tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52201329218233197802024-03-13T18:02:17.857+00:00The Science of DarknessThis is my attempt at fan fiction.Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220132921823319780.post-69097016779166922182012-07-12T16:42:00.000+01:002012-07-12T16:42:29.050+01:00SD 10<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well at least you didn't have to wait long for this part :D Enjoy.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thalia
Circe shrieked and ducked behind the table. She peeked out from under it with
terrified eyes and then emitted another scream and buried her head in her arms.
Octaboona sighed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s
OK, Thalia I only said hello.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thalia
refused to answer him, instead looking around for something she could throw.
However there was nothing to hand, not her sword or her rice paddle or even a
frying pan. So instead she made a dash for the door, realised Octaboona was
still standing in it and looked frantically around for a window that didn’t
exist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Will
you stop acting like a little girl and calm down.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m
73 I’ll have you know” Thalia muttered staring at the silver locket on her
chest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well
if you’d stop imitating a rabid squirrel and answer a few questions then maybe
I can leave you in peace.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thalia
looked up warily and stared at him. And then she stared some more. She pointed
at Octaboona.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Are...
are you... wearing... a BUNNY costume?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona
looked around carelessly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Nice
decor, I really like what you’ve done with this place.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why
are you wearing a bunny outfit?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Really
nice. Especially the hologram outside. It gives the room a nice feel. Lovely.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What
happened to its head?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Your
defences are admirable. I’m very impressed.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Bunny.
You. Why?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“May
I say what wonderful taste in clothes you have. And music. He looked at the band depicted on her T-shirt. The Gaslight Anthem.”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona
nodded and started to sing I’da Called You Woody Joe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">And then I heard
it like a shot through my skull to my brain,<br />
I felt my fingertips tingle and it started to rain,</span></i></b><span style="color: black;">” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">Octaboona's voice warbled up and down the octave, straining at the high notes.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thalia
wasn’t sure whether to scream or to laugh. The resulting expression caused
Octaboona to pale. He quickly stopped singing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Before
Thalia found something to throw at him Octaboona quickly interrupted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Do
we have to go through this whole charade every time?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thalia
averted her eyes and lapsed into silence again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes,
I know, you find me scary... I know you can’t read my mind... but do you have
to go through the whole shriek and throw routine <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every</i> time we meet?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona
continued.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m
pretty certain this is just an act now. You find this rather fun don’t you? But
honestly I’m harmless. Look at me. I’m old. I have wrinkles. I’m wearing the
lower half of a pink bunny costume. You’ll have to trust in me for once. I
promise I won’t hurt you. Now, first question. Have you seen Skyril Oblivion?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thalia
kept her back to Octaboona as she answered. “Yes, I rescued her.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“From
inside a pod?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No,
they hadn’t transferred her yet.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So
where is she now?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I
sent her out with Kenny to retrieve our weapons and other belongings. I need
them in order to escape.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Who
is this Kenny guy? Where did he come from? Not... you didn’t rescue him from a
pod did you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“His
name is Kenny Lakinson. And yes I did. But he’s fine. He’d only been in the pod
for a day or two at most. I’ve looked over his mind. He’s still relatively
stable.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh
Thalia, you stupid, stupid girl. He’s been subjected to the torture of
Nightmare’s Passage. I don’t care for how long that makes him dangerous. And
you just sent Skyril off with him?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thalia
glared at him furiously. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I
told you, I’ve checked him out. He’s fine honestly.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Did
it ever incur to you that your mind reading skills might not be infallible. I
mean, you can’t get through my defences for a start. Did you think that maybe
Kenny was just masking his true mental state by broadcasting the appearance of
a stable mind?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Who
Kenny? He wouldn’t know how. And I can tell when someone is thinking false
information.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Even
if they’re really, really good at it? Look Kenny will have been infected the
moment he entered that pod.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Infected?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Do
you even know how this whole process works?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thalia
muttered defensively. “Of course I do. They use the Nightmare Inductor up in
the main control room.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“And
how precisely does the Nightmare Inductor work?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I
haven’t figured that out yet.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well
listen to me, the Nightmare Inductor is simply a giant breeding vat with
conduits that lead to a vent in the ceiling of every pod. The Inductor contains
a thought virus. When the virus first enters the host, it explores the host
mind extremely thoroughly, working its way through every thought, memory and
emotion, digesting them until it knows the host’s mind better than the host
itself. The virus excretes out all the unwanted by-products- fear, despair,
hatred and so on, in the form of nightmares whilst it digests hope and
happiness and love, hence why the victim is steadily drained of anything good
and is left with the most horrifying of nightmares to occupy their mind. Once
the host mind has thus been subdued the virus takes control of the host- using
their body for its own purposes. Of course locked away in their pods and
heavily manacled, the host is useless and the virus dies when the host does.
But you released one of them and then sent it off with Skyril. Why on earth
didn’t you go with her yourself?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How
do you know all this?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m
old Thalia. I’m very very old.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thalia
looked sheepish.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Umm...
uhh.. well.. I didn’t go because of the onions...”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Onions?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes,
I absolutely despise onions. I can’t go near them. And the room where they’re
keeping my belongings is absolutely surrounded with them.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Pray
tell why exactly don’t you like onions? Is it the smell perhaps? I’d have
thought you could overcome a nasty stench in order to escape from this
hellhole.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No,
it’s not the smell.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“The
taste? You don’t have to eat them if you don’t want to. Is it because they make
your eyes water?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I
don’t want to say.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Thalia...”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She
shook her head mutely.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Our
friend is in danger Thalia. She’s alone in the presence of the slave of a
particularly nasty virus and all because of an onion? So please, tell me, why
can’t you stand onions?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thalia
mumbled something.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What
was that?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Onions
are my kryptonite.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Excuse
me? Your weakness is onions?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thalia
nodded sullenly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“They
cloud my ability to read minds ok. And they weaken the defences around my own
mind. I don’t like being powerless.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Couldn’t
you just move them out of the way with your telekinesis?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It
doesn’t work on onions.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona
sighed. “Well at least you can still immobilise people if needs be. And you
still have your martial arts.” He winced. “I remember only too well.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Plus,
I’ll be there too. So that settles it. Let’s go rescue Skyril.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So
you see Austin I have to do something. I’m so very restless.” Rosella rocked
back and forth with her head in her knees.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Austin
squeaked and then snuffled his nose as he searched for food.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re
right Austin, it would be the best plan of action. I must avenge my friend.”
Rosella muttered to herself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“They
deserve it” she said unconvincingly. “It’s the only choice I have” she pleaded,
staring defensively at Austin.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m
going to kill whoever did this. Whoever murdered my friend I will find you and
hunt you down.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s
what Nyx would have wanted me to do.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenny
scowled and rubbed his eyes yet the world remained stubbornly out of focus. He
cursed Skyril for ruining his eyesight and stumbled against the door bruising
his hand. He instinctively raised his hand to nurse it yet the virus subjugated
his will and forced his hand back down scrabbling for the handle. At last he
pushed open the door and moaned, as the virus directed him down the aisle
towards a small wooden chest lying on the floor. It was locked. The virus
paused and considered breaking the chest open by bashing Kenny’s head against
it repeatedly. However humans were frail and a fractured skull would likely
kill him if it remained untreated. The virus knew it could not survive the
death of its host unless it transferred itself to a new body. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it twisted Kenny’s head around and spotted
a shiny object that was possibly a sword. Kenny lunged towards the sword, grasped
the hilt firmly and brought it heavily down on the lock which snapped in two.
He reached in and snatched up the bag that lay within before hurrying out of
the room and on towards the Nightmare Inductor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We
are gathered here today to pay our respects to our fallen comrade Skyril
Oblivion.” Israel cleared his throat. “Skyril was a great friend to everyone
she met and died a true hero’s death, defending Pyro from the hands of Nyx
Dawn.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pyro
blushed and stared at the ground, the flames flickering around his head crimson
and dimmer than usual.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Necros
walked over and whispered in his ear. “Pyro, it’s not your fault. You have to
stop blaming yourself.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pyro
scowled and edged away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“There
are so many good times to be remembered and adventures to be retold. Why once
there was this time when...” Israel took a deep breath and tried to go on. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“When...”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“When
Skyril and I were eating lunch at the fancy restaurant” Kallista took over. The
tears were flowing thick and fast as she spoke.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I
was mucking around, ordering ridiculous things like spinach croissants and Château
de Van de la Ostrich Egg Pour Boink a Doink- the 1835 variety. The head waiter
was getting really annoyed with me and was about to throw me out. But then
Skyril stood up and said a few words to the waiter that I never forgot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Excuse me but my friend ordered the very
finest Château de Van de la Ostrich Egg Pour Boink a Doink and if you don’t see
that she gets it presto then I no longer want to dine at your crummy little establishment.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And
then we were both thrown out by the waiter. But she always stood up for me did
Skyril. She was a true sister.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Israel
was thankful for the pouring rain as it masked the tears that he was so
reluctant to show. He must be stoic and strong and uplifting for the other
inhabitants of Elysium Asylum. There would be time to mourn later, in private.
