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Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 26, 2016 23:43:10 GMT -5
Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.
Round and round. Time never stops. It engulfs me. Without control. Time keeps moving no matter how long I stand still. No matter how long I stare at the pool of blood that is oozing from the shattered skull. No matter how many tears I cry. No matter, no matter…it doesn’t matter.
Lub dub. Lub dub. Lub dub.
Pounding within my ears. My heart is racing. My eyes burn. My chest feels as though it will explode as I pull at his clothing, my hands soaked in his warm blood that coats my pale skin. My screams for help are deafened by an invisible blanket as I watch the shadow of murder escape out the window. His eyes fall on me, looking over the pain he has inflicted what he has taken away.
The sound of my breathing, heavy, splitting the silence.
My body lifts me up and I run to the window, screaming, so silent.
“Hey, you okay?” A man asked, he wore black, a five-o-clock shadow rest upon his chin and jaw. His brown eyes looked over the girl before him. She had astonishing features, emerald eyes that would draw one in, the perfect curve of her jaw, her hair was a dark chocolatey brown that was cut short. Her brows were attended to, giving them a shape that allowed her expression to be easily seen. The girl stared off into space, seemingly frozen in that moment. “Skylar.” The man placed his hand on her shoulder.
In that instant she drew her blade and slammed him against the cold stone of the brick building behind them, the dagger was against his neck, the metal cold as ice. Her eyes filled with hate and a fire that seemed to have stewed for years. Her eyes looked upon the man and instantly her expression fell, a sad sullen expression washed over her features in the light of the moon. “Booker.” She seemed to gasp as her hand fell away from his neck, the dagger clattered onto the cobblestone ground that was frozen by the grasp of winter. “I…” She shook her head slightly as she backed away from him, “I’m sorry, Booker.”
The man had his hand to his neck where a bit of blood had trickled down his neck into the thick wool scarf around his neck. He looked to the blood on his fingertips and sighed softly. “Sky, you know you’re lucky that I put up with you and your wandering mind, many of the Guild would not. Your father---….”
“The Guild….” She pursed her lips, her eyes focused on Booker. “They…they will never understand until we finish this. I have to finish what he started.” She paused as she lifted the dagger up and replaced it beneath her dark blue, almost black jacket that had gold decorations upon the edges of it. She adjusted the black fingerless gloves upon her hands and pulled at the scarf that was wrapped around her neck, it held the same golden embellishments. “The Nighthand Guild must move on.” She took in a deep breath as she looked down the empty streets. “Look, Booker, I know most of the Guild doesn’t trust me after what happened…but once we get to the bottom of all of this and find Ainsley…”
“Skylar.” Booker looked down the road to the guard that had come around the corner. “Come on.” He wrapped his coat around her and the shadows seemed to engulf them, pulling them away from the danger. Once the cover of darkness dissipated they were upon the rooftop of a building overlooking the guards that marched down the empty alley toward where the two had been standing. “Why are we in this district?” He snapped. “You know the Order has its hands wrapped tightly around the necks of every resident here, Sky.”
She watched the streets below as she pulled an octagonal shaped box from her pocket. She opened the box to reveal a strange glowing blue light, it seemed to point in the direction of downtown, almost like a compass. She took a few steps and the light brightened slightly, almost as if it was pulsating. “This is what my father wanted me to do, to carry on.” She took off in a sprint upon the lightly snow dusted rooftops of the city. She swiftly leaped from roof to roof and eventually slipped down a fire escape and slid down a drainpipe into the city streets once more. She ran with the shadows, keeping hidden easily, as if she had been doing this for decades. She slipped into a tavern with Booker trailing behind her. A few of the men at the bar turned and looked to her before they began speaking amongst themselves once again, their eyes wandering in her direction. Skylar looked to them with a cold chill in her eyes, her expression stern before she approached the barkeep. “One room.” She spoke as she slapped a few coins down on the counter. “I’ll only be staying one night.”
“Sure thing, miss.” The barkeep gave a smile. “What district are you from?” He inquired as he pulled a key from beneath the bar and held it toward her.
“None of your concern, sir.” She looked to him for a long moment before she took off toward the stairs.
“As long as you’re not from, six.” A man blocked her passage, the smell of booze oozed from his mouth. “You know, we don’t want any trouble here, the Order takes care of us here.”
“So I’ve been told.” Skylar looked up to him, her brows pulled together. In a swift motion she gripped him by his neck and slammed him against the old oak wall. “I’m not looking for any trouble either, it just seems to find me. I’m only looking for a bed so that I may sleep. Beauty rest, after all.” She then gave a sly smile. “You wouldn’t want me to miss out on that, now, would you?” She chuckled before she loosened her grip on him. She held her fingers under his chin and rose her brow. “So, do I have your permission to get a little rest?”
The man looked to her with wide eyes. He hadn’t expected her to actually fight back. Most of the citizens in District 2 were nearly brainwashed, they wouldn’t fight back for anything, they feared the Order. They feared losing their families and homes. They feared that the Order would make an example of them like they had of District 17. Rebels had formed a large group and rose against the Order, pushing back against their corrupt government. Pushing against the barcodes and the torture that everyone knew happened. Fighting for magic to be allowed again. Fighting for their lives. The Order used District 17 as an example, anyone who fought back against them would die. Their mothers, fathers, children, brothers and sisters…. nearly everyone from that district had perished. Except for a handful. It was still a mystery how they had survived. Though Skylar knew that the handful that survived was in the prison in the city where the Order kept those with magic. She knew that they were being syphoned and tortured.
Her father had shown her a few things before his assassination, the things that he knew were far beyond what the Order wanted anyone to know. Though, the Guild was outside of what the Order wanted anyway. Ainsley murdered her father in cold blood, and slipped into a portal that he created with some device. He was the Order. Somehow. Skylar knew it. She knew that he was with them and he had been sent by them to kill her father to send a message to the Guild. Her life had become so much more complicated in the past few years. She went from a simple thief, stealing from the Order and giving back to the Districts. Trying to even things out. Now, she was the leader of the Nighthand Guild and on some mission that her father had ordered her to complete. The Guild kept those with magic safe from the Order, she had to get to those with dormant magic before the Order knew before they took them. Skylar still hadn’t figured out everything. Why were they stealing their magic? What happened to them?
“Sky.” Booker gave her a gentle nudge. “Let’s go.” He moved passed her up the stairs.
Skylar looked to the drunken man who had returned to his friends, he was embarrassed it seemed. She then followed Booker up the stairs. She found the room that was listed on the key and unlocked the door. The cylinder within the handle clicked into place and the door swung open. She stepped into the room and lit the lantern before she sat down on the small single bed in the corner. Booker yawned as he found himself on the other bed in the room. Skylar sighed heavily as she lay back on the bed, it had been a long day of travel to get to this district. Her body ached. They couldn’t just swoop in, that would cause for attention to be drawn to them. They had to dock at the shipyard, which happened to be quite the hike away from the city walls. District 2 had been given everything from the Order. They didn’t need ports close to their city walls anymore, so the Order had cut them off from trade with the other districts, in hopes of keeping them under their fingertips.
“Tomorrow we have quite the challenge ahead of us.” Booker spoke, breaking the silence.
Skylar gave a nod as she stared up to the ceiling, the old oak planks gave the room a comforting aura. “The ball.” She spoke softly. “Yeah…and besides that, we have to check out the relic, I have to try to see who it is that is here in District 2, we have to try to get whoever it is to join the Guild…who knows Booker, maybe we could find us another ally.”
Booker gave a brief smile. “That would be nice, considering the past few hiccups that we have had. I just hope the Order hasn’t caught on to you.”
“Let them.” Skylar seemed to challenge. “I’ll kill all of them to end this if I have to.” She shook her head then. “We need to rest.” She gave a nod.”
The night passed quickly allowing the sunlight to creep into the room the next morning, warming Skylar’s cheek as it kissed her with its rays. Her eyes cracked open and she yawned slightly before she readied herself for the day. The ball had several of the royalty invited to it from the Order. The most important thing though was a crystal that would be at the ball. A crystal that Skylar planned to steal. The Nighthand Guild stole from the rich and corrupt to return to the poor, never from the poor. They were the good guys, even though the Order gave them a bad name and created lies about them, blaming deaths on them, and other disasters. Most that didn’t know better feared the Guild. Especially those that resided in District 2. Their world revolved around trying to keep the Guild from getting back into the city. The Guild was all over the world, with leaders in each district, except for 2. No one here believed in the Guild.
Skylar walked through the streets looking to the skies, she could see the floating continent of the Order floating off in the distance, like a dark storm cloud. The castle rose into the skies and glistened in the rays of the sun. Skylar bumped into someone and stumbled slightly, “S-sorry.” She said as she looked back to the person. A guard dressed in white armor stood before her with his rifle in his hand.
“Watch where you are going.” He snapped from beneath his armor before he continued his route.
“Sky, you need to keep your head on straight.” Booker warned as they walked down the streets which filled with people.
Skylar paused a moment as she looked to the mansion which the ball was held within. “I’m good, Booker, sorry.” She replied before she stepped toward the building. “I’ll be back before you know it.” She winked to him before she made her way up the stairs. She stepped into the building and moved along amongst the royals, blending in well with her attire. She waltzed right up the stairs and to the room that held the crystal. “Too easy.” She whispered softly as she slipped it into her pack.
“What are you doing?” A man stepped up behind her.
Skylar took in a deep breath before shadows engulfed her, creating a beastly shadow creature which caused the nobleman to press his back against the wall with nowhere to hide. The beast ensued fear into the man, causing him to shake as he hid from the beast. Moments later Skylar appeared from the shadows outside. She grinned at Booker as she approached him at a park bench. He looked up to her from where he sat and shook his head. “You’re dangerous, Skylar.” He warned her as he took the crystal from her and placed it in his own backpack.
“Only to the Order.” She smiled to him before she pulled the relic from her pocket again. “Head on back to the ship, I just want to check this out, I’ll be right behind you.”
“No, no I’m coming with you, Sky.” Booker followed her as she moved through the streets of the city.
The compass led the two through the city streets and to the downtown shops. Skylar stopped and looked to Booker and gave him a nod before she entered a shop. The smell of freshly baked bread entered her nostrils as well as the lovely scent of fresh coffee. Skylar smiled as the smells danced around her enveloping her body as the bell jingled upon the door. Skylar paused as she saw a man holding a gun on the woman behind the counter. She rose her brow before she snapped her fingers. Time seemed to stop around her as she ran to the counter. She carefully adjusted the woman out of the way and grasped the gun that that man held on her before she snapped her fingers once again. “Charlie.” She smiled, her eyes burning into his. “Good old Charlie.” She let out a laugh then. “What’s a guy like you doing in such a lovely little ol’ place like this? Hm?? Charlie??” She pulled the gun from his grasp and gripped him by his shirt collar. “This isn’t what the Guild is for, Charlie.” She growled, the playful tone in her voice had disappeared. “We help the poor, Charlie.” She whispered, “That’s what we do.” She pulled him closer. “This woman, isn’t part of the Order, Charlie.” She snapped, “This isn’t what we do. This isn’t how we gain trust.” She gripped tightly, his eyes full of fear. “You wouldn’t want me to show you what we do to those who don’t follow the Guild rules, would you Charlie?” She asked, her voice polite, a smile on her lips.
“N-N-No…p-p-please…” The man was trembling. “I didn’t know…I…I didn’t know…I…I….Skylar…I’m sorry…I…” He stammered.
“How about this? Once I’m done here, I’ll find you and we will have a little talk.” She smiled as she let him go. “Now, then…” She straightened her jacket and seemed to dust off what just happened. She smiled to the woman. “Could I have…” She looked up at the menu, “How about just a caramel latte?” She placed some coins on the counter, far too many for what she had ordered, before she looked up to the woman and stared into her eyes for a long moment. Trying to decide if the relic had brought her to her, or if it was someone else who worked here. “Does anyone else work here?” She asked, looking toward the back. “Or is it just you?” She searched the woman’s eyes.
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Post by Raven on Oct 27, 2016 12:08:47 GMT -5
It was not even work hours yet. That began to 7am. The sun was not even thinking of rising anytime soon. It had to have been 4 in the morning, or something. There was a pounding on the door. Eva lifted her head from a deep slumber, the night before had been tiresome. She had to provide 450 cupcakes for a royal birthday, which she received a lashing for poor quality on a small collect few. She reached over her shoulder and rubbed the swollen marks under her gown. Slowly she rose and made her way up the stairs and through a door – she was then in her bakery. She walked to the door and peeked around the closed sign. It was two men.
Eva opened the door and squinted. The dark was thick, but the shining lights from district one beamed down and confused her vision. The men pushed in and shut the door. “Evalyne Landstar” one man turned. He was very tall, he wore an all black leather suit with a long furry cape. He was from district one…
“You are now the heir to your fathers debts” they spoke and then he crossed his arms, looking down to her small frame. “After his recent tragic death… his estate and debts become the first born” Eva gasped softly and placed her hand on her chest. Death? She didn’t even know he was alive…. He just died? Eva sucked in a deep breath to cover her incoming cries. “By the end of the year you are to owe 2,352 gold coins to district one. Do not forget that tax and title of this estate must also be renewed in your name, an additional 150 gold coins. You have 6 months to pay this debt or your home will be seized and you will be found bankrupted.” The man pulled a envelope from his cloak and handed it to her. He turned to his twin and nodded.
The men chuckled and then rushed around the bakery, throwing jars off, flour flying around in the air, glass shattering, turning of tables and breaking chairs. They utterly trashed the bakery and then left. Eva stood for a long moment and then fell to her knees. “Wh-why?” she whispered and placed her hands on the white covered ground. She leaned her head down into the cold tile and took in a deep breath. Then all at once the sobbing came.
When she rose her eyes were lined with crusty white… Flour that had absorbed her tears and hardened on her face. She slowly stood and brushed her hair with her fingertips and then walked from the bakery and down into the basement – her home. Her father had purchased this bakery for her mother. This was her dream, this is what she did. She sat down at a small table and set the envelope down. She propped her head up and glanced to the pictures sitting on the table.
She traced the picture of her mother and father holding her as a baby, and then the following picture of the three at a picnic – she was maybe 8 or 9. That was when her father left for the war. That was when district 17 had come to its terrible end….
Eva stood finally and made her way to her wardrobe. She pulled on a pair of white leather pants – this hid the flour easily. And a black long sleeve tunic. She then tied a fresh apron around her and then made her way back upstairs. She tied her hair up in a pony tail, her bangs swooping to the side – several strands of her messy hair fell about.
She began cleaning up, sweeping up the flour and broken glass. Then she tossed out the two broken chairs and rearranged the tables. Once she finally wiped it all down she glanced at the clock. 6am. She grit her teeth and ran into the kitchen. Thankfully every night she prepped dough so that she could get her extra 30 minutes of sleep. She quickly set the oven and filled muffin pans. After popping them in one of the ovens she began to swiftly make other goods. She set her huge pot of coffee on and stocked the area.
30 minutes passed and her timer dinged. She walked up to the four layered oven and opened each door. She pulled each huge tray out and set them down on the cooling rolling rack. She prepped other pastries and tossed them In the oven after. Then she dashed to her walk in fridge and pulled out the cheesecake she made the previous night and put it in the serving fridge up front.
After continually tidying up the final timer went off and she pulled the collection out. She placed them on the cooling rack and removed the first batch and took it up front. With gloves on she placed them in the trays that spun around – allowing customers to look and choose their muffin or lemon cream cheese biscuit, along with other choices. The slight heat caused the glass to fog slightly, just as it should. Proof that it is fresh.
Eva peeped her head to the door – it was 6:58. Her regular was here, on time. She came to the door and flipped the sign. Open. And unlocked the door. “Good morning Lucas” she smiled and held the door open. “Oh you have changed it up a little. I like it” she smiled. He was an older man, who’s wife had died years ago. They both came to the bakery every morning and shared a cup. Now he came every morning and shared a cup with Eva. He was like a father to her.
“My dear, you don’t look well. Are you okay?” he asked, taking his spot at the bar to the side of cashier spot. Eva made her way behind the counter and prepared his drink. Plain black coffee, two squares of sugar and a dash of coconut butter. She stirred his coffee with a spoon and sat it down in front of him. After setting her own drink down she took a deep breath.
“My father died a few days ago. Days district one… they came this morning and dropped off a lovely bill. Over 2,000 gold coins of debt my father acquired. And now it is mine. I have 6 months to make this money up or I lose everything… I lose..” she looked around. She loved the bakery. She loved the people. But this was her mothers dream.
“Your mother” he held the cup up and sipped from it.
“I promised her I would continue this business, in her name…” Eva sighed and then plucked a fresh chocolate chip muffin from the glass and set it on a plate for Lucas. She drizzed a bit of cream cheese icing over it and slid it to him.
“Oh… wow” Lucas spoke softly and took his muffin.
“I make roughly 100 coins a day. 40 of it goes to supplies and food, 30 of it goes to rent, the rest is profit.” She spoke. “And even then, somehow I always end up having to pay some other bullshit fine.” She spoke, now veering from sadness to anger.
