Lexann took a step forward with a flashy twirl of her hammer, but the ogre suddenly began to change. She held her breath against the awful smell and her glare sharpened against the creature as it twisted into an abomination. It was a terrifying creature, but fear slid off Lexann like the rain on her skin. She opened her mouth to yell at the void ogre, to capture its attention before it chose an easier target; but thunder clapped in the skies above, drowning her war cry out. So it continued at its first target, the small hunter who tore its flesh apart once already.
The monster hunter was suddenly between the ogre and its target: a formidable ally that stopped Lexann in her tracks. The last thing she wanted was to get in the way of that. She watched through the storm as the white haired hunter deflected the ogre's first attack, in the same time growing an extra limb to toss the other hunter aside. And then-- she was gone. Lexann blinked, her eyes following the sword as it stuck itself into the tower. Things like this were bound to happen on the battlefield, Lexann knew that. There'd be time to be shocked and sad later. For now--
“Eyes open big girl!”
Exactly. Though what she thought was a call to action, Lexann soon realized was just a call to "Oh, oh, look at me! Watch this." Lexann braced herself against the white heat as the woman blasted fire into the creature. And then--
Boom!
A gasp escaped Lexann's lips as she was thrown off her feet by the power of the explosion. As her back hit the ground, though, she swung the weight of her feet up and back. She flipped back to stick the landing, using the hammer's weight to counteract the movement and stand straight. It hurt more than taking a hit from the ogre, but she was better off than the small hunter who shot like an arrow into the stone and dirt.
Lexann shook her head as her senses readjusted. The ogre was down, and it was time to finish the job. Though it was one thing after another working with other hunters: she looked up at the tower as someone shouted down to them. She had thought only pyromancers were up there to maintain the ember against the void. But she blinked as another fire grew and suddenly shot at the ground. Luckily, the first explosion from the other hunter had distanced her away from the target and Lexann only needed to raise her arms against the blast to stand against it this time. The wave of heat pushed at her before she lowered her arms and paused for a moment, waiting for the next flashy thing to happen.
But there was a sudden calm as the ogre finally disappeared into ash and the claps of thunder became quieter rumbles. Lexann lowered her shoulders, letting out a tired sigh. It seemed like the parade of crazy things had ended.
"Eh?" Or not.
A woman riding a Roc dropped from the sky, using what was left of the flesh and bone as a steed. It disappeared into dust and the blue haired hunter gracefully flipped onto her feet, giggling as the rain cleared. Lexann looked up at the sky, then back to the woman, puzzled but entertained by her descent. Lexann opened her mouth to greet the other-- but suddenly hesitated, remembering the poor hunter who was thrown to the ground for maybe the 3rd time in just one battle. The hammer in her hands disappeared as she turned away to jog over to the wild haired hunter, reaching to take her hand and help her up.
"That was-- er, loud. And bright!" she commented uselessly. Her somber expression had melted away completely, though her voice was still loud. "That was incredible, how do you do that? Are you a pyromancer? That would explain the friendly fire." She laughed at herself, clapping the other on the back a little too hard.
Despite her question, she didn't give the other a chance to answer. "Wow, you're healing quickly! I guess I'll check for other survivors. I'm Lexann, by the way-- Shit!" She stopped babbling suddenly and looked around. Between the dozens of explosions, the Forge seemed to have been misplaced. "Sorry, I gotta go," she said, finally letting go of the woman's hand to search for the missing forbidden weapon.
The ogre's fists crashed upon the shield and Lexann blinked against embers that fell from the depths as it shook under the force. As her other hand cut at voidlings, their claws and teeth irritating more than deadly to the hunter, she lowered the shield. Settled on the ground between her and the ogre as it recoiled from her block, her eyes turned back on the wild haired hunter--for just a moment as Lexann's attention was pulled elsewhere. If Lexann was pleased with herself or to see that the other was okay, it didn't show: her frown remained stiff and her brows furrowed in focus against the enemy. She rolled her shoulder in relief from the Forge and twirled her burning sickle in preparation of the ogre's counterattack--
Monster.
The word flickered through her mind as a white haired hunter descended upon the ogre. Lexann wasn't one to hesitate, but as the ogre and monster hunter exchanged blows, she couldn't spot a single moment where she could confidently lend a blade. Horror gripped at her heart as she watched the woman's body transform, grotesque and inhuman. Lexann's mind couldn't even quite comprehend what happened as her arm exploded into poison, the substance eating at the ogre like fire on parchment. And nevermind the horrific sight, Lexann's nose wrinkled against the smell as the hunter stood straight as the ogre wailed in anger and pain.