He swallowed and replied</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“And
she was brave very brave. No one else would have thought to paint my shotgun a lurid
green and then gone through with it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Skyril
would truly loved to have been here now” spoke up Necros. “This torrential rain
was her favourite type of weather. If she could be here now why I guarantee she
would be laughing and dancing like the lunatic that she was.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Gradually
others chipped in telling their own tales of Skyril and how she had made an
impact on their lives. Eventually when the last person had spoken Israel
lowered the empty coffin into the wet earth and threw the first handful of dirt
into the grave.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“From
ashes to ashes, dust to dust”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Amen”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Skyril
stirred and opened her eyes sleepily. She took in the sealed walls of the pod,
the manacles on her wrists and ankles and an open vent directly above her head.
She shook her head to clear it of the rotting fungal scent and yawned. Then she
noticed the giant insect scuttling around in the corner. She took in the thousands
of long black wriggling legs, the cold alien eyes which were so very other,
devoid of any sense of familiarity and the rows of gnashing red mandibles. The
insect started to move towards her. A quivering antenna brushed against her
bare foot. Skyril opened her mouth and screamed. Deep within her brain the
virus had taken root and was busily feasting on her memories. The virus sent
out a mental pulse and Skyril’s fingers twitched. Satisfied that it would soon
be in control, the virus went into hibernation whilst the insect shimmered,
twitched its antennae angrily and then disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220132921823319780.post-40381386128819227742012-07-11T11:40:00.000+01:002012-07-12T12:31:24.329+01:00SD 9<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I know it's been an awfully long time since I last updated this and I'm sorry. If you can't remember what happened then it shouldn't take to long to re-read but to summarise, Nyx was killed by the Banished for failing to assassinate Octaboona before he found Pyro, Skyril had been kidnapped by the Banished after returning from the Pit of Souls and is believed to be dead by everyone except Octa who was told so by Quinn. Israel still hates Octa believing him to be one of the Banished whilst Mar, Necros and Pyro have discovered some of Octa's history and Israel, Kallista and Clarabelle are still at their bunny parade. <br />
<br />
Enjoy.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Rosella
Embers stared blankly at the fallen newspaper, her electric blue eyes an empty
void as the same thought echoed again and again, reverberating through her
suddenly empty mind. “Nyx Dawn is dead”. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She
sat down heavily on the worn park bench and threw up her arms to prevent the
wind blowing the sheets of newspaper into her face. A large sepia image of Nyx
was spread across the page; her slightly crooked smile and the cocky gleam in
her eyes were unmistakable. The headline screamed ‘ASSASSAIN ASSASSINATED?’ in
large black letters. Rosella bit her lip as her last glimpse of Nyx spiralled
away on the autumnal gusts and tried to hold back tears. Yet picturing the way
her golden tipped hair swept back in the wind and the expression of horror on
her face when Rosella’s guinea pig Austin had tried to use that very same hair
as bedding was too much and Rosella started weeping silently, little orbs of
salt and sorrow dripping steadily from the end of her nose as she mourned the
loss of her first and closest friend.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenny
Lakinson bent over the figure slumped over the ground, silhouetted in the lime
green light that pulsed from the rows of cylindrical canisters or “pods” lining
the wall. Each pod was extremely tall, stretching from floor to ceiling and
made out of a transparent glass like substance. The pods were ovoid in shape,
curving inwards as they reached towards the ceiling to form an elegant dome at
the top and likewise at the floor. Inside the pods contained various humans
with their hands and feet manacled to the walls. These people were in a pitiful
state, naked, grimy and in terrible pain. Although the sound was muffled by the
thick walls of the pods, the dead look in their eyes and expressions of agony
were hard to forget. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenny
closed his eyes to shut out the sight and listened as the figure groaned and
spoke. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Where
am I? Who are you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Deciding
to delay the first question Kenny cleared his throat and replied “My name is
Kenny. Kenny Lakinson.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Skyril
Oblivion” mumbled the figure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She
climbed to her feet and looked into a nearby pod before recoiling suddenly,
aghast. She repeated her question. “Where am I? What is this place?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenny
frowned. “This place is known as Nightmares’ Passage.” The pods are used to
induce nightmares of the most damaging kind, leaving the victim psychologically
broken. It makes use of your darkest fears and deepest despair, your rage and
loneliness and hopelessness to create haunting dreams and thoughts that will
prey upon your mind until you are an empty husk or a raving lunatic. The
process is also highly painful to endure. The Banished use this as a torture
chamber- mainly for fun and partly to eliminate their enemies. People are
quickly forgotten down here, they vanish from the gaze of the world, hidden,
lost, maybe even banished. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Skyril
peeped out at the inhabitant of a nearby pod before quickly averting her eyes
once more, swallowing several times to keep down the bile that had risen in her
throat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So
how did you get here?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Precisely
the same way that you did, Skyril. The Banished wanted me gone, they waited
until I was in a weakened state, then struck. I woke up like you did, but not
here, in this comfy little corridor. I woke up in there” he chanted in a sing
song voice, elongating the last word. “Inside the dream machine” he giggled. “I
listened to the tinkling of the chains as I shook them. Such a lovely sound.”
Suddenly Kenny’s voice turned sharp. “But then they poked me.” He pointed to
his head. “They poked me in here.” he muttered again elongating the final
syllable. “It hurt” he whimpered. “Like a thousand red hot needles being shoved
through your ears.” “I was so scared,” Kenny jumped up at Skyril, sending her
tumbling back to the floor. “Boo!” “Yes, like that” he mumbled. “But much
worse. Much scarier. Woooooooo!” he wailed raucously. “Wooooooo!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenny
fell to the floor and suddenly his eyes rolled up into his head and then
returned down, focusing on Skyril.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m
sorry, so sorry”. Kenny offered Skyril a hand up, which she took warily. “Like
I said, the pods they, um... break you psychologically. I was only in there for
a short amount of time but it was still enough for me to undergo these... ah...
episodes every once in a while.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So
how did you escape from the pod?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I
didn’t, I was rescued?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“By
whom?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenny
hurried off down the corridor. “Follow me” he yelled over his shoulder. “Come
meet her”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona
Ambrosius had a sick feeling in his stomach. He stopped and looked down at the
road where the tyre tracks he had been following suddenly stopped. He was
determined to return safely to Elysium Asylum with Skyril Oblivion and at least
try and reason with Israel that he was not this depravity that Israel was so firmly
convinced of. He sighed and looked around yet the tyre tracks he had been
following for the last hour had finally petered out. He thought about the words
that Quinn had shouted after him, before she had returned to the warmth of her
room. “Which is way to the land of honey? Failing that just ask the bunny! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For
a rabbits head will point the way, to the prison in which Skyril doth lay.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Honey?
Bunny?” whatever did she mean? Octaboona reached up to scratch his head only to
find he was scratching a large fluffy ear. “That stupid bunny costume” he
grumbled, pulling off the head and throwing it away. “I can’t believe I walked
all this way wearing such a ridiculous outfit.” He started to wriggle out of
the body but to no avail. “Damn and blast.” “How on earth have I managed to get
stuck in this monstrosity?” The bunny’s head had come to rest at a crossroads,
its ears pointing down a narrow winding path, whilst its button eyes gleamed
cheekily in the moonlight. Octaboona stared at it before hurrying down the path
muttering “For a rabbits head will point the way, to the prison in which Skyril
doth lay.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenny
came to a halt outside one of the pods and pressed several keys on a small
silver pad built into the wall. With a swoosh of compressed noise the front of
the pod retracted into the floor. Kenny walked into the green light and
disappeared, Skyril following hesitantly. Suddenly she screamed as she came face
to face to the prisoner within, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth and
his eyes rolling crazily around his head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Kenny?”
she cried out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Just
walk right through him,” Kenny shouted back. Skyril stared at the man, hair
caked with filth and large pussy buboes covering his arms and chest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Through
him?” Skyril questioned hysterically.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“He’s
a hologram.” Kenny answered, and then wiggled a few fingers through the
hologram’s head. “See?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Skyril
closed her eyes tight and walked hesitantly forward, arms outstretched. Her
fingers brushed against flesh and she screamed and jumped back. She opened her
eyes to find herself standing inside the holo-man and she ran forward again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hush,
it was just me” said Kenny soothingly. “You brushed against my nose, that’s
all.” He turned to the far wall of the pod and starting tapping away at a
second keypad before looking directly up at a camera that swivelled round to
face him. There was a pause of a few seconds before a small door in the back
wall, easily camouflaged to blend in with the surrounding wall swung open and
Kenny and Skyril walked through. A small girl with messy black bangs and warm
silver eyes looked up, smiled and then ran forwards and enveloped Skyril in a
hug. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Skyril!”
the teenage girl exclaimed. “So you’re the latest victim of Nightmare’s
Passage. I’m only glad I sent Kenny to find you in time.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Thalia?”
Skyril mumbled. “You rescued Kenny from his pod? But how?” Skyril frowned. “How
did you escape from your own pod?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Well…you see, I was just standing
here, and then it exploded” she grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Okay,
okay so I listened in to the thoughts of my guard and I knew they would try and
induce nightmares in me. And then I simply immobilised him so he couldn’t call
for help, then used a spot of telekinesis to unlock my manacles with his key.