“Eva” Lucas whispered and took a sip. “It will be okay…”
“Lucas.. I’m going to lose this.. I’m going to lose my home” she whispered through a tear. “I – I don’t know what I’m going to do.. I will have to work for district one at that point, I will become their… baking slave in their god forsaken palace..” she threw up her hands and then brushed a few tears away.
A customer came, in the door ringing. Eva turned around and then smiled, her eyes slightly red from crying. “Welcome to Brewsters” she stood at the register. “How can I serve you today?” the customer ordered a mocha frappe and a crunchy lemon muffin. “3 gold coins as usual” she smiled and turned, turning the expresso machine on. She pressed one cup, and added two shots of expresso and poured it into a paper cup. The rest was magic…well not really. A few pumps of this, a bit of wipcream and syrup drizzle. She handed the cup over and the muffin and accepted the coins – dropping them into the register and printing a receipt.
Brewsters was named the #1 best hole-in-the-wall cafes in district two. Though the big franchises killed her in prices. What she served would be 1-2 gold coins to the big chains. While her food was certainly much better tasting and higher quality, in days like these – money talked. Though it was her baking skills that brought the café to its peak. Her mother was not the baker. Her mother could man a grill, and make a good coffee, but the baking was always done by her. Always moist, full of flavor and unique textures. She never skimped out on recipes, and never cut corners. Baking had to be done all the way…
The customer left and Eva looked back to Lucas. She smiled weakly and took another sip. “If it all goes to hell… you are welcome at my home. For now, continue to run the shop. Run it to its last day. Don’t worry about making bills, whatever have it. Just maintain your mothers wish until its last breath… and then move on…. We both know you were never meant to be a baker your whole life. You are a fresh young 23 year old, much to experience and see. You better not settle in the same job that you have had since you were 8..” he smiled and then pulled 8 coins from his pocket. He set them down and pushed it forward.
“No.. Lucas.. I don’t need your money.. I just need your company” she spoke and sucked in a deep breath. Lucas chuckled and shook his head.
“No, my dear. The extra tip is for you. I know in this time of you owing money – you will not spend a dime on yourself. Take the coins and buy yourself something nice. You deserve something..”
Eva stepped over and took 6 of the coins and dropped it in her pocket. She knew better than to argue with Lucas. She placed the other two in the register and printed a receipt, which she threw away. Eva looked to the door as it rang, another customer.
“Welcome to Brewsters” she smiled and made her place at the register again. She could see two more figures not far – headed to the café. 7:15, yeah that sounds about right. The morning rush would start to come.
The man approached the register and looked around for a moment. His eyes looked over the baked goods, the chocolate goods that were wrapped up, the spices and sweets behind her… he pulled a gun from his hip and pointed it directly to her forehead. “Empty that register” he spoke grimly. In that moment Lucas turned from his chair, about to get up. Eva looked to him and shook her head “No Lucas..” she spoke and then pushed the button to open the register.
The door dinged once more and she squeezed her eyes. Ready for this man to shoot her. She took a in a deep breath.. .and then something happened. She felt her chest compress – that deep breath crackled in her lungs. When she opened her eyes – she suddenly was over about a foot. The register was pushed back in. She was looking at these two people talking. Charlie? Does she know this thief?
Lucas turned his head – confused as well. He slowly moved back into his seat and finished his coffee. “I hate to leave you Eva, I must go to work” she smiled and leaned over the counter and placed a kiss on her cheek. “You better… thank this person” he spoke and then nodded. Somehow this weird act was not new to him, but Lucas was older than she, she knew he had seen things before.
Charlie scampered out and disappeared. Eva looked to this woman and let out a deep breath. She nodded slowly and turned around – nabbing a cup and filling it with goodies. A moment passed and she set the cup to Skylar. “Here you are… Skylar?” she asked and then pulled out a square slice of her blueberry crumbcake, she turned and poured a bit of her famous blueberry pie filling on top. She set the cake down and a fork and pushed it to the woman.
“Thank you… however it is that you’ve saved me.. you have so, please. This is all I have to offer as a thanks” she smiled weakly. She tilted to her head to the odd question. “Um.. yes, I am the only one here…” she shifted her shirt slightly, as it was rubbing on her scabbed back. She paused for a moment and looked to this woman. She looked odd, in a way. What was she doing here? “If you don’t mind me asking… um, who are you? How come – uh, how come that man recognized you?” she watched the woman closely.
What in the hell kind of day am I having?
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Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 27, 2016 13:15:04 GMT -5
Skylar watched the woman work as she put together the cup of coffee. It was a simple recipe that she seemed to make mystical. Hole-in-the-wall coffee shops were one of her favorite things. There weren’t many around the world that were much good anymore, the Order had taken the craft of things away and replaced it with the chain shops that they provided each district. It ran the mom and pop shops out of the districts, it plummeted them into debt. “Hm?” She looked up into the girl’s eyes when she spoke her name. “Ah, yes my name is Skylar.” She gave a brief smile.
Skylar took a sip of her coffee and grinned to the flavors that rushed about within her mouth, gripping her taste buds and calling their attention. She then took a seat just as the girl pushed a crumb cake toward her. Skylar studied Eva as she spoke, once she said that she was the only one there she pulled the relic from her pocket, and opened it. She studied the blue glow for a moment as she took a bite of the delicious crumb cake. She then placed the relic back into her pocket as Eva asked her who she was. Skylar had a bit of a smirk on her lips then. “Well, it certainly depends on who you ask, who I am.” She replied. She searched her eyes for a long moment and took another sip of her coffee. “To you, I just happened to walk in at the right time. Time….” She repeated and let out a soft laugh. She then shook her head to the second part of the question. How Charlie recognized her. “Hm.” She hummed and took a bite of the crumb cake a smile on her lips to the flavor. “Let’s just say, Charlie and I go way back. Hm?” She took the last bite before she placed a few more coins on the table. “Look, Eva.” She searched the woman’s eyes, she had caught her name from Lucas. “There are things that I need to tell you, but, you have to trust me.” She took another sip of her coffee.
The door jingled then and Booker walked in. He looked to Eva and then to Skylar, “Hey, we might have a problem.” He flipped the sign on the door to closed and locked the door. “Hope you don’t mind.” He smiled to Eva. He then looked to Skylar, “We need to get back to the ship, Sky.” He looked to Eva then, “I’m sorry to cut things so short.”
Skylar looked to the front door, out the windows she could see guards of the Order dressed in white outside, searching the streets. She took in a deep breath and then nodded once again. “Look, Eva…there are things I must tell you, things that may sound crazy at first, but I promise I will guide you. I am Skylar Fuhrer, I am a part of the Nighthand Guild, I am the leader, to be exact.” She looked out to the streets once more, trying to decide how much time they had before it was too late. “You, Eva, you have a gift, I’m not sure what it is quite yet.” She pulled the compass from her pocket again and set it on the counter. It pointed directly to Eva and pulsed brightly. “This is how I found you, this is how I know. Now, we don’t have much time. I will return tonight and we will talk more. Until then.” She gave a smile and snapped her fingers. With that time froze and in an instant Booker and Skylar disappeared from the shop. The door jingled and the sign flipped back around. Skylar snapped her fingers once again once she had gotten them to the outskirts of the city. The duo ran most of the way back to the port.
They ran up to one of the smallest ships at the dock. It wasn’t tiny, though it was compared to the other cargo ships that were there to drop of goods to District 2. Skylar stepped aboard the ship which had a very mechanical look about it. It didn’t blend in with the other ships at the port at all. It had a sail that was in the center of the dock that had several mechanisms that would move the sail in any direction that she needed. She didn’t have a crew, it was just her and Booker. The two anchors were released to the ocean floor beneath the ship and the propellers were below the water as well. Though, this ship didn’t travel by water. It was one of the few flying ships. They were expensive, and the Order hated them. Because flying ships made it easier to access District 1. Skylar stepped down below the decks, “Booker, where is it?” She asked. Booker pulled the large shining crystal from his pack and held it out. “Okay.” She gave a nod and looked up to him, “We need to travel to District 5 and get this taken care of.” She stepped above the decks then and pressed a few buttons on her counsel before the anchors lifted and the ship began to rise from the waters.
This ship was one of the quickest designs that was around. As fast if not faster than the famed Flotsam. Skylar stood at the wheel and guided the ship as it propelled itself through the wispy clouds. It would be an hour or two before they docked in District 5, where they could exchange the crystal for gold with one of the other Guild leaders.
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Post by Raven on Oct 27, 2016 13:51:06 GMT -5
Eva squinted her eyes slightly. Trust you? She glanced to the small boxlike figure that Skylar pulled from her pocket. It glowed a gentle blue against her square jaw. “Um..” she sat back on her stool and stared to this woman.
Eva looked to the man who entered, turning her sign. “What’s going on?” She asked and looked out the large glass window. She saw the men searching the city, searching for something. Whatever it was – she could only assume Skylar had it. “Nighthand? The thieves guild?” she asked and then stood up. So that’s why Charlie knew her. She was… their leader? Was she a thief like him? Trust her?
Then in an instant she was just gone. It was like she was never there. This was twice. This had to be some kind of magic… all of this, it didn’t make sense. Magic had been banned, she had never seen someone with it. Especially in district two, so close to the Order… she rubbed her upper arm and then her door was swung open vicious. A man and two dogs entered. The dogs had huge snarling faces with yellow fangs. They sniffed around and growled and then shot out of the bakery. The man glanced to Eva and ran for the two dogs. They were searching for Skylar.. they had to have. Did she just take something?
She recalled then a letter she received from Blake. Her penpal from district 5. She had met Blake a few years back when she was forced to cater to an event in district 5. They had been writing and flying their notes over once a month since then, just as something to do. Blake had spoke of the Nighthand before. He said he had ran into one who helped him out, that their mission was to take from the Order and return it to the people. Like a sort of robin hood. Though it had gained a bad reputation from the media, and also a few corrupt thieves that got greedy… Something like that, it was a far and dusty memory in her mind. She would have to find that letter later…
The door rang and a customer came in. The woman rushed in and looked behind her. “Just…escaping for a moment. They’re going through everything…everyone… something about a missing jewel?” she smiled weakly and then straightened herself up. She made an order and went on her way after eating.
The rest of the day was normal, thank god. Customers came and went. When lunch hit she got slammed, wishing then she could afford another body. But everyone that came in always respected her lone wolf sort of deal. Most people knew her mother, and came in for that very sake. Not to mention the food was good. She cracked open the lunch menu and was on the stove.. making sandwiches, salads, small pizzas, and soups. It was an exhausting job, to say the least. Finally it slowed down again around 3. She took the time to make her own small pizza and sat with another customer.
Soft Jazz was playing in the background. Another customer sat in the corner table and was reading, and then her usual – Jackie, who was a underground artist was occupying her round table off to the side. Eva topped off her tea and filled her bowl up with more baked chips. The artist looked up from her huge pad and smiled, her thanks.
Finally 6 rolled around and she closed her doors. She spent a while cleaning counters, sweeping and mopping, regulations of course. Then she cleaned the kitchen up. Flour was practically all over the counters… she did the dishes and prepared tomorrows dough, soups, and platters. She sat down at her counter and counted the coins. She picked up the bag of coins that Skylar had left… she thumbed through the coins… “Wow..” she whispered and then set the bag down. She filed the receipts and documented tax and what not. Finally she carried herself downstairs.
Just as she took her apron off there was a knocking on the door. She went back upstairs and Skylar stood with her friend. She opened the door and let the two in. “Hey” she smiled weakly. “Hungry? I actually cooked you both some pizza” she smiled and opened the warmer. Two small pizzas were waiting.
“Come.. downstairs though.” She spoke and carried the two pizzas into her home. The world didn’t need to see that she had guests, as the bakery was all glass.
Her home was warm and comfortable. She had a small living room that consisted off a couch that sat infront of the fireplace, and a small TV off to the side, that she rarely used. A huge bookcase lined the wall, completely filled with books. The top portion was cook books, and the rest was fantasy, drama, romance. There was an entire collection of books that were dedicated to Ren and the Flotsam. So many stories had been wrote, true, some not, but they were all her favorite. She dreamed of the day to meet her.
But now some one equally as amazing as Ren stood before her. The world beyond the Order seem to be but a fantasy to her. Was there something more out there? In the retrospect… this world was puny compared to all of Dallaran. But they have been brainwashed since youth – the Order is all you have, all you need, you cannot leave….
Eva sat the pizzas down on the coffee table infront of the couch. “Please… sit.. or at least.. I need to” she said, tired as all ever. “So um… what exactly brings you to me? You said… you have something, and that I needed to trust you? Seeing as you saved my life… I suppose I have no choice really, but… I am more curious than anything. I’ve had a very…long day. And it seems to never end..” she sighed and then looked to Skylar, to Booker, studying them.
“What’s going on anyways? The Order came searching for you.. they didn’t say really for you – but I assumed it was you. They had dogs that were sniffing and..” she cut herself off and then shook her head. “I don’t even know..”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 27, 2016 20:12:46 GMT -5
How can I say this without breaking? It’s too much for my soul alone. My father…dead…
The portal within the street that was swirling of colors was void and black as the night now. Ainsley escaped through it after he had stabbed my father in the heart, such precision. He had done such a thing thousands of times before. My hands were covered in blood then, sticky. Tears were hot as they cascaded down my cheeks.
It was the days, the weeks, the months and even year after my father’s death that stung. The discoveries that were made from his living will. The pain that I felt in my chest with each new discovery. Though, even worse, the Guild did not trust me, as I had found my father…I had been there for his dying breath. Who was to say that I wasn’t in on this if Ainsley, the right hand man was? Why was the Guild just given over to a child that was only experienced in thievery and not in leadership. How could I be him? How could I make things better? It was simple…I couldn’t. Not in the Guild’s eyes. At first.
**
“It is with a great sadness that I must…” Skylar’s voice shook, she couldn’t hold back the tears of pain. “I must announce that my father Warden Mavis Olyver.” She paused as the gasps and a clamor came from the crowd.
“It is true.” Booker stood strong at her side then, this was one of the first moments he had defended her against the angry eyes of the Guild. He held his hand up to silence the men and women of the Guild.
Skylar looked to him with pain in her eyes, it was nearly three days since he had fallen, since she kneeled at his side bathed in blood when Booker had walked in, upon hearing her cry. He had been a long time comrade and he went to most of her heists with her by her father’s order. “The Warden left specific instructions, as well as information that has put Ainsely Greives on my top list of priority, he murdered Mavis in cold blood….” Her voice shook as she replayed the horrific event in her mind. “H-he came in and without warning stabbed my father in the chest…”
“How do we know it wasn’t you?!” Someone from the crowd shouted.
“Where is Ainsely?! Did you kill him too?!!!” Another angry voice.
“You’re just a child! You don’t know anything!!!”
Skylar looked to the crowd and took in a deep breath, “Look!” Her voice grew stronger, almost colder, she sounded more stern like her father in this moment. “I know I am not the most ideal for this position. But my father willed it to me and you will respect it. I am going to do my best to keep everything as it has been, and to better the Guild.” She wiped away a few tears, “But if one more person accuses me of killing my father I will end your life in front of everyone here.” Her eyes locked on the man who had screamed the accusation. “I loved him just as you did. There is no reason to make this harder than it already is. The council will meet in the morning and we will decide what is going to happen going forward. Until then, moge der fried emit dir sein. Good day.” Skylar stepped from the podium and left to the hallway that led to her father’s office. She pushed the heavy oak door open and sat down in his huge leather chair. His smell still filled the room. The tears began to flow freely then as she slumped forward over the desk.
“Sky?” Booker shook her shoulder gently. “Hey.” He gave a gentle smile and wiped away a tear that was rolling down her cheek. “You okay?”
Skylar took in a sharp breath and swallowed hard she looked to their coordinates and nodded before she brought the ship in to port in District 5. Here there was a man that could turn anything of high value into gold. A useful power for a thieves’ guild.
Booker drew his brows together, “Sky, you can’t bottle everything up.” He muttered as he released the anchors. “Bottling it up all the time is what caused you to attack me in District 2.” He pulled on his pack. “It’s been 4 years…I know that losing family is never going to be easy, but…you’ve gained a lot more respect from the Guild, and we are one step closer each day to getting Ainsley and putting an end to this mess.”
Skylar stopped where she stood, she stared at Booker for a long moment, “I can’t help feeling that we are doing no more than keeping his name alive. If that is all that I can do, I will push to my dying breath to make sure that my father did not die in vain.” She pushed past him. Skylar had gotten the name of being cold and distant, like her father had been. She was a wonderful Warden for the Nighthand Guild. She gave orders that progressed their movement, and the rebellion against the Order in District 1. The Order hated the Guild, and did the best it could to abolish their name and taint it with blood. Many deaths were blamed on the Guild, and sometimes the Order killed just for sport to blame the deaths on the Guild. Many civilians feared the Guild, afraid they were only out for blood. Bloodthirsty villains. Treacherous Thieves that will take your home, your life. That’s the name the Nighthand Guild held in District 2, if one knew the name. The name had vanished in the past ten years or so, the Order had eradicated them. Just as they planned.
