voice said, footsteps growing louder from behind her. "You're not in a hurry to be anywhere."
"I'm not," she acknowledged, rising to her feet and stretching. "But there's someone else that should be."
"Waiting on somebody?" the voice inquired.
"Not anymore," she shrugged, slinging her bag over her shoulder and passing an offhanded look over her shoulder at the man behind her. "I'm done waiting."
"And I just got here, too," he sighed. He straightened up a little and jerked his thumb back. "Do you want me to head back?"
"That's up to you, Troy," Juniper answered, cramming her hands into her pockets as she began heading down the street. "It really doesn't matter either way." She slowed down as she said this before coming to a stop, pausing for a few moments. "But I guess I haven't had company in a while." She began walking again, noticing that her response was answered with light footfalls behind her. "So? Has life been busy?"
"No more than it is on any other day," he said, gradually catching up to Juniper's side. "It's almost like-" Troy cut himself off mid-sentence, slowing down his walking pace as his ears picked up on sounds in the distance. "Do you hear that?" Her lack of an answer either suggested that she didn't hear it or that she didn't care. The latter was probably more likely, though to what degree he couldn't make certain - for someone who acted so aloof and indifferent to everything, she fought pretty damn hard when she needed to. "We should check it out," he added. "It sounds like trouble."
"Isn't that a reason not to check it out?" Juniper said, her narrow eyes briefly shifting toward him. Troy picked up his pace and moved up ahead, gesturing down an alleyway on the other side of the street.
"Look, over there," he said, pointing. Juniper spared it a quick glance, registering a couple of thugs ganging up on a single person. Her gaze shifted forward again. "Aren't you going to help him?"
"No," Juniper said as she continued walking, slipping a cigarette out of a pack she'd kept in her front pocket. She lit it up and brought it to her lips, looking back down the alleyway. Her vision filled with smoke as she exhaled. Troy walked in front of her and stood in her path, visibly irritated with his arms crossed and his brows furrowed.
"Why do you always have to be like this?" he said. "Every single time, even though you're perfectly capable!"
"You're free to give him a hand if you want," Juniper answered coldly. "I won't stop you."
"Then maybe I will," he muttered, turning away in frustration as he headed toward the alley. He felt a hand wrap around his shoulder. "Now what?"
"I want to watch," she grinned. Troy rolled his eyes and sighed. Juniper rested with her back against the wall, her eyes following him down the length of the alley as he made his way toward them. He was about to open his mouth to give a warning when he suddenly feel himself lose any kind of nerve. Shit, these guys look kind of scary, Troy thought, wondering if it was really such a good idea. One of them's even got a bat...
Nervously, he looked back at Juniper for some kind of sign. She shrugged in response. Goddammit Juniper.
"Leave him alone," Troy barely managed to say without stuttering. Three against two. Not...terrible odds, but in all honesty, this probably wouldn't end well.
"On second thought, I don't want to watch," Juniper yawned, turning around as she started heading home. "If you end up in the hospital, I'll make sure to send you a get well card."
"W-Wait!" Troy stammered as he spun around. "Two - no, three meals! All on me, I'll treat you tomorrow!"
"And you'll pay for all of it?" she asked, stopping in her tracks.
"All of it!" he reassured her anxiously. Juniper stood still for a moment as though in thought before turning around.
"I'll think about it," Juniper said dryly, heading down the same alleyway toward them.
The night was young, and the children of Schwarz Middle School were far from done with their fun. Hell, it had only just started. The group of 12- and 13-year-olds moved like a pack of wolves, leaving everything in their path in ruins. Candy wrappers, chip bags, rubber bands- they were flying everywhere. These tiny yet fierce creatures on two legs spit out phrases and words that would make your uncle either blush or get a migraine- probably both. And on each of their faces- their obnoxious, naive faces- you could almost see in bold: "I'm a brat." And the leader of this clan of miscreants for the time being was none other than Michael Baxter.
This band of rascals had developed a routine, which consists of being as annoying as possible while walking to their destination, insulting the unfortunate saps their age who got in their way, and just in general being a pain in the ass. Why would Michael Baxter condone this behavior? If one were to ask him why, he'd feed the person nonsense until he'd become fed up with him and leave. So what's the actual reason why he's being a prick? The closest thing to the truth Michael has ever answered was "I don't know." He does know that he can be such a complete douchebag. And what do you know, as soon as he saw the man in black and white with the badge come for the kids, he sneaked away from the group and hightailed outta there. Did he feel remorse? Take a wild guess.
Now with no posse following him around, Michael could get to the actual fun. If only he could find a new playmate. And where else could you find a playmate if not a shady corner in some obscure part of Schwarz! Walking with his hands jammed into his pockets, Michael surveyed the building for anything that could become his source of entertainment.
"You're that Baxter boy."
Michael turned around to face the one who had spoken and flashed a wide grin. "Yeap! That's me!"
"You've been messing around with my brethren for too long. I'll be the one who will finally end you and avenge them!"
Michael had just hit jackpot. He tapped his chin, as if he were thinking. The bloodthirsty, hairless, grotesque monster before him didn't worry him at all. A lightbulb flicked on, and Michael laughed and said, "You'll have to catch me, first!"
The boy had added oil to the fire, and now he was running. The monster followed suit, but was always brought into obstacles as Michael bobbed and weaved over hydrants and under trees. He climbed onto a fence and continued his run on the rooftops, monster following soon after. The boy's agility and acrobatic ability have been honed over the decades, and if he were an actual 13-year-old with his current ability, the recruiters would be lining up. He leaped over gaps, one gap there was a scene in which some poor guy was surrounded by a couple of thugs, but Michael couldn't stick his nose into that at the moment. Seeing a light pole, he took a leap and slid down, the monster still on the rooftops. People were coming into his view, and as he dodged the bodies and the insults in his way, he caught sight of a nearby subway station. Michael's grin grew wider, and he made his way toward the tunnel. The monster had slipped in and was crawling quickly on the ceiling, closing the gap between it and Michael overhead. Below, Michael took a quick glance at the times and was in sheer luck. He jumped over the gates and dashed for the train. The monster was closing in, and was just a second away from leaping, but at the very last moment, Michael had slipped into the train right before the doors closed. The brat waved goodbye, disregarding the potential dangers of leaving that monster alive. He knew someone else was bound to take care of it.
This band of rascals had developed a routine, which consists of being as annoying as possible while walking to their destination, insulting the unfortunate saps their age who got in their way, and just in general being a pain in the ass. Why would Michael Baxter condone this behavior? If one were to ask him why, he'd feed the person nonsense until he'd become fed up with him and leave. So what's the actual reason why he's being a prick? The closest thing to the truth Michael has ever answered was "I don't know." He does know that he can be such a complete douchebag. And what do you know, as soon as he saw the man in black and white with the badge come for the kids, he sneaked away from the group and hightailed outta there. Did he feel remorse? Take a wild guess.
Now with no posse following him around, Michael could get to the actual fun. If only he could find a new playmate. And where else could you find a playmate if not a shady corner in some obscure part of Schwarz! Walking with his hands jammed into his pockets, Michael surveyed the building for anything that could become his source of entertainment.
"You're that Baxter boy."
Michael turned around to face the one who had spoken and flashed a wide grin. "Yeap! That's me!"
"You've been messing around with my brethren for too long. I'll be the one who will finally end you and avenge them!"
Michael had just hit jackpot. He tapped his chin, as if he were thinking. The bloodthirsty, hairless, grotesque monster before him didn't worry him at all. A lightbulb flicked on, and Michael laughed and said, "You'll have to catch me, first!"