And then I blew up my pod for the fun of it you know?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“And no I’m not going to go all
crazy on you all of a sudden” Thalia responded to Skyril’s unspoken thought. “I
can just as easily shield my mind from foreign influences as I can read the
thoughts of others.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“So where are we exactly?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Some long abandoned control room”
Thalia shrugged. “Probably a tertiary one potentially a secondary” she
continued. “Pod life support systems and the like”. “The grand control room is
still functional though and contains most of the torture devices and of course
the Nightmare Inductor.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’ve been fixing this place up a
little, making some modifications here and there. But they confiscated my sword
and my bag when I got here.” Thalia spun dramatically on her heel and tried to
flounce, flicking an imaginary scarf around her neck. “I love that bag and they
just take it off me whilst unconscious. How very unsporting.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Anyway I deduced where they’re
keeping it. Along with the weapons and belongings of all the other prisoners.
That’s why I rescued Kenny and yourself. I need someone to go and retrieve them
for me. I’d go myself but the guard’s mess room is right next door and the
place stinks of onions.” Thalia shuddered. “Ugghh onions. I despise the things.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Once you return with my bag I’ll
have all the equipment I need to make our escape from here. So it’s definitely
worth the risk wouldn’t you say?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">She started shooing Skyril and
Kenny towards the door, and called after them “The room is on Level Mongoose,
Sector Twenty Six, third door on the right!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Skyril and Kenny trudged along
the corridor, looking up at the large painted numbers, gleaming red upon the
wall. “Sector Twenty Two, Sector Twenty Three, Sector Twenty Four” Skyril
listed off. “I found a staircase!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Kenny was fiddling with the
keypad for a nearby pod. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I found a staircase!” Skyril
repeated. “It should take us up to Level Mongoose. Kenny?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The front of the pod retracted
with a whoosh. Kenny did not respond instead hiding in the shadowy gap between
the pods.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Kenny? Are you OK?” Skyril
called. “Where are you?” she looked over her shoulder and began to make her way
back down the corridor. “Kenny?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">As she passed the open pod, a
savage gleam entered his eyes and he crept up on Skyril shoving her hard in the
back. Skyril went sprawling into the pod and she reached for a throwing knife
yet found none. The pod door slammed shut and Skyril beat upon the door, before
holding out her palms in Kenny’s direction, shining brightly as two orbs began
to form around Kenny’s eyes. He cursed and started pressing keys frantically,
the manacles suddenly locked around Skyril’s wrists and ankles. His sight left
him and the two orbs zoomed towards Skyril’s palms. Blindly he hit out at the
keypad, and suddenly Skyril slumped unconscious the two orbs dissipating into
nothingness. Slowly and carefully, Kenny began to make his way towards the
staircase, his sight partially recovered into a smeary blur. He grumbled and
muttered under his breath as he made his way up the stairs and into Level
Mongoose. He turned and looked back at the blob of colour he knew to be Skyril
Oblivion. He smiled at her and uttered “Sweet dreams” before stumbling towards
the large painted number 26 in the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220132921823319780.post-46092112696994046172011-10-29T20:51:00.000+01:002011-10-29T20:51:41.694+01:00SD Part 8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well I do hope you enjoy this. I certainly enjoyed writing it.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Skyril frowned and collapsed exhausted outside the gates of Elysium Asylum. She hoped that someone would find her soon. Then her mind went black and she fell into a deep sleep. It had been a long few days. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Skyril screamed as the air rushed past her head and the deadly pinnacles of rock loomed up to greet her, giant knives of stone, spilt with the blood of those unfortunate enough to fall over the edge. As she was about to be impaled on the jagged rocky spikes she instinctively jammed her twin silver knives into the sides of the pit with a horrendous clash of metal on stone. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How fortunate” she thought as she held onto the wooden handles, “that this pit has walls of sandstone”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a laboured gasp she wrenched one of the knives out and plunged it into the wall just above her head. Straining with effort she pulled herself up with her arms and plunged the second knife into the stone. Suddenly the sky clouded over and it began to pour with rain, making the wooden handles of the knife extremely slippery and making her journey up the side of the pit just that little bit harder. Skyril groaned and plunged the knife into the wall once more, gradually falling into a steady rhythm of thrusting and pulling as she slowly made her way back to the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was weary, sweating work, with no food or water to ease her tiredness. Several times she feared that she would lose her grip on the knife and at times she even forgot who she was, so engrossed was she in making her way to the surface. It took Skyril four torturous days before she found herself at the summit of the Pit of Broken Souls and back in the sandy Wastelands of the Southern Cliffs. Another two days passed as Skyril tried to extricate herself from that barren maze of sand and shadows, avoiding the carnivorous beasts and the even more terrifying red wraiths. But eventually Skyril stumbled out of that nightmarish place and found herself once more in the lush green valley’s that were what one more commonly expected of Ireland. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The many towers and balconies of Elysium Asylum could just be made out as a dark smudge in the distance. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I have to make it.” “I have to get back home”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona sat down and looked carefully at Quinn. “Skyril isn’t dead?” Quinn shook her head. “But she was pushed into the Pit of Broken Souls. No one can survive that. Nyx murdered her!” Quinn looked up at Octa with those large adorable eyes and related the events that had happened to Skyril since her fall over the edge of the Pit of Broken Souls. “And she’s currently lying unconscious outside the front door even as we speak”. Although Quinnera was only 10, she was an extremely powerful psychic with the additional benefit of knowing everything. The sum total of human knowledge and much more that remained unknown somehow managed to fit inside her head. Many explanations had been given including the will of god, some genetic mutation caused by her peanut allergy and even an allegation that Quinn wasn’t a human girl at all but an evil robot from the future sent by its alien masters to eradicate humanity before they grew into a rival power. But whether she was seen by a priest, a medical student or Skulduggery Pleasant, and a whole horde of assorted doctors, specialists and librarians, none of them were able to offer a suitable explanation. Quinnera’s own belief was that she simply utilised 100% of her brainpower as opposed to the 10% used by mortals and the 20% used by most mages. According to the ten year old girl, most of the human brain was used as storage room for virtual penguins and it was merely a matter of evicting them and sending them to Antarctica, if only you asked them nicely. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona rushed to the front door but when he reached it, Skyril was no longer outside. Instead there were marks on the ground where she had fallen and tyre tracks leading off into the distance. Someone had taken Skyril Oblivion hostage. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Israel Elysium was feeling extremely uncomfortable. He still wasn’t sure why he was dressed up in a giant green rabbit costume and shuffling through the centre of Dublin. Kallista was dressed as a giant purple rabbit and was trying to persuade Israel that there really was a giant bunny parade taking place that day. However they appeared to be the only two rabbits in sight. Israel flushed as a pair of Japanese tourists pointed at him and whispered to each other excitedly before taking out a camera and taking multiple photographs. Kallista turned around, noticed them and bowed deeply, before performing something that seemed to be a mixture of martial arts and ballet. Then she heaved a sigh of relief as she noticed a giant blue rabbit walking around the corner. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“See! I told you there was a bunny parade!” Kallista rushed over to the blue bunny and said “Wonderful costume! It really goes with your hair!” Israel groaned as he realised that Clarabelle was the third rabbit. The two girls started chattering incessantly to each other in over excited tones. Clarabelle and Kallista didn’t see each other often, on insistence by most of their friends. The two girls were highly insane and trouble inevitably followed when the two of them met. Clarabelle complimented Kallista on her martial arts/ ballet routine and asked her to teach it to her. It was quite a performance, the two of them pirouetting through St. Stephens Green, pausing every now and then to round kick passing pedestrians and on one occasion one of the Gard</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">aí. It was only through sheer luck (and the promise of a bribe of cookies) that the two girls avoided arrest. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“So how is Theodore doing these days?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Oh he’s grand. He’s going to grow up to be a lawyer. I just know it. He ate his way through two dissertations and a law exam only last week!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“But didn’t he want to be a beekeeper?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Nope. He’s definitely a lawyer”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as the two girls continued to discuss what profession Clarabelle’s pet gerbil was going to have, Israel slowly slipped away into the bustle of Dublin’s streets. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Or at least he tried to, but the costume made that almost impossible.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Israel!” Clarabelle called out.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Hello Clarabelle”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Don’t you normally have a shotgun with you?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Umm... well yes normally I do”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“So why don’t you have it with you now?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Well it doesn’t really go with the costume...”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“But it’s so iconic!” “I’m sure you’d look lovely as a bunny holding a shotgun, positively adorable!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Well... <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that people might be surprised if I did... and scared. Or else they wouldn’t take me seriously.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“No? Bunny rabbits are very frightening and majestic creatures. How couldn’t they be taken seriously? They are kings of the animal world!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I think you mean lions.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Do I?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Yes.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Are lions the one with the mane and teeth?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Yes”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“And rabbits have the long ears and fluffy tail?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“That’s right”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Then I suppose you would look rather silly with the shotgun.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Thank you”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“But it doesn’t really go with your jacket.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Excuse me?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“The shotgun. And the jacket. They look awful together.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I think they make a very good combination”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Nope. You need to keep up with the latest fashions! Leather jackets are so last year. Although I do like your eyebrows. They’re very in. I think. She tried to look up at her forehead. I should definitely re-grow mine.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And before Israel could even speak she waltzed off directly into a lamppost. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Skyril woke up with a throbbing pain in her head. “Where am I?” she groaned. A pulsing green light permeated itself through her brain. A blurry figure could barely be seen through the bright lime haze. “Who are you?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The figure’s voice was distorted as if coming from a long distance.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why my name is Kenny. Kenny Lakinson”<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220132921823319780.post-60181540752358085922011-08-31T20:59:00.001+01:002011-08-31T21:25:07.361+01:00SD 7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Here you are! New part!<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">March looked inquisitively at Octaboona as she waited for him to speak. Necros and Pyro sat on either side. All of them were staring at Octaboona. Eventually he spoke. “To start with your last question I need to give you a little history. You know that The Eight Great Immortal or TEGI as we were known were set up to guard humanity. Originally there were eight of us. The Last of the Ancients was our founder of course. Then we had the Lost Twin, Septimus Zephyr and I.” Suddenly Octaboona’s voice turned bitter. “Then we had Lacuna Dawn, Aggoroth Shandular, Nero Midnight and the person now known as The Nightmare Child. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course she was embarrassed of her actual name Meliphagous Mandible. And who wouldn’t be? I’m sure that’s a large part in her psychiatric troubles. But I’m distracting myself. Anyway the eight of us were like guardian angels, protecting humanity from magical threats. But then the schism occurred. The last four grew bitter, they had so much power and they could use none of it for themselves. So they left us and formed another group. The Banished. I suppose that we actually threw them out for abusing their power so the name is apt. Anyway the Banished swore to eradicate TEGI from the face of the earth. We didn’t know that at the time so we recruited another four members to replace them.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Noble Elysium, Harmonious Barkwater, Cassandra Delphinius and... Octaboona could barely be heard... my little sister, Elocin Noil.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“By the time that I worked out who had been behind the killings it was too late. Elocin had already been murdered.” His voice was thick with tears. Of course I immediately told my brother, Kenspeckle Grouse. He was furious with me. When he built that Desolation Engine, I knew the Banished had orchestrated this. They would have found it amusing to watch my brother murder me. He failed and eventually they killed him off too. But he always blamed me for Elocin’s death. I hope that he absolved me from my sins. I would have liked that. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And so I became the last Immortal. That’s why we disappeared. The Banished murdered us and I could do little on my own.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He paused for breath.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“But what about me?” March asked. “Why did you get Necros to be my guardian?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona sighed. “Because you are the direct descendent of Cassandra Delphinius and I wanted to keep an eye on you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">March’s eyes gleamed. “But doesn’t that mean that I could become another Immortal?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona’s eyes flashed. “No March. No more Immortal. I lost my brother and sister because of my arrogance in forcing them to join up. And Skyril died because of them also. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t have any more lives on my conscience.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">March pouted and pointed at Pyro. “You let him become an Immortal. This is so not fair.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I know that Pyro is capable of this. At least I hope so. And I cannot go up against the Banished on my own. I need a second. And no others.” He fell silent. “No more lives” he muttered again to himself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Necros spoke up. “But I thought that Elocin and Kenspeckle died from remnant attacks.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona looked up blankly. “The Banished control the Remnants. I created them but they have control now.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pyro looked up. “You created the... what? How?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“They were a side result of my failed Passage. The Banished sabotaged it. That’s why I threw them out.” “But I should have expected them to act against me. I should have known”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He slumped. “I’ve told you enough. Leave me.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As the three of them left the room they could hear the soft mutter. “No more lives.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Banished were gathered together for an emergency meeting. Octaboona had managed to reveal to others the their origins. The Nightmare Child was seething with barely controlled anger. “Nyx Dawn has failed us. She will be terminated.” The others glanced round at Her. “Agreed.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I should never have trusted her. I will deal with Octaboona myself”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nyx Dawn was currently staking out a cottage that belonged to Octaboona. She had discovered the history of March Pathway and had tailed her to the cottage. She knew she mustn’t disappoint her masters again. She sighed and watched as three people exited the cottage. And then the tiny bomb that had been implanted into her stomach exploded, leaving a fine rain of blood and shards of bone to splatter against the cottage walls and three suddenly disturbed people who ran back into the cottage.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">OCTABOONA! WE HAVE A PROBLEM!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona stared at the messy remains of Nyx Dawn. Her jewelled dagger lay fallen on the ground. “Another life gone” he murmured sadly. “The Banished must be onto us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona watched as a lone figure arrived at his cottage door. “Kallista!” he smiled warmly. “I need you to do me a huge favour”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kallista cocked her head.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Will it be fun?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh immensely”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What do I need to do?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona’s face turned serious.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Sneak me into Elysium Asylum under Israel’s nose in order so I can talk to Quinnera Elviana”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Are you kidding me?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I have faith in your talents”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“And I have faith in you. Israel hates you, you realise that? And he may have good reason”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“That’s what makes me interesting, trust me”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I do”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Israel Elysium muttered under his breath and went to check on Quinn. She had been living at the Asylum almost since birth and was its best kept secret. She had been two when she had first arrived on that windy day eight years ago. Her parents died in a car crash and Israel had taken her in. She was the closest thing he had to a daughter. She had even escaped all the tests that Ambrosius had performed on his guests. As evil as Ambrosius was his tests had seemed to have no lasting damage and for that Israel was grateful. He knew that Octaboona would learn about her eventually and there was no way in hell that he would let him lay his hands on her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Quinn looked up at him with those adorable eyes and implored Israel for a lollipop. Israel smiled at her and passed her a strawberry one. Her favourite. Quinn grinned and wondered how long it would be until Octaboona arrived. She had a surprise for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Meanwhile Kallista and Octaboona were watching the outside of Elysium Asylum. Kallista had already given Octaboona directions to Quinn’s room and was giggling as she told him of her plan to distract Israel. Octaboona sagged as the words entered his brain and he comprehended what she was about to do. “If you must” he grumbled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“But it’ll be fun!” Kallista beamed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona sighed unhappily.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Israel looked bewildered as he stared at the peculiar sight that greeted his eyes. Two giant bunny rabbits were knocking at the door. He rubbed his eyes and wondered if his vision was playing up but no. He opened the door and was immediately engulfed by a babble of chatter. “We’re going to a giant bunny costume parade in Dublin and we would just LOVE it if you would come with us!” Kallista chattered. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Kal what on earth? Why?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“For fun” she insisted, holding out a costume and mask for Israel.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He sighed and pointed at the other bunny, face hidden behind a mask.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Who’s that?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s the pink rabbit of course!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“The pink rabbit isn’t real Kal.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Of course he is. Just like Santa and the tooth fairy!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Umm... they’re not real either”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Of course they are! Quinn believes in them too!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Quinn’s 10”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“But still. Come on, we’ll be late!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Israel stumbled confused out of the door”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Isn’t he coming with us?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No he’s here to amuse Quinn. You know how bored she’s been”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Is he safe?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“He’s a giant pink rabbit, of course he’s safe!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well I suppose”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Plus Quinn can look after herself. Trust me”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Israel mumbled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Come on! We’re late! We’re late! For a very important date!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And thus skipping and singing, Kallista dragged Israel out to the bunny parade.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Quinn was rolling on the floor, crying tears of hysterical laughter as Octaboona entered the room. “You are funny” she pointed at the giant pink rabbit who glared at her crossly. “I watched it all on CCTV” He pulled of the mask and frowned. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Cheer up. You’re an adorable bunny!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Quinn”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes? Can I call you Octa? I can?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She smiled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I like you Octa. You make me laugh”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She turned her big adorable eyes on him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Do you have any lollipops? Pwease?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Octa handed her a strawberry lollipop.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oooh my favourite!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She started sucking happily on the lollipop.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I came here to ask you a question”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I know”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well will you answer me?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Hmm.... it depends”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“On what?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“On whether you can hop around the room of course.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Do I really have to?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well of course! You’re a bunny! Hop! Pwease?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona sighed and started hopping around the room.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m never relying on Kallista for another favour ever again.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Quinn smiled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And then before Octaboona could ask his question she whispered conspiratorially:<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Skyril Oblivion is still alive!”