Skylar walked through the streets with her hood pulled up from her jacket, her face was covered by her scarf, people knew her here in District 5. It was one of the most prevalent places of the Guild. The love for the Guild was strong here. They believed in Skylar. They snaked through the streets and into an old building that held many artifacts, it was a thrift store so to speak. She pulled down her hood as she stepped to the counter where a young girl stood. She immediately turned and ran down a flight of stairs calling for her father. A few moments later the girl invited the duo down the stairs and into the old musky basement. Water dripped in from outside, the ice melting from the heat of the building.
“Skylar.” A man’s voice filled the room. “It’s been awhile, I was beginning to fear that the Order had caught you.” He chuckled then, knowing how incredibly hard it would be to catch a woman with her powers, especially when teamed with Booker.
“Phillip.” Skylar smiled as she pulled the crystal from her pocket.
“Oh!!” He pulled on his glasses as he looked at the object. “My dear, this is one of the more valuable things you’ve got your hands on in the years. Where did you find this beauty?”
“District 2.” Skylar spoke softly.
“What….” His eyes grew wide as he moved the glasses that looked more like a magnifying glass from his eyes. “You didn’t….steal from them…” His voice had fear in it.
“I did.” She gave a nod. “I need to draw out Ainsley. He knows I am one of the only Guild members that can pull off such a stunt in broad daylight. I want to remind him that I am still here as he hides in District 1.” Her voice was cold now, it could shatter glass.
Phillip took in a breath and shook his head, “Be careful my dear. You are not only toying with Ainsley, you are calling out the dogs, you’re calling for that whole district to turn and place its sights on you. I would hate for you to meet an end like your father. He got too close to classified information, Skylar. He discovered something he never should have known, and within days they killed him. How do you know that one of the Guild members that you call your friend now isn’t like Ainsley? Hm?”
“I don’t.” Skylar whispered softly, Phillip was right. Stealing such a jewel was reckless, but she needed to feel that she was doing something.
Phillip placed his hands around the crystal and held it over a sack. A flash of light came from his hands and then the sound of coins falling into the bag. “Just be careful my dear.” He said softly before he pulled her into a tight embrace. “I couldn’t fathom losing such a caring soul as yourself. You’ve done much to help the Guild. Your father would be proud.” He gave a nod and then his eyes fell on Booker. “Keep her safe my friend. If she gets hurt, I’m coming after you.” He chuckled, though he wasn’t joking at all.
“Of course, Phillip. I keep her out of trouble all the time.” He smiled, he looked at the clock on the wall. “We need to head back, Sky.” He spoke before he left the room.
Phillip sighed heavily as he looked over Skylar, “Please, be safe. I don’t want to know where you are off to.”
“To return the riches to the poor, Phillip.” Skylar gave a smile as she lifted the sack that was filled with a heavy chuck of gold coins, she really hadn’t stolen something that expensive before. “Booker and I are always returning the favor to the poor, we are fighting to get the Guild’s name back in the hearts of the people.” She then left and silently walked down the streets with Booker at her side. They made it back to her ship and she set the bag of gold coins down in a chest below deck in the captain’s room. She came above deck as Booker lifted the anchors and fired up the ship. She smiled as the ship lifted into the air, she loved this ship. It had been her fathers. Though, she had made alterations to it to get it to the point that it was now. The speed was impeccable. Skylar counted the coins out that Phillip had given them, nearly 3,000 gold coins. It was more than Skylar had ever brought in. “This, will help the city.” She whispered softly before she finally came back above deck. Booker stood at the wheel, leaning against the peg with a bored expression on his face.
Booker smiled when he saw Skylar and moved to allow her to take control of the ship. “How much?” He asked.
“Three.” She replied as she turned the wheel, they were close to District 2 already.
“You’re kidding!” He exclaimed, his eyes wide. “You weren’t joking when you said that was going to be the biggest heist you’ve made.” He chuckled and crossed his arms, the sun was setting, the cool crisp air of the night was the most welcoming to him. He had grown up in the night. He was a part of it, the shadows.
Skylar smiled and gave a nod, “We will give back to the people, we will rock their beliefs of the Guild and show them who we really are.” She turned the ship down and to the port. Within minutes they were docked she packed away a good bit of the money into her pack as did Booker before they set off for the city. They made great time, the city was beginning to fall asleep. The shops were beginning to close down. Skylar walked up to the bakery, her eyes looked to the closed sign, though she saw a bit of light from inside and the movement of Eva. She knocked and within moments Eva invited them in and down to her home below the bakery.
Skylar saw the bookcase and ran her fingertips along the binding of a few of the books about Ren and the Flotsam, she smirked. She had worked hand in hand with Ren and Ayla before, when she was younger her father sent her to help them in their region of the world. The Guild was strong throughout the world, the Districts had the Guild locked down however…the Order was trying to snuff them out as quickly as possible so that there was no hope for the people. Skylar looked to Eva as she spoke, asking the two to sit. She looked to Booker whom took his place at the end of the couch. Skylar didn’t sit, not yet. She looked to Eva as she spoke, as she questioned. “I do have something for you.” She spoke as she looked around a bit, taking in the comfy home. She saw a picture of Eva with her parents, when she was younger, pain crossed her chest then and she sipped in a breath before she sat down in the chair across from Eva. Then when Eva spoke of the Order searching for them she gave a nod as she took a bite of her pizza. “Like I said before, I am the leader of the Nighthand Guild, the Warden as we call it. My father was the Warden before me, and his before he came to power.” She took in a breath as her eyes fell on the picture once again. “This relic.” She pulled it out and handed it to Eva. She gently curled Eva’s fingertips around it, her touch was gentle as can be. Beneath the glove on her left hand a bit of a glow could be seen. She pulled her hands back and stared at Eva for a long moment. “It points out those who have abilities. Some that I find are not good people. They have to be stopped, from causing damage to the world, from killing innocent people…others…” She smiled sweetly, “Others are like you, no idea in the world, and gentle souls.” She gave a nod. “I can teach you to use your powers, I can help you learn how to awaken them. This….is why you must trust me.” She took another bite of her delicious pizza, the cheese was perfectly melted, the sauce was the best she had ever tasted.
“I was afraid.” Booker nudged his way into the conversation. “When the Warden found me. I was…” He rubbed his chin slightly, “Eight. Young, alone. It was terrifying, I had only heard about the Nighthand Guild killing innocent people and stealing all of their money.” He shook his head, “All of those stories are terribly wrong. That was one of the first things I came to learn when I first met Skylar and her father, when they took me in, kept me safe, fed me, clothed me, I had a roof over my head, and I forever will.”
“If you trust me, I can awaken your power and you can join us in lifting the Order from this world. District 1 has always spat on us, ripped us apart. They torture those who are taken to District 1, it isn’t the lies that they feed you. It isn’t a luxury life, they will kill you by beating and sucking the life out of you until you have no more energy to keep going, until your last breath is out of pure fear, until there is no more fight within your soul.” Skylar didn’t take her eyes from Eva as she spoke. “I want to protect you from them. Once they learn of your abilities they will take you to District 1 and they will torture you and syphon the power from you. That is why they have banned magic. They use it for their own good. To keep them young, to light their homes, to power machines, to concoct devilish experiments.” Skylar shook her head, sick to her stomach, she wanted to kill Ainsley, to rip the Order apart. She didn’t even know if he looked the way he did when he was with the Guild, or if it was all an illusion.
“It isn’t a matter of if.” Booker spoke, “It is a matter of when. When they find out, you will have no defense against them. Sky and I can help keep you safe. We will make sure the Order doesn’t get its hands on you and turn you into another one of their mutts.” He took in a breath and finished off the last slice of his pizza. “I know it is a lot to take in.” He gave a nod. “If you’re too afraid, you don’t have to join, we can give you protection if you wish. Though, it cannot be guaranteed. We will do our best to keep you safe. But here in District 2, the Order has pushed out the Guild. We can protect you, but we may not have enough strength to keep you completely safe.” Booker placed his hand on her shoulder and gave a nod before he looked quizzically to Skylar.
Skylar was moving about the home she lifted the letter with the Order’s seal into her fingertips. She ran her fingers over the elegant writing and shook her head before she set it down in front of Eva. “What if I told you, I could pay this all off?” She asked softly. Her voice serious. “I know there is no way that you make the amount to pull in this money, not even the largest coffee shop in town could settle this debt. This….this is what is wrong with the Order. They are suffocating people…” Her voice quaked. “If they don’t already know of your ability…” She shook her head, “They are using this to take you to District 1…you…you would have never known…” She looked to Booker. “They know.” She stared into his eyes for a long moment. “This is their sick twisted way of taking her. Work her to the bone and even if she came up with the money they would slap on extra taxes in the end and snuff out her life here.” Skylar was visibly angry, she shook her head. “Eva, you have to trust us.” She nodded, “You---….” She paused and fell silent. “Wait here.” She stood and left the room.
Booker stared to the staircase that Skylar crept up silently. “I would advise you to stay calm.” He whispered just before Skylar came back down the stairs. “Are they?” He asked.
“They have the dogs, Booker.” Skylar spoke as she grasped the letter and tucked it into her pocket. “Eva, you’ve no choice but to trust me. I’m sorry.” She whispered before she grasped Eva’s arm as well as Booker’s arm. With that the shadows of the room engulfed them and they moved about within the shadows quickly. The guard stood at the front door of the bakery, the dogs howling and snarling, their teeth yellow and their eyes a frightening red that burned in the night. The front door was kicked in by the guard and the dogs rushed into the home. Skylar gasped within the shadows as she pulled the two along with her, it was a huge deal of energy to move like this. Her powers dropped as they made it outside. The trio stood within a group of guards.
“Seize them!” One officer shouted as the snarling dogs circled around them.
“Sky…” Booker said, his voice had a bit of fear within it.
Skylar was on one knee, she slowly stood, her breaths heavy, she looked to the man and smirked slightly. “Get down!” The guard ordered her. Though, Skylar did just the opposite, she jumped and from thin air a blue bow appeared, she shot the arrow down just next to Booker and Eva. Strands of blue light shot out from the arrow that was lodged in the cobblestone. The Guards let out groans as they strained against the magic tether. Skylar walked up to a guard and ripped his helmet off, she held her gun to his head. “You are nothing more than a puppet to the Order. Your life doesn’t matter to them.” She shook her head and pulled the trigger, just as the guard sliced his dagger through her side. She let out a cry and fell to a knee as each and every guardsmen and canine around them fell to the ground. The one bullet from her gun had killed every single one of them.
Booker grasped Eva by her arm and rushed forward, “Breathe.” He reminded Eva. “Just relax.” He grasped Skylar and the darkness of shadows surrounded them. It engulfed the world around them and when it dissipated they were on a nearby rooftop as more guards rushed in with their dogs. Sirens sounded in the city. “Damn….” He shook his head. “Skylar?” He looked to her, she leaned against him, a trickle of blood came from her nose. Moving three people within the shadows, and using her tether against that number of enemies was a huge strain on her body. She hadn’t used her magic like that before. Not in that amount. “Sky, are you okay?” Booker asked as he squeezed her a bit. “Hey, look at me.” He moved and held her shoulders.
Skylar looked to him with grit teeth, she gave a weak nod. “We need to move.” She gripped her side where the guard had stabbed her, it burned. She stumbled slightly as she looked to the streets below.
Booker grasped her as she stumbled again. “Hey, not so fast.” He said before he grasped Eva again. “Deep breath.” He told her and gave a gentle smile. The shadows once again engulfed them. They bounced around the rooftops to the edge of town like this. He couldn’t take them to the ship with his powers, but at least he was keeping them safe. He lifted Skylar into his arms as she lost blood and looked to Eva. “Keep up, okay?” He said as he took off in a sprint. “I need your cover, Sky.” He spoke softly. Skylar gave a nod and the shadows seemed to rush around Booker and Eva, keeping them hidden from guards as they ran passed. The trio rushed to the edge of town only to find that a group of guards stood at the port. “Can you do your tether again?” He asked softly, Skylar’s skin was pale. She gave a nod as he put her to her feet. The guards rushed toward them, she pulled the bow from the skies once more and shot into the men. The web of energy once again slowed the men down. Skylar grasped Eva’s shoulder and stumbled slightly, she pulled her pistol from her hip once again and shot with precision. The bullet cut through the air and pierced the guard between his eyes. The other ten or so guards that stood at his side fell to the ground in that moment.
“Come on.” Booker lifted Skylar again. “Eva keep up.” He ran to the docks and aboard their ship. “Eva here.” He shoved her below deck and into the captain’s quarters. He set Skylar on the bed. “Hang on, Sky.” He spoke before he ran above deck. Gunfire could be heard as he lifted the anchors. Shots were fired from a pistol that he too kept on his hip. He ran to the wheel and rallied the engines to full steam ahead. Within seconds they were lifting from the water and then, they were off into the sky as guards rushed the port. Booker leaned against the wheel and stumbled slightly. He groaned as he looked down to his leg, his blood soaked into the dark fabric of his pants. He reached into a box on the deck and ripped a piece of material and tied a tourniquet on his thigh, slowing the bleeding.
Skylar curled and held her side, her body shook, she grit her teeth as she took in small shaky breaths. She squeezed her eyes shut as she pushed herself up, blood leaked from her side. “I’m….” She swallowed hard. “I….” She blinked her eyes. “I didn’t…mean…” She collapsed onto the bed then, her skin pale as a ghost.
Booker pushed the door to the captain’s room open and looked to Eva, he limped slightly. He took in a slow breath as he looked to Skylar. He moved to her side and ripped her shirt away from the stab wound before he began working on it. “I know that this must not make us look very good.” He spoke softly, his eyes moved to Eva. He shook his head. “If Sky hadn’t done what she did, we would be prisoners to District 1 right now, the Order would torture us for sport….” He whispered the last bit. “She saved us, they won’t even remember our faces.” He pulled a needle and thread from a box in the corner of the room before he came back to Skylar’s side. He slipped the needle through her skin like a hot knife through butter. “I’m sorry you had to see this.” He looked to Eva with apologetic eyes. He finished patching up the captain before he stood. He looked to Eva silently for a moment before he gave a nod and left the room to the decks above.
Skylar woke awhile later, she moved and groaned in pain. “Damn…” She pushed herself up and winced. “Booker…Eva…” She looked around the room and stood, she stumbled out onto the deck of her ship to see that they were flying, safe. She leaned against the railing and looked to the lights below as they flew over one of the districts. In a few hours they would arrive at District 16, where the Nighthand Guild kept their heart, the mansion, where most of the Guild resided if they were not assigned a section. Skylar leaned heavily against the railing.
“Sky…” Booker spoke as he came up to her, he wrapped his arm around her. “You need to rest.” He lifted her and carried her back into the captain’s room. “I’ve got it, just relax.” He spoke softly before he returned to the wheel. He leaned against the peg sleepily as he blinked sleep from his eyes.
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Post by Raven on Oct 27, 2016 21:57:41 GMT -5
Eva stared to Skylar as she spoke about district one, their plan. She leaned back slightly in the seat and thought for a long hard moment. She never thought about what the government was truly up to. All she knew was that she had to follow the law, and that they weren’t oh so mighty. Her parents always kept her in the dark, to keep her from getting angry. As her father was taken by the government… her life was just life, she never thought she could change it..
Something about Skylar and Booker really sparked some sort of energy within her. She believed them, as hard as it might be. It all made sense… when it was spoken. No wonder she was brought down with such insane debts. There was no way her father could even get that deep in debt, they were always very successful and ontop of their books. It had to be an imaginary figure, something.. like she said – to push her into submission.
Eva grit her teeth at the thought. Skylar was right.. it wouldn’t matter if she paid it off. They would fine her some other way, they would put her out of business and take her. It all made sense then. But how? “How do I have… these gifts? What are they?” she questioned out loud. But just then something sparked Skylars attention. She stood and slowly made her way to the desk, she slipped the few pictures out of the frames and folded them.
“I have a bad feeling…” Eva spoke and then suddenly she was dragged away. She took in a deep breath and suddenly they were outside. She gasped and then looked to Skylar. An arrow appeared… and then suddenly the crowd fell, blood pooling on the concrete floor. Skylar gasped and covered her mouth, a sick feeling coming to her stomach. “Oh my g-“ she muttered and then was yanked away.
Eva looked to Skylar - who was very wounded, blood came gushing. Now was not the time to worry, or to cry. Though she wanted to. But if they hadn’t done it… they would have been killed. Yes. That’s the truth. Eva ran along. They stopped momentarily, where Skylar somehow managed to do it again. She could see the power flowing, and how much it truly took to cast such a spell. Eva turned just as the bodies died and they rushed forward onto the ship.
Eva ran to the edge, her hands on the railing as the engines started. The men came running, dogs barking loudly – guns shooting. Eva ducked slightly and then the ship lifted into the air. She stumbled and fell to her knees, gasping loudly as they grew higher and higher into the sky.