The boy had added oil to the fire, and now he was running. The monster followed suit, but was always brought into obstacles as Michael bobbed and weaved over hydrants and under trees. He climbed onto a fence and continued his run on the rooftops, monster following soon after. The boy's agility and acrobatic ability have been honed over the decades, and if he were an actual 13-year-old with his current ability, the recruiters would be lining up. He leaped over gaps, one gap there was a scene in which some poor guy was surrounded by a couple of thugs, but Michael couldn't stick his nose into that at the moment. Seeing a light pole, he took a leap and slid down, the monster still on the rooftops. People were coming into his view, and as he dodged the bodies and the insults in his way, he caught sight of a nearby subway station. Michael's grin grew wider, and he made his way toward the tunnel. The monster had slipped in and was crawling quickly on the ceiling, closing the gap between it and Michael overhead. Below, Michael took a quick glance at the times and was in sheer luck. He jumped over the gates and dashed for the train. The monster was closing in, and was just a second away from leaping, but at the very last moment, Michael had slipped into the train right before the doors closed. The brat waved goodbye, disregarding the potential dangers of leaving that monster alive. He knew someone else was bound to take care of it.
The door to The EU opened, Roth raising his head from Lilith's textbook to greet the new customers. "Welcome to the-. Oh, its you two." Daisy raised her head as well, rolling her eyes and going back to her drink. "Damn, is that how you treat all your customers? I think our money would be better spent elsewhere. Eh, Rolan?" Asther turned to her "colleague" an eyebrow raised and an annoying grin on her face. "Well, I'd be open to the idea. But, there's one problem. We're flat broke," Rolan said, shrugging his shoulders and taking a seat next to Lilith at the bar. Asther walked to the other end and sat next to Daisy. "Very good point well made, my dear friend. Oh my, whoever will we be able to blame for this misfortune." Asther nudged at Daisy, who in turn just motioned for Roth to refill her glass. Asther clicked her tongue and said, "Come on, girl. At least make an attempt in playing along. Well, whatever. We were actually wondering if you would be interested in purchasing some information?"
Purchasing? What's wrong with taking a cut of what the job makes? Same as always. Daisy looked over to Lilith, seeing that Rolan and Roth were both making an attempt at solving her homework.
Asther shrugged and said, "Well, that might have been fine a few years ago. But, this new group of Exorcists you have? Since they were put together its been hard to get a good pay day out of this place."
"Okay, its been a rough first year. But, out of the four, three have been doing this for fifty or more years and the last is dedicated. Hell, I just sent Lucas out for that Shapeshifter job you brought in last week. He should be back any minute."
Asther made a visible motion, like a chill running up her back at the thought of Lucas. Sorry, D. I get he's one of yours, but that boy gives me the creeps. What, with those cold, dead eyes of his."
"Fine, how much do you want for the info?"
"That's my girl. Five."
"You better mean five hundred."
"There's two things I don't joke about. How stupid Rolan looks in those shades, and money."
Daisy sighed heavily and nodded. "Fine. But if the info isn't worth it, you aren't getting a dime out of me."
Asther chuckled and snapped her fingers, Rolan pulling an envelope out of his coat in response. He passed it down the counter, Daisy grabbing it and tearing straight through the package with no sense of delicacy.
"Your messing with me right?"
"Does it look like I'm fucking with you?" Roth quickly covered Lilith's ears and shot a look to Asther "Sorry, forgot. Anyway, trust me. This is more than a simple possession. Meet Rae Tsuyo. He was grabbed five years ago and he's still in control."
Daisy raised an eyebrow and put the picture down on the counter. "Well, that is interesting. Most of the time people are lucky to make it a few months, but five years? That's... rare."
Asther nodded in agreement. Right, right. I bet you have never even heard of a case like this."
Daisy chuckled and stretched her arms out. "Well, once. But, that case was special."
Asther smiled and said, "Why, what happened?"
"An island disappeared." Everyone at the bar paused for a second as Daisy stood up and yawned heavily. "But, that was a long time ago and a very rare case. I have to use the bathroom. I'll be right back." Daisy left the room.
Roth watched her as she left, turning back to Asther and Rolan who were staring straight ahead with perplexed looks on their faces. "Guys... she was joking. Well, maybe. Anyway, you going to drink or can I get back to helping Lilly?"
Lucas opened the door the the bar, tapping the toe of his right shoe on the threshold as he walked in. "I'm bac- oh, you two are here... great." Rolan laughed, taking a sip of his bourbon and looking toward Roth. "I'm beginning to notice a pattern in how we're viewed around here." Lilith had moved to the back of the bar with Asther. The two were playing a kids game, one that Asther was seemingly unable to win despite actually trying to beat the little girl. Lilith got up from her seat and ran up to Lucas. "Welcome back! Did your job go well?" Lucas patted his right pants pocket and gave Lilith a thumbs up. "No problem. Don't you remember? I never lose." Lilith nodded gleefully before returning back to her game with Asther. "Lucas, come show the nice lady where the bad man touched you." Daisy was sitting up at the bar next to Rolan, the two appearing as though they had been knocking back shots. Lucas sighed and walked over to her, sitting on the opposite side of her from Rolan. "That joke wasn't funny the first hundred times either." Lucas reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag that looked like it came from a small gas station. Didn't have anything on me. Had to make due. You should have seen the clerks face when I asked for a bag. Probably messed him up for life." Daisy looked in the bag for only a second before pulling her eyes away in disgust. "Good work, I guess. I'll get these on the market in the morning. We should be paid soon. These tend to fetch a hefty price. Not many shapeshifters make it through The Boundary." Daisy handed the bag to Roth who immediately stashed it behind the bar for safekeeping until tomorrow. "Don't head home yet. We have something we need to talk about once more people get here. I would tell you now, but then later I would have to repeat myself, and you know how much I hate doing that. Lucas nodded his head and turned to Roth. "Fine with me. Not like I had anything else going on. The night is young and I am not. Roth, get me a rum & coke."
Purchasing? What's wrong with taking a cut of what the job makes? Same as always. Daisy looked over to Lilith, seeing that Rolan and Roth were both making an attempt at solving her homework.
Asther shrugged and said, "Well, that might have been fine a few years ago. But, this new group of Exorcists you have? Since they were put together its been hard to get a good pay day out of this place."
"Okay, its been a rough first year. But, out of the four, three have been doing this for fifty or more years and the last is dedicated. Hell, I just sent Lucas out for that Shapeshifter job you brought in last week. He should be back any minute."
Asther made a visible motion, like a chill running up her back at the thought of Lucas. Sorry, D. I get he's one of yours, but that boy gives me the creeps. What, with those cold, dead eyes of his."
"Fine, how much do you want for the info?"
"That's my girl. Five."
"You better mean five hundred."
"There's two things I don't joke about. How stupid Rolan looks in those shades, and money."
Daisy sighed heavily and nodded. "Fine. But if the info isn't worth it, you aren't getting a dime out of me."
Asther chuckled and snapped her fingers, Rolan pulling an envelope out of his coat in response. He passed it down the counter, Daisy grabbing it and tearing straight through the package with no sense of delicacy.
"Your messing with me right?"
"Does it look like I'm fucking with you?" Roth quickly covered Lilith's ears and shot a look to Asther "Sorry, forgot. Anyway, trust me. This is more than a simple possession. Meet Rae Tsuyo. He was grabbed five years ago and he's still in control."
Daisy raised an eyebrow and put the picture down on the counter. "Well, that is interesting. Most of the time people are lucky to make it a few months, but five years? That's... rare."
Asther nodded in agreement. Right, right. I bet you have never even heard of a case like this."
Daisy chuckled and stretched her arms out. "Well, once. But, that case was special."
Asther smiled and said, "Why, what happened?"
"An island disappeared." Everyone at the bar paused for a second as Daisy stood up and yawned heavily. "But, that was a long time ago and a very rare case. I have to use the bathroom. I'll be right back." Daisy left the room.