</span></div>Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220132921823319780.post-64216306384606341352011-07-14T15:16:00.002+01:002011-07-14T15:19:38.396+01:00SD Part 6<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Banished scowled as Nyx Dawn reported that Octaboona and Pyro Dawn were still alive. “You have failed us.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No wait... I have good news” Nyx stammered, “Skyril Oblivion is dead.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It is irrelevant. She matters not. Only the two Great Immortals are of any consequence.” Nyx avoided looking at Her eyes, only madness and rage could be seen in those ghastly orbs. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“This is your final chance. Unless you kill them then you are no longer... necessary.” She smirked. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Now go!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Israel Elysium was shocked. “Skyril... dead?” he whispered. His voice was horse and gaunt. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes but he angrily brushed them away as he turned towards Octaboona. “This is all your fault!” he screamed. “If it wasn’t for you and your meddling none of this would have happened.” He stood up straight, brown leather jacket gleaming in the light of the setting sun, casting his grief stricken face into shadows. “Leave this place Ambrosius. Take the boy with you and never return to my home. I’ll have nothing to do with you, Great Immortal. I’ve done my research. I know what you are now. I’ll not let this evilness besmirch Elysium Asylum any longer!” Israel reached for his shotgun and aimed it at Octaboona. “NOW GET OUT!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kallista approached Israel carefully. “Why did you send Octa and Pyro away? It’s not their fault that Skyril died. It was Nyx.” Israel snorted. “That’s what he wants you to believe. But he’s in league with her, and with the Banished. He’s just the same as they are.” Tears rolled down Kallista’s face. “Don’t say that. It’s not true. The Banished are evil, Octa is not. He’s my friend! I know he’s good.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Do you know what the Banished used to be called before they took on that persona? I found it out. They were known as The Eight Great Immortals. Octaboona was one of them. I know he was. The last time we met he told me he was the last. Well now I know what he’s the last of. Or pretends to be the last of. He’s an Immortal. He’s on the same side as The Banished. He’s just as evil as they are. Worse even. He destroyed the town of Baia... there are stories of him fleeing from the scene for no apparent reason. He tricks people into liking him and then he betrays them. Just like he betrayed Skyril. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like he will betray you.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kallista’s face was full of confusion and doubt. “But I know him. He’d never side with them. You’re lying to me! It can’t be true!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But the seeds of doubt had been planted as Kallista ran sobbing from the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">March yawned. When was Octaboona going to get home? She’d been sitting by the door for ages but there was no sign of him. Necros had appeared a short while ago, and he seemed glad that she appeared to be staying in one place for once. To pass the time she told herself The Tale of the Eight Great Immortals again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Once upon a time” she murmured sleepily “the world was dark and barren. Ruled over by sadistic terrible gods, the Faceless Ones, humanity was tortured and enslaved for their amusements. Yet the Ancients banished them to another universe and eventually wiped themselves out.” Or so most of the world believed. Yet <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>March’s family knew more. The Ancients had set up a group of guardians to protect the world from further harm. The Eight Great Immortals as they were known. For many centuries, this group was a shining beacon, defending humanity from various threats and monstrous beings. Yet for some reason The Eight Great Immortals suddenly vanished and were gradually forgotten about. Soon after their disappearance, the world was plagued by the first of a new threat, the Remnants. Gradually other races grew strong again, such as the vampires. Entire towns mysteriously vanished, the most famous of which was the destruction of Baia. And for the last hundred years there had been rumours of a new evil, the Banished. This tale had been passed down March’s family for generations, the only ones still to remember The Eight Great Immortals. March had always wondered why they had disappeared, what had happened to the wonderful guardians of humanity and now here she was, sitting outside the home of the very last one.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">March transformed into a sleek silver cat and curled up on the doorstep. “I hope he gets home soon” she thought before falling asleep.</span><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pyro Dawn frowned. Octaboona seemed to be rather more menacing than usual. Or was that just due to Israel throwing them out of the Asylum? Not that they visited it much anymore, Israel had always been wary about Octaboona staying there. Pyro stared into Octaboona’s eyes. Was that a flicker of rage in them or was it just a reflection of the sunset? Pyro suddenly felt worried for the first time in Octaboona’s presence. Why had Octaboona taken him in? Why was he training him in magic? Did he have a dark ulterior motive? Who exactly was Octaboona anyway? More to the point, what was he? Yet no answers came to mind, and Pyro realised that he knew barely more about his mentor than he had since the day they met.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Octaboona looked around to see a small silver cat asleep on his doorstep and a tall handsome man with weary eyes standing next to her. “Necros, March, greetings. And to what do I owe this unexpected arrival?” The cat blinked and transformed back into a young girl. “You know who we are?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why of course. It was I who asked Necros to guard you in the first place.” Necros muttered. “You owe me Octaboona. It’s been a nightmare trying to keep up with her.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I did mention it at the time. I wouldn’t expect it to be otherwise. Not when you consider who she’s descended from.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">March blinked. “Wait a minute. Who am I descended from? Why did you ask Necros to guard me? Why does it matter to you? And why have you been missing so long? What happened to the Eight Great Immortals?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona raised his hand and March fell quiet. “Come inside and I’ll answer your questions. You too Pyro. I suppose it’s time you found out who I am, who you will be. It’s time for me to tell you everything”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Meanwhile, in the Pit of Broken Souls, there was the sound of metal clashing against rock, a high pitched scream and then silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220132921823319780.post-47669939663796940042011-07-05T21:55:00.003+01:002011-07-05T21:58:11.899+01:00SD 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Yay. Another part of my fanfic!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Necros opened his eyes, looked around, sighed, and then closed his eyes again. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why her?” he muttered wearily. “Of all the people, why did I have to get her?” Necros ran his hands through his hair, and wearily began looking for his charge. “March!” he shouted. “March Pathway!” There was no reply, except for the chattering laugh of a chipmunk, scampering around in a nearby tree. Necros looked up and scowled. He glared at the chipmunk. “Come down this instant March.” The chipmunk looked at Necros cheekily, and then jumped off a narrow branch. A young girl landed lightly on the dewy grass, still chuckling, as she wiped a strand of crimson hair out of her sparkling blue eyes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What?” she enquired gleefully. “Have I upset you or something?” She tilted her head to one side. “I didn’t vanish really. I was right above your head all along!” March chuckled again. “Some guardian you are.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Necros scowled and slumped against the trunk of the tree, too exhausted to come up with a retort. Out of all his many charges, Necros reflected, March was the worst. She never stood still, always vanishing, or talking incessantly. And when she actually got into danger, like all his charges were apt to do, she didn’t even have the courtesy to let him deal with the assassin or vampire or whatever it was, having singlehandedly defeated them, before Necros could catch up. But at least she seemed to irritate or terrify them as much as she infuriated him, Necros thought. He often wondered why he remained March’s guardian at all. Because I wouldn’t want to have her as an enemy, he realised. And the pay is good. Necros looked around and groaned miserably. March had disappeared again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Skyril Oblivion smiled and looked out of the window of her room in Elysium Asylum. A beautiful tempest raged outside, the torrential rain beating against the window in a pleasant rhythm, as the wind howled and the world was little up with dazzling lightning. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Beautiful weather” Skyril murmured. Her green eyes flashed as a sudden knock on the door interrupted her stormy daydreams but it was only Kallista. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I just got a message from Octa. Pyro is in trouble. We need to go after him.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“But I barely know him! What do you need me for?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well you’re the only one crazy enough to go on a rescue mission in this weather” Kallista grinned.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Crazy? Moi? I’ll have you know that this is excellent weather to be out on a rescue mission”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Like I said crazy”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Skyril jumped up. “Let’s go”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“He’s at the Wastelands of the Southern Cliffs”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“But isn’t that the place with the Pit of Broken Souls?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kallista nodded. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Why is he there in the first place?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Apparently he decided to hunt down Nyx Dawn”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“And you call me the crazy one” Skyril muttered.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pyro Dawn gasped as he looked around for Nyx Dawn. The Pit of Broken Souls loomed on either side, the jagged rocks gleaming menacingly in the rain. Nyx Dawn had vanished into the inky darkness and Pyro knew that she was waiting to strike. He gulped nervously and wished that he hadn’t come here alone. His plan had seemed so simple at first, Octaboona wouldn’t tell him anything, claiming that he wasn’t ready to know, and he needed to more training. Yet Pyro was impatient at the best of times and he wanted answers. So he decided to get them from the one other person who might have the knowledge he needed. Nyx Dawn. So whilst Octaboona was engrossed in the history of ‘The Empire of Quetzal Acratoon’ which Octaboona said was about the Ziggurat cities of Nuevo Maya, Pyro had slipped away and gone to the Wastelands of the Southern Cliffs, which according to Octaboona, Nyx Dawn often frequented. Now that he was here however, he realised that his quest was futile, and that Nyx Dawn was most likely going to kill him. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A silver knife whistled past his head and Pyro jumped. Yet it wasn’t Nyx who had thrown it. He sighed with relief as he spotted Kallista, Octaboona and the stranger who had thrown the silver knife. Yet before he could ask her, who she was and why she had thrown the knife, Nyx Dawn snarled as she leapt out of the shadows. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Meanwhile March Pathway laughed and clapped her hands together. She had finally tracked down the current dwelling place of Octaboona Ambrosius. She briefly wondered where Necros had got to then dismissed the thought as she approached the location. March had always been fond of the Tale of The Eight Great Immortals, which had been passed down her family for generations. And now she discovered that the story was true and the last of the Great Immortals was actually alive. March knocked on the door but no reply came. So March turned into a cat and curled up on the door step waiting for Octaboona to come home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona waved a hand and Nyx Dawn went flying. “Why does the boy have to be so curious?” he grumbled to himself. “This is not how I planned to spend my afternoon, chasing down an assassin”. Kallista and Skyril stood by his side as Pyro scrambled towards them. Skyril threw another silver knife at Nyx, but she twisted aside at the last moment and then sent a whirling shadow towards Octaboona, who ducked and then deflected the shadow back at Nyx. Skyril concentrated and held her palm out towards Nyx’s eyes. A sudden flash appeared around her hands and two glowing orbs flew from Nyx’s face and into Skyril’s outstretched palms. Nyx cursed as her sight left her, blind she stumbled away moaning.