"What?" she exclaimed just as the smaller hunter did. She glanced to her again, relieved not to be the only one dumbfounded. But then fire erupted where she stood and Lexann raised an arm to protect her eyes from the bright heat.
The hunter was fast and brutally strong, fueled by the flames. Lexann watched as the she tore into ogre flesh with her bare hands. The fight was bright against the storm and Lexann could see every movement the hunter made against the ogre. It wasn't as frightening as watching someone's arm explode into poison, but it was no less ferocious and effective. The woman fought like a wild animal until she nearly disappeared into the ogre's chest. One would think having an entire person shot into your body like an arrow would kill the thing. Nope-- the hunter was pulled from its body, and Lexann thought the blackened skin and hair was the void trying to consume her until the ogre threw her into the ground.
Lexann still gripped the sickle in her hand, and she realized the obvious. It wouldn't do. She opened her palm and the tool disappated into the air, flames and blood extinguished, leaving her hand to shake in relief at the coolness of the rain. With a clench of her jaw, she doned the Forge again and its back opened into its heart. She didn't immediately get the chance to reach for her next weapon, though--a few void goblins remained. Confident against the small fries after withstanding a blow from the ogre, Lexann slammed the shield down to the ground with a crouch, turning one into a pool of ooze. Her hand, free of a weapon, shot out to grip a poor goblin's neck as she stood-- and she paused a moment before throwing the creature into the Forge's depths.
"Hm," she hummed when nothing obvious happened. Then she plunged her arm into the flames. Again, the fire tore at her flesh and blinded her senses to the world around her. There was only white hot pain as the fire destroyed her nerves and her body fought to rebuild them. Until, finally, she pulled her arm free.
Despite her luck, her frown deepened. The warhammer was a glorious choice against such a foe; its rounded cylinder larger than her head and its length safe-- but the usual red gleam of a Forged weapon was darkened by the sludgey goblin she had tossed in. It had a hefty weight as well, unique against the dozens of weapons she had pulled, and she had to leave the Forge in the ground again to properly wield it. Both her hands burned as she adjusted her hold on it and her gaze refocused on the void ogre. It would have to do for a practice swing. "Hey!" she yelled at the beast as she ran forward.
The void ogre, injured and angry thanks to the other hunters, turned on her with a wide swing of its fist. Lexann responded by dropping to her knees and reeling the hammer back, her kneeguards helping her slide across the stone as she continued to yell. She felt the void ogre's arm barely miss the top her head and she swung her new weapon at its legs with a satisfying crunch; thunder echoed the sound in the sky. Lexann paused where she crouched to watch the beast fall before raising her hammer again. She would crush its ugly head and finish the fight in a blow--
But she was too close after sliding into home like Babe Ruth, and the void's guard was up against 3 hunters. The ogre only had to swing its arm again and she was knocked aside, suddenly rolling against the stone ground. She braced as she rolled, allowing the momentum to put some distance between her and the enemy before she pushed herself up and onto her two legs. "Damn," she cursed as she rolled her shoulders.
The hunter kicked some ash aside as she retrieved the shield she had left in the ground. In the middle of the storm, her figure was dark save for the red glow of the sickle still in her hand. It hurt, hot against the skin since the flames had burned away her leather glove; but it didn't hurt as much as the inside of the Forge. Far more effective against the Void than the shield alone, she decided to hold onto it for as long as she could. As she picked up the rectangular hunk of metal, its back opened up to illuminate her figure once more. Lightning flashed as Lexann looked around, green eyes searching for a new target.
As the most recent clap of thunder rumbled away, screams of pain and fear found her ears. The Stormbrew didn't hesitate. She ran toward the chaos--as fast as she could manage, anyhow. Between the weight of her armor, the heft of the shield, and the rain soaking into her clothes, she was slowed down considerably. Though in her defense, the average soldier could not dream of even lifting the Forge with a single arm, much less run with it. So it was no surprise to her that she wasn't the first hunter to arrive at the slaughter. Lexann blinked and squinted against the rain.
Was that a hunter?
Among the army of void goblins, a flurry of hair and claws wreaked havoc. Not much bigger than the void she was tearing apart, she could be an animal herself. The only confirmation for Lexann that she was indeed watching another hunter was that despite taking as much damage as she was dealing, the little freakshow persevered and healed through it.