Roth watched her as she left, turning back to Asther and Rolan who were staring straight ahead with perplexed looks on their faces. "Guys... she was joking. Well, maybe. Anyway, you going to drink or can I get back to helping Lilly?"
Lucas opened the door the the bar, tapping the toe of his right shoe on the threshold as he walked in. "I'm bac- oh, you two are here... great." Rolan laughed, taking a sip of his bourbon and looking toward Roth. "I'm beginning to notice a pattern in how we're viewed around here." Lilith had moved to the back of the bar with Asther. The two were playing a kids game, one that Asther was seemingly unable to win despite actually trying to beat the little girl. Lilith got up from her seat and ran up to Lucas. "Welcome back! Did your job go well?" Lucas patted his right pants pocket and gave Lilith a thumbs up. "No problem. Don't you remember? I never lose." Lilith nodded gleefully before returning back to her game with Asther. "Lucas, come show the nice lady where the bad man touched you." Daisy was sitting up at the bar next to Rolan, the two appearing as though they had been knocking back shots. Lucas sighed and walked over to her, sitting on the opposite side of her from Rolan. "That joke wasn't funny the first hundred times either." Lucas reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag that looked like it came from a small gas station. Didn't have anything on me. Had to make due. You should have seen the clerks face when I asked for a bag. Probably messed him up for life." Daisy looked in the bag for only a second before pulling her eyes away in disgust. "Good work, I guess. I'll get these on the market in the morning. We should be paid soon. These tend to fetch a hefty price. Not many shapeshifters make it through The Boundary." Daisy handed the bag to Roth who immediately stashed it behind the bar for safekeeping until tomorrow. "Don't head home yet. We have something we need to talk about once more people get here. I would tell you now, but then later I would have to repeat myself, and you know how much I hate doing that. Lucas nodded his head and turned to Roth. "Fine with me. Not like I had anything else going on. The night is young and I am not. Roth, get me a rum & coke."
The smoke filled room was silent, a rare moment of piece that created more tension than any noise could. Marcus pursed his lips, his finger lightly tapping before he let out a sigh. “I’m out” as he tossed his cards on the table the silence broke, a laugh here and a snicker there. Picking himself up he waved his hand, moving the smoke a little as he collected his winnings with a grin. He knew well enough not to lose everything in one hand, even with his poor luck today he had not lost to much money. Waving behind him he stepped out the door and into an alleyway. The little poker game was run out the back of a Chinese restaurant, a crummy joint that few people ever bothered to hang out in, the only entrance to the game room was in the back away from the prying eyes of everyday folk. Turning away Marcus walked with his hands shoved into his pockets and his head cast down.
He turned onto the more crowded street and tugged his black cap down a little lower, these type of streets were always too bright for his taste. The signs of lights of displays cast flashing lights and images all over the place, the puddles on the ground reflected it back creating a sort of moving art piece. He used to spend a lot of time watching these sorts of things, now a days though he just didn’t see the point.
He made his way through the city, taking back roads and alleys whenever he could. As he walked he whistled quietly, a quick and varied tune that he had picked up from some place lost in his memories. He did not bother with paying to much attention to his surroundings, he knew exactly what he would see. People of both the first and second world going through hard times, kids on the streets cause they got nowhere else to go and adults out because they don’t want to be where they belong. This part of town was filled with losers and drunks, hookers and thieves, fences and bastards. People went to bars around here instead of church, hell some went to bars instead of grocery stores. He never worried about finding any trouble, the only time he ever found any was when he was looking for it. Most people knew well enough to leave him alone, that he wasn’t the sort of person you messed with. He made the trip quickly, he had taken such routes a dozen times before. Before long he was back at his old haunt, or maybe it was more his new haunt.
He pushed open one of the backdoors of the EU, walking in with a grin as he took of his hat and made his way inside. He barely bothered to glance around before tossing his hat on the bar and saying with a little grin. “Round of crown for everyone, and by that I mean three glasses for me of course.” Glancing over at Lucas he continued. “Make sure to put it on his tab of course” Walking by he gave Daisy a little pat on the head as he laughed.
He turned onto the more crowded street and tugged his black cap down a little lower, these type of streets were always too bright for his taste. The signs of lights of displays cast flashing lights and images all over the place, the puddles on the ground reflected it back creating a sort of moving art piece. He used to spend a lot of time watching these sorts of things, now a days though he just didn’t see the point.
He made his way through the city, taking back roads and alleys whenever he could. As he walked he whistled quietly, a quick and varied tune that he had picked up from some place lost in his memories. He did not bother with paying to much attention to his surroundings, he knew exactly what he would see. People of both the first and second world going through hard times, kids on the streets cause they got nowhere else to go and adults out because they don’t want to be where they belong. This part of town was filled with losers and drunks, hookers and thieves, fences and bastards. People went to bars around here instead of church, hell some went to bars instead of grocery stores. He never worried about finding any trouble, the only time he ever found any was when he was looking for it. Most people knew well enough to leave him alone, that he wasn’t the sort of person you messed with. He made the trip quickly, he had taken such routes a dozen times before. Before long he was back at his old haunt, or maybe it was more his new haunt.
He pushed open one of the backdoors of the EU, walking in with a grin as he took of his hat and made his way inside. He barely bothered to glance around before tossing his hat on the bar and saying with a little grin. “Round of crown for everyone, and by that I mean three glasses for me of course.” Glancing over at Lucas he continued. “Make sure to put it on his tab of course” Walking by he gave Daisy a little pat on the head as he laughed.
‘So I don’t know, was it really the best idea trying to leave this gang so quickly. For some reason I hoped I could leave just like that even though I knew it could never be that simple.’
“Oh yea well do you feel this?” The men holding him immediately let go and backed away as the man with the bat swung at Rae’s head. The way they did it made it obvious that they had done something like this before. Maybe it was just something that was just muscle memory to them at this point. Rae really had no time to react to this, he was still focusing on the pain in his stomach when they let him go and by the time he realized what was happing it was already too late. The men who were holding him didn’t come back, it seemed as if something else had their attention, they were looking at two other coming down the alleyway. Rae was on his hands and knees struggling to get up when baldy picked him up by his shirt and slammed him against the wall once more. Rae looked past the man and saw the two figures coming down the alleyway, a man and a woman ‘Oh thank God’ Rae looked back at baldy and said
“Hey it looks like someone came to help you guys out”
Rae was suffering from blurry vision after being hit with the baseball bat. He was on the brink of passing out but managed to stay awake seemingly through will power alone. Even though he was talking tough he really didn’t have much to do right now to back it up. Even after telling baldy that last joke his arms stayed dangled at his side as the man held him up by his shirt. If the new arrivals were going to help him now would defiantly be the time.
The man didn’t seem to appreciate Rae’s bravado. He dropped the bat and punched Rae in the stomach in one fluid motion. ‘Yea this sucks’
“Oh yea well do you feel this?” The men holding him immediately let go and backed away as the man with the bat swung at Rae’s head. The way they did it made it obvious that they had done something like this before. Maybe it was just something that was just muscle memory to them at this point. Rae really had no time to react to this, he was still focusing on the pain in his stomach when they let him go and by the time he realized what was happing it was already too late. The men who were holding him didn’t come back, it seemed as if something else had their attention, they were looking at two other coming down the alleyway. Rae was on his hands and knees struggling to get up when baldy picked him up by his shirt and slammed him against the wall once more. Rae looked past the man and saw the two figures coming down the alleyway, a man and a woman ‘Oh thank God’ Rae looked back at baldy and said
“Hey it looks like someone came to help you guys out”
Rae was suffering from blurry vision after being hit with the baseball bat. He was on the brink of passing out but managed to stay awake seemingly through will power alone. Even though he was talking tough he really didn’t have much to do right now to back it up. Even after telling baldy that last joke his arms stayed dangled at his side as the man held him up by his shirt. If the new arrivals were going to help him now would defiantly be the time.
The man didn’t seem to appreciate Rae’s bravado. He dropped the bat and punched Rae in the stomach in one fluid motion. ‘Yea this sucks’
Troy took in an long breath, puffed out his chest, furrowed his brows...and pushed Juniper forward.
"Go kick their asses," he whispered timidly.
"Hold on a second," Juniper said, turning the tables on him and bringing him forward instead. "Weren't you the one that said that you were going to help him? You really should keep your word."
"Give me a break," he groaned. "I get it, I get it, just do something, will you?"
"Whatever you say," she shrugged, making her way past Troy and toward the thugs.
One of the thugs came forward with a grin on his face.
"Looks like the punk has a girlfr-" Juniper knocked him flat before he could even finish the sentence, a foot stomping down on his back as he attempted to get back on his feet. His body trembled as he looked up at her with a bloodied face.
"Does it look like I'm here to talk?" Juniper said quietly, a killer intent glinting in her eyes as she glared down at him. A bat suddenly swung in and it her across the face, the force of the hit causing the bat to fracture. As Juniper turned her attention to the thug that just hit her across the face, a pattern of armored scales were visible in the same place where she'd been struck, red veins webbing out from the patch as it melded back into her skin and vanished without leaving a trace.a
"Oh, shit-"
Juniper roundhoused the bat into a thousand pieces, the shattered fragments scattering all across the floor. Before he had time to react, she mimicked the motion with her other leg, this time hitting the thug in the side. The power of the kick sent him reeling into the opposite wall, which he promptly collapsed and slid down against. She stared down at the last thug, her hands crammed in her pockets.
"I'll give you a free shot," she said, her intonation making it clear that her words were a threat to him. Unfortunately, he didn't take her up on her offer and decided to scamper off, only to be caught in the back of the collar by Troy.
"Hey buddy," Troy smiled, pulling the gangster's collar back. "The princess might be done with you, but I think you haven't overstayed your welcome just yet. I think you have something to tell our friend here," he continued, nodding his head toward the young man that they had ganged up on. "Oh, and maybe you can send a message to the rest of your pals too, eh?" Juniper leaned with her back against the wall and crossed her arms.
"Don't make this more complicated than it needs to be," she told Troy, plucking her cigarette from her lips and letting out a stream of smoke. Her gaze fell down on Rae. "Hey, kid. Can you stand?"
"Go kick their asses," he whispered timidly.
"Hold on a second," Juniper said, turning the tables on him and bringing him forward instead. "Weren't you the one that said that you were going to help him? You really should keep your word."
"Give me a break," he groaned. "I get it, I get it, just do something, will you?"
"Whatever you say," she shrugged, making her way past Troy and toward the thugs.
One of the thugs came forward with a grin on his face.
"Looks like the punk has a girlfr-" Juniper knocked him flat before he could even finish the sentence, a foot stomping down on his back as he attempted to get back on his feet. His body trembled as he looked up at her with a bloodied face.
"Does it look like I'm here to talk?" Juniper said quietly, a killer intent glinting in her eyes as she glared down at him. A bat suddenly swung in and it her across the face, the force of the hit causing the bat to fracture. As Juniper turned her attention to the thug that just hit her across the face, a pattern of armored scales were visible in the same place where she'd been struck, red veins webbing out from the patch as it melded back into her skin and vanished without leaving a trace.a
"Oh, shit-"
Juniper roundhoused the bat into a thousand pieces, the shattered fragments scattering all across the floor. Before he had time to react, she mimicked the motion with her other leg, this time hitting the thug in the side. The power of the kick sent him reeling into the opposite wall, which he promptly collapsed and slid down against. She stared down at the last thug, her hands crammed in her pockets.
"I'll give you a free shot," she said, her intonation making it clear that her words were a threat to him. Unfortunately, he didn't take her up on her offer and decided to scamper off, only to be caught in the back of the collar by Troy.
"Hey buddy," Troy smiled, pulling the gangster's collar back. "The princess might be done with you, but I think you haven't overstayed your welcome just yet. I think you have something to tell our friend here," he continued, nodding his head toward the young man that they had ganged up on. "Oh, and maybe you can send a message to the rest of your pals too, eh?" Juniper leaned with her back against the wall and crossed her arms.
"Don't make this more complicated than it needs to be," she told Troy, plucking her cigarette from her lips and letting out a stream of smoke. Her gaze fell down on Rae. "Hey, kid. Can you stand?"
Michael whistled an old tune as he rode the near-empty subway, swinging his legs to and fro. His adrenaline waned away, and he found himself watching the world pass him out the window. He remembers when he rode his first train- the speed was nothing compared to this one, yet he liked the old clunky thing much better. It's because it had more soul, he thought. Whatever that means. But that's probably just the old man in him speaking.
The subway stopped and Michael decided to hop off. He had no other plans, so he thought it would be best just to return home. He began to walk, but heard a hiss from above him. Well, shoot, there'd been a stowaway on the train all this time. Michael casually exited the tunnel while staying aware of the being on the ceiling. As soon as he had stepped out, he ran for a more secluded place, monster following close. They had reached a dead end alleyway, and the monster did not hesitate to strike. Michael dodged the attack with ease. "You missed!" He teased in his most obnoxious voice. Angering the monster further, Michael continued to throw taunts and insults as the monster's attacks grew brash and uncoordinated. When Michael had enough of this, he grabbed the arm of the monster mid strike and positioned himself over the monsters body, forcing it to the ground. He gripped its arm like a vice, and took out the gardening scythe in his belt. A white light emanated from the weapon, and grew into a larger, more threatening scythe. The monster struggled underneath, but Michael's blade halted it from squirming any further as he placed it right on its neck. "It's been fun."
The boy whistled the whole time on his way to the EU. He came in through the front doors and laughed, arriving just as Marcus had. "Been a disappointing day for you again, Marcus?" Michael grinned his usual grin and waved at Lucas. He saw Lilith and grew quiet, taking a seat a little ways from her. He nodded in greeting to her and everyone else. It's been this way with everyone for Michael, though he's never shared why.
The subway stopped and Michael decided to hop off. He had no other plans, so he thought it would be best just to return home. He began to walk, but heard a hiss from above him. Well, shoot, there'd been a stowaway on the train all this time. Michael casually exited the tunnel while staying aware of the being on the ceiling. As soon as he had stepped out, he ran for a more secluded place, monster following close. They had reached a dead end alleyway, and the monster did not hesitate to strike. Michael dodged the attack with ease. "You missed!" He teased in his most obnoxious voice. Angering the monster further, Michael continued to throw taunts and insults as the monster's attacks grew brash and uncoordinated. When Michael had enough of this, he grabbed the arm of the monster mid strike and positioned himself over the monsters body, forcing it to the ground. He gripped its arm like a vice, and took out the gardening scythe in his belt. A white light emanated from the weapon, and grew into a larger, more threatening scythe. The monster struggled underneath, but Michael's blade halted it from squirming any further as he placed it right on its neck. "It's been fun."
The boy whistled the whole time on his way to the EU. He came in through the front doors and laughed, arriving just as Marcus had. "Been a disappointing day for you again, Marcus?" Michael grinned his usual grin and waved at Lucas. He saw Lilith and grew quiet, taking a seat a little ways from her. He nodded in greeting to her and everyone else. It's been this way with everyone for Michael, though he's never shared why.