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kallista ran forward, yet Nyx had disappeared into the shadows. Skyril dropped her hands and the orbs flew into the distance. Although this gave Nyx back her sight it also allowed her to pinpoint Nyx’s location. Pyro aimed at the orbs and unleashed two twin torrents of flame. Octaboona muttered again. “Home. Now.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet as the four of them turned to leave, Nyx Dawn crept out from behind a blackened pillar, shook the soot from her hair and pushed at the shadows, then vanished as the shadows enveloped her. Caught unaware Skyril screamed as the shadows buffeted her and pushed her off the edge of the Pit of Broken Souls, as she fell towards the jagged rocks, many feet below.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220132921823319780.post-9511763974343171502011-06-02T21:33:00.000+01:002011-06-02T21:33:38.083+01:00SD Part 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well I've written the next part. I just love the Banished. Brilliant villains. So much fun to write. I will hopefully be introducing some more of you in Part 5 *looks over at Alex and Skyril* and hopefully we'll see a bit more of Kallista and Israel as well.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In a dark and shadowy chamber the Banished were gathered together waiting for Nyx Dawn to report. A piercing inhuman voice shrieked with rage. Her voice rose to a cacophonous frenzy of blood lust and fury, blotting out the squeals and cries of the ill fated messenger. His tortured screams, exceedingly shrill and drawn out were drowned by the roar of the Banished’s leader, as She thought of the terrible news that the messenger had brought. Her face was twisted in paroxysms of seething wrath as She continued to feast. Gradually the horrific sounds emanating from the messenger ceased, leaving only the vile noises of crunching, swallowing and the chewing of flesh and gristle. Eventually these sounds also ceased, leaving unadulterated silence. As blood dripped from Her jaws She stared around at the other three, who sat there quiet and impassive, waiting for Her to speak. But She just seethed, and the redness slowly drained from Her eyes. Then She turned around and the Banished continued to wait for the report of Nyx Dawn.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, Nyx Dawn herself cursed and wiped her long black hair out of her eyes. She was due to report to her masters in five minutes and they did not like to be kept waiting. She remembered the threat for anything that was less than perfect and she had absolutely no desire to be devoured. Yet a complication had arisen, one that she knew would make her masters completely livid and was wandering how to tell them whilst keeping her life. As she looked over the acres of land that surrounded the giant manor known only as Elysium Asylum, she hoped that this would be the last time, never again did she wish to try and break into such a haven, it was currently beyond her power. But at last her target had left the building, hopefully to somewhere more accessible. Yet here was the complication. He was not alone. Her masters had assured her that he would come here in vain, that he would not find the person he was looking for. However it appeared that he had succeeded for he had left with a young boy with flaming hair. Literally. His hair was constantly on fire. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now she had to make a report to her masters informing them that Octaboona Ambrosius was no longer the last.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nyx took out her mobile and called the Banished. Thankfully it was not She who answered but the other female. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I am here to make my report” Nyx stated briskly. “Octaboona Ambrosius has left Elysium Asylum at last. Although there is one small complication....”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“We know of it.” the cold harsh voice snapped. “The messenger who told us has met an unfortunate...demise. Be thankful that we know or your fate would be most...unpleasant.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nyx shuddered. “Take out the boy first. Then return to your original assignment.” The phone went dead. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As the sun set in a glow of crimson and amber, the light glinted off the jewelled dagger in Nyx’s hand and off the blackness of her eyes. A dreadful calmness could be seen in them as a tendril of shadow snaked its way around the dagger’s gleaming blade.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I am coming.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pyro-Dawn tried pushing at the air. The feather didn’t move. Pyro-Dawn screwed up his face and tried again. The feather remained resolutely still. Pyro willed the feather to move with every iota of his being. He pushed at the air again. The feather didn’t even twitch. Pyro glared at it, pointed a finger at it and a torrent of fire gushed from his fingertip, incinerating the feather and reducing it to less than ash.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ha. Take that you lousy feather!” Pyro muttered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona looked up and sighed. He waved his hand and gathered the individual atoms that made up the feather from the air and reassembled them. The feather reappeared in front of Pyro, who made a face, then Octaboona flicked his finger and the feather went flying up into the air.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Now try again. And please try and refrain from burning it. It got boring after the first twelve times.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pyro glared daggers at the feather and tried pushing at the feather again. To his surprise, it moved slightly. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well done.” Octaboona looked at Pyro. “You have managed to show some control over an element other than fire. Yes you have a particular affinity for fire but you need to have absolute control over the other three elements. You have the ability. I saw it in you.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He lowered his voice. “You are the one.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pyro rolled his eyes and the fire in his hair flashed a little more brightly. “The one what?” he asked impatiently. “You keep on saying I am the one and that you are no longer the last, we all have the Force, the Death star will destroy us all, yada, yada, yada. But why are you so vague?” he cried. “Can’t you be a bit more specific? You are the last what exactly? I am the one to do what? And who are these Banished people anyway?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona’s eyes flashed with a steely glint and Pyro fell silent.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“All in good time Pyro-Dawn. When you are ready to know I will tell you.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pyro sighed and incinerated the feather once again. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Banished opened their eyes and gasped. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s true.” the first voice said. “Octaboona Ambrosius is no longer the last Great Immortal. He turned to look at Her. “He has found a second.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A second voice issued from the darkness. “It is of even more importance that Nyx Dawn kills the boy, before he learns too much.” His voice went deep and raspy as She took control of his mind. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He must die before he finds out who we are!”<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220132921823319780.post-70216876760105272792011-06-01T14:45:00.003+01:002011-11-14T14:04:13.207+00:00The very long awaited SD Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well. Where to begin. It's been such a long time since I posted some fanfic. If you can't remember what happened previously then I advise rereading the first two parts. I've had many different ideas and I even made an OC for one of them but I disliked each one and it is only now that I am happy with the way to move on. This fanfic is now going to be closely linked with my brother's, Pyro. It is set slightly in the past of Pyro's at least for now and I don't quite know how you should read them. I expect you should try and read them together but hopefully they will work on their own. Anyway here is Part 3 of the Science of Darkness.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona Ambrosius stood over the mutilated body of Kenspeckle Grouse. Just as Kenspeckle’s dying memory was of the last time he saw Octaboona, so Octaboona thought of it now. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I am now truly alone.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As Octaboona looked down at the blood stained corpse a question formed on his lips. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Did you forgive me?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This thought went around and around in Octaboona’s mind. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Did you forgive me for the death of our sister?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And as he turned to leave, he thought about the cause of his siblings’ deaths. Both of them fell at the hands of the Remnants. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“And who created the Remnants?” Octaboona asked himself. But he refused to listen to the answer that emerged from the crevices of his brain. Octaboona hurried from the carnage of the bloody room, twin columns of fire swirled from his hands and licked at the edge of the operating table. Octaboona closed the door on the raging inferno of his brother’s funeral pyre, and the fine white powder; all that remained of Kenspeckle Grouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nyx Dawn strode into the darkened chamber, shadows swirling around her head, reflecting darkness off her jewelled dagger.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, yes, I’m sure it’s meant to be impressive” a cold harsh voice split the shadows. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nyx was not intimidated. “I heard you needed an assassin.” she replied coolly. “The best.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nyx heard a second voice, just as harsh but female. “We have an assignment for you. If you are in fact capable of it.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nyx laughed suavely “Capable? I could kill anything on this planet.” She brushed her black fringe out of her eyes. The golden tips glinted in the dusky room. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But before we make the deal I want to know two things. Firstly who am I working for?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A third voice, emotionless and chilling, answered her. “We are the Banished.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And secondly who exactly do you want me to kill?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The last of the Banished stirred. Her silhouette was monstrous. Nyx took a step back. When she spoke, Her voice was piercing and inhuman, it sent needles of pain through Nyx’s eardrums. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You must seek out and destroy Octaboona Ambrosius. For he is the last. When he is dead, none shall stop us. When Octaboona Ambrosius is dead, the Banished shall rise!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nyx’s eyes widened but she showed no other sign of weakness. “We have a deal”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona made his way back to Ireland. Now that he was alone, now that he was the last, he must return to his homeland. He would find his way to Elysium Asylum, that secretive haven for the great and the good. For surely it would be there that he would find what he needed. It would be in Elysium Asylum that he would find his answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Israel Elysium sat staring out the window. His double barrel sawn off shotgun rested in his hands as he readjusted his large brown jacket. No one was there, yet when he looked into the future, a tall figure, dressed in purple robes was approaching the doors of the Asylum. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Who was this stranger?” Israel wondered as he made his way down to the entrance hall. He opened the large oak doors, just as the stranger was about to knock.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Perfect timing.” he thought to himself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Who the hell are you?” Israel demanded of the stranger, “and what are you doing here?”</span><br />