She gripped the railing and slowly stood, fighting the angle and force of the ship. She turned her head – the wind whipping in her long brown hair behind her. She looked out to the blue skies – then down to the puffy white clouds below them. She couldn’t believe it. It was exactly like the books she had read. As the ship leveled out she felt her feet grip on the wooden deck. She turned and slowly made her way to the cabin. She didn’t quite feel comfortable walking – her balance felt weird, and the feeling of actually flying was insane. It was nothing she had ever experienced…
Eva opened the cabin door and slowly made her way to the bed where Skylar lay. She looked to Brooker and nodded slowly. “Its… okay” she whispered and looked away as he threaded Skylar. “You saved my life so… for that I am grateful..” she whispered and then stepped over to the bed. “She… really gave it her all, huh?” she muttered. Eva felt so useless, in those moments… she wanted to help. All she did was get in the way, and that is why Skylar was hurt now.
Eva looked to Skylar’s hand that dangled on the side of the bed. She could see something through her glove. It was glowing. She gently removed the glove and stared to the mark on her hand. She set the glove down and then nodded to Booker, allowing them a bit of privacy – she walked back out to the deck.
She made her way to the bow of the ship. Both hands on the railing, she looked out to the vast sea of blue skies. She took in a deep breath. It was the cleanest air in the world. And it even made her a little light headed. It was a fresh and beautiful feeling.
“That’s it… huh?” she spoke softly to herself. “This is what you spoke of...” she was talking as if it was her father next to her. “You used to say… that I was meant for such bigger things. Did you have powers too? Did you know?” she whispered and closed her eyes. The cold air of the atmosphere brushed her face and made her feel slightly cold, but in the – im alive – feeling. “Just like that… everything has changed” she muttered in addition. She leaned back slightly and then let out a long drawn sigh. “I’ll do my best”
Eva felt a presence behind her. She turned her head slightly to see a figure. “Um…don’t judge me…” she whispered. “Sometimes when I’m lost – I sort of talk… uh…” she hid her face and stared back forward. “This is amazing…” she spoke over the whistling wind. “In just a few hours the entire world has changed for me. And all of the possibilities out there… they are real” she gripped onto the railing as a sudden crosswind pushed against her.
“So..” she turned and leaned against the railing, smiling slightly. “What kind of powers… do I have?” she asked and remembered the glowing relic. When she had touched it before.. she felt something surge within her. Like something truly was lurking. “How does it work?” she wondered for a moment. “Where.. do we go from here? I know.. I’m asking a lot of questions…” she chuckled and then turned around.
“I wonder… what is out there? All the books I’ve read… they’ve got to be true. I want to go to Hells Bay – where Ren summoned that Tornado. And I want to go to Cisne, and and…. I want to follow the stories, I want to visit every city of magic. I want to see… elves, dwarfs…are they real?” she questioned and then chuckled. “I believe it, it has to be true now…” she had been sheltered in the districts. She had no idea that the stories she read were actually true, and she no idea that there was even life beyond their lands. The world was flat, and now it is round. The world of possibility is real…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 27, 2016 23:33:47 GMT -5
Skylar stepped up behind Eva, she leaned against the railing of the ship, the wind pushed her short hair about. She held her side, a small smile curved up her lips as she listened to the girl speak. When Eva turned around and began apologizing, Skylar only shook her head. “No need. It is quite a lot to take in.” She gave a nod. Skylar smiled as she listened to Eva’s hopeful voice, how she exclaimed how amazing this was, the world had changed. This is what Skylar lived for. Saving others, opening their eyes to what the Order really was, taking them out from under the suffocating cloak and giving them a real life with a real meaning. She held onto the railing and winced as the crosswind pushed against her.
“Sky…” Booker came to her side and held his hand to her forehead, “Why won’t you rest?” He asked and shook his head. “You’re as stubborn as your father.” He chuckled softly. “Though I would expect nothing less from you.” He steadied her as Eva asked more questions.
Skylar smiled as she looked to Booker and then back to Eva. “Your powers.” She hummed and gave a weak nod. “It is a complete mystery.” She shook her head. “My father didn’t even know what my powers would be when we were finally able to awaken them, I remember that day.” She gave a nod before she looked to Booker again, “No one knew what Booker would become as well.” Skylar pulled the relic from her pocket once more and opened the lid that held the glowing blue compass within. She shakily stepped forward to Eva and took both of her hands which she wrapped around the device. She then pressed something on the bottom of it. “This should help your powers awaken.” She gave a nod. Booker caught her as she stumbled, a small whimper escaped her lips, though she recovered herself quickly and stood once more, her hand still on her side. “From here we are headed to District 16, it is where the Nighthand Guild resides. There we have a sanctuary, a mansion that is safe from the eyes of the Order.” She wiped a bit of blood that leaked from her nose, trying to hide her pain, her body shook.
“Sky…” Booker caught Skylar once more and held her against his warm body. “You need to rest.” He growled as he lifted her into his arms. He looked to Eva as she spoke of Ren and the adventures. He smiled, “I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear that Skylar and I know Ren, as well as Ayla.” He gave a soft laugh, “Those stories are mostly true, a little fluff here and there. But Ren is an amazing captain. Skylar is strong like her, a wonderful Warden to the Guild.” He looked down to the unconscious woman that he held in his arms. “She needs to rest now.” He gave a nod. “You’re more than welcome to rest, I am sure you are exhausted, this has been a very eventful day for you.” Booker smiled in a caring way, “Just down the hall beneath the deck is a guest room, if you’d like. The bed is rather comfortable. Our small kitchen is down a bit further if you become hungry. We should be landing in the next few hours. Rest. You’ll need your energy once we have landed.” He stepped off, leaving the relic in Eva’s hands. The device glowed happily, the power from within it pulsing against the woman’s touch.
**
The time passed quickly and soon the ship began to descend down through the clouds. Skylar held onto the wheel of the ship, her skin still pale, her body still trembling. Booker stood next to her with crossed arms, he had fought with her just minutes before about her resting, though, Skylar was stubborn as always. Skylar pulled at a few levers and turned the wheel as they landed in the ocean. The port to District 16 was huge, there were several ships, both big and small, they blended in perfectly. The Order wouldn’t be able to find them, the guards wouldn’t be able to describe her ship, the magic around the shadows helped in cloaking her and those with her. Booker moved and lowered the two anchors at the front of the ship before he moved back to Skylar’s side. She took a step and stumbled. He narrowed his brows and wrapped his arms around her once again. “Sky, it’s okay.” He said softly. Her skin was cold and pale. “We are going to take you to Lionel, he can heal you, it’s okay.” He lifted her up. “Eva.” He turned and gave a gentle smile, “It’s a bit of a walk, just stay close.” He gave a nod.
Booker carried Skylar into the city. This District was completely different from Eva’s. Airships floated above the city, moving from port, dropping cargo, making deliveries and picking up goods from vendors. It was a busy city, a river ran through the city and bridges of stone were put together for crossing it. Homes were built above shops, towering over the city. Some were compromised completely of glass, it was beautiful. Machines worked to keep this place alive and thriving. Boats floated in the waters of the river, with steam coming from their stacks. “Welcome to District 16.” Booker smiled to Eva, “A bit different, isn’t it?” He looked to her, “See, the Order doesn’t supply much to the other districts like your own. We build here, we grow our own food up on the hillside there. Everything is done here, we export and import from and to other Districts. Then, we have our home.” He led her through the streets and into a part of the district that housed many of the residents, the homes were large, mansions. He stopped at the gates of the Nighthand Guild. The initials of the Olyver line were curled into the metal. The gates opened seemingly with magic as Booker approached with Skylar in his arms. They walked up the drive to the staircase that led up to the main foyer. The stone of the outside of the home was extravagant. It was incredible. Though, once Booker led Eva inside the interior of the mansion was that much more awe striking. The foyer was beautiful with marble flooring and oak stairs that led up and parted around a beautiful piano that was integrated perfectly into the staircase. A woman sat at the piano playing beautiful music which seemed to stop when the trio came through the doors. A few of the Guild members rushed forward, taking Skylar from Bookers arms. She was placed on a stretcher and wheeled off down the hallway in an urgent manor.
Booker looked to Eva, “Come with me.” He gave a nod and led her up the beautiful staircase and down a long hallway. The Guild members stared at her, curious. Most gave a welcoming smile or a nod. Booker stopped at a door and pushed it open before he entered the room. “This, is yours if you would like it.” He looked around the room, it was fairly empty, though it held a bed, a bookcase and a desk, which she could decorate as she wanted. He grit his teeth slightly, his leg was beginning to pain him. “Skylar will be okay.” He gave a smile. “Here, come with me.” He had a limp to his step as he took Eva down the hall and up another flight of stairs. They moved around the mansion and then stopped outside a set of double doors. He opened the doors and stepped inside the silent room. Bookshelves lined the room with thousands of books. Booker climbed on a ladder and pulled an old leather book down, the binding was nearly falling off. He moved to Eva and gave a gentle smile, pain in his eyes. “Here.” He gave a nod. “This should help in the meantime, until Skylar can help you.” He pulled out a chair at the desk. On the other side was the large leathery chair that was her fathers. This was the room that Skylar’s father had been murdered in. A faint staining of blood could still be seen in the carpet near the middle of the room. Booker held his hand on his thigh. “Okay…Sky will be here soon, I promise. Just make yourself comfortable.” He spoke before he left the room.
**
A few hours passed before the door finally pushed open slowly. Skylar walked in, her eyes heavy. She looked to see Eva and smiled tiredly before she moved to her huge leather chair. “I’m sure, all of this is a lot to take in.” She spoke, her voice weak. She leaned into the table and looked to Eva. “I am glad that Booker and I found you when we did.” She smiled, “The Order would have drowned you in debt, you would have been lost.” She looked to the book that had been given to Eva. “That book is excellent.” She spoke softly. “My family has been keeping track of all of the different powers that have been discovered. Everyone is unique.” She took in a slow breath, “Eva?” She paused and looked into her eyes, “Have you felt anything? With the relic? You have it still, right?” Her eyes were tired. “If you haven’t felt anything, we will have to see what will awaken your powers. The relic doesn’t work for everyone. But I assure you, I will help you learn so that we can keep the Order from demolishing more lives.” Skylar took in a slow breath, the medic had healed her, though her body was still in shock, it was trying to catch up with everything that happened to it. She needed a good night of rest to truly recover from the loss of blood and the exertion of power that she had used to keep the trio alive back in District 2.
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Post by Raven on Oct 28, 2016 0:13:06 GMT -5
Eva looked to the relic that glowed brightly in her hand. She squeezed it slightly and then followed Booker as he led her down the deck. “Okay…” she spoke, following his directions. She stepped downstairs and into the guest room. He was right… she had had a long day, very long. When she collapsed on the bed – she felt an overwhelming weight upon her. Sleep tugged at her eyelids and she succumbed.
The entire while she slept there seem to be some kind of darkness that loomed. A pressure on her chest, a cold that never ended. It brushed over her skin, causing goosebumps to form over her entire body. She tried to open her eyes from her darkness, but she could not. It surrounded her. In this pitch she saw something, a flicker. As she approached – a gentle light hovered in the air, it flickered slightly over and over. Eva reached forward – or at least it felt like she was reaching.
She came in contact with this flickering light. Suddenly she rose from sleep – gasping loudly. She held her hand up – she could still feel it. To her eyes she saw her body disappearing and reappearing, in the same spot. She held both hands up as she continued to flicker – just like that light. “What the?” she whispered and then stood up quickly. Just then the relic fell from her pocket and landed on the ground.
Eva held her hand up – she was solid again… she leaned down and then lifted the relic up and slipped it in her pocket. In just that moment she felt that pressure again… but she did not flicker. Eva walked to the deck as she felt it tilting – the boat leaning down to descend.
As she rose to the deck she looked to the wheel – Skylar was awake. She looked pale and fragile…certainly not well. She watched the warden for a long moment and then she grabbed ahold of the railing as they moved downward. The rushing winds shoved her body back and she leaned into the wind.
When they landed her eyes looked to the bustling city. It was nothing like her own. It was tall, and full of action. There was so much going on – she could hardly comprehend it. She listened as they spoke – that this place fended for themselves. Granted, she never got anything from district one, but a lot of people did. District two was very lucky in comparison, they had it easy. If you got sick… you went to the doctor and was healed by the end of the day. If you needed help – some one always handed it to you.
Not these people. All of these people were like her. The average hard worker ran the joint, and everyone respected each other. She looked high to the huge buildings and flying ships. Freedom. That’s what this place had over district two. The eyes of the Order weren’t pinned upon these people. She wished then that she grew up here… things would have been different for sure.
Eva followed Booker to the mansion, amazed at the sheer size and beauty. She never imagined every setting foot here. As if she even knew it existed. As they walked through the halls she peered to the paintings and images, the guild’s history lined on the walls. The people looked to her. Either will approval or confusion. She avoided their eyes and stayed forward.
She stood in the doorway to what she supposed was her new room. It was comfortable, far nicer than her own home… she turned as Booker called her and she came to the library… she looked to the tall bookshelves and felt a warm sense of home. This was something she could learn to love, if she already didn’t. She looked to the book and then lifted it into her arms. It was heavy, and the pages felt really old, and had that ancient scent to them.
“You should… go” she spoke as she looked to his leg. “Don’t worry..” she smiled and sat down at the table, opening the book before her. She nodded as he left…
Once he left she pulled the relic from her pocket and set it on the desk, watching it glow at her. She opened it and stared to the compass that spun in circles. It was sitting directly on its target, so it didn’t know where to point… like when a compass is at the poles…
She flipped through the book and then found herself wandering the library. There was so much infront of her, she plucked book after book until she had a large stack on the desk. Each time she set a new book down she peered to the glowing relic.
Eva turned when the doors opened, Skylar entered the room. She smiled and looked around. “This room is amazing” she smiled and leaned against the desk. “In district two… there is not many libraries, and they rarely have anything good. My collection at home is technically illegal. My friend from district 5 had been sneaking me books..” she chuckled and then turned.
She picked the relic up and held it infront of her. “Ever since I’ve touched it… I’ve felt it. I can feel it within me. I… had a weird dream earlier. This flickering light and then.. I touched it and then I woke up. Suddenly then – I was flickering.. but nothing has happened since then..” she spoke and then closed her hands over the relic. “Something must have to…. Activate it, I’m… not sure” she spoke and then handed the relic to Skylar.
“When I was flickering… I could feel this force that shook me, like it was shaking my body and my atoms. This force that felt like it was pulling me around. I felt like I was in place..but yet everywhere.. I don’t know” she crossed her arms and then looked down.
The red stain in the carpet was faint. “Someone… died here” she whispered. “What… happened?” she asked as she stood over the stain. She leaned down and touched the carpet.
Suddenly there was a flash. Eva was gone.
She appeared in the corner of the library, and then disappeared, appearing and disappearing. Teleporting. She moved about the library – but she couldn’t control it. The teleporting got faster and faster until the room was a constant white color.
An image appeared in the white. A man standing, facing the desk. Someone came up behind him and thrusted a dagger into his rib cage. With a twist he yanked the dagger and the man fell to the ground. Suddenly Eva stopped teleporting and stood before the image. She covered her mouth and gasped as the man fell to his knees. “Mavis” she whispered. The name just came to her.
The flash disappeared, the dark images disappearing with it. Eva gasped and dropped to her knees. She shook her head and then looked to Skylar. It was her father. She shut her eyes. The power flowed through her with great strength. Her body began to flicker again, like a light bulb with a bad connection. She tried to control it, gripping at the carpet.
Her body began to glow white. After a moment the white turned to a dark purple, with white flecks glowing in the aura. A huge flash of purple filled the room and Eva stood in the center. She held her hands infront of her – she could feel it, grasp it. This power….
Her nose began to bleed and her mind began to crunch, like she was being squeezed. The purple light suddenly collapsed and began to push against her. She gripped her head and cried out in pain, agony. The dimensions of space pushed against her as she became the being in between. It crunched her body, the sound of bones snapping filled the air. Her ribs cracked…shoulders caving inward as the gravity of the dimensions squeezed tightly. Eva cried even louder…
Then the purple burst once more. Books flew from the desk, a chair was completely knocked over. The blast shook the building just slightly. And then it was over. Eva lay on the ground, completely knocked out. Her body was black and blue, almost every bone had been crushed – blood poured from her eyes, nose and mouth. Time was of the essence. Her death was around the corner….