Lightning flashed again and Lexann's attention was drawn to the largest mass-- it was a shock to her she didn't notice it first. Twice her own height and maybe bigger, drenched in the void. An ogre, she realized, an empowered puppet for the void to use against the soldiers. And hunters.
Lexann watched as it turned away from a fresh corpse, its attention gripped by the flurry tearing apart its minions. Its gross, nailed hands came together to make a large fist. Raised above its head and high into the air, it looked like he had a hammer for arms. Of course it would crush a few bugs to get the hunter destroying them anyway. The ogre's fists descended upon the flurry of blood and ash.
"Watch it!" she yelled out, stepping forward. That one step became two, then three, then four-- as many as she needed in an instant. The fists came crashing down against her shield aloft, but she did not budge. With Lexann suddenly in the fray, the tiny hunter was not the only target for the goblins anymore. Lexann gripped the sickle tightly and slashed desperately at the little bastards around her.
The large silhouette was dwarfed by the shadow of the void, and yet it stood firm as the latter reared its ugly head. The rain was a blessing for the hunter, mixing among the sweat that beaded down her face and soaked the clothes she wore--a cool relief against the flames licking at her body from within the Forge. The Forge was covered in the void's cursed black blood, its heftiness making for one hell of a weapon. At least until now, Lexann realized as she stared grimly up at the void before her.
Grim, but cool, as she exhaled and rolled her left shoulder, it aching from carrying most of the Forge's weight. The fingers on her opposite hand flexed and closed as she drew in another breath, the woman otherwise silent. Lexann's jaw tightened as she braced against the pain and plunged her arm into the flames of the shield. Not a noise she made, but it was a wonder her teeth didn't crack against each other as the smell of seared flesh filled her nose. The fire chewed on her flesh, blinding her senses--she could never discern exactly what happened within the Forge. She could only wait until she felt something solid pressing against her flesh and bone as her nerves lost their sense for anything but pain in the fire.
Finally, she yelled as she withdrew her toasted arm-- gripped in what was left of her hand was the color red. Red, bloody flames that survived against the rain that fell, fueled by the blood sacrificed. The fire flared dramatically, bright against the storm before dulling slightly and taking on its final form: a farmer's tool.
Stunned out of the pain, Lexann stared at the sickle in her hand. She gave it a twirl, testing its weight. It danced deftly about her fingers even as they healed against the damage the Forge had inflicted. It was small and awkwardly shaped for the job ahead, but it would have to do. Lexann planted her shield into the ground where she stood and stepped forward to meet the Void as its appendages lunged at her.
Behind her, her hair danced liked ribbons--almost graceful for her size--and she slashed the little sickle up and down, left to right against the void. Not a movement was unnecessary, too wide, or slow. Each twitch of her muscles was deliberate and controlled, perfected by her years as a warrior. The strange weapon moved like a short extension of her arm, and each attack was fast and strong. The burning blade turned the rain to steam and the void to ash-- the confrontation over in moments.
Lexann's head tilted up toward the wall, green eyes squinting against flashes of lightning that illuminated the work still cut out for her and the other hunters. She did not smile, and she did not release the blood and flames in her palm.
Full Name - Lexann Stormbrew Age - 24 Gender - F Vocation - Sentinel Country - Ldrant -
P E R S O N A L I T Y
Plucky The rookie in her is yet to die. Lexann is optimistic in the fight against the void, confident in humanity's resilience--or at least Ldrant's. Especially as a hunter, she doesn't back down from a challenge. Losses here and there don't dissuade her confidence, and she celebrates wins to the fullest. Pessimistic words roll off her like water droplets, often unacknowledged as if they've gone through one ear and out the other. Needless to say, Lexann is difficult to rattle. Her determination offers stability and morale to those who seek it.
Boisterous Just below the surface of her skin, embers constantly burn from the inside out. The flames would consume her mind if she dared dwell for too long. The quiet is violent. So the extrovert seeks relief from the flames in the world and people around her. Bubbly and bold, Lexann isn't shy about striking up a conversation with anyone who will tolerate her babbling. She doesn't think twice about her place in the world: she laughs loudly, takes up space, clasps others' hands in greeting. She's energetic, carefree.