Israel looked at him closely. "Hang on." he scowled. "I recognize your face..." he trailed off.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My name is Octaboona Ambrosius” the purple clad stranger replied. “I am the Paragon of the Horde of Iridescent Indigo, also known as the Purple Poet and I am the last of....”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona sighed. “Well let’s just say I am the last” he muttered sadly. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Israel looked at him in shock. “But... you can’t be real... not possible... a distant legend...” he stared at Octaboona. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Prove it to me.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Very well”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona began to recite:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“A goddess amongst human kind</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With skin as pale as snow</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Whose eyes of ice stared harshly down</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At all that lay below<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Her aura was of lavender</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Its shine lit up the night</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kallista hair of silken gold</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Outraced the birds in flight”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“That’s so beautiful. And yet utterly tragic” came a voice from behind Israel. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You remember my name! I wasn't sure if you'd remember me!” Kallista Pendragon exclaimed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well I am the Purple Poet” Octaboona stated simply.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Israel narrowed his eyes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I could look into your soul too if you so desire” Octaboona snapped impatiently. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No. That’s fine” Israel answered briskly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“So Octaboona, what brings you to my home?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I am here to look for a person. Many mages stay here do they not? All with pure hearts I believe?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Correct”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well I am searching for a protégée. Someone to teach. To ensure the hope. I am the last...” he trailed off.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦♦♦<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona groaned in dismay. Several weeks he had stayed in Elysium Asylum, concealed up in the attic where he would not be disturbed. He had performed many tests on the mages there, much to Israel’s disgust, yet Octaboona was adamant. One of these mages must have the potential, he insisted, despite Israel’s warnings that these mages were his guests and that Octaboona had no right to behave like this. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yet it appeared that none of them had the right qualities to defeat the Banished; although Kallista had appeared to be the one he was looking for. Kallista had become very close friends with this mysterious poet, and was the only person apart from Israel who he allowed to enter the attic. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Octa?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes Kallista?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kallista pushed open the door to the attic. She stared around at the piles of books and pieces of parchment, covered with flowing golden ink. As she stepped into the room, Octaboona turned around and sighed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You still haven’t found the right mage?” she inquired.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No. And that’s everyone in this place who I’ve tested.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“And you still won’t tell us what you’re looking for?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I expect not.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well I’m sure that they’re out there somewhere”. Kallista spoke encouragingly. “You just need to keep looking.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona stared into her eyes. “I’ve spent 500 years searching for this person. They may not even be born yet” he replied. “But they must be!” he cried. “For they are growing stronger. If they still aren’t born then it is too late!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kallista sat down on a stool, moving a large stack of papers onto the floor. “I know what you’re doing. I could feel it when you tested me. You’re looking into our souls aren’t you?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well that’s one way of putting it” Octaboona smiled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Israel still doesn’t trust you” Kallista murmured. “He doesn’t believe you.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly there was a commotion from downstairs. Loud yells and thumps echoed up from below.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona rushed downstairs. A young boy, fearful and pale, was staring around in surprise.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Where am I?” he cried. “What’s happening to me?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona stared deep into his eyes and with a sudden shock of realization, he knew that this boy was the person he had been seeking. A smile broke out across his face.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You are the one” he whispered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“The what?” the young boy asked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As Octaboona stared at him, looked deep into his soul, a spark leapt into the boy’s hair, setting it alight. The boy yelled in shock, but the flames didn’t seem to harm him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What’s your name?” Octaboona enquired.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The boy thought for a while.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“My name is Pyro...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pyro-Dawn”<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220132921823319780.post-50339360892932686272011-05-04T20:27:00.000+01:002011-05-04T20:27:06.136+01:00Septimus Zephyr<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well you reached 1000 views!!!<br />
<br />
Well done. <br />
<br />
I don't have the story yet but I will post my new character OC.<br />
<br />
NAME: Septimus Zephyr<br />
AGE: 403 (looks around 20)<br />
GENDER: Male<br />
HAIR COLOUR: Bright auburn. Long and wavy. Waist length. Hides his face by a waterfall of hair.<br />
EYE COLOUR: Piercing eyes of deepest blue. Humourous and quick moving but with a firm undeniable steel to them.<br />
HEIGHT: 5 ft 11<br />
WEIGHT: 12 stone.<br />
PERSONALITY: Quick witted, laid back, humourous and a tease.<br />
WEARS: <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Flowing purple robes, barefoot, a deep violet shirt. Cloak with silver lining, patterned with golden stars, but without spectacles.</span><br />
NATIONALITY AND ACCENT: Irish born and bred. Irish accent. Commanding voice.<br />
HISTORY: Born in Ireland he travelled the world seeking for someone to explain why his magic was what it was. Why had he been given this ability? What was it he kept dreaming of? Why was he different? <br />
FAMILY: Septimus never knew who his family was. He didn't seem to belong anywhere.<br />
POWERS: All will be revealed...<br />
FAVOURITE WEAPON: Septimus' favourite weapon is his powers. However he does enjoy using his terrible singing.<br />
OTHER SKILLS: Well Septimus's singing isn't a skill as such. More sort of a horrible agonizing experience. <br />
FRIENDS: None. Septimus doesn't belong.<br />
ENEMIES: Alvin The Elf<br />
HATES: Well he doesn't like people called Alvin. Or elves. Or infact Alvin The Elf.<br />
LIKES: Singing. <br />
ADDRESS: Currently living somewhen in the 12th century.<br />
JOB: Septimus doesn't belong. He has no job.<br />
MODE OF TRANSPORTATION: Teleportation.<br />
NEVER SEEN WITHOUT: A little brown box.<br />
DESCRIPTION: A tall, young man with a gleam in his piercing blue eyes and a rougeish grin on his face.<br />
IN FIVE WORDS: A madman with a box (Thank you Doctor!)</div>Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220132921823319780.post-56443138683427940342011-05-02T15:15:00.000+01:002011-05-02T15:15:18.999+01:001000 Views<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Just writing to say that if I get 1000 views that I'll write a third part to my fanfic probably in June.<br />
<br />
So get refreshing :D<br />
<br />
And I'll also be introducing a new character....<br />
<br />
If we get to 1000 views.<br />
<br />
Go!</div>Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220132921823319780.post-65783177332151551052010-12-20T17:13:00.001+00:002010-12-20T17:14:33.263+00:00Part 2<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><span style="color: purple;">This is at current the final part of my fanfiction. I have no plans of revisiting the fanfiction in the near future.However the possibility of returning to it is still open.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 16pt;">The Sound of Silence</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The sun was setting behind the azure ocean that lapped at the shores of Baia, sending rays of orange and red that merged together, filling the sky with a glorious sunset. The hustle and bustle of the local market, the sound of cartwheels and the haggling of street vendors echoed across the valley. The pungent aroma of a nettle and blackberry infusion wafted through the evening air, masking the brine and stench of fish. The glowing light of dripping candles warmed the windows of the port, the twinkling lights reflected in the green waters of the bay.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">On the outskirts of the port, a gleaming white villa looked over the fishing village, old and proud and silent. An old man, wizened with age, sat down on the porch, crooning softly to himself, his spectacles misted up as tears dripped down from the end of his crooked nose. Suddenly he stood up and strode off into the distance, aware of the terrible peril about to befall his home, yet unwilling to help them. Octaboona disappeared in a wreath of shadows, never looking back at his home of eleven centuries.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦ ♦ ♦</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenspeckle Grouse fled from the port of Baia, the final words that he yelled at his brother resounding in his mind.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’re a failure. All that you do is worthless. You even failed at the most important task of your life. You were unsuited to be the Death Bringer. You failed the Passage. Our sister is dead. And you are solely responsible for that. If you weren’t so useless at your life then Elocin would still be alive!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenspeckle didn’t care anymore. The weight of his depression laid upon him like a burden.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yet it still was unable to quash his arrogance. He was dangerous. Still able to create terrible things yet no feeling for the effect it could cause. He knew some poor fool would pick up the Engine yet he didn’t care. He had created the most sought after object in magic science theory. Time to move on.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦ ♦ ♦</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A young child was playing in the middle of the town square when something caught his attention. He looked at the stone hourglass curiously, laughing at the bubbles in the pretty green liquid. He picked it up and squealed joyfully when the liquid turned red.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Mama, mama! Look! It’s so beauti-”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The boiling red liquid evaporated becoming a sphere of roiling red energy that quickly expanded vaporising the toddler in seconds, his cry of delight cut off instantly. The stone cobbles of the square turned to dust, and the tall pine trees that surrounded it, withered and died when the energy struck them. The cheerful bustle of the marketplace was replaced by a cacophony of screams as the flesh was boiled off the bones of the people, which themselves were carbonized. The wooden buildings of the port burst into flames, snuffed out and obliterated by the ever expanding ball of death. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The parchment on the door of the villa disintegrated into nothing, the golden ink fading away, as the energy ripped through the ancient building, shattering glass and crumbling stone. The sound of the ocean evaporating, and the sizzle of dead fish was lost in the billowing clouds of steam that filled the air, blotting out the stars. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Every blade of grass, every stone, person and building, every living thing, every morsel of Baia was obliterated by the scarlet storm contained in the small stone hourglass.