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Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 28, 2016 1:32:36 GMT -5
Skylar smiled as she watched Eva exclaim how amazing her library was. “There is a vast amount of knowledge her, from the beginning of time the Guild has collected scripture.” Skylar rose a brow when Eva spoke of her friend from District 5. She parted her lips to ask the name of the pen-pal however Eva continued to speak. Skylar took the relic into her hands, it glowed happily and buzzed slightly, she drew her brows together when Eva touched the carpet. It was then that Eva’s powers showed. “Wait!” Skylar called she jumped up only for the blast of white light to blind her. She found herself standing next to her father. Her breath caught within her chest as she looked to him. He had a smile on his lips. “F-Father?” She asked, her voice quivering. She reached out to touch him just as the blade came through his chest. The familiar sound of the sharp metal ripping and grinding against bone. She shook her head as tears began to cascade down her cheeks. “N…No…” Her pulse raced within her ears. “Stop!” She held her head as her father fell. “Stop it! Stop it Eva! Stop!” She screamed, the feelings rushing into her body, the moment felt real. She was being forced to relive one of the darkest nights of her life.
When the image faded away Skylar stood, her body shaking, tears ran down her cheeks freely, “Why…” She muttered, her voice small, weak. Skylar had to fight to gain her focus. She shut her eyes tightly and took in a breath before she forced herself to move. She felt frozen, like a deer in headlights. She knelt down in front of Eva and gripped at her shoulders, though, she couldn’t gain a tight grasp. “Eva. Breathe. Breathe Eva.” She stared into the girl’s flickering eyes. “Breathe.” She whispered, “Don’t let it consume you, you have to control it.” With the flash of purple Skylar was thrown back from Eva. She hit the bookcase and a few books toppled on top of her. “Wait…” She gasped and pushed herself up. “Eva…” Skylar rushed to her side and gripped her shoulders. She winced as Eva screamed. It was always hard to say if the awakening of powers would be painful, for some it was incredibly painful, for others, it was like the simple flip of a switch. For Skylar it had been incredibly painful. Skylar hugged onto Eva, “It’s going to be okay.” She spoke, her eyes shut tightly. Then another blast of the purple light. Skylar was thrown against the desk. She stumbled and gasped. “Don’t worry, Eva.” She grit her teeth. She snapped her fingers as she reached down to lift Eva into her arms. Time stopped. The sound of running feet from outside her library ceased. She stumbled out of the room. Blood dripped from her nose as she sprinted down the hallways and down the stairs. She rounded into the basement where their medical wing was.
She set Eva down and snapped her fingers before she collapsed at the edge of the bed. “Benny!” She called, “Jen!” She gasped, a rib or two of hers had broken from being thrown back into the bookcase and then again into the desk.
“Warden!” A man rushed forward, he had a nice well-kept beard and he wore a white coat. He was a doctor, one of the medics here. “What happened? Who did this?” He questioned before he looked to Eva, his eyes widened. He helped Skylar onto a stretcher before he and a few others moved to Eva’s side. Her wounds were far more life threatening than a few broken ribs and bruises. Benny prepared IVs and medication which he quickly hooked up in both of Eva’s arms. He then turned to a female doctor that had long blonde hair, she reached forward and placed her hand over Eva’s forehead.
Her name was Jen. She was one of the few in the Guild who had the power of healing, especially wounds like this. She shut her eyes as a white light appeared from her palm. “Just relax.” She whispered as the magic began to rush through Eva’s body. “Everything will be okay.”
Booker came running into the room. “Sky!” He cried as he ran to her side. “What happened?” He asked as he looked to the black and blue Eva. “Oh….” His eyes fell to Skylar whom was still in tears from the memory that had been forced upon her. A memory that she never wanted to relive. It was eating her alive. Her mind was racing. Everything was a reminder of that night. “Skylar?” He asked as he touched her shoulder.
Skylar winced as Benny wrapped her ribs in a magical wrap to help her heal more quickly. “Eva….tapped into her power.” She whispered softly.
“I saw the library…what happened? I felt the whole mansion quiver…” Booker looked to Eva once again as the damage began to lift away from her body.
“I’ve never…. heard of a power like hers.” Skylar whispered, “She teleported…she was everywhere….and nowhere…all at once…” She let out a whimper as Benny finished with the wrap.
“There.” Benny gave a gentle smile, “How about you get some rest, Warden. We can look after…uh…”
“Eva, her name is Eva. She needs to be kept safe.” Skylar ordered, the doctor gave a nod before he went back to the girl’s side. Skylar looked to Booker as she pushed herself up. “I…I don’t even know how I got down here…” She whispered. “I saw my father’s death…I…and then…” She quivered, tears flowing down her cheeks.
Booker pulled Skylar into a gentle embrace, “Shhh, it’s okay. It’s okay Sky.” He looked to Eva with worried eyes. “Come on.” He lifted her. “Let’s get you some rest, hm?” He carried her up and to the library where he pulled a lever that opened to her bedroom. He set her gently down on her bed. “Just rest, Sky. It’ll be okay.” He tucked the blankets in around her. “Just sleep.” He brushed his hand over her forehead and cast a spell that sent her drifting off into a gentle dreamland.
Booker sat on the edge of the bed for a long time, he sighed softly before he lifted himself and went into the library. He looked to the utter mess that had been created. He let out a long deep sigh as he picked up the books. He lifted the relic from the floor. It had fallen out of Skylar’s pocket. He looked to the device, the light had dimmed. He set it on Skylar’s desk before he began cleaning up the mess that had been created from the bursts of energy. “Wow…” He whispered as he lifted books and placed them back into their spot within the bookshelves. It took some time but eventually the library was restored. Booker took the relic in and set it next to Skylar on the end table before he pulled her door to her room shut. He made his way to the medical wing in the basement. “Benny.” He gave a nod. “How is Eva?” He asked.
“She will survive.” He gave a smile. “Jen has turned in for the evening, that was some of the most difficult healing she has done in a long while. It really took a lot out of her. That poor girl…nearly every bone in her body was broken, Jen said organs were crushed…it was horrible…” He shook his head.
Booker took in a breath, “Oh…wow…” He looked to Eva and then sighed. “Shall I return her to her room?” He asked softly.
Benny gave a nod, “That would be wise, to give her somewhere comfortable. It tends to be rather cold down here. Thank you Booker.”
Booker gave a smile, “Tell Jen thank you in the morning, Benny.” He stepped to the side of Eva’s bed, she was sound asleep still. “That certainly was a great deal of power.” He said as he gently scooped her up into his arms. The IVs had been disconnected. Several empty bags hung near the bed. They had given her blood, medicine, and all sorts of things to help her heal. Though, without Jen, she would have died with the extensive amount of damage that had been done to her body. Even without Skylar and her time control. If she hadn’t stopped time, Eva would have certainly died. Booker carefully tucked Eva into her bed, he sighed. “Rest well.” He said softly before he left the room.
**
“Father!” Skylar cried, she sat up in her bed, her breaths heavy, sweat beaded upon her brow. Her heart raced within her chest. Tears welled in her eyes. She looked around her room, her eyes fell on the relic, her body trembled. She stood and stepped to a picture that was upon the wall. It was of her and her father. Both were smiling. She was young in this picture, 5 or 6. She lifted another picture, she was older in this one. Her father had his arm wrapped around her shoulders, she grinned happily. This was just before his death. She had been out on several missions; she was really becoming a vital part of the Guild. Tears dripped to the pine floor of her room, splashing against the beautiful sealed wood. She stepped into the library and looked around shocked that it was cleaned up already. “Booker…” She shook her head. Her eyes fell upon the blood stain in the carpet and the images came rushing back again. She held her head and shut her eyes tightly. “No…” She shook her head, whimpering. “No, no no…” She fell to her knees sobbing. “No…I…. I’m sorry…I…” She couldn’t focus. She could barely breathe. “Father…” Her voice trembled. Seeing him die again like that had broken down the wall that she had fought so hard to build. The wall that she stood upon, she hid behind a mask. She was terribly wounded from the loss of her father, but she never showed it. She had worked so hard to hide that away from the Guild, to help them keep strong and push forward after his death. She did what she had to do after his death. She had to push it behind her to keep the Guild together, to gain their trust. Now, Skylar was broken into pieces once again, right back to square one. She couldn’t control her emotions, not now…The image kept playing over and over in her mind, the sounds, the blood on her hands….
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Post by Raven on Oct 28, 2016 2:01:01 GMT -5
Eva’s let out screams and cries as the woman healed her. Darkness faded in an out. Her eyes opened and she saw the tired face of the healer. And then they closed again – heavy lids. An hour later they would open again to see the woman still working on her. Until finally she was completely knocked out.
She slept soundlessly. Though her body was sore and bruised, like she had been ran over… or maybe compressed between millions of dimensions all at once. No problem. When she woke she slowly brought her body up. She was in her room, that guest room. She groaned as her entire body still hurt. Slowly she stood and looked to her hands and legs. She was still complete, still whole. She knew something terrible happened, but she couldn’t really remember it all. Just glimpses, flashes… what happened?
She stepped forward, her eyes looking to the wardrobe. Suddenly she appeared before the wardrobe. She teleported. She turned around suddenly – trying to figure out what happened. Eva opened the doors and pulled a fresh tunic from the hangar. She then pulled a long sleeve jacket over that. It had hard patches sewn into the fabric, padding, protection. On her shoulders were two slightly larger pads that stuck out slightly, and then two more pads that led down her arm. She zipped the center and it formed a leather vest. Then she pulled at a pair of pants that had the same kind of padding sewn into the material. She buckled down the armor, making it fit firmly. Lastly she pulled the boots on and buckled them into place. It seemingly fit perfectly.
Eva turned and looked to the door – when she took a step she suddenly teleported again. “Damnit” she cursed and shook her head. Her hair tossed in waves about her face with her movements. Her hazel hues stared to the shiny handle. When she reached forward to open the door - she appeared on the other side. It was as if it was out of control, each movement – each time her hues placed themselves to the next spot.. she was just there.
She closed her eyes then, an idea filling her mind. She stepped forward – this time her boots hit the floor. They lead down the hallway slowly, her hands out to the side – following the wall. She then opened her eye and suddenly she teleported again. She grit her teeth and shook her head.
Unknowingly she saw her self at each spot. Seeing herself there, before being there, is what caused this teleport. Or maybe it was just a flux in her powers. How could she control this? She bit her lip and opened her eyes again. Where’s Skylar? How did she get in her room? What happened? … as she thoughts flowed she was able to walk easier. If she cluttered her mind she didn’t think about walking, there for she didn’t teleport….
She stood in the library once more. To her surprise she saw Skylar, she didn’t realize this room was apart of her own bedroom. She paused and remembered slightly - that man – her father. Did Skylar see the image too? She could faintly remember Skylar calling at her to stop.
“Skylar” she spoke softly and stepped forward. Suddenly she teleported and had her hands on Skylar, touching her shoulder and back. “Uh- “ she blushed heavily and stepped back. “I can’t really.. control this” she spoke and held her hands out. “Each time I look – I just teleport there” she spoke and nodded towards the table. She teleported instantly and sat in the chair. And then back to Skylar’s side. “The only time I don’t is if I cloud my mind with thoughts, or close my eyes… If I stop looking” she spoke and covered her eyes with her hands.
She heard Skylar sniffing, hiding her tears. She took in a deep breath and shook her head. “I’m…sorry.. to bring back.. you know.. I – I didn’t mean to. I don’t know how.. or why…” she slowly opened her eyes. She teleported near Skylar and placed a single hand on her back. They both appeared then on the balcony of the library. Eva looked down to the railing and traced her fingers over an etching. “Sky was here” it said, carved in sloppy handwriting. Eva chuckled and shut her eyes. Just taking in the air. The scent. It was a busy world smell, like woodfire and hard work.
“Maybe it’s a fresh new start for both of us?” she spoke softly. “Like that scene was a reminder of what you’re here to do?” she chuckled and then shook her head. “I don’t know…” she spoke softly. “I don’t know anything at all. I don’t know whats happening to me, or why, or how to control it. I don’t know what even happened last night. I can remember bits and pieces… all I know is I woke up in incredible pain and now I cant seem to sit still” she chuckled and then opened her eyes slowly. Her body flickered for a second, and then calmed.
Her eyes looked over Skylar and then back out – to the blue skies. “What do we do now? Am I.. joining the guild or something?” she spoke and then looked to the warden. “I don’t… want to be alone” she spoke softly. “If I join.. I want to travel with you…”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 28, 2016 19:37:22 GMT -5
When Eva spoke Skylar went to move, she quickly wiped away her tears. She felt the soft touch of Eva’s hands on her shoulder and back and her breath caught in her chest. She hadn’t heard Eva take a step, not one. She was right, Eva could teleport, she wasn’t imagining it. But…what was that image…that memory that Eva brought to life in her power? Was that a one-time thing? Or could Eva tap into her surroundings and see the past? What about the future? Could she find Ainsley for Skylar? ’I can’t really control this.’ Eva’s words brought Skylar from the thoughts within her mind.
Her emerald eyes looked to the girl as she teleported to the chair and in the blink of an eye she was back at Skylar’s side once again. Skylar took in a shaken breath, sniffling still. The thought of her father just wouldn’t leave her be. The sound of the blade piercing into his flesh just wouldn’t go away, the feeling of his warm blood upon her hands. Her head pounding within her ears. Once again Eva’s voice broke her from the prison that was her mind. She heard the apology and her eyes finally locked on Eva’s, she stared at her with new tears brimming at the edge of her eyelids. It was then that Eva touched her again, Skylar could feel the power just in this girl’s touch. She gasped as she blinked her eyes and felt her hands on the cold oak wood of the balcony. She stared out over the vast city that was District 16. Her chest felt as though it froze as she took in another breath of the cold air. She then looked to Eva once more as she chuckled, her eyes followed that of Eva’s to the etching in the wood. That was a long time ago. She was seven. She remembered that day.
The grinding sound of a dagger against wood sounded from the balcony. Skylar sat upon a stool, one elbow rest against the balcony with her hand propping up her head. The other hand held her father’s dagger. She carefully etched the letters into the wood, humming happily. In the distance she could hear the low rumble of thunder. She finished the last E in the word here and held the dagger out toward the sky, a smile on her lips. She was carefree at this age, as any child should be. She imagined that within the clouds men fought in a war, the clash of their swords was the sound of thunder that the world heard below. It was a story that she remembered from when she was tiny, and it was something that she reminisced on even in the present times.
“Sky?” Her father’s voice came from within the library. “Skylar!” He called. Skylar turned on the stool, her emerald eyes as beautiful as always. She looked up to her father as he opened the door to the balcony. “Sky…” He breathed before he pulled her small body into his arms, he hugged her close and kissed the side of her head. “You can’t disappear like that.” He whispered into her ear. “Your mother would kill me.” He knelt down and set her small body on the stool once more. “Is that my dagger again?” He mused as he looked to the glistening metal in her hands. “You know that’s dangerous.” He gently took it from her. “Come, dinner is ready.” He stood and held his hand out to her.
Mavis had always mentioned her mother as she was growing up. How she would ‘kill him’ if she caught Skylar doing some of the things that she was doing, or playing with some of the objects that she seemed to always get ahold of. The truth was, Skylar had never met her mother. Mavis didn’t even have pictures of her in his study. Which, as proud of her as he was, one would think he would tuck pictures away. No, the only pictures that were in the bedroom as well as the study were of him and Skylar.
’Maybe it’s a fresh new start for both of us?’
Skylar’s eyes snapped to Eva she stared at her once again as she spoke. She hadn’t spoken a word this entire time. She wiped at her eyes once again. Skylar looked back out over the city as Eva spoke, the sadness overwhelmed her being. “Now….” She finally whispered, her voice as soft as can be. “Now, we figure this out.” She gave a nod, her eyes moved to Eva once more, the despair easy to see, though she tried to hide it behind a blank expression. Her eyes were still watery. Skylar gave a nod at the end, when Eva said she wanted to travel with Skylar. “I think I could arrange something of that sort.” She gripped the railing as she fought back the sorrow again. The memory was really beating her mind. It was something that she fought with every day and now it was like a freshly open wound that was gushing blood. A scar was easier to forget about…
“I’ll help you, Eva.” She finally gave a gentle smile; the same smile she had given Eva in the coffee shop after she had chased off Charlie. Skylar took in a shaky breath, she placed her hand to her side. “First.” She turned to Eva and pulled her glove away that covered the insignia on her hand. “I know you saw this on the ship. But, what it is, that is something much more than it appears to the eye.” The insignia was black, almost like a tattoo done in plain ink. The half circle design was perfect; it couldn’t have been done by an artist. The circle within the half circle was just as perfect. Skylar ran her fingertips over the brand. “This insignia marks you was one with the Guild.” She spoke softly. “Though, it isn’t as simple as it seems. This insignia will aid you in control of your power. Though…” She paused and took in a deep breath, she shut her eyes and shadows surrounded them, the insignia on her hand began to glow blue and yellow hues, shining brightly. Skylar waved her hand and the shadows disappeared from around them. “It isn’t the most comfortable experience.” She spoke softly again, “Getting powers is painful for some, others it is painless. However, this insignia will put your body through a whole different world of pain. I want to make sure you have control before we do this.”
Skylar leaned against the balcony, holding her head with her hands, just like she had done so many times before. Dreamer. A word her father had lovingly used for her. She had always been a dreamer. “First, you have to take a breath.” Her voice was as calm as a glass ocean. “Second, if you must, shut your eyes and allow yourself to truly feel the power that is running within your veins. You must feel the power to harness it. You, Eva….” She looked to the girl again, “You are incredibly powerful, more powerful than I could have ever imagined. Not many that have the gift are as gifted as you.” Skylar gave a smile. “Here.” She turned and opened the doors into the library. She stepped inside and pulled the chair out from the desk. “Take in a breath and imagine yourself sitting here.”
Skylar waited patiently to see what would happen.
“Warden.” A man dressed in the Guild’s armor pushed into the room. He stumbled slightly as he looked to Eva for a moment before he turned his eyes to his leader. “We have word of the Order moving in on District 5.” He spoke quickly. “The Overseer soldiers have been reported within the city.” His voice shook, “They’ve already begun ripping families from their homes. They’re searching for something. There are casualties being reported in already, Warden we have to do something.”
Skylar sat silent for a moment, taking this news in. She looked to Eva and gave a gentle smile. “We will continue this soon.” She stood as she took in a slow breath. “They’re looking for me.” Her jaw was tight as she spoke. “Get our best men together, Ainsley must be with them. He is angry about the crystal and he knows that Philip takes care of that for us in District 5. They must be searching for it…. this has become a game of cat and mouse…” She muttered as she disappeared into her room behind the bookcase. She slipped into her gear and pulled on her jacket, she grabbed her pistol and dagger and stopped a moment. She stared at her father’s mask that sat upon her wardrobe. “I promise I won’t let you down.” She touched the mask for a second, the insignia on her hand glowed beneath her glove. Tears were held back as she rushed down the hallway and into the grand hall. Her soldiers had assembled in the few moments with such a short notice. Booker stood next to the podium, ready as ever.
“District 5 needs our help, the Order is searching for something and I fear that it may be me. I poked at the hornet’s nest in hopes to draw out Ainsley, though the effort may have been in vain as now innocent civilians have died at the hands of the Overseer soldiers.” She gripped the podium, pain in her eyes. She never meant to hurt anyone. Skylar took in a slow breath. “We will push them back, take out every single soldier if we have to. We will stand with our brothers and sisters in District 5.”
The Guild stared at their Warden, the eyes of the men filled with awe. Skylar looked to Booker for a moment before she stepped from the podium. She walked down the hallway and into the foyer where she paused. ’I don’t…want to be alone.’ She took in a deep breath as she gripped the relic in her pocket. The order could be searching for Eva. Especially if they even had a hint of how powerful she was. It was hard to pin point exactly what was happening. It could be a trap. A terrible ambush of bloodshed. They could be waltzing into their own death. But, Skylar saw it as she fought to the end, and she knew she would put up a good fight. She turned and ran up the stairs. “Come on.” She spoke from the doorway. “Just remember, breathe. Relax and keep yourself calm.” She turned and ran down the hallway once again. The Guild was moving quickly, men and women ran around in the hallways.
Skylar ran to her ship where she began flipping switches and pulled it up into the air by time Booker and Eva had boarded. She lifted the vessel up into the sky and allowed it to level out before she opened the compass. It glowed in the direction she was headed; her brows drew together. The Order knew of someone with a gift here? Someone who hadn’t quite tapped into their powers? Skylar was silent for the ride. She took in a deep breath as she saw the smoke in the distance, the Overseer Soldiers from the Order were ruthless killing machines. They were the same group that were unleashed on District 17 before the bombing that killed so many innocent people. Skylar shut her eyes a long moment, trying to hold it together. The smell of the burning homes filtered into her nostrils and nearly choked her, the smell of tar melting.
“Sky?” Booker asked as he watched her. “You okay?” He placed his hand on her shoulder.
Her eyes shot to him, anger within her expression. “I’m going to find him.” She whispered as they hovered over the city. “Let’s go.” She grasped Eva’s arm and Booker’s arm before she pulled them over the edge of the ship that remained floating where it was. Booker let out a cry just before the shadows engulfed them and gave them a gentle landing. Skylar pulled her pistol as she pushed into the city. Where they landed homes had been burned, dead charred bodies lay in the streets. Skylar winced and held her breath to the disgusting smell of burning flesh. “Eva.” She spoke softly. Booker stood just a foot away, his eyes stared to all of the bodies. “This, isn’t going to be easy. Just stay close, and remind yourself to breathe. I’m sorry that you had to be thrown into everything like this….” She rest her hand on Eva’s shoulder, “Just take a deep breath.” She gave a nod before she turned. Skylar took in a breath as Booker grasped the two by their shoulders, shadows engulfed them and they appeared up on the rooftops of the city.
Skylar took off in a sprint, jumping easily from building to build. So many bodies lay charred in the streets. She feared for the lives of every Guild member that resided here in District 5. Booker helped Eva, making sure to stay with her and assist her if she slipped or lost her bearing at any point. Skylar slid to a stop as she stared down to the street below, Overseer Soldiers were on the streets below. A group approached a home and knocked on the door. “By order of District 1 you are to leave these premises, you will be tried for treason against the Order.” A soldier spoke to an older lady who opened the door. She looked up with her trembling muscles. “You must gather at the port with your fellow District, this will all be over soon.”
The woman held up her hand, ice shot from her palm into the Overseer’s face, causing him to fly backward in a crunch of ice. The other soldiers then rushed forward. “No!” Skylar cried she jumped from the rooftop of the building, and in a very precise motion she pulled the bow from the skies, the arrow from it shot down into a soldier that was about to stab the old woman in the chest. The arrow struck him and the tethers shot out from the soldier, grasping at all of the other Overseer Soldiers. Skylar came down upon the main soldier with her dagger, it sliced into his chest and his blood spurted onto the ground. Skylar ran from there to the next Overseer that wasn’t caught in her trap. Soldiers rushed the streets like flood gates had been opened up, there were so many. Booker held Eva as his eyes looked to his Warden. He grit his teeth and allowed the shadows to take him down to the streets, leaving Eva on the safety of the rooftop.
Skylar blocked a sword from one soldier and shot him in the stomach only for shots to be fired from behind her, she felt the hot heat of a bullet as it ripped through her calf. She nearly fell as she rushed at the soldiers in the form of the shadow beast, the shadows engulfed her and allowed her to attack. She reached her arm out and ripped a soldier from the ground and to her, her hands choking him. “Why are you here?” She snapped. “Why did they send you?” She held the soldier on the ground, “Tell me!” She snapped.
The soldier began to laugh. “You.” He spoke through bloody teeth. Skylar ripped his helmet off and lay into him, landing several punches before she felt the slice of a bullet once again. She winced and dug the dagger into his chest before she stood and ran. She caught a glimpse of something from the corner of her eyes, in just enough time she snapped her fingers. Time stopped. She shoved Booker out of the way of the gunfire. They landed roughly on the street as time sped back up.
“Sky…” Booker choked. He stood quickly and began fighting off the soldiers once again. Skylar had her back to his as more soldiers closed in. There were too many. It was a trap. The Order knew they would come. Skylar snapped her fingers again and grasped Booker’s shoulder, with her shadows she moved them away from the group. Only to find that out of one fire they stood in another. An explosion sounded behind them, throwing them to the side. Skylar slammed against the side of a home, she choked slightly, she could feel shrapnel sliced into her skin, the metal hot as a flame. Booker turned and pulled his pistol, he began to shoot the soldiers, trying to take them down. “Skylar, we can’t.” He shook his head, fear in his voice.
Another explosion went off then sending the two flying once more, Skylar trembled on her hands and knees, blood leaked from her mouth. She felt someone grip her and lift her up, holding her on her feet. She blinked several times, her ears were ringing, she couldn’t hear. When her vision finally focused she saw him, Ainsley. He had a victorious smile on his face. Though she couldn’t understand a word that he said. He gripped her tightly around her throat, cutting off her oxygen. He slammed her against the wall. “Stupid.” His voice finally came through, “You made this all too easy to get a hold of you, Skylar.” He chuckled, “At least your father presented me with a challenge. You care too much about the others. You put yourself in harms way, for what?” He lifted his hand with a syringe in it and injected a liquid into her neck. Skylar writhed against him, trying to fight, time slowed as he pushed the liquid into her. Skylar screamed to the pain that flowed through her body, it felt like he had injected her with hot lava.
“Skylar!!” Booker cried as he fought against several guards, he couldn’t get to her. He jumped through the shadows, only to be blocked again. He wasn’t fast enough. “Stop!!” He screamed as he tried again and again, only to be knocked back.
Skylar let out a cry as Ainsley slammed her against the wall once again, her body finally gave in, her muscles loosened and darkness consumed her.
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Post by Raven on Oct 30, 2016 7:15:09 GMT -5
Eva looked to Skylar oddly as she seemed to drift into space. Something was going on with this woman… she was not all glory that the position comes with. She could see the suffering over the glaze of her eyes. That fear and anger when that image played – this was tormenting her. With each person was their weakness, her father was one of them. Eva glanced down to the etching and then back to Skylar.
Eva tilted her head when she finally came out of her state. She was trying so hard to stay optimistic. Eva leaned over and looked to that mark on her hand. Did this mean Eva would get one as well? She wondered for a moment if she got to pick where the mark would be. How cool if it was on her shoulder? She smiled and nodded. “If I can survive my initial beginning, I can survive whatever this mark throws at me…” she didn’t want to go through that sort of pain again.
While her body froze and numbed her entire existence as death came upon her. She could hardly remember the experience. All she knew was that her body had been crushed. And in that instant she wished for death. Nothing could ever compare to that pain again… Surely this insignia couldn’t come close to that initial…
Eva closed her eyes as suggested and concentrated. She opened her eyes and looked to the chair. It was hard not to teleport like crazy. As she fought herself – her face turned pinked, and her body began to shake slightly. In an instant she teleported to the chair – but somehow for the force of her power threw the chair across the room. She winced and ducked, not knowing what she had just done. Slowly she rose her head and looked to the fallen chair. Then it began. She teleported to the chair – then got scared and teleported back to Skylar. She gasped and was suddenly outside – falling from the window. Her hair whipped around her as she came closer to the floor. “Skylar!” She cried out – and then suddenly she was standing next to her.
Eva crouched down and squeezed her eyes shut, she placed her hands on the floor and breathed heavily. “I can’t do this” she cried softly, tears brimming. Just then the door opened and spoke to her. Eva slowly stood and took deep breaths. She followed her to the podium as she spoke to the guild. There was courage in her words, but she could sense a feeling of remorse and regret. She could tell the guild could sort of taste it too. Eva closed her eyes as she found herself unable to concentrate, and simply nodded when Skylar mentioned she could be coming.
Anything than being stuck here alone. Eva reached forward to Booker’s arm and they ran to the ship. She followed him on deck and let go, making her way to a safe spot. The ship lifted quickly in the air, sending her weight back – she lot her grip slightly. Eva suddenly teleported to the bow and gripped the railings, pushing against the wind that threatened to rip her away. The ship was incredibly fast, they came upon the burning district in a matter of minutes. Eva looked over the buildings and shook her head slightly. Eva turned and Booker came to her, grabbing her hand - he pulled her off the ship and they were suddenly on the ground.
Eva’s eyes looked to Skylar as she ran from building to building. “Come on” Booker looked down to her and smiled. Eva nodded and wrapped her arm around his - allowing his magic to aid her as they began to run. As they caught up Eva watched Skylar torment a man for information. In the middle she suddenly saved Booker’s life. Eva gasped and then Booker yanked her. “Eva!” he cried out, as he saved her from an incoming bullet.
Eva took in a deep breath - her heart pounding in her chest as fear overwhelmed her. “You can do this” Booker spoke to her, his arms grabbing a man and fighting his strength. “You were meant for this, Eva” he spoke and then punched the guy in the chest, sending him flying back. “Just believe that you can” he spoke and then turned his head.
Eva looked to Skylar as someone held her – pulling something from his pocket and then stabbing her. “Skylar!” She shouted along with Booker. Eva froze, her eyes looking over the dozens of men that were between them. Their swords and guns in the air as they jumped forward to the next victim. Dead bodies lay over the ground, the people of district 5… why was this happening? Eva’s heart filled with rage, her body giving in to her concentration – she could no longer.
Believe…
She grit her teeth and suddenly Ainsley was in her hands. She looked up – high into the sky. They were there. Ainsley’s eyes were huge as he stared into the glowing purple eyes of Eva. She slammed a knife into his shoulder and then dropped him. She teleported again, her legs facing upward – he landed on her feet – the force of the impact cracking his ribs as she kicked him. She then grabbed his arm and slung him forward with strength and then she was gone, leaving him to fall to his doom.
Eva teleported back to Skylar. Her entire body was glowing now with her power. “Skylar” her voice was distorted. She grabbed her hand and shut her eyes. Suddenly she was on the ship. She set the warden down and teleported back out. Within seconds Booker was next to Skylar, from the aid of Eva, tending to her wounds. Eva grabbed each Overseer and gave them the same fate as Ainsley. They fell high from the sky – coming closer and closer to their end. She grabbed several citizens and placed them far from the fight scene. In the seconds that teleport took - the people seemed confused to suddenly be in a new place.
Eva paused at one person – who lay with his hand over his bleeding ribs. “Blake” she whispered and grabbed him. His dying eyes looked to her and then he passed out. She looked around – everything had almost settled. This was it.. for now. Eva teleported to the ship – that was already hovering in the air. She set the man down and ran to Skylar. Her glow continued as she felt her power surging through her. She suddenly teleported all over the ship, uncontrollably. In her wake there was a purple dust – with each teleport it was left behind. The entire ship was covered in it – until suddenly ….
The ship teleported too. They float above the mansion of the guild. Eva looked out and then the glowing faded and she collapsed to the deck. Her chest heaved as she tried to breath – but her lungs were collapsing. Blood came from her eyes and nose, it was like the atoms of her body were shaking - shaking so fast that they were ripping each other apart. Like they were trying to catch up with her current position. Eva cried out in pain and fell. She couldn’t make it stop…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 30, 2016 11:43:41 GMT -5
Silence. Darkness. Finally, feelings had become no more. I…. can’t breathe…
Panic…......................................................................................................................
..........................................................Despair….........................................................................................
...............................Torment….......................................
....................................................................................Distress…...........................................................
....................................Suffering…..............................................................................
....................................................................Fear……..................................................
Finally, the agony hit me….
The utter horror, I could feel each piece of hot curled metal pierced within my body…. though, was it just my imagination?
No….
‘Booker?......Eva….no….no, no, no, no…’
My mind. I fought to peel out of the black hole that I had succumbed to. Within my mind I thrashed and screamed, I screamed louder than I ever had before. I….
I found myself alone…
I stood upon a platform, a bright light illuminated upon me, blinding me. I stumbled, my body shaking from the utter pain, I could feel my blood oozing from the wounds. Once my eyes adjusted, I could see into the deep shadow that surrounded me, the guilt of bloodshed, the complete and utter horrific sight around me. Bodies, upon bodies. The Guild. The Overseer Soldiers. Children. Innocents….
My tears, felt like hot candle wax pouring over my cheeks. My breath caught in my chest. My knees buckled as the sobs took over, as I surrendered once more to the guilt and anguish, the torment that I had brought upon these people. The world flickered around me, the light upon me faded away and once again I had fallen into the void. ‘Booker…? Eva….?’
“They are not here.” A voice from the shadow spoke. “They cannot save you, dear Skylar.”
I shakily stood to find myself face to face with this demon. His eyes white as could be, his features engulfed in smooth shadows. His fingers were long and misshaped. I could feel the ice of his stare upon me. His body flickered and suddenly his fingers gripped around my throat. A familiar feeling. His being morphed into Ainsley, his chuckle I knew all too well. I felt my back slam against the wall, I could feel each wound, I could feel the pain, It was incredible, horrible. I whimpered as I stared into the eyes of this man that had murdered my father.
“This, is just the beginning.” He leaned forward to whisper this into my ear, his grip never loosened, my vision was beginning to fade as I hung like a rag doll in his arms, unable to move, unable to fight back….My body slammed into the wall and I fell, I kept falling…it felt like minutes had passed before I finally collided with the ground and then….nothing…I felt so numb…so…alone…
Everything happened so quickly. Booker fought against the Overseer soldiers, trying to push through to Skylar. He couldn’t get to her, he couldn’t reach her no matter how hard he tried. Then, Eva was there, she ripped Ainsley away from the Warden and put him through a whole new type of pain. Booker fought back the soldiers, whom looked to their leader and faltered slightly, it was then that he looked to Skylar to find she was gone. “Sky?” He asked and turned just as Eva grabbed him. He stumbled and fell to his knees at Skylar’s side on the deck. “Eva?” He blinked a few times and looked around before he ran to the edge of the ship to see her utterly demolishing the soldiers below. She would appear, and disappear in the blink of an eye. The soldiers began to retreat, fleeing for their lives. They couldn’t fight her. They couldn’t shoot her. She was there one moment and gone the next.
Booker scooped Skylar into his arms just as Eva appeared on the ship again. “Eva…I…” He began to speak only to see her appear and disappear rapidly, leaving the trail of purple dust. “Eva…?” He blinked and then, they were at the mansion. His jaw was loose. She collapsed before him and then she cried from the pain that her body was in. “Hold on.” He spoke softly, his voice caring. Shadows engulfed his body and he appeared below the ship, he rushed into the mansion with Skylar in his arms. Skylar’s expression was contorted, her face of pain, fear…
“Warden!” One of the doctors rushed forward. Immediately a team rushed forward with a stretcher and rushed her away, her skin was pale…her body cold…she was barely breathing now.
Booker disappeared into the shadows once again and grasped Eva. “Eva, it’s going to be okay.” He whispered softly. “I promise; you will make it through.” He said as they disappeared and appeared below the ship once more, he rushed Eva into the medical wing.
Doctors swarmed, the Guild was fully staffed with the attack on District 5, they expected casualties, they expected this to end as any battle did, in bloodshed. With the Overseers there was no other way. Booker once again rushed to the ship where he grasped Blake, he looked the man over for a second before he also took him into the mansion. Why had Eva saved this particular person? Who was he? Did she know him?
“I need some help over here!!!” A doctor cried as she fought against Skylar, she thrashed in her unconscious state, almost in a seizure like manner. Booker ran to the side of the doctor and helped tie down his Warden. He hadn’t ever seen injuries to so many, sure they had gotten in little battles over the years with the Order, taking the Overseers on to keep civilians safe. But this…this was like District 17. More casualties flooded in, overwhelming the medical wing. They weren’t ready, not for this. Guild members had bullet wounds, gashes, amputations…it was horrific to see. Booker felt the hands of a doctor on his arm as he stared down to Skylar whom lay motionless, she looked like a corpse. The doctor gently pulled him away from the Warden’s side. She set him down and looked over his injuries, a few cracked ribs, he had one bullet wound, but it had barely grazed his skin. How had he gotten so lucky? He was right there…right next to Skylar. How did this happen? He stared to the Warden from across the room. The hustle and bustle of the medical wing was loud, machines beeped as members of the staff rushed around.
“Booker, did you hear me?” The girl who stood before him asked. Her name was Tyrin.
Booker looked to her, his expression shocked. “Where is Eva?” He asked as he glanced around the room.
“Dr. Knightley took her; she’s going to be okay. They’re trying to figure out what’s happened. Did you see? Dr. Knightley asked me if you saw what, Eva did.” Tyrin stared into his eyes and waited for him to nod before she also nodded, “Come with me.” She spoke as she pulled him along through the medical wing and down another set of stairs that he had never ventured down before. He knew Dr. Knightley was one of the best that the Guild had, her powers were incredible. Tyrin punched a few numbers into a door and scanned her fingerprint before the door slid aside, allowing the two into what looked to be a research facility.
“Just relax.” Dr. Knightley spoke, “It’s going to be okay, we are going to help you, Eva.” She held a mask over Eva’s face that emitted a gas to cause her to relax and become calm. Meanwhile a nurse stood on the other side of the bed where she started an IV before she hooked up a bag of fluid and injected something into the line. This willed Eva to sleep, to relax fully. Dr. Knightley looked up from the bed that she had Eva placed on. The room was full of computer equipment. Even the bed that Eva rest on was high tech. Some form of circular scanner began to run over Eva’s body, readouts began to project on a screen that seemed to appear in the middle of the room. Dr. Knightley looked over the scans for a moment, focused she punched in a few things on the computer before she stepped over to Booker who stared around the room in complete awe. Tyrin moved to Eva’s side where she checked the IV connections and followed the orders that Dr. Knightley had just punched into the computer. “Booker.” Dr. Knightley spoke she looked him over a moment, “It seems this attack on District 5 was an ambush.” She crossed her arms as she turned and looked to Eva. “Our Warden is critically wounded, and this girl, saved the both of you.” She let out a soft laugh and shook her head. “I am trying to tie everything together here, tell me, Booker, what exactly happened out there?”
Booker rubbed a bruise on his cheek and took in a breath, “Eva can teleport, she completely disappears, she can move others with her. It isn’t like my shadow movement. It’s incredible, it’s faster than anything I’ve ever seen before. There was this purple glow, and dust…a dust came from her as she bounced around the ship, just before the ship and everything teleported here…I don’t know how she did it…” He rubbed his temple for a second, “I have to see where I am going, and the shadows take me there, I…it isn’t anything like I’ve ever seen, or heard of. Her power…”
“She is strong.” Dr. Knightley noted as she moved to the computer. She punched in a few more things and a pod encased Eva, placing her into a controlled environment as the fluids continued to push into her body. Dr. Knightley was old, much older than she appeared. Beneath her long chocolatey hair, tipped ears pushed out. An Elf. Such magical creatures were not allowed in the districts; however, she had come in with Mavis a long time ago. Before Mavis was even the Warden of the Guild. The story behind Dr. Knightley was one that not many in the Guild knew, riddled with rumors mostly. Mavis knew. And Dr. Knightley of course knew the truth behind why she had come to the Districts after Mavis had been sent out for a long time in the rest of the world, to Cisne and other magical places. His father believed it was good for him to explore, and it was definitely that. “I haven’t seen magic like this in ages.” The doctor spoke.
Booker gave a nod, he turned to see Skylar wheeled in and placed on another bed. Orderlies surrounded her, clamoring about. The hum of electrical paddles filled the air and they brought the paddles against her pale body. “Sky…” Booker took a step only to have Dr. Knightley place her hand on his chest. “I…”
“Don’t worry, Booker.” She stepped to the aid of the team and held her hand to Skylar’s forehead as the machines began to beep weakly again with her withered pulse. Blood soaked into the blankets around her, the bandages that they had put on upstairs were soaked. A blood bag was hooked up to her arm, pushing the fluid in as quickly as it could. Dr. Knightley looked over Skylar for a moment before she shut her eyes and a green glow came from her hand. The woman stood there and calmly took in breaths as shards of metal began to work their way out of Skylar’s body, impacted deep within some of her muscles. A bullet rolled from the table and fell to the floor, the sound of the crushed metal clinked against the stark white tile. “Come on.” Dr. Knightley spoke softly, “Don’t do this, Skylar.” She grit her teeth slightly as the glowing became brighter, the amount of damage to Skylar’s body was incredible, it was shocking that she had only coded a few times since Booker rushed her into the medical wing.
”No, like this.” Mavis spoke as he stood beside his daughter. He adjusted her arm which held the pistol that she still used today. The old impressions upon the barrel made the pistol inimitable. The time piece that dangled from the handle had been her Great Grandfathers. The pistol had been passed down for generations within the Olyver family. “Now.” He spoke and gave a nod.
Skylar was young, just 10 years old. She leaned into the force as she pulled the trigger. The bullet cut through the air down the shooting range and sliced into the dummy that had been placed at the end, a perfect hole, right between the eyes of the assumed attacker. Skylar grinned and jumped slightly, letting out a happy cheer. Her father had been working with her for weeks. Adjusting her form. Giving her advice. Guiding her. He knew that he had to start her training, even though he didn’t want to he must, for one day she would have to take his place as Warden. He had worked with her fighting skills since she was a child, but guns…guns were a different story…as well as her powers. He wanted to keep her safe, to keep her young for as long as he could. Fighting could be turned into a game. Shooting a target dummy…that was a whole different caliber.
“Fantastic!” Mavis exclaimed, he hugged his daughter close to his body and kissed her forehead. “Great job, Sky.”
Skylar giggled happily and holstered the pistol, it was huge on her thigh for her size, though she would grow into it. They trained like this for hours each day. Mastering her skills. Years passed, her powers were awakened and eventually by the age of 16 she was out with Booker running her own missions. Booker and Skylar made the perfect team, especially with their combined powers, no one could touch them. They brought riches to the poor, food, water, clothing. Mavis was proud of her. She was becoming what he hoped would be an excellent Warden.
All of these memories bombarded Skylar in her unconscious state. Though, one kept replaying over and over. The death of her father. The blade piercing into his chest. The look of sheer horror on his face. She remembered trying to rush forward, but feeling frozen, stuck, helpless. Skylar whimpered in her sleep, tears rolled down her cheeks. The shadow creature returned to her, leaving her alone in the middle of all of the burned bodies of District 5. Torturing her mind. Ripping her apart piece by piece from the inside. Her own mind would play the worst tricks on her.
**
It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that anything was spoken in the lab. Dr. Knightley stood over the computer screen that appeared out of thin air that was at the bedside of Eva. She typed away furiously all night, focusing. She eventually discovered something. She had a realization. She had managed to replicate what happened when Eva teleported. She created a model and caused the model to teleport as rapidly as Eva had. “Pieces…” She whispered.
Booker was slumped over in a chair in the corner of the lab. He stirred from his sleep. “Hm…” He cracked his eyes open.
“She is in pieces…well…” Dr. Knightley moved and began typing in another place. “She…is here…but…not fully…the pain…control…jumping…atom…..I’ve almost……” She drew her brows together, “Got it!” She exclaimed. “Yes. I’ve got it now.” She smiled from ear to ear. Tyrin tended to Skylar across the room, who whimpered, still unconscious. “Without control of her power, the quicker she jumps, the more atoms she leaves behind, if and when she finally ceases to move, all of those atoms come rushing back to her. That is why she is becoming so injured, she is basically being crushed by her own matter. I am highly surprised that this hasn’t caused an explosion yet…the amount of energy that is exerted…it’s…fascinating….” The doctor typed away another moment.
“So…can you help her?” Booker asked as he stood and stared to the gibberish upon the screen. He looked to Eva. “Can this be fixed?”
“Oh most certainly.” She smiled to him, “Would you ever doubt me, Booker?” She mused, “Mavis never doubted me.” A glimpse of sadness, though it disappeared rather quickly.
“No, no of course not, doctor…” Booker watched as she moved over to a table that had liquids and herbs as well as several other vials of things that had small labels on them. He watched as Dr. Knightley began to mix things together, she worked so quickly. “What are you doing?” He finally broke the silence.
“This.” She held up a murky blue fluid. “Will help her atoms become one with her again, so they can stop crushing her and ripping her apart. Now, when Eva is feeling up to it……” She paused as she drew the liquid into a syringe. She tapped the needle with her finger and a bit of the fluid squirted out. “I want to study her. So that I may help.” She gave a smile before she injected the fluid. “There…” She said softly. “You’ll be better in no time.” She gently held Eva’s shoulder and stared at the girl for a moment. “I can create a device that may help her with her teleportation, right now she needs every aid that we can offer her. This amount of power….” Dr. Knightley shook her head. “It is too much for one to try to harness alone….yes…” She placed her hand on Eva’s forehead, just as she had done with Skylar a green glow appeared, she shut her eyes and took in a slow deep breath as she began to try to aid Eva in healing. She stayed like this for nearly an hour before she finally relaxed, blood trickled from her nose.
Booker stared at the doctor, he rushed to her side as she stumbled slightly. “Are you okay?” He asked, worried.
Dr. Knightley looked to him, her eyes green as a forest. “Yes, yes…thank you…just…” She steadied herself and looked to Eva. “I’m okay. Thank you Booker.” She turned and went to her table where she began typing things into an interface, a robot within a cage began laser cutting an object out as she continued to type.
Booker sighed softly as he looked to Eva he then made his way over to Skylar, whom was still locked in her slumber. “Sky.” He spoke softly, he took her hand into his. “You can’t give up on us, okay? Don’t leave us here alone.” He touched her cheek. Skylar flinched slightly and then her whole body tensed and she let out a cry. Tyrin rushed to her side and injected a liquid into her IV as her heart began to race upwards of nearly 200 beats per minute. Booker watched with wide eyes as the fluid passed through the IV and into her system. Within seconds she was calm again and her pulse had slowed to just below 60 beats per minute. “What is happening to her?” He looked to Tyrin.
The girl sighed softly and shook her head, “I’m not sure. Dr. Knightley and I will help. Right now, she is stable, that is what matters. We have figured out how to keep her from dying. Now, we have to figure out what is happening and correct it. Don’t worry Booker.”
“That’s hard not to do.” He sighed heavily.
Tyrin grasped his hand and smiled up to him. “I promise, we will keep both safe and sound.”
Booker looked to their hands and then into her eyes, he felt so calm. It was over whelming. He then looked to Dr. Knightley as she moved about grabbing a device and putting it on her head. It was sleek. The device had a band that rested behind her head with several small projections that ended in a small flat circle that sat against her head. She moved to Eva’s side and gently slide it over her head before she clicked on the device. The band of the device lit up purple, almost the same shade of purple that Eva had emitted when she was teleporting. “What is that?” Booker pulled his hand from Tyrin.
Dr. Knightley smiled, “This, is going to help Eva.” She gave a nod. “When she wakes, I will help her.” She then walked over to Skylar’s side and began running tests on her, her expression was contorted with frustration. She couldn’t find anything wrong. Not one piece of Skylar seemed to be causing her to stay unconscious…
Booker stepped to Eva’s side and sighed heavily. “I believe in you.” He spoke softly as he sat down next to her bed. His eyes were tired. He looked to Skylar with worried eyes as Tyrin and Dr. Knightley ran tests, trying desperately to wake her from her nightmare…
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Post by Raven on Oct 30, 2016 18:06:54 GMT -5
Eva sat upward, in the center of a room. Slowly she stood – her bare feet touching the cold wooden ground. She stood in the center of a small home, though it was completely empty. She followed the stairs upward to another room, glass panels as the front wall. It was the bakery… but it was empty. Slowly she stepped outside, the door closing behind her and then disappearing into one large glass pane. She looked around – the entire city was empty. No signs, no people… just the bright sun, beaming down brighter than ever. It was almost blinding. In the distance something ran across the street. Interested – Eva ran forward and followed the small figure. Soon she stood before an arch way, that originally lead to a park…
The arch way glowed purple, a shimmering substance filled the arch – a door. She looked around and then poked her foot through the door. Then she stepped full through it. On the other side the door disappeared. She stood in the middle of pitch black space. A moment passed and then suddenly images started flowing by. It was the same city before her, but changing suddenly over and over. Different people. Different time of days. Different colors and different buildings. It went faster and faster until suddenly a bright light came forward – the images disappeared.
A glowing white figure approached her – no features could be seen of this figure, just an outline. It’s hand reached forward – offering it to her. Eva looked at it for a moment, and then the figure nodded… Eva’s hand reached forward and touched the glowing figures… She felt a rush of warmth, her body tingled, she could feel some sort of energy within her..
Eva gasped loudly – her eyes popped open. In that moment her power surged. Monitors beeped loudly and Knightly was suddenly by her side. “Eva – calm down” she spoke and placed a hand on her chest, holding her down slightly as Eva panicked.
Eva took several deep breaths and shook her tears away. Her hand reached up and touched the headset she wore. She looked up to Knightly and then around. “Where - where am I?” she cried out and took in a fast breath.
“Eva, calm down. I am Dr. Knightly. I work for Skylar. I am with the guild, you are safe” she spoke and brought a light to Eva’s eyes, checking her vitals. “I am here to help you. Your powers are over whelming you, I am trying to make sure they don’t kill you” she spoke and then walked to the computer. She hit a few key strokes and the headset glowed slightly. It began to mediate her power, to assure it didn’t fluctuate suddenly. With this device she could also help her tap into it, control it, and maintain it…
Eva gulped loudly and shut her eyes. “What’s happening?” she spoke. She felt like her entire body was on fire, like she was being ripped apart.
“Your powers… I am still.. learning” she spoke as she looked to several screens. “It seems when ever you teleport that your atoms take a moment to catch up, or maybe even to match your own frequency. When you stop teleporting – they catch up all at once and rip away at you… Like parts of you get left behind with each move and they find their way back in a frenzy” the doctor spoke.
“Here..” she spoke and touched a button. “Sit up” she spoke and held a hand out to help her. Eva sat up and looked around. She saw Skylar on other side, sleeping. “What happened?” she spoke softly. Booker came around the corner and entered the room, smiling. “You saved us all, you saved district 5…” he helped her stand by pulling a hand on her hip and holding her weight. “I.. did?” she questioned. “I cant… remember” she whispered.
“I had this dream…” she spoke softly. “I saw something… someone…”
“Was it like .. a figure?” The doctor spoke as she led the two out of the room. Eva walked slowly but followed along, with the help of Booker.
“Yes… a white one, it held its hand out to me…”
“Did you accept it?” Knightly questioned, opening the door to a darker room.
“Yes, I did.”
Knightly smiled, nodding her head. It lead to a small room that looked into another that was a glass box. There was a camera on top of the room, looking in to record – for studies. Booker lead Eva into the glass room and let go. Eva stood, balancing on her own. She stretched her leg slightly and looked around. “Whats… going on?”
“I need some more data for my studies. I have to make sure your body doesn’t collapse with its power” Knightly spoke through a microphone. Booker left and entered the smaller room, looking in. “I need you to teleport for me” Knightly spoke.
Eva looked to the window, and then back. “Okay..” she spoke. Eva teleported just a foot away.
“Well done Eva, now teleport back for me” she spoke.
