Remnants of the Earth
AEDOLIS => Haviah => Topic started by: Morgan Droud on October 06, 2016, 01:39:11 pm
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"Beautiful..."
Those were the first words that had come to mind when she saw the city. Sure, the countless towers blocked out the sun and sky, and obviously the seemingly infinite cameras were a little annoying, but she felt a strange charm to it all.
Or maybe charm wasn't the best word for it? As she thought on it, she rushed passed a group of humanoids, before spinning and heading for a deserted looking alley nearby.A few moments later, her pursuers passed by.
In retrospect, it probably wasn't the best idea to insult anyone with "Royal" in their name, but it was a spur of the moment thing. Peeking out of the alley, she checked her surroundings before pulling her hood lower and rejoining the crowded streets.
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As Morgan headed in the crowd again, she might've felt the presence of a very powerful being.
It moved around, but it was too large to pinpoint, right until the crowd around her parted, a horned man, with black feathered wings descending from the sky. And oh boy he looked pissed.
Sterak was a cross breed, though one of his traits were pride, through his demonic legacy, him being told from birth on he was a perfect being and the fact most of his genetic structure was based on a mix of both pureblood, royal demons and the pure blood of the highest ranking fae.
And that pride was not easily insulted. Most people were in awe to see the rather rough and unpolished Pilot Royal in person, affirming their status as celebrities and idols once more. "Care to explain yourself?" His voice carried trough the crowd, stern, commanding. He didn't seem like the person to take no for an answer.
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Freezing at the voice that came from behind her, Morgan's face twitched and a forced smile slowly formed on her twitching face. Maybe he's not talking to you? She entertained the thought for a couple of seconds, before breaking into a run.
As she forcefully parted the crowds before her, she could feel the cameras watching, someone behind them likely taking note of this mess she was making. Can this day get any worse?
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Sterak only sighed as she broke into a sprint. His massive wings spread again and he took to the air with a massive gust of wind, one that knocked people with lighter frames off balance ever so slightly.
She could run as much as she wanted, Sterak had air superiority. Soon, she'd tire of running, then Sterak would swoop down ontop of her, forcing her to the ground with massive amounts of strength.
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Nope. Nope. Nope. Absolutely impossible. As Morgan tried to figure out a solution to his mess, she kept up running from the Demonic figure lazily flying after her.
The crowds she had planned to use for cover now hindered her movements, her solitary pursuer to constantly gain on her. She was certain that with her power, she could win in a one-on-one fight, but he would have the city's military behind him, and she was never good against numbers.
Emergency tactics then! Splitting from her path she ran towards the edge of the skyway, and dove off.
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If she thought dropping down from the skyway would help her, she was dead wrong. Sterak momentarilt halted, before his wings folded shut. He turned in the air and dove forward at breakneck speeds, aiming to intercept Morgan mid-air by gripping her leg, before his wings spread again and with one mighty slam, he halted the momentum.
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Morgan's head spun as her descent came to an abrupt stop. Looking down, she saw the winged demon holding one of her legs, effortlessly keeping the two of them afloat.
This... Her mind raced, creating and discarding countless possible scenarios, but she was running low on ideas. Ok, just wing it then. Like that never turns out horribly.
"Umm." There was a tone of embarrassment in her voice, completely unintentional, but even under normal circumstances, conversation was hard for her.
"Could you please let me down?"
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"Depends," Sterak answered, pulling her up by her leg to stare down at her face. "But, care to reiterate or explain yourself first?" Sterak inquired with a frown.
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"Ehh, would saying it was a spur of the moment thing work?"
Her vision was getting fuzzy, and the blood rushing to her head wasn't helping her think.
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"Hmm," Sterak arched an eyebrow. "Do you think it would?"
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"Yes?"
As her vision turned black from the lack of blood flow, she silently hoped that, for once, things wouldn't get any worse.
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"No," he immediately said. "Now. Give me a reason to not pull you up and tear out your tongue?"
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As she hung unconscious in his hand, the black coat covering her slid off, revealing a pair of white feathered wings, and a spider-like metal creature burrowed into the back of her neck.
It quickly removed itself from her and sprung towards Sterak.
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Sterak's right hand, which was free, shot up to catch the metal, arachnae looking thing quickly, crushing it in his hand of he could, before glancing at Morgan and pulling her up, adjusting his grip momentarily to hold her head up, holding her underneath her armpit.
And with a fell swoop of his wings, he made his way up to the walkway again, putting her down against the ground, he held up his personal communicator to one of the nearest citizens. "Call for medical forces. Tell them its under Pilot Royal Darchan's orders."
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(Far distant, in Deep Space)
"Hum? It's gone?" A small child sat, staring at a white insulated wall, listening to something in the soundless space.
There goes your new toy? The voice in her head spoke in a mocking voice. She face grew red and she stared shouting at the empty room.
"NO! IT'S MINE! AND NO ONE TOUCHES MY THINGS!" She sat herself down again and scrunched her face, looking around the digital space to find something she could use to take revenge on the annoying monster that had stolen her favorite plaything.
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The medical team was very quick to respond. They were operating under a Pilot Royal's orders, so it was not at all surprising.
Yet, Sterak had no idea what the tech that burrowed in her neck was. It was quite the mystery, he'd have to inform his superiors, explain it to the elder dragons. But not now, he had nothing to work off.
The half demon, half fae pulled himself in the vehicle after Morgan was loaded in, hooked to several machines that would constantly register her lifesigns. And Sterak sat next to her, calm, thinking. Yet his presence was wide, constantly checking for any arcane influences the strange woman might be under.
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The world around Morgan was blurry, incoherent. She kept seeing flashes of color, incomprehensible voices, and an odd feeling, like something was missing, some important detail she just couldn't remember.
A myriad of voices resounded in her head, arguing, shouting, and her own thoughts were drowned out by the torrent. amongst all the voices however, there were two that stood out. There was a prideful one, acting like he owned the place, but she there was a certain warmth to it as well. Against it was a small voice, childlike, but cold, manipulative. They were arguing about something, but she couldn't hear it through the cacophony of others.
As the world grew more into focus, she found herself in a metal room, with the same demon from earlier sitting near her, deep in thought. As she looked around, she saw a multitude of unknown machines wired into her, and when she tried to sit up, her body wouldn't respond.
"What... What is this?"
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"Calm," Sterak glanced at her. His voice sounded authorative and commanding. Not in the least bit calming. "Don't exert yourself," he added, before sitting back with folded arms. "We found alien tech on you. I destroyed it, but I was hoping you could answer some questions for me."
He leaned forward, elbows resting on knees, hands folding together as he rested his chin on them. "Firstly. Who are you?"
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"I, Urgh!" Morgan grasped her head as the voices grew louder. They seemed to be shouting at HER now, the arguments against each other forgotten.
"I... I'm Morgan? Morgan..." The chaos in her mind was continual, and keeping a coherent thought grew harder as the voices grew more and more prominent. "W-Why? Who? Who's... Morgan? Why would I? Say..." As she grew more and more confused, the childish voice in her mind grew silent, and she heard a small chuckle.
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Sterak glanced at her as she gripped her head, struggling to speak. A disability she hadn't shown before. So there was something else. And while he didnt immediately detect any magic influences, he had a sneak suspicion. "Alright, Morgan. Allow me," he said, raising the massive claw to rest it atop her forehead, eyes closing.
Sterak attempted to materialise in her thoughts, examining what was troubling her, namely the voices and the chuckle. And if he managed to find it out, he would immediately move for the confrontation. His voice sounding loud, powerful and very stern. "Who are you and why are you troubling her mind?" The question was simple. And he didn't seem like the person to like having his questions gone unanswered, even in her mind, the power radiated of him.
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"HER mind?" The countless voices immediately quieted down, listening to this conversation between the intruder and the child.
"What would possibly make you think that? ME? In HER mind? Have you looked around you recently? How many other do you see here?" The chuckle returned, and the the sound of a clock rang out.
"It's really not your business, but want to hear something kinda funny?"
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"I see none, I see nothing, for I only hear and answer," Sterak retorted with a soft snarl, before gritting his teeth. "I am already hearing something so funny it is unbearable. Your voice laced with certainty you hold more power over me." The aura of power that surrounded him only seething.
"But humour me, child. For I listen."
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"Heh. You think you hold power here? This is the domain of hundreds, the collective mind of everyone that girl has met, and you know what?"
Her voice was cold, and authoritative. She knew exactly what she spoke about, and she knew just what to do to clear out this, unwelcome guest.
"I know that SOMEONE here would love to meet you."
A mental force of equal strength to Sterak's own revealed itself, pressuring everything in the empty space.
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Sterak glanced around, snorting softly. "Do you wish for me to kneel?" He chuckled softly. "You'll have to cut my legs of in order to do that," he snarled, before shaking his head. "That they reveal themselves, I need to report to my superiors. I have no time for children's games."
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"Humph."
The child's voice was seemed annoyed, and went silent. The other voices faded as well, leaving Morgan and Sterak alone in the void of her mind.
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"So be it, trouble us no further," he answered. "Or I will find you." At that, Sterak took a deep sigh, before pulling back out of Morgan's mind. It seemed during the talk, they had arrived at the hospital.
The medical staff watched as Sterak opened his eyes again and nodded at them. "Take her in, set guards outside her room."
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(Out in Deep Space - Part II)
"Why isn't anything working properly!?"
Binary was incredibly annoyed. Not only had she lost contact with the drone she had connected to Morgan, but now one of the signal stations she used to piggyback her Technopathy had shut down.
I don't think you'll be able to find them again. That guy was really powerful, if he was able to crush one of the drones with just brute strength.
"So what! He stole her from me, and she was really fun to play with. She's like a hundred people, sharing one body."
But she's gone now. You can't connect to her without the drone, and you power only let you control machines, not people. She'll probably never let it happen to her again.
"But!"
Just give it up. It's over.
She sat, sulking for a few moments, then shot up, and a devious grin formed on her face.
"Not quite..."
What do you mean?
"You can do it. My power needs relays to reach her, but yours doesn't right? You can just hop over, grab something, and send it after her."
In a hospital room within Aedolis, a familiar metallic arachnid suddenly blacked out, rebooted, and crawled into the hospital's power grid. As the lights went out, within a certain hospital room, a set of violet and crimson eyes opened, for the first time in a long while, free from outside control.
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Sterak was waiting in the room with Morgan, hooked up to several machines to register her vitals, the half demon's eyes were closed, scanning far and wide for any arcane influences. The lights flakkered out and Sterak opened his eyes.
Something old and ancient had stirred. The half demon took a deep breath and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his chin on his folded hands. "Archeus," he started, knowing his drake was paying attention. "When I go out of contact, raze this place to the ground. Whatever this is, it isn't demonic. Hellfire can consume it," he said.
Yet he made no move. He would wait untill whatever decided to attack them come to them.
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Tainted. Broken. Fragmented.
That was how Morgan felt as her mid stabilized. The creation of its current powers was a mistake, but an understandable one. Even for an elder being such as it, the influence of the countless others it had interacted with had shifted with its mentality. The prior incarnation had likely not even noticed the shift, subtle as it was.
As she went through he rest of the memories that had been unsealed, she notice another change. Some of the powers of a prior incarnation been reformed, but she had never noticed. Opening her eyes, she saw the Demon from before sitting in front of her.
"You..."
It was thanks to this creature that she had regained her freedom. At the very least, a thanks was deserved.
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Sterak glanced down at Morgan. "You're awake," he stated idly, before glancing around the dark room. He heard a snarling question from his dragon in his head. "Yes, I'd like to relay the order to evacuatze everyone here, Archeus," he answered before glancing down at Morgan.
"Ready to answer some questions?"
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"Of course."
She stood up and manifested a new set of clothes. The ones she was currently wearing didn't seem fitting, so she went back to the old style. Her hospital gown dissolved, replaced by black pants, and shoes, and a pure white shirt covered by a black and crimson coat. Pulling up her sleeve to check, a familiar set of runes ran across her left arm. Checking at the other, the the metal it was made of had changed, from steel to an ash grey alloy of some kind. Looking over the Sterak, she could see a connection between him and the Dragon she sensed above the hospital.
"Ask away."
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Sterak nodded, leaning back in his seat, folding his arms. "Alright. First things first, who are you?" He asked, well, he needed a name to add to his report.
After that, he took a deep breath. "And while you're at it, why are you in Aedolis?"
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"I am Morgan, no one, and nothing else. That may not be enough for your superiors, but that's all I may tell you. As for why I am here, that would be a little more complicated."
She thought on it for a moment, than summoned a wineglass and sipped from it.
"It wasn't my intention to come here though. Purely accidental."
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"All you 'may' tell me," Sterak huffed, before snorting. Yet listening to her other answers, before letting out a dry, myrthless chuckle. "I do tend to think you misunderstand, 'Morgan'," he sighed softly. "It's in your best interest what my superiors are statisfied with, because me talking to you is a favour. I can easily tear down, arrest you and have not only your body, but your mind sealed from reality. Our mindflayers can easily find what we need to know," he sighed softly.
"So. Last chance. Who are you and what are you doing here?"
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Chuckling, she turned to him and the glass in her hands disappeared.
"That is all I may, will, and can tell you. After such a long time gone I've finally been returned to this reality, and I doubt there's anything such minuscule existences as your selves can do about it. If you feel like it though..."
The room around them was covered by blackness, and she watched his link to the dragon outside fade away.
"Feel free to try."
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"Miniscule..?" The chair underneath Sterak momentarily combusted into roaring flames, dissappearing completely. Not even ashes were left. "I am one of the highest beings to live," he added as he rose to his feet. "The gates of hell open at my command. So be ready to be consumed by the fire."
His crimson eyes lit up in the darkness and slowly, the entire room sparked into flames. As the words left his lips, a loud roar resounded. Archeus felt the bond wavering.
And boy was he pissed.
Within the blink of an eye the entire hospital was razed to the ground, Sterak still standing between the ashes arms folded, unscathed.
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"Ahh, I remember Hell. It was a nice place, a little hot, but had really good pizza."
Morgan looked around at the ashes of the hospital, then up at the dragon that had burned it to the ground.
"That was a bit excessive, don't you think? I mean, someone could have gotten hurt, and if I was anyone else I could've died. Or were you trying to kill me?"
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Sterak didn't even answer to her, rather, he stepped forward, hand aflame and aiming to grip her face.
And if the grab was succesful, he'd slam her down against the ground, with enough force to shatter the concrete.
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"So, you are trying to kill me?"
Morgan took a step back, just avoiding Sterak's grasp.
"You do know, when I said "Feel free to try," I meant it as in, "Feel free to try, later." I'm still recovering from all that stuff before."
Spreading her wings, she took off, avoiding the dragon still above them, and shot toward the city's outskirts.