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦ ♦ ♦</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Oisin emerged from his bedroom, and walked along the beach, robe dishevelled and mumbled under his breath. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“The others knew I was best suited for the job. Who discovered the first texts on The Ancients? I did! Who knows more about the Sceptre, since the time of the Ancients and certainly more than my colleagues? I believe that would be me! Who can quote directly from the texts? I can! And who did they vote for? Him, that’s who, embarrassing, quite frankly. I was the only one who voted for me. I told them didn’t I? I told them I could do it. Just before we voted I said I wouldn’t talk too much and I would answer who ever asked me a question instead of asking them questions of my own. Curious old Oisin they called me. He’d ask so many questions about them that he’d be useless. The poor people wouldn’t get a word in edgeways!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That’s what they said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I can be useful whilst asking them a few questions. Friendly interest I call it. I mean it’s down right rude not to ask what century they’re from. Or what language, they speak. I’ll still have plenty of time. But no. They gave the echo stone to him.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A cunning old grin broke out on Oisin’s face. “Or at least they would if I hadn’t taken it first” he chuckled gleefully. Oisin looked down at the small blue gemstone, that he held in his hand. Formerly translucent it was now the darkest indigo, a sign that a consciousness was contained with in it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After sleeping with it by his side for three days, Oisin was feeling groggy and wanted to clear his head.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“And nobody thinks of old Oisin. It’s my birthday tomorrow. How about that. Absolutely marvellous. It’s my 500<sup>th</sup> birthday too. But will anyone get poor Oisin a gift? Wish him many happy returns? Perhaps even smile? Well of course they wouldn’t would they. Just spends all his time looking at his texts, they say. Well they’re jealous obviously. Didn’t want me to get all the fame and glory. But a little appreciation would be nice. Not too much obviously. They’d never go that far. Oh well” he sighed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Oisin stared mistrustfully at the ocean. “I don’t trust boats. If nature had intended us to travel across water, we would have been provided with fins. And fish, nasty little creatures. All wet and gloomy. Who’d want to be a fish?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They taste absolutely horrific too. All damp and fishy.” Oisin moaned. “Bad luck boats are” he muttered.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“And look at the red glow on the water. Bound to be trouble. It’s a sign I tell-”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The red energy blasted Oisin into atoms and started to retract, the hand that clutched the echo stone fell to the ground, just outside of the Desolation Engine’s deadly radius, cauterised by the very energy that had obliterated the rest of Oisin.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦ ♦ ♦</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The mortals never found out how the port of Baia was lost, with only a circle 200 metres wide of barren ground in its place, the ash of the once vibrant port scattered on the wind. And all that remained was a small stone hourglass in the very epicentre of the devastation, its calm green liquid bubbling away.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And Kenspeckle heard of what had happened, how the silence mysteriously fell upon what used to be a little pocket of humanity, and he was delighted. The Desolation Engine had worked exactly as planned; he had proved that he was indeed a genius. And as he laughed at the destruction of Baia, Octaboona wept, for his home was no more and he hadn’t saved one single soul from the terrible chaos and destruction that was the Science of Darkness.</span></div>Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5220132921823319780.post-38573163172689663732010-12-08T15:44:00.008+00:002011-05-23T09:58:35.535+01:00Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">To those of you who were directed here from <a href="http://www.octaboonaambrosius.blogspot.com/">the golden god poem </a>this is where my fanfic actually is.<br />
<em>To avoid any confusion the diamonds represent a change in time or location.</em><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 22pt;">The Science of Darkness</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 16pt;">Blood and Bone</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenspeckle Grouse lay dying on the blood drenched table, as a demented Clarabelle, black veins standing out from her face, shrieked and slashed at the sodden remains of his disfigured, mutilated body. As his blood dripped irregularly onto the floor forming a crimson puddle of softly congealing blood he choked out his final words.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Octaboona, my brother, I forgive you. Tell Elocin that I love her.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kenspeckle smiled, it lit up his face, removing the string from the saltwater in his blood that leaked from the shards of a tiny crystal phial which he wore around his neck. He stared down at the throbbing red mess that used to be his chest, at the battered splintered bones of his rib cage and the bleeding gap where his heart, tattered and torn, weakly pumped and at the scarlet froth that drowned his lungs. Slowly his eyes became lifeless and dull, the silence broken only by the steady drip of his blood leaking onto the floor. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Remnant inside Clarabelle laughed, a hideous broken sound that emanated from her blackened lips and pale grey gums, smeared with the vivid scarlet of blood as she continued to slice at the ruined carcass of Kenspeckle Grouse, twin scalpels gleaming in the horror of Kenspeckle’s laboratory. And The Darkness Rained Upon Him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦ ♦ ♦</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">512 years earlier</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m sorry Kenspeckle but Elocin is dead. She was the victim of another Remnant attack.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona Ambrosius stood over the battered desk of Kenspeckle Grouse, looking down at his brother. His electric green eyes sparkled with tears, which rolled down the end of his long crooked nose and gently fell to the floor. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“My sister!” Kenspeckle cried. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“She was only sixteen. What happened?” he asked, voice quavering.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You don’t want to know.” Octaboona said sadly. “The details are too ghastly. But she was murdered with a set of twin scalpels”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenspeckle hurried from the room. “You caused this” he cried to his brother. “You murdered our sister!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona didn’t reply. Instead he sat down heavily, brushed the long grey hair from his eyes and silently wept for the loss of his sister.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenspeckle hurried from his laboratory, and ran to the morgue beneath, where he knew his sister would lie. As he looked over the ruined carcass, at the crimson horror of his sister, Elocin Noil, blonde hair matted with blood and brain he was filled with a searing anger and the grey tendrils of depression. And he vowed never to forgive Octaboona, not if he lived for millennia.</span><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦ ♦ ♦</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Two weeks later, Kenspeckle emerged from his laboratory and stepped into the drowsy sunlight of a beautiful Italian evening. His silky auburn hair, tied back in a ponytail brushed against his flowing purple robe. Kenspeckle laughed in triumph. He had achieved a new wonder in magic science theory; he had taken an abstract concept and turned it into magic science fact. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He, the youngest man ever to attempt this feat had succeeded where older mages had not. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenspeckle stared down at the stone hourglass, the length of his hand. With in the stone frame lay two glass vials both of them half full of a calm green liquid. He, not Octaboona had achieved this. He had created the Desolation Engine. This was the ultimate weapon, a bomb that when activated would obliterate all in its radius, every living thing, every building tree and stone. All would crumble.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦ ♦ ♦</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Octaboona sighed; the millennia had made his body frail. He thought about Kenspeckle’s words and knew in his heart that he was right. For he, above all others knew too well what havoc and devastation Remnants could cause.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Remnants. Dark spirits, beings infused with absolute evil. They lost their bodies long ago, so when able, they possess the living- sharing their memories, absorbing their personality and hijacking their bodies. They are a plague, a curse, a terror. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was common knowledge Octaboona mused. Yet he knew more than that. The Remnants were caused as a side effect of a failed event, the merging of the worlds of life and death, failure of The Passage. Millennia ago, the original Death Bringer started The Passage. Yet he was not strong enough for the task, his powers of Necromancy too weak. When the dead spirits tried to pass through to life, they found themselves stuck between worlds. They were trapped in the lining of reality, in Limbo. Quickly they turned evil, shedding all emotions and humanity until only pure evil remained. The remnants of these spirits were able to pass through the barrier and were unleashed upon the world. Thus The Passage was corrupted and the Remnants were unleashed upon the world. Many centuries passed until they had been vanquished, yet many remained, causing havoc and disaster. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">♦ ♦ ♦</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a tranquil summer morning in 1498 as Kenspeckle made his way to Naples, to the small port of Baia, where his brother had dwelt for the last eleven centuries, ever since the fall of the Roman Empire. He muttered as he strode along</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“The Divine Immortal indeed. Why Ambrosius doesn’t give the phrase justice. It sounds like a custard manufacturer.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What is custard anyway? he grumbled to himself. “Calls himself a poet, a fountain of knowledge. I don’t see him creating the Desolation Engine let alone poetry that is so beautiful, so stunning that it can control souls and conform minds. Nonsense!” he declared arrogantly. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I mean look at his latest work! Only a fool or a lunatic would be made proud by such rubbish. A true genius’ ego would explode if they heard it” Kenspeckle said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Kenspeckle looked down at the piece of parchment attached to the door of his brother’s villa.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The poem was written in golden ink, written in a flowing flowery script. The writing was clear and precise and the letters gleamed in the sunlight, appearing to dance with the faint shadows that fell upon the parchment.</span><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Golden God</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My Golden God shines brighter than the sun</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nature pales when it’s compared to him</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The wonder of the snow is dull and dun</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When Landy sighs the world is bleak and grim.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I have seen galaxies stand still and stare</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When Golden God approaches from on high</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He has such talent, humour, wit and flair</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That lesser mortal writers can but cry. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I love to hear him speak for well I know</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That genius resounds in every word</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He is the light; from him all dreams do grow</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">To never hear his name is just unheard.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When Landy laughs his smile can light up skies</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And when he weeps then all creation cries.</span></div><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>Octahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00773418806087920360noreply@blogger.com10