Lucas sighed as Marcus sat down, taking another sip of his drink. "Roth." Roth simply nodded, pouring Marcus' drink and sitting it down in front of him. "I'll take the price of the drinks out of the job profits, same as always. But remember, the more you drink, the less you get out of completed jobs." Lucas leaned back in his seat, taking a break from the drink as it had already been his third so far. "You don't need to tell this idiot Roth. He knows already." Roth shrugged and looked down the bar to Michael. "You want anything?" Before Michael could respond, there was a loud thud coming from where Daisy was sitting, making most in the bar jump a little. She appeared to smack her shot glass too hard down on the counter, smashing it to pieces and causing Rolan to withdraw from their little competition. "Damn. Roth, can you please clean this up?" Daisy stood up and walked over to Lilith, bending down and smiling to her daughter. "Sweetie, why don't you take Asther and continue your game upstairs? I have to talk business with the others." Lilith simply nodded and grabbed Asther hand, dragging the woman with her to the employee only door in the back right corner of the bar. The door led up to Daisy's office and it was where Lilith would often go when Daisy wanted to keep her out of the loop on certain things. Lilith didn't mind and at least this time she wasn't going to go wait alone. Asther gave a wave back to everyone as she was led up the stairs, making eye contact with Rolan as she did so.
Lucas stood up and walked to the front door, locking it while Roth locked the back. Daisy walked behind the bar and motioned for the Exorcists to gather around. She reached into her back pocket and removed the photo of Rae Tsuyo, placing it on the bar counter in front of her. "Alright fellas, meet Rae Tsuyo. From what Asther told me, he would appear like just another street kid. But, her sources say he is currently possessed." Lucas clicked his tongue and took another sip of his drink. "And? I don't understand. If that's the case I'll just go 'cleanse' him of his problem." Daisy shook her head and said, "Not so fast, Lucas. This case is a little different. Rolan and Asther say Rae has been possessed for five years and still has control. Whatever has possessed him still hasn't fully crossed The Boundary. Its been slowly feeding its power into Rae, making sure not to overload him and lose its vessel into this world." Rolan put his finger on the photo and told them, "Daisy, I'll finish. Only the strongest from beyond need to cross The Boundary in this manner. Now, what it is exactly, we haven't the slightest clue. But, its strong. Not only that, but its power is acting like a beacon, drawing weaker beings to this city."
Lucas chuckled a bit, finishing his drink and putting it back down on the counter. "Well, when did you become an expert on things like this?" Roth grabbed the glass and began cleaning it behind the counter. "Daisy told him before you guys got here." Rolan dipped his head, as though Lucas and Roth had just rained on his parade. "Like a divine punishment, it doesn't stop there either. Since this thing is bringing others into the city, they will surely follow as well. The Shepherds. As you three know, they don't enter the city too often because you guys and Daisy are here. But, the most fool-hearty are likely to come." The Shepherds. Michael, Lucas, and Marcus had all been around long enough to run into them at least once in their lifetimes. While normal humans, the weapons they carry were far from ordinary. Lucas licked his lips, not even realizing he was doing it. To him, all this information meant was that several strong opponents were in his near future. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's find this kid." Daisy rolled her eyes, grabbing the photo and holding it close to her chest. "Well, if there are no other questions, then I will begin." Daisy closed her eyes and began mumbling to herself, the words sounding utterly foreign to those around her. She spoke for only a few seconds before the words, "Guide my way," slipped out of her mouth. She opened her eyes, her irises and pupils appearing a bright yellow in color. She was silent for a minute, the others knowing it was just part of the process. "What the hell? What is that girl doing there?! I guess it is a smaller world than I thought." Daisy smiled as her eyes returned to normal and she was brought back to The EU.
"Why does it not surprise me that Juni is already a step ahead of you all? We're lucky. The kids not far from here and Juniper is already with him. Don't know why, and honestly I don't care. They're in an alley off Third. Head down there and severe that things connection with Rae before we lose him to it. Now that Juni has made contact, the monsters will be out in force to prevent the severing. She will need your help soon. I'll text her and let her know she is in danger. Well, what are you waiting for? Go." Lucas looked at the others and nodded. As they went to leave, Daisy yelled out to them, "One more thing. Some guy is with them. Find out who he is, and if he knows about us or what Juniper is. If he does, deal with it." Lucas looked down at the ground before simply nodding and heading out the door. Rolan yawned before standing up. "I'll go tell Asther its okay to come back down." Rolan left the room, Daisy walking back around the bar and sitting down. Roth poured her a glass of water and said, "What do you mean deal with him?" Daisy looked at Roth and smiled. "Come on Roth, you know, as well as them, what I meant. I'll have to reconstruct his memory. The list of people who know about what we do is short, well documented, and highly monitored. We have to do what we can to protect the innocent from this truth. Well, except those with deep pockets, but I wouldn't exactly call them innocent." Roth grinned, knowing the procedure after nearly five years with Daisy. Daisy removed her cellphone and found Juniper in her contacts. Normally, she could just tell her telepathically, but modern technology was just so convenient. She texted, 'You probably have incoming. The others are on their way.' Daisy put her phone away and closed her eyes, reciting another spell. This one caused a purple light to emerge from her. It spread out, covering a ten block radius. Unlike The Exorcists Zero, she was able to create much larger ones, however she couldn't move, making her useless in a battle when doing it. However, for the Exorcists, it gave them a much needed edge. Lilith, Rolan, and Asther emerged from the office, all knowing what was going on. Rolan, Asther, and Roth were special, so they were trapped in the Zero for the time being. Lilith was there with them, this being her first time in Zero in what felt like a lifetime.
Lucas closed the door behind them as they left The EU. "Alright guys, you know the drill. Once we-" Before Lucas could finish that thought, the presence of two from beyond interrupted him. One was moving along the roof toward Juniper's location, the other taking the streets. They were moving fast. It was like Daisy feared. Juniper's vicinity to the big one was causing problems already. "Shit. Alright, change of plans. I'll take the rooftops, you two take the streets. We have four blocks between here and there. Kill everything you come across, but don't let it slow you down. Don't worry about collecting for the Market. Priorities and all that. Severe the kid, and find out what the other one with Juniper knows. But, the main concern is Rae. Let's move." Without another word, Lucas looked toward the roof and bent down as far as he could. He leaped off the ground, landing on the fire escape above and following it up to the roof. This wasn't the first time they had to work together, so Lucas knew he could trust both Michael and Marcus to do what needed to be done. Lucas began running along the roof, removing his sword. He could see the monster from earlier in his sights. It was a weakling, as to be was expected. Only the lower tier would be stupid enough to recklessly pursue this situation. The main issue was going to be numbers, not power. Lucas ran at the enemy, seeing it to be nothing more than a lowly goblin. The beast raised its arms to fight, seeing Lucas pass by it in an instant. Turning around to see the man it thought was going to be its enemy jump across to the next roof, it felt its body split in half. The light from Zero engulfing it and causing it to disappear from the world, the fight that ended its life lasting less than a second.
At the edge of Zero, near the ten block limit, a hooded figure entered the zone. It had pierced Zero, the hole reforming behind the figure. Its body was completely shrouded in the cloak, but from its right sleeve a silver axe shined brilliantly, even in the dullness of the purple world. The figure began a slow and methodical walk toward the direction of Juniper and Rae, an aura of killer intent radiating off it. At this moment, Juniper and Rae would have both found themselves in Zero, Troy disappearing from their view, and them from his.
Lucas stood up and walked to the front door, locking it while Roth locked the back. Daisy walked behind the bar and motioned for the Exorcists to gather around. She reached into her back pocket and removed the photo of Rae Tsuyo, placing it on the bar counter in front of her. "Alright fellas, meet Rae Tsuyo. From what Asther told me, he would appear like just another street kid. But, her sources say he is currently possessed." Lucas clicked his tongue and took another sip of his drink. "And? I don't understand. If that's the case I'll just go 'cleanse' him of his problem." Daisy shook her head and said, "Not so fast, Lucas. This case is a little different. Rolan and Asther say Rae has been possessed for five years and still has control. Whatever has possessed him still hasn't fully crossed The Boundary. Its been slowly feeding its power into Rae, making sure not to overload him and lose its vessel into this world." Rolan put his finger on the photo and told them, "Daisy, I'll finish. Only the strongest from beyond need to cross The Boundary in this manner. Now, what it is exactly, we haven't the slightest clue. But, its strong. Not only that, but its power is acting like a beacon, drawing weaker beings to this city."