Simple While Lexann isn't the most intellectual or deep, she is surprisingly level headed. Simplicity becomes her strength under pressure: there is no need to get caught up in the past, future, if, buts, or whats. She doesn't easily get dragged down by negative emotions as they are far too fleeting to run deep. She simply accepts what she perceives and acts on it. She lives fully in the moment, adaptable, and rolls with the punches. Her willingness to accept things as they seem can clearly be a strength, but it also makes her prone to trickery.
G I F T
Pick on Someone Your Own Size Lexann has the power to meet the strength and speed of an opponent. If they're too fast for her to normally keep up with, her ember burns hotter to help her move quicker. On the rare occasion she can't outmatch someone else's strength, her soul brightens and in turn enhances her muscles--they may even grow in size to combat the other.
However, there is a catch: for her gift to activate, she must be acting to protect someone else. If she's fighting for herself, she only has her usual strength and speed to act with.
E Q U I P M E N T
The Forge Gifted to Lexann by her father upon her transformation into a hunter, the Forge is suitable only for a hunter to wield. It was intended to be stuck in the ground while a marksman takes cover behind it, large enough to cover an average sized person and rectangular in shape. However, Lexann's superhuman strength allows her to wield it against danger on a single arm, albeit slowing her down some. It's thick with metal, impossible to penetrate by normal means, and deadly as a blunt weapon.
However, it is not its size nor weight that makes the Forge a forbidden weapon. It is the flames that burn toward the user. The face of the shield, likened to a flattened dragon head, is mostly unassuming save for the ferocious eyes and teeth. But upon equipping the shield, its back opens and plunges into a void of flames. As one uses it, her body burns uncomfortably, like standing too close to a bonfire. And if she was not only brave enough to reach into the fire, but resilient enough to keep her arm as well, she could pull a weapon from its depths at the cost of her skin and blood.
The Forge seems to take the blood boiled off its user as a sacrifice, merging it with the fire within to make a weapon of its choice, not hers. The weapon--whatever it may be--emerges as blazing plasma from tip to hilt, cooling slightly in the open air but still scalding against skin. Assuming she can bear the pain, the weapon will serve better than any other weapon due to the burning blade. Once released, whether intentionally or through clumsiness, the flame weapon dissipates and its fire is siphoned back into the Forge.
Physical Description
Nearly 6' in stature, Lexann's taller than most men and women, and her limbs are hard with natural strength enhanced by her transformation into a hunter. Somehow, she often seems even taller--a cool confidence pulls her shoulders and chin up even when she's lounging. Long, peachy hair is a sharp contrast to the Ldrantian warrior's build. Often it's styled into two separate tails, but the occasional braids or buns aren't unheard of for Lexann. Bangs fall to her bright, sea green eyes--like a cat's, they're wide and interested in the world. Watchful, but easily distracted. And while her face is young, free of blemish from stress or age, her clothing hides various scars earned in combat (and clumsiness).
Her clothing of choice, while comfortable first and foremost, is often colorful. Eye-catching, she doesn't mind standing out in a crowd and welcomes attention--even on a battlefield. Fortune favors the bold.
Character Conceptualization
Lexann was born among many siblings and half-siblings, her father a once renowned warrior in Ldrant and first of the name Stormbrew. After fighting for the glory of Ldrant, the next best thing a man could do is provide more foot soldiers. Stormbrew offspring are infamous, even in Ldrant--swords and spears in their hands as soon as they can grasp, dominating friendly competitions, and merciless in the unfriendly sorts. Perhaps it is thanks to the void that Stormbrew cultivated such an army, as surviving mortal enemies certainly don't call for such rigorous child rearing.
Needless to say, Lexann's strength was tested daily for as long as she could remember. Teachers were impatient, cruel, and had high expectations that few could meet. Her father was distant, cold--he had more children than he could keep track of. What was the point of getting attached? And when one might think that she could look to an older brother or sister for support, she could not. Older siblings were the biggest bullies, and those the same age as her were unfriendly rivals. The blood between seemed to mean little. "Family" was a word hardly uttered among these kids who shared a name.
While it was isolating, Lexann learned quickly that she could do and take as she liked so long as she was stronger than the other guy. She liked her sister's doll, so she fought for it. Her brother earned a war horse, so she took it for her own--he was too short to ride it anyhow. While she didn't always come out on top, she welcomed new opportunities. And in her strength and victories, her pride and confidence grew. Her growth spurt came in her teens and older siblings weren't always bigