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Post by Ponic on Oct 20, 2014 21:30:11 GMT -5
Keera seemed to tense up only slightly when she saw the Irate but quickly battened it down. The Irate pushed off a wall and moved toward them. He had the same disturbing features that were synonymous with his race: pitch black skin with weird contrasting white upper faces, muscular bodies that seemed more wrong than fit, and an overall air about him that would simply make one's skin crawl. He spoke with a raspy voice that sounded like a cough. "What you two doing here? This ain't your village," he said looking at them, particularly at Keera
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Post by Neon on Oct 20, 2014 21:36:42 GMT -5
As the large behemoth of a shadow wielder man walked over and loomed over the two of them staring down. Neons reaction did not shift at all on his face, narrowed eyes with an uncaring expression on his lips. He noticed that he was staring particularly at Keera.
"We are just walking around enjoying the scenery...Is there some sort of law against that I am not aware of..." Neon said merely looking up at him. "Perhaps someone as....expected, as yourself can show us around...We are also looking for someone who is also not around here...They wandered away from us and we do not want them getting hurt..."
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Post by Ponic on Oct 20, 2014 21:40:15 GMT -5
The Irate smirked a nasty smirk at Neon and Keera. "No law, we just don't like out of villagers," he said. He made certain he was still blocking their path and looked carefully at Keera up and down her body. Keera did not like this Irate's clear feelings but she was battening her own reaction down tight so as to show no fear or anger.
"I might be able to help you all. You're all likely to get lost, you need yourselves a guide. Oh I can guide you something good," he said that last sentence while once again looking at Keera. Then he turned his attention back to Neon. "Who is this Velut? I can tell from looking at you both that you're Veluts."
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Post by Neon on Oct 20, 2014 21:52:44 GMT -5
People like this man was the scourge of any world they were from. Neon knew that when it came time to no longer need this man, he would deal with him if necessary. "We are looking for a friend that is tall and dark and also has brown hair somewhere around the village...Sound familiar?" Neon said. If this Irate knew something and Neon was aware he knew how to deal with him.
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Post by Ponic on Oct 20, 2014 21:57:32 GMT -5
Keera looked away from the Irate, not with fear but with anger. Sometimes with these people acting touch got the job done and made them back off. The Irate looked at Neon and shrugged, "could be anyone, if you're asking about another Velut. Sorry I got nothing, but I doubt he's down there," he said pointing at the path and looking at Keera. Stupidity seemed to be taking over at this point because he was thinking more about lust than what he was saying. "Only Irates can go to the temple, anyone else is killed on sight, it's not safe. Some vendors down that way, and I'd watch out for Rickta, she's liable to be pissed if she sees anyone near the temple that's not a fellow Irate."
Keera sighed and brushed past the Irate. "Thanks for your help," she said to him.
"Where you going?" called the Irate, "don't I get any compensation for my grateful help?"
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Post by Neon on Oct 20, 2014 22:04:05 GMT -5
Neon took a note everything that this Irate was saying. "That has to be where Ponic is.." Neon though tot himself. He took note of Rikta and had a feeling they were definitely going to get trouble from her.
"We appreciate the information..." Neon said walking next to Keera past the Irate as they continued walking. He heard the Irates request and turned his head back towards him. "You get to enjoy the rest of your day." Was all neon said as he continued walking forward.
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Post by Ponic on Oct 20, 2014 22:10:11 GMT -5
The Irate opened his mouth to respond and then he read the expression on Neon's face. It clearly said, 'don't f*ck with me', and he decided to think better of it...for now. "Have fun you two, don't bang too much," he said abruptly and left.
Once they were out of earshot, Keera sighed. "Nice job," she said to Neon, "you're right, he's probably down there. We should hurry before we attract more attention, we'll have to figure out a way to sneak into the temple once we get close."
As Neon and Keera were walking the pull from Ponic seemed to be increasing more and more. They were certainly in the right direction and it was coming from the general area of the temple...but it didn't seem to be quite inside it. Perhaps Ponic was nearby but not in the temple. Keera and Neon would notice there also seemed to be more Irates around them, and if they were trying they would sense it was not just the Irates on the ground that were giving them increased glaring looking. They were being followed, by not just one or two Irates, but rather at least five to eight. The ones following them were keeping out of sight, not that they had to try very hard being that they were in the Irate village.
It wasn't immediately clear what their, thus far, silent pursuers were going to want, but if Keera and Neon tried anything to overt they'd risk starting a riot and attracting far too much attention.
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Post by Neon on Oct 21, 2014 20:33:26 GMT -5
Ignoring the obnoxious comment the Irate left Neon and keera continued moving forward. He was rather glad he would not have to take matters into his own hands...yet
"From what I am sensing he is not inside of the temple...its possible he is merely close to it." Neon spoke to Keera taking note of his surroundings. He noticed the number of their pursuers and sighed, whispering to Keera as they walked. "We are being followed right now as we speak...If we are going to find Ponic we should do it soon...I cannot know for sure when they may get tired of just watching us..."
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Post by Ponic on Oct 21, 2014 20:43:04 GMT -5
Keera paused and let her mind drift to sense for other shadows. She felt the pursuers and seemed somewhat irritated by the feeling. "If we raise a stink that'll attract more attention." She paused thinking. "I'll see if I can reach a shadow far away and cause a distraction, get ready to run and lead us in the direction of your mind link."
The mental link was pulsing near the fortress, just as how he had been sensing but it was on one of the westward roadways of the temple. A curving lane on their left side. Keera nodded lightly to Neon and after about three seconds there was a loud explosion of shadow power a few kilometres back from where they came.
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Post by Neon on Oct 21, 2014 20:45:17 GMT -5
Once the distraction shadow of shadow was delivered Neon quickly started running as well following the mental link in his thoughts and looking for any sign of Ponic at this point. While they were running he prepared for any Irate getting in their way, and would focus on blowing right through them.
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Post by Ponic on Oct 21, 2014 20:53:27 GMT -5
Keera's distraction appeared to work fairly well as the Irates in the area all began to move toward the explosion. Interestingly, this seemed to be in exact opposite of what normal reactions were. Most of the time people would run away from explosions, but the Irates seemed to almost relish in the concept of suffering and move towards it.
As they ran some of the pursuers left, but some Irates from the crowd seemed to run toward Neon and Keera. Three Irates even slashed out with their shadows. Their shadows were terribly disfigured and shot towards them like a horrid scar of shadow that tore right through reality and seemed to be coming at them like some kind of an infection. Keera quickly tossed up shadow to stop the incoming Irate attacks with a shadow shield, but their shadows almost seemed to infect Keera's shadow shield and begin to corrupt it...more blasts came at them from their three attackers
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Post by Neon on Oct 21, 2014 21:22:00 GMT -5
Luckily some of the pursuing Irates had changed direction following for the explosive distraction, however this did not fix the entire issue as more descended on the two.
"So much for not drawing attention..." Neon sighed. As they continued running avoiding the shadow blasts Neon quickly formed a large wall of darkness behind them. He knew more then likely they would try to infect the wall but hopefully it would provide some sort of distraction even for just a few moments. More walls of darkness would rise one after the other attempting to make maneuvering difficult for the Irates.
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Post by Ponic on Oct 21, 2014 21:29:37 GMT -5
The attacking Irates appeared to be the only ones and they were staved off by the darkness walls, at least for now. Neon was right in his assumption that they began to try to infect the walls. "That might draw attention," said Keera setting off more explosions down in the village.
For Neon he'd feel that Ponic was closer, much closer! The fortress was nearly looming over them now, but the feeling was coming from the west. "We're getting close to the fortress," said Keera. The westward roadway was unmistakably where the pulse was coming from, and it was much stronger now. They had to be near Ponic, he was likely just down that way!
"Are we close, Neon?" asked Keera looking around to make sure they weren't being followed.
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Post by Neon on Oct 22, 2014 21:16:40 GMT -5
Neon was thankful that his strategy was at least keeping the Irates back for a short period of time. Luckily Ponic was getting closer to them as they spoke. "This way." Neon said moving towards the strongest direction where Ponics pulse was coming from. Honestly he would be more then happy facing the enemies they had once he knew where Ponic was. His main concern was finding out where he was before he set his attention on their attackers.
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Post by Ponic on Oct 22, 2014 21:48:52 GMT -5
As they continued through the street, Neon would suddenly feel something...Keera, quite silently and from behind him, produced a dagger that was pulsing and crackling with shadow and moved to stab Neon in the back.
If it hit it would not only hurt beyond all reason as any dagger stab would, but it would begin to leak shadow into his body, making Neon feel as though his body was made of lead as the shadow mixed with his insides.
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Post by Neon on Oct 23, 2014 1:46:48 GMT -5
In the midst of all the chaos Neon at first did not notice keeras sudden change of composure as the dagger ripped through the air with her hand wrapped tightly around it attempting to pierce Neons back. Luckily Neon had noticed in time as he formed a small portion of darkness to absorb the blade of the shadow like attack. However the very tip of the blade did manage to stab into Neons flesh delivering not the full amount but an amount none the less into Neons back.
"What is the meaning of this..." Neon said holding the back of his shoulder in pain where the wound was delivered and feeling the effects of the blade Keera had produced. "You are not Keera..."
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Post by Ponic on Oct 23, 2014 17:06:30 GMT -5
Keera looked at Neon quite smugly and superior. Slowly her form began to vanish. Keera's red hair became purple, her her face began to have white aspects on it as it became more deranged. Before Neon's eyes she transformed into Rikta, the leader of the Irates. "Took you long enough to figure it out," said Rikta. Irates began to appear around Rikta, all ready to attack Neon. She held her arms out and the same horrid looking shadow shot out from it. "The stupid Darkness Human led us right to them. They are near, FIND THEM!" Rikta dissolved into shadow and vanished in the air from Neon. A few Irates remained and they attacked Neon with daggers made of shadow that slashed out at him with power.
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Post by Neon on Oct 23, 2014 20:37:29 GMT -5
As the transformation was performed in front of Neon he witnessed Keeras complete expreisson and body alter into the form of Rikta before him. "Stupid dark human..." Neon said annoyed that he had been tricked by these deranged shadow wielders. Before he had a chance to strike at Rikta she had vanished leaving the other Irates attacking him.
"Well no reason to hold back anymore..." Neon said taking his hand off his wound and thrusting his fists forward shooting chains out attempting to wrap around the attacking Irates and pull them off their feet
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Post by Ponic on Oct 23, 2014 20:42:36 GMT -5
The Irates slashed with their daggers. The infected shadow shot towards the darkness chains, wrapping around it and seemingly bit by bit corrupting the powers. One Irate threw its dagger at Neon, while another had shadow shoot out from the ground to grab him and hold him. Finally the third Irate clenched his fist and the shadow that had gone into Neon from Rikta's sneak attack would begin to move through his body. It would be like fire was raging through his veins rather than blood, and it would hurt to unbelievable degrees.
"Outsider," hissed one of the Irates.
There was one thing that was the same. The pulses from Ponic, they were still around and shooting through Neon's mind. It wasn't all a lie...Ponic was in the village...and nearby, somewhere, but the Irates' village had a spell of shadow on it. It was dampening the mental link somewhat, which was likely why Ponic had not spoken to Neon...
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Post by Neon on Oct 23, 2014 21:03:01 GMT -5
As the shadow corrupted his chains shooting directly at the Irates Neon had to plan something. He thought back to the other creature he had faced with a similar power, granted it was more mindless then the foes before him, it was the only strategy Neon knew at this point.
Neon avoided the dagger as it shot past him, while the shadow attempted to grab a hold of him Neon slashed it away with his own blade of darkness that formed around his hand.
The shadow inside of Neons body caused him great pain as he let out a sudden gasp of pain but shook it off as he fought back against the attack from within his body.
Neon knew that Ponic was close by now...He just had to deal with the problem before.
Gathering darkness into the ground Neon would have a large amount of darkness shoot up like a geyser underneath the Irates shooting them straight up! Although they would most likely try to affect it the pressure and result of being hit by the geyser like attack was not meant to capture them, but send them flying away.
Either way, Neon would quickly return to getting towards Ponic and finding out where he was.
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Post by Ponic on Oct 23, 2014 21:14:53 GMT -5
The geysers struck the Irates but they were quick to react and used their shadows to lesson the blow. However, now was Neon's chance to run, Ponic was still in the west, however that was in the direction that Rikta and her Irates had gone, and likely more were coming.
Neon? A familiar voice would call through Neon's mind but it was like it was at the end of a long tunnel. Neon? Neon, what are you doing here?
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Post by Neon on Oct 23, 2014 21:38:03 GMT -5
"Ponic! Where are you..." Neon said trying to find the source of where the voice was coming from. Luckily his attack had distracted the Irates before just enough to escape. He also kept himself alert on any more attacks...He would definitely make that Rikta pay.
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Post by Ponic on Oct 23, 2014 21:45:01 GMT -5
As Neon moved through the road way a shadow would abruptly rise before him and move to envelope him. However, it was not an Irate shadow, it was smooth in its appearance. It would gather around Neon and sink into the ground. Seconds later Neon would find himself in an alley way between two large buildings, quite close to the large fortress of the Irates. Ponic and Keera were both standing there. Ponic quickly moved to Neon and moved to help him up. "Neon, I'm glad you're here, and a bit shocked. Are you all right? What are you here?" Ponic seemed to hesitate for half a second because Neon's skin was still pitch black which was a bit different to say the least.
Keera noticed Neon's wound on his back. "That looks bad," she said, "let me help you," she offered.
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Post by Neon on Oct 23, 2014 22:30:29 GMT -5
Neon had no time to react as the shadow consumed him..However it did not feel as though it was attacking him. When Neon collected his surroundings he then saw Ponic and Keera as he stared at them blankly for a few moments. When Ponic offered to help him up Neon quickly pulled himself up onto his own two feet, ignoring the pain from his back.
He saw Keera moving towards the wound on his back as he stepped away from her. "Sorry...The last you that got close to me stabbed me in the back..." He said. He turned his attention back to Ponic. "How did you end up in this situation..."
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Post by Ponic on Oct 23, 2014 22:38:42 GMT -5
"Excuse me?" asked Keera, "what do you mean?" She seemed a bit confused, likely not sure what had happened up till now on Neon's end.
Ponic noticed the slight suspicion in Neon's eyes, something had happened, he could tell. "A few weeks ago Keera and I were searching for anything about her family when we found out that the Irates had come out from their village and begun to infiltrate ours. For some reason they were oddly interested in the documents that Keera's parents had written. They attacked us trying to get it, we were able to keep them safe...but just barely. They are written in a code but what we pieced together so far was talking about some kind of a...combination...a hybrid of some sort. Anyways, we decided we needed more information so we came here trying to find the Irates leadership, but it got nasty quickly. We couldn't risk leaving and ending up in the middle of an entire village trying to kill us, so we've been hiding for the last few days, waiting for things to clear up. We have had some confrontations, though," Ponic lifted the hem of his shirt to show Neon his waist. There was a very nasty scar there that was still healing and had shadow energy moving around it. "Their power gets inside you, infects you on a level you can't imagine. These Irates are monsters with an unnatural connection to the shadows."
Keera pointed to the fortress. "We think there may be answers in their temple, right there, but it's heavily guarded. No one has ever gotten in and lived to walk out the doors. The thing is the Irates are mercenaries, loyal to no one but themselves. If they are after what my parents wrote, then there has to be a reason."
Ponic paused to let it sink in. "Still, what are you doing here?" he asked Neon, "and looking like that?" Ponic was referring to Neon's disguise.
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Post by Neon on Oct 23, 2014 22:58:02 GMT -5
Neon listened to everything Ponic was saying as he gave a sigh and looked down to the ground. "No matter where you are there is always bottom feeders dragging others down with them..."
He looked back up at Keera and Ponic and had completely forgotten he still looked like a shadow wielder. "I was brought here by someone who I believed was Keera...it ended up being the head of the Irate shadow wielders who tricked me...She managed to stab me in the back and inject me with some of her shadow." Neon said feeling the stab wound on his back pulse once again.
"I came here to help you two out. And I am not leaving until I do." Neon said standing back up straight.
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Post by Ponic on Oct 23, 2014 23:07:37 GMT -5
Keera looked at Ponic, a flicker of shock on her face. "They weren't always able to change their appearance like that, they could be anyone," she looked back at Neon. "They must've wanted us, they didn't know exactly where we were and they used you to get to us. We need to get into that fortress, find out what we can and leave. I don't know how we're supposed to do that..."
Ponic paused thinking also. "That means they know who we are, if they know that Neon and I share a mental link." Ponic looked at Neon, a resolve in his eyes. "Thank you, my friend, I know I can count on you," Ponic's eyes pulsed for a second. "I can sense the shadow within you, will you let me try to expel it, you'll have to trust me, though. Remember, no one can fake our mental link, that is something only you and I have."
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Post by Neon on Oct 23, 2014 23:39:48 GMT -5
"Yes she probably found out everything..." Neon sighed. he had thought that it was Keera who had read through his memories, but it was actually that insane Irate female. Neon actually had a realization...This complete stranger had brought up his feelings about Arianna acting as one of his close friends. "I'm going to end her." Neon said very frustrated at himself for being so foolish.
As Ponic offered to help Neon out he sighed. He hated asking others for help when he knew he could take care of himself, but expelling this shadow from his body would take an expert. He nodded to Ponic and knelt down on the ground expressing his open wound. He had a feeling this was going to hurt a lot.
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Post by Ponic on Oct 24, 2014 15:50:55 GMT -5
Ponic stabbed Neon...the end!
Ponic moved towards Neon and began to sense for the shadow inside the Darkness Human's body. "It's deep," he said, "I'll have to kill this disguise as well, she corrupted your shadow as well. Damn, Neon, it's far too fused to you for me to extract is safely without risking killing you, but I can still help." Ponic put his hand on Neon's wound and began to send in his own shadow into the wound. Essentially it was a like hitting a venom with an antivenin. Ponic couldn't extract the shadow, it was too far deep and its properties were like an infection in Neon's body, and it would not be easily pulled out without harming Neon.
As Ponic's shadow moved into Neon it would hurt, quite a bit, like a very nasty shot except the feeling wouldn't go away immediately. It would feel like a dull ache that was near constant, and as of yet, Neon's skin would not yet turn back to its normal pale colour. "I've put some of my own shadow in your body, it will find hers and kill it. It'll take some time though, I'm sorry about the pain this causes you." Ponic's shadow moved through Neon's body seeking out Rikta's shadow power, but like Ponic said, it was not a pleasant experience and it would take a little bit of time.
Keera, who was near the end of the alleyway signalled to Ponic and Neon. "We need to go, right now," she said, "they're coming."
Ponic looked around and pointed to the roof tops, "up there," he said. "They'll notice us if we fly, but not up on the roofs, let's go." Ponic used his shadow abilities to nullify the gravity on Neon, Keera, and himself to cause them to float upward and onto the roof tops of the village. The large temple/fortress loomed over them as if it was watching them. "Let's go," said Ponic, "we need to get into that fortress, and move quietly, we don't want others to notice us."
The buildings were rather close together in this section, so Neon, Keera, and Ponic could conceivably jump the rooftops, especially with the assistance of their powers.
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Post by Neon on Oct 27, 2014 20:54:40 GMT -5
As Neon took a deep breath and closed his eyes he focused on keeping his head concentrated...The pain searing through the wound and then spreading through his body made the dark human gasp as it felt like each vein in his body was pulsing violently."I'll be fine." Neon said standing up straight even though the pain was rather intense as Riktas shadow and Ponics shadow moved over his body. He was glad to have his regular skin back as well...
As they now jumped roof to roof to avoid detection Neon focused on keeping up with Ponic and Keera while the pain in him was very distracting. However, Neon was stubborn and focused on not showing any pain at all.
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