Lucas chuckled a bit, finishing his drink and putting it back down on the counter. "Well, when did you become an expert on things like this?" Roth grabbed the glass and began cleaning it behind the counter. "Daisy told him before you guys got here." Rolan dipped his head, as though Lucas and Roth had just rained on his parade. "Like a divine punishment, it doesn't stop there either. Since this thing is bringing others into the city, they will surely follow as well. The Shepherds. As you three know, they don't enter the city too often because you guys and Daisy are here. But, the most fool-hearty are likely to come." The Shepherds. Michael, Lucas, and Marcus had all been around long enough to run into them at least once in their lifetimes. While normal humans, the weapons they carry were far from ordinary. Lucas licked his lips, not even realizing he was doing it. To him, all this information meant was that several strong opponents were in his near future. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's find this kid." Daisy rolled her eyes, grabbing the photo and holding it close to her chest. "Well, if there are no other questions, then I will begin." Daisy closed her eyes and began mumbling to herself, the words sounding utterly foreign to those around her. She spoke for only a few seconds before the words, "Guide my way," slipped out of her mouth. She opened her eyes, her irises and pupils appearing a bright yellow in color. She was silent for a minute, the others knowing it was just part of the process. "What the hell? What is that girl doing there?! I guess it is a smaller world than I thought." Daisy smiled as her eyes returned to normal and she was brought back to The EU.
"Why does it not surprise me that Juni is already a step ahead of you all? We're lucky. The kids not far from here and Juniper is already with him. Don't know why, and honestly I don't care. They're in an alley off Third. Head down there and severe that things connection with Rae before we lose him to it. Now that Juni has made contact, the monsters will be out in force to prevent the severing. She will need your help soon. I'll text her and let her know she is in danger. Well, what are you waiting for? Go." Lucas looked at the others and nodded. As they went to leave, Daisy yelled out to them, "One more thing. Some guy is with them. Find out who he is, and if he knows about us or what Juniper is. If he does, deal with it." Lucas looked down at the ground before simply nodding and heading out the door. Rolan yawned before standing up. "I'll go tell Asther its okay to come back down." Rolan left the room, Daisy walking back around the bar and sitting down. Roth poured her a glass of water and said, "What do you mean deal with him?" Daisy looked at Roth and smiled. "Come on Roth, you know, as well as them, what I meant. I'll have to reconstruct his memory. The list of people who know about what we do is short, well documented, and highly monitored. We have to do what we can to protect the innocent from this truth. Well, except those with deep pockets, but I wouldn't exactly call them innocent." Roth grinned, knowing the procedure after nearly five years with Daisy. Daisy removed her cellphone and found Juniper in her contacts. Normally, she could just tell her telepathically, but modern technology was just so convenient. She texted, 'You probably have incoming. The others are on their way.' Daisy put her phone away and closed her eyes, reciting another spell. This one caused a purple light to emerge from her. It spread out, covering a ten block radius. Unlike The Exorcists Zero, she was able to create much larger ones, however she couldn't move, making her useless in a battle when doing it. However, for the Exorcists, it gave them a much needed edge. Lilith, Rolan, and Asther emerged from the office, all knowing what was going on. Rolan, Asther, and Roth were special, so they were trapped in the Zero for the time being. Lilith was there with them, this being her first time in Zero in what felt like a lifetime.
Lucas closed the door behind them as they left The EU. "Alright guys, you know the drill. Once we-" Before Lucas could finish that thought, the presence of two from beyond interrupted him. One was moving along the roof toward Juniper's location, the other taking the streets. They were moving fast. It was like Daisy feared. Juniper's vicinity to the big one was causing problems already. "Shit. Alright, change of plans. I'll take the rooftops, you two take the streets. We have four blocks between here and there. Kill everything you come across, but don't let it slow you down. Don't worry about collecting for the Market. Priorities and all that. Severe the kid, and find out what the other one with Juniper knows. But, the main concern is Rae. Let's move." Without another word, Lucas looked toward the roof and bent down as far as he could. He leaped off the ground, landing on the fire escape above and following it up to the roof. This wasn't the first time they had to work together, so Lucas knew he could trust both Michael and Marcus to do what needed to be done. Lucas began running along the roof, removing his sword. He could see the monster from earlier in his sights. It was a weakling, as to be was expected. Only the lower tier would be stupid enough to recklessly pursue this situation. The main issue was going to be numbers, not power. Lucas ran at the enemy, seeing it to be nothing more than a lowly goblin. The beast raised its arms to fight, seeing Lucas pass by it in an instant. Turning around to see the man it thought was going to be its enemy jump across to the next roof, it felt its body split in half. The light from Zero engulfing it and causing it to disappear from the world, the fight that ended its life lasting less than a second.
At the edge of Zero, near the ten block limit, a hooded figure entered the zone. It had pierced Zero, the hole reforming behind the figure. Its body was completely shrouded in the cloak, but from its right sleeve a silver axe shined brilliantly, even in the dullness of the purple world. The figure began a slow and methodical walk toward the direction of Juniper and Rae, an aura of killer intent radiating off it. At this moment, Juniper and Rae would have both found themselves in Zero, Troy disappearing from their view, and them from his.
Rae sat there amazed at what he had just witnessed. He had a feeling of inferiority, she just took down all the guys who were about to take him down. He was seated against the end wall of the alley as he watched the woman take his problems away. He sat there without knowing that he was bleeding from his head, adrenaline must have stopped him from feeling the pain.
After the woman was done with the men she walked up to him, he was almost afraid of her approached before she said
"Hey, kid. Can you stand?".
Rae gave her a blank stare for a moment before immediately getting up to his feet
“Of course I can stand” He said with a shaky voice, the speed in which he got up caused him to suffer from vertigo, though he tried to hide that fact by leaning against the wall. After a few seconds he was able to stand straight again. He looked at the gangster being held by who seemed to be the womans friend and smiled. He found it funny just how far the tables had turned. He focused back on the woman and said
“Yunno, that was my problem I could have handled it”
He was completely grateful that someone had come to his aid but he also knew now that she had helped life would become much more difficult for her, and her friend. Things weren’t going to turn alright for Rae through this one victory either.
“If you were going to help you shouldn’t have let any of them go. Now they are just going to make your lives….”
Suddenly the sky turned from a very dark blue to a very dark purple. To make it worse there were no clouds in the sky for Rae to blame the discoloration for. He stood there looking up with his mouth wide open before looking back down to Juniper.
“What the heck?”
Rae was hoping that someone here had an explanation for what was going on.
After the woman was done with the men she walked up to him, he was almost afraid of her approached before she said
"Hey, kid. Can you stand?".
Rae gave her a blank stare for a moment before immediately getting up to his feet
“Of course I can stand” He said with a shaky voice, the speed in which he got up caused him to suffer from vertigo, though he tried to hide that fact by leaning against the wall. After a few seconds he was able to stand straight again. He looked at the gangster being held by who seemed to be the womans friend and smiled. He found it funny just how far the tables had turned. He focused back on the woman and said
“Yunno, that was my problem I could have handled it”
He was completely grateful that someone had come to his aid but he also knew now that she had helped life would become much more difficult for her, and her friend. Things weren’t going to turn alright for Rae through this one victory either.
“If you were going to help you shouldn’t have let any of them go. Now they are just going to make your lives….”
Suddenly the sky turned from a very dark blue to a very dark purple. To make it worse there were no clouds in the sky for Rae to blame the discoloration for. He stood there looking up with his mouth wide open before looking back down to Juniper.
“What the heck?”
Rae was hoping that someone here had an explanation for what was going on.
“Ya know, that was my problem. I could have handled it,” the kid said, after reassuring her that he could stand.
"I don't turn down free meals," Juniper simply answered, glancing briefly at Troy. When he mentioned that she shouldn't have let them go, she began cracking knuckles. "That's easy enough to fix." Just as she finished the sentence, the world was washed over in a deep shade of purple, both Troy and the thus vanishing from sight. This wouldn't have been all that surprising when she realized that the kid didn't vanish with them. Who was he? She flicked her cigarette away and answered her buzzing cellphone.
You probably have incoming. The others are on their way.
"Incoming?" she said under her breath. "What's incoming?" She quickly turned to the kid and said, "Don't do anything stupid. If anything comes your way, I need you to run. We'll talk later." After pocketing her phone, her arms began bending out of shape and thinning out, stretching and reforging themselves into gleaming mantis blades. They weren't very a very durable weapons, but their cutting power was extraordinary. It was usually her weapon of choice for crowd clearing, but as the myriad of hostile auras began closing in, she began wondering if it was really the best one for the job. She'd just have to wait and see.
"I don't turn down free meals," Juniper simply answered, glancing briefly at Troy. When he mentioned that she shouldn't have let them go, she began cracking knuckles. "That's easy enough to fix." Just as she finished the sentence, the world was washed over in a deep shade of purple, both Troy and the thus vanishing from sight. This wouldn't have been all that surprising when she realized that the kid didn't vanish with them. Who was he? She flicked her cigarette away and answered her buzzing cellphone.
You probably have incoming. The others are on their way.
"Incoming?" she said under her breath. "What's incoming?" She quickly turned to the kid and said, "Don't do anything stupid. If anything comes your way, I need you to run. We'll talk later." After pocketing her phone, her arms began bending out of shape and thinning out, stretching and reforging themselves into gleaming mantis blades. They weren't very a very durable weapons, but their cutting power was extraordinary. It was usually her weapon of choice for crowd clearing, but as the myriad of hostile auras began closing in, she began wondering if it was really the best one for the job. She'd just have to wait and see.
The front window to The EU smashed open, a goblin landing on the outside of the establishment. It quickly recovered, but a noticeable fear was in its eyes. Roth stepped out of the bar, hopping across the window threshold. He had an annoyed expression on his face. It wasn't a surprise someone would try to find the root of the Zero and eliminate it, but it was still something he would of preferred to not have to deal with. The Goblin ran at Roth, throwing its fist as hard as it could at the blonde man. Roth stopped the punch with his right index finger. He pushed back with the same finger, forcing the monster back into a street light. "Look, I get a kid here, so I will let you slide. Leave." The goblin slowly stood up, backing away and eventually running as fast as it could. Roth turned back around to the bar, looking at Lilith through the hole where the window use to be. "At least no damage done here has an effect on the real world. But still, I feel as though I will here from Daisy about this." He sighed as he walked back into the bar, hoping the others would return soon.
The enemies surrounded Rae and Juniper, appearing from all sides. They scattered the rooftops and streets, numbering at least a dozen. They were nothing an Exorcist couldn't handle four or five at a time, but dam near twenty-four were not odds one should ever take alone. Most were trolls and goblins, the lowest echelon of what the Boundary had to offer. However, at the end of the alley stood something far more imposing. It was a Kelpie, a being that rarely crossed the Boundary into this world. They were popular in Celtic Folklore, and prior to the Exorcists taking notice of them had been responsible for many deaths in Northern Europe centuries ago. Their true form was that of a horse-like creature, but this one chose instead to appear before Juniper and Rae in a relatively human-looking form. Her hair was black and very long, almost reaching the ground behind her. It was incredibly fine, like the mane of a horse. Her eyes were absent of pupils, being completely black. She began walking toward Juniper, laughing at the situation her adversary had found herself in. "Well, what do we have here? A lost sheep. I'll make it short. Fellas! Kill the girl, bring the boy to me." The weaker monsters responded loudly, cheering the notion and preparing to attack Juniper. The Kelpie raised her hand and pointed at Juniper, then pointed her thumb down, mocking the girl for she believed the advantage was hers.
A troll on the right side rooftop looked down, trying to find the opportunity to strike without falling pray to the razors Juniper had armed herself with. Finding his spot, he prepared to leap, only to be cut directly in half midair. Lucas landed on the grounded between Juniper and the Kelpie. He pointed his sword directly at Kelpie, the blade turning blade and its signature smoke emitting heavily from it. He was panting heavily, having run as fast as he could on top of cutting down numerous individuals on the way. He slowly backed up to Juniper, standing beside her without taking his eyes off Kelpie. "Quite the situation you have gotten yourself into. I can't explain everything just yet. But the gist of it is we need to get this kid back to The EU." Lucas looked back to Rae, but his sword was still pointed down the alley to Kelpie. "Lot of questions, I'm sure. Give us a minute and we'll take you someplace safe. Juniper, I'll take the ones on the right. Why don't we make a game of it? Whoever kills the most gets the other to pay their bar tab for a week. Deal?" Without waiting for a response, Lucas ran directly at the closest enemy, cutting straight threw them. The other five were caught off guard, but quickly surrounded the man. Lucas grinned maniacally, jumping high into the air. "King of The Mountain." A blue outline surrounded Lucas. He came crashing down onto the monsters, the light splitting in all directions, stabbing straight through the beings in an instant. As he touched ground, the light faded. He sheathed his sword and turned to Juniper. "I got six, how did you do?" The Kelpie stood at the end of the alley, unable to come to terms with what she was seeing.
The enemies surrounded Rae and Juniper, appearing from all sides. They scattered the rooftops and streets, numbering at least a dozen. They were nothing an Exorcist couldn't handle four or five at a time, but dam near twenty-four were not odds one should ever take alone. Most were trolls and goblins, the lowest echelon of what the Boundary had to offer. However, at the end of the alley stood something far more imposing. It was a Kelpie, a being that rarely crossed the Boundary into this world. They were popular in Celtic Folklore, and prior to the Exorcists taking notice of them had been responsible for many deaths in Northern Europe centuries ago. Their true form was that of a horse-like creature, but this one chose instead to appear before Juniper and Rae in a relatively human-looking form. Her hair was black and very long, almost reaching the ground behind her. It was incredibly fine, like the mane of a horse. Her eyes were absent of pupils, being completely black. She began walking toward Juniper, laughing at the situation her adversary had found herself in. "Well, what do we have here? A lost sheep. I'll make it short. Fellas! Kill the girl, bring the boy to me." The weaker monsters responded loudly, cheering the notion and preparing to attack Juniper. The Kelpie raised her hand and pointed at Juniper, then pointed her thumb down, mocking the girl for she believed the advantage was hers.