Eva teleported back to the center of the room and then looked over. “Okay Eva, now teleport a few times in a row, stay in the room though” she spoke. Eva closed her eyes and took in a deep breath and nodded. She teleported then several times in the room. The headset was working. She didn’t feel chaotic. She felt like – what she saw is what she got. When she imagined herself teleporting, she did. And when she opened her eyes - her powers didn’t betray her. It was a relaxing feeling… it was amazing.
“Is this.. because of … this?” she spoke and touched the crown on her head.
Booker opened the door and led her back to Knightly. “Yes, it is. It is designed to help control your powers. You have been woken to an immense amount of power, so much that it could destroy you in seconds. Instead of most people – who’s power grows with them, it seems you have been thrown into the pool of your capabilities, and its power is uncontrollable.” She spoke and then turned around.
“Lets slow this down…” she spoke and hit a key stroke. An image of Eva teleporting appeared. Slowed down to an insane frame rate – one could see a purple circle form in front of Eva, and then swallow her.
“It seems… you create some kind of portal that eats you. And then look” she pointed. “Right before you appear the portal appears for a millisecond, and then you appear” she placed her hand to her chin. “So… now I have to figure out.. where are you going in that distance between here… and there?” she pointed and then looked to the headset. “I’ll have to study the analysis from the headset. It gave me some figures, hopefully I can pin point the coordinates of your location while in the teleportation phase.” She placed her hand on Eva’s back and lead back out of the room.
“Can we… build something other than this?” she touched the helmet. Knightly looked to it and then chuckled. “Yes of course. I’ll make you something cool, for sure.” She chuckled and then stood over Skylar. “She is getting better” she spoke softly and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“What happned, can you remember?” Knightly spoke, looking over to Eva.
“Some man…” she thought hard. “Was holding her… and he.. injected her with something… I think” she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to remember.
“That makes sense… I’ve done blood tests and her pH levels are off the charts. Something… is eating her” she spoke and crossed her arms. “Booker, can you help her to the cryochamber?” he spoke, nodding to Skylar. Booker picked Skylar up and nodded. The doctor followed after, Eve following behind. Cryochamber? They entered a dark room with a few unties lined up side by side. Knightly hit a few buttons on the glass door of the cylinder unit and it opened up. Booker set Skylar down in the beam of light.
Skylar was lifted, floating in the center of the chamber. Knightly plugged an IV back up, and placed sensors on her chest. She then closed the door and punched a few keys on the door and stepped back. The light switched from white to blue, and a gas filled the chamber.
“Such a magical chamber..” Knightly spoke and turned her head. “It increases cell development, leading to a faster healing process. It is rather handy” she smiled and nodded. “Booker, stay here. When she wakes – take her out and come get me..” she spoke and then nodded to Eva. “Get some rest Eva… I will start on my design. Keep that helmet on” she spoke and then patted her.
Eva looked to Booker and then to the floating Skylar. “He… really fucked her up.. huh?” she spoke softly and sighed softly. Booker stood with his arms crossed. “Ainsley… he has been for quite a long time…”
“Eva..” A voice came from the room. It was Blake. It had short hair that was pulled back in a small pony tail. Broad shoulders and a strong build, he was easily 50 or so though, the grey highlights in his hair. Eva smiled and looked to Blake. “We finally meet again” she spoke and stepped over to him. She hugged him gently, from the side. Blake laughed and nodded to her. “Yes… I have” he looked to Booker and nodded.
Booker turned and then stared to the man for a long moment. “Blake the Wretched?” he spoke in awe. Blake chuckled and nodded. “That’s what they called me” he crossed his arms. “That was a long time ago….” His voice was deep, old too.
“Wretched?” Eva spoke, confused. Blake looked to her and nodded slowly. “Come on.. I have a lot to explain to you..” he placed his hand on her back and led her out of the room. They walked through the castle, his steps seemingly knew exactly where to go. He opened a door and led her in. “Sit” he pointed to the bed. “I’ll tell you a bed time story” he chuckled and sat down on a chair. He crossed his legs and looked to her.
The attire he wore was not his usual. He wore A long red cape with almost the same outfit Eva wore. But his black with red accents. His gloves were more intricate with straps and belts. His cape covered his shoulder and went behind him, a tall collar where he had a mask he could slip on. “In these walls… I must revert to my old face, before you knew me as your God Father” he spoke and smiled.
“You see… your father was part of a rebellion.. years ago” he spoke and stretched his arm out. “I met him in that rebellion, we fought together. We, and many others, sought to destroy the Order… We knew the Order was out to destroy magic and all of its history, all of its relics. So we fought to find them, to harness the power within them and turn against them..”
“well we find an ancient relic and fought to get it. We ran into the dark tunnels beneath the ground, until we came upon is chamber. And in the middle of the race – the relic was damaged, destroyed, in action. Its explosion filled the entire tunnel system. Infecting everyone in it. Many of us escaped… many of us died. Well, your father and I made it back. A few months after the event.. the order found him and took him. This much you know. And that is when we became pen pals. I escaped the order’s grips and joined the guild” he held his hands out. “I became quite popular. They named me the Wretched, to scare the people” he winked. “but… when the Order targeted my own daughter and murdered her… I decided to retire. To make sure I could be here.. for when this happened” he pointed to his head. Meaning her headset. “so I could protect you… but” he laughed. “It seems you protected me..” she nodded his head. “Your father… would be very proud of you Eva..” Blake smiled and then stood up.
“Get some rest… you have been through a lot. I will wait for the Warden to rise, and then I shall offer her my sword…” he kissed her forehead.
“I promised your father I would protect you… I will do that to my death..” he turned his head and then nodded, leaving her.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Oct 30, 2016 19:56:25 GMT -5
Cold. So cold. Frozen. Locked away. Every muscle in my body quaked. The chatter of my teeth against one another could have shattered my ear drums in the silence. It sat, in the middle of the charred bodies, though, the fires had gone now. Snow was falling rapidly, sticking to my hair and clothing. It was so cold. Though, I didn’t fight, I didn’t stand. No, that’s what he wanted. He wanted me to fight against him.
“You’re awfully quiet.” The shadow creature appeared, it’s lanky body towering over me. “Have you given up so easily? Ainsley assured me this would be more of a challenge.” The voice was distorted and sounded miles away, yet, it sounded on top of me.
I moved my eyes to the beast. “There is no reason for me to fight you.” My voice was strong, though, within my chest I could feel fear gripping me, pulling at me, tearing me apart.
“But there is.” He snickered and disappeared.
The world melted into shadows around me, I began to fall, further and further, a scream escaped my lips just before I collided with the ground. The pain. I felt as though every bone in my body had been crushed just then. I weakly stumbled to my feet, “Just kill me!” I screamed, “Just end this!” I couldn’t take it anymore, being held captive. It was all my fault. I walked right into my own funeral, I allowed this to happen. I allowed all of those people to be murdered by the Overseers. I did this.
“If you insist.” The shadow gripped me around my throat again. “But first, let’s play a game.” He snickered and dropped me to the ground again.
When I opened my eyes I saw shadows swirling around me. Spinning. It felt as though I had been thrown into the eye of the storm. Then suddenly shapes began to appear, horrifying creatures. My breath caught in my throat as I looked to the creatures. They were built out of pure darkness, glowing red eyes peered to me, horns curved from their head. Huge wings sprouted from the backs of the beasts that formed all around me. My heart was pounding in my chest. One rushed at me with its long claws. I dodged it and rolled. Landing at the base of another shadow demon. I pulled my dagger and snapped my fingers, time stopped as I staggered to my feet. I called upon the will of my bow and shot it between the creatures before I pulled my pistol and shot one in the head. The beasts all blew into ash before me. I turned only to be gripped by the shadow demon again. I fought against him as I felt his thin fingers crushing my neck….
Within the chamber Skylar suddenly thrashed about. The glass of the chamber broke open and she fell to her knees on the floor. Tyrin ran forward and placed her hand on Skylar’s shoulder. In one swift movement Skylar had the doctor slammed into the wall, her blade at her throat. Fear showed in the woman’s eyes. Booker rushed forward. “Sky! Wait! Stop!!” He cried. “You’re safe, stop!”
Skylar slammed the hilt of the blade against Tyrin’s head before she spun around and grasped her bow from the air she shot it at Booker, he jumped to the side only to be caught in the tether. “Skylar stop! It’s me Booker!!” He cried as he fought against the hold. Skylar pulled her pistol and aimed it at him her eyes had a strange haze over them.
“Warden!” Blake ran into the room, he tackled her to the ground just as she pulled the trigger. Skylar thrashed and fought against him, screaming bloody murder.
Tyrin stumbled to a medicine cabinet and drew up a sedative. Blood ran down the side of her face from the brutal blow. Booker was free from the tether now, he held Skylar down to help Blake the best he could. The two men could hardly hold her. The strength that was coming from her was incredible. Tyrin rushed over and slammed the needle into Skylar’s thigh. She screamed again as she continued to fight.
“Skylar!” Dr. Knightley rushed into the room from hearing all the commotion. “Tyrin, what is happening?” Tyrin shook her head as the thrashing slowed, Skylar lay motionless in a seemingly peaceful slumber again. “Bring her out here.” Dr. Knightley ordered as she stepped into the lab. Blake and Booker brought the limp body of Skylar to the bed and set her down upon it. Dr. Knightley pulled straps from a drawer and handed them to the two. They secured the Warden down and took a step back.
“She burst through the glass of the cryochamber, I thought that glass was unbreakable…” Tyrin spoke softly as she began to hook Skylar back up to IVs.
Dr. Knightley took in a breath as she typed at the computer quickly, “I don’t understand.” She shook her head. “None of this…..none at all…..it doesn’t make sense.” She ran scans with the computer, going over the results again and again.
Tyrin drew blood samples, she rubbed the side of her head. “Are you okay, Tyrin?” Booker asked, he touched where Skylar struck her. “I’m sorry, she….she usually listens.”
“This has happened before?” Dr. Knightley looked to Booker with a quizzical expression on her face. “When has this happened before?”
Booker took in a breath, “Sometimes, Skylar gets wrapped up in her thoughts. She’s only done it once or twice. She pinned me against the wall a few days ago, she didn’t mean it. It’s almost like…..” He looked her over, “Like she was dreaming, her eyes…she didn’t look herself…”
Dr. Knightley drew her brows together as she took a pen light and lifted Skylar’s eyelids. She waved the light back and forth. “Hm….” She hummed as she stepped to the computer again and began typing away. “She wasn’t. She didn’t know what was happening. Something….something is keeping her under…” She sat down at her computer. She typed away for an hour or so.
Blake helped patch Tyrin’s cut on her head. “Thank you.” She gave a gentle smile and a nod to him. “It has been quite some time, Blake.” She spoke as she ran the vials of blood through a machine. She clicked away at her own computer as it brought back results. “Interesting. This is very odd.”
“What?” Booker asked, his eyes full of worry for the Warden.
“Her levels are spiking, but it is completely random. Like--…” Tyrin looked to Skylar as she whimpered in her sleep. “It’s like adrenaline is activated within her body, or…fear…it’s the same response…the chemicals…” Tyrin looked to Dr. Knightley. “She’s terrified….it’s like something is scaring her within her sleep…”
Dr. Knightley gave a nod, “Wake her up.”
“But…” Tyrin protested.
“We can sedate her again. I just want to see what she does. It will help me understand…” She searched over the Warden, her pale appearance. “That injection did something to her….but…what?” She sat back down at her computer as Tyrin put together a vial of medication. She turned as Tyrin stepped up to Skylar’s side and injected the medication. “Let’s see…” Dr. Knightley muttered softly. She stood and moved to the side of the bed, chart in hand. It took a few minutes but Skylar began to wake. Her eyes fluttered and she took in a sharp breath. “Skylar?” Dr. Knightley spoke. Skylar’s eyes shot open and she fought against the straps that held her down. “Skylar, focus.” Dr. Knightley looked her over, there was no response to the doctor’s words.
“Sky…” Booker spoke. He touched her cheek. “Hey….come on.” He stared into her eyes, the emerald color was a stone grey. “Skylar.” He said again, though she just fought against the straps, nothing seemed to get through to her.
Tyrin placed her hand on Skylar’s arm. The thrashing slowed and eventually stopped. Skylar’s breathing was heavy, she whimpered, tears rolled down her cheeks. “Skylar, it’s okay.” She spoke, using her ability to calm the Warden. “Breathe, look at me. You’re okay, you’re back home, you’re safe with us. District 5 is saved. Eva and Booker are here as well.” Tyrin tried only to have Skylar begin to sob. She lifted her hand away and got another vial of medication. Skylar began to fight against the straps again. “Can I?” She looked to Dr. Knightley whom nodded. Tyrin injected the medication and within moments Skylar was once again unconscious.
Dr. Knightley was once more back at her computer, typing away. She yawned and sighed heavily. Tyrin stepped to her side, “Anything?” She asked only to have the doctor shake her head. Tyrin looked to Booker with worried eyes.
“I don’t know how he’s doing this, but Ainsley is doing it. He’s controlling her somehow…” Dr. Knightley spoke as she continued to go over the results that she gained from Skylar being awake.
Booker stepped forward and touched Skylar’s cheek again, he wiped away a stream of tears. “It’s okay, Sky…we will figure this out, I promise.” He sighed softly as he watched Skylar’s brows furrow in her sleep, she let out a soft cry again.
Booker pulled up a stool and leaned his head against the side of the bed, he was exhausted. Tyrin rushed around performing tests and Dr. Knightley continued analyzing everything on her computer.
**
Booker woke the next morning, his neck in pain from how he slouched forward. He blinked his eyes as he saw Dr. Knightley on the other side of the bed injecting something into Skylar’s IV. “Did…you….figure it out?” He asked sleepily.
Dr. Knightley looked to him, “I am hopeful that I have figured something out, yes.” She gave a nod before she heard the sound of the machines beeping rapidly. She looked back to Skylar as she gasped for air, her eyes shot open and she pulled against the straps. “Skylar, you’re safe, it’s okay.” The doctor spoke.
Skylar looked to Dr. Knightley, her expression confused, she looked to Booker and then to Tyrin who stood at the end of her bed. “Wh…..what’s going on?” She asked and pulled against the bonds once again. Her head was pounding. “What happened?”
“I am still trying to fully understand.” Dr. Knightley spoke softly. “For now, at least we have gotten you back.” She began to check over Skylar’s vitals.
Booker smiled, “It’s good to have you back, Sky.” He brushed a tear away from her cheek, “I was worried that we lost you….you haven’t been yourself, it’s been like you’re somewhere else…”
Skylar looked to Booker, she winced slightly, trying to remember. She shut her eyes tightly when she saw the shadow demon, she let out a cry and tried to move, only to be held by the bonds. “No!” She gasped.
“You’re okay.” Tyrin placed a hand on her shoulder, calming her. “What did you see?”
“A demon…I…I don’t know…” Skylar breathed quickly. “I don’t know…” She grit her teeth, glimpses of the nightmares coming to her.
“Do you remember if you were dreaming?” Tyrin asked as she typed away on the computer.
“I….I remember being afraid…” She muttered softly. “I don’t know…” Her voice quivered.
Booker sighed softly, “Look, we should all take a rest, Dr. Knightley, can I release her?”
Dr. Knightley turned and looked to Booker, “I’m not so sure.” She shook her head. “Booker, she could relapse, if the medication wears off, whatever was happening before…it could happen again…I still don’t know fully what is happening.”
Booker looked to Skylar with sad eyes. “I’ll stay here then.” He gave a nod. “How long until we know?” He asked, “Until we can release our Warden?”
Dr. Knightley punched in a few lines on the computer, “An hour. Though, if she remains fine, we need to run tests and see what damage has been done to her. Something….there is something that injection Ainsley gave her was designed to do, and I highly doubt it was to have her attack us like that….I feel like there is more to this….” Dr. Knightley stood and went over to her machine again. “Where is Eva?” She asked and looked to Blake. “Can you fetch her for me, Blake? I have something that I put together for her.”
**
An hour later Booker loosened the ties that held Skylar down. She sat up slowly and rubbed her wrists. Her body hurt. She looked to Booker and threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Booker.” She spoke as she slipped from the bed. She stumbled slightly and leaned back against the bed.
“You should thank Eva.” He gave a nod. “She saved us from the Overseer soldiers, and you from Ainsley…and District 5…if it wasn’t for her….” He paused and shook his head.
“If it wasn’t for me, none of this would have happened.” Skylar muttered softly as she stood and steadied herself. “If I wasn’t so foolish…”
“You couldn’t have known this was going to happen…Skylar, we will put an end to this.” Booker nodded.
Skylar took in a deep breath before she gave a nod and left the room. She climbed the stairs up through the mansion and found herself in the library. She stepped out onto the balcony and leaned against it, holding her head up with her hands, her elbows rested on the railing. She shut her eyes, to find herself staring into the eyes of the shadow demon. She opened her eyes again with a gasp, her pulse racing. “What is happening to me…?” She whispered softly.
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