A troll on the right side rooftop looked down, trying to find the opportunity to strike without falling pray to the razors Juniper had armed herself with. Finding his spot, he prepared to leap, only to be cut directly in half midair. Lucas landed on the grounded between Juniper and the Kelpie. He pointed his sword directly at Kelpie, the blade turning blade and its signature smoke emitting heavily from it. He was panting heavily, having run as fast as he could on top of cutting down numerous individuals on the way. He slowly backed up to Juniper, standing beside her without taking his eyes off Kelpie. "Quite the situation you have gotten yourself into. I can't explain everything just yet. But the gist of it is we need to get this kid back to The EU." Lucas looked back to Rae, but his sword was still pointed down the alley to Kelpie. "Lot of questions, I'm sure. Give us a minute and we'll take you someplace safe. Juniper, I'll take the ones on the right. Why don't we make a game of it? Whoever kills the most gets the other to pay their bar tab for a week. Deal?" Without waiting for a response, Lucas ran directly at the closest enemy, cutting straight threw them. The other five were caught off guard, but quickly surrounded the man. Lucas grinned maniacally, jumping high into the air. "King of The Mountain." A blue outline surrounded Lucas. He came crashing down onto the monsters, the light splitting in all directions, stabbing straight through the beings in an instant. As he touched ground, the light faded. He sheathed his sword and turned to Juniper. "I got six, how did you do?" The Kelpie stood at the end of the alley, unable to come to terms with what she was seeing.
It wasn't long before their position began to get flooded with hostiles on all sides, but fortunately, she was equipped for the job. A being with a much more powerful presence appeared, taking the form of a humanoid. She wasn't as well versed with monsters as some of the other veterans so she couldn't quite discern its true nature. She took a step back, taking a moment to scan her surroundings before settling her gaze back on the opponent before her. The way she introduced herself to Juniper gave her the impression that she believed she was in complete control of the situation which, in this case, probably wasn't too far off the mark. It wasn't far-fetched to think that she could handle the lot of them, but the chances would be far too slim, at least on her own. "You'll make me cry," Juniper murmured in her usual deadpan tone in response to the monster's taunt, prepping herself into a combat position. "Whatever happens after that is on you." It was then that Lucas suddenly appeared by her side, having slashed through a troll on the way down.
"Quite the situation you have gotten yourself into," he said. "I can't explain everything just yet. But the gist of it is we need to get this kid back to The EU." He turned to the kid. "Lot of questions, I'm sure. Give us a minute and we'll take you someplace safe. Juniper, I'll take the ones on the right. Why don't we make a game of it? Whoever kills the most gets the other to pay their bar tab for a week. Deal?"
"I'll have to decline," Juniper said quietly in response to his challenge, glancing briefly toward him. She curved her blades outward and crouched slightly. "I'm not a betting woman." She zipped forward instantly, the first slash cleaving a goblin in half as it burst into purplish light. A second one leaped forward believing that it spotted an opening, but it was nowhere near the speed of her coalescing momentum as she spun and beheaded another one, shredding the attacking one in the process as well as a result of a wide-reaching circular slash. The placement of her feet crossed and swapped as she revolved in a flurry of strikes, taking full advantage of the heavy offensive properties of her weapons. She ducked under a swing and pushed forward, making a scissor-like motion with her arms and tearing up three more trolls in a row. She made a short hop back to casually avoid a vertical strike and instantly responded up with a chained dual strike, the first slashing through the goblin's weapon and the second slicing it apart on rotation, following up into a blindingly quick throat-splitting strike into the monster that was right behind it.
When Lucas asked how she did, Juniper simply shrugged.
"I don't know. I wasn't keeping track." Her eyes shifted to the humanoid monster, who seemed to be a little less than pleased at the situation. Still, this one was probably a bit more dangerous than others. She reforged her hands from mantis blades into behemoth fists, clenching them as she took on a new stance that was more akin to a boxing stance in contrast to the unorthodox sweeping stance that she used to deal with the crowd of weaklings. She turned toward Lucas again. "Are there more coming?" she asked.
"Quite the situation you have gotten yourself into," he said. "I can't explain everything just yet. But the gist of it is we need to get this kid back to The EU." He turned to the kid. "Lot of questions, I'm sure. Give us a minute and we'll take you someplace safe. Juniper, I'll take the ones on the right. Why don't we make a game of it? Whoever kills the most gets the other to pay their bar tab for a week. Deal?"
"I'll have to decline," Juniper said quietly in response to his challenge, glancing briefly toward him. She curved her blades outward and crouched slightly. "I'm not a betting woman." She zipped forward instantly, the first slash cleaving a goblin in half as it burst into purplish light. A second one leaped forward believing that it spotted an opening, but it was nowhere near the speed of her coalescing momentum as she spun and beheaded another one, shredding the attacking one in the process as well as a result of a wide-reaching circular slash. The placement of her feet crossed and swapped as she revolved in a flurry of strikes, taking full advantage of the heavy offensive properties of her weapons. She ducked under a swing and pushed forward, making a scissor-like motion with her arms and tearing up three more trolls in a row. She made a short hop back to casually avoid a vertical strike and instantly responded up with a chained dual strike, the first slashing through the goblin's weapon and the second slicing it apart on rotation, following up into a blindingly quick throat-splitting strike into the monster that was right behind it.
When Lucas asked how she did, Juniper simply shrugged.
"I don't know. I wasn't keeping track." Her eyes shifted to the humanoid monster, who seemed to be a little less than pleased at the situation. Still, this one was probably a bit more dangerous than others. She reforged her hands from mantis blades into behemoth fists, clenching them as she took on a new stance that was more akin to a boxing stance in contrast to the unorthodox sweeping stance that she used to deal with the crowd of weaklings. She turned toward Lucas again. "Are there more coming?" she asked.
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"Ha, ha- you can't catch me~"
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" You need to relax a little, just a little though"
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Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
1, 2by Citadel on Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:50 pm
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on Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:28 am
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Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
Most recent OOC posts in Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
Alright, neither whscorbin nor Otaku have been on since the 20th. Wish they would have given me notice they weren't going to be on, but whatever. Its been a while since the last post so I'm just going to call the roleplay closed. Dragging it out any further would be pointless as I think we all know when an rp is dead. Thanks for showing interest in the roleplay and being a part of it. Sorry it worked out this way.
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
Wheres the other exorcists, Ive been wanting to see what they do before I post ;|
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
Wonder if everybody's busy? Maybe you should PM them to check up on them?
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
Okay, last post was a long one, but there was a lot I needed to get out.
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
Whoops, I didn't know I haven't notified you guys. I had midterms this week, so sorry for the late reply. But I've posted- it's not stellar but it's up.
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
@Norien
Right now I feel comfortable with the number of people we have, but if someone drops out for whatever a reason, I'll shoot you a pm. Thanks for the interest.
Right now I feel comfortable with the number of people we have, but if someone drops out for whatever a reason, I'll shoot you a pm. Thanks for the interest.
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
I'm pretty sure he's going to tell you we have enough people. So I leave you with this, Good Luck.
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
Can I has in? This looks interesting. I'd actually like to be a Shepard if I could, but I understand if you don't want me to. I'd prefer that, but I'm game for anything.
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
@Otaku
Yeah, I'm keeping it at one character per person for now. Opportunities to make other characters will come later, but for now I want it to stay as is. Trust me though, the ability to have more than one character is not a long way off.
Yeah, I'm keeping it at one character per person for now. Opportunities to make other characters will come later, but for now I want it to stay as is. Trust me though, the ability to have more than one character is not a long way off.
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
I tried making a second character and he told me he was trying to keep it one character per person for now.
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
Sweet. I'll get my post up later today. But I was wondering if I could submit a second character? Just to even out the characters. I have an idea in my head already, but if I can't, that's cool.
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
Alright, I got the first post up and everything is set and ready to go. Also, for the Important NPC's, each have a dedicated font color that I added to the character profile in case you want to use it. Its not mandatory, I just thought it would help a lot with organization and following posts that contain numerous characters.
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
@whscorbin
Its cool.
Sorry about the delay, went to chipotle Monday food poisoning soon followed. I'm back to 100% now, so I can have the intro post up today.
Its cool.
Sorry about the delay, went to chipotle Monday food poisoning soon followed. I'm back to 100% now, so I can have the intro post up today.
Re: Undead Exorcist - The Boundary
Hey, just wanted to say this seemed rather interesting. I will be submitting a character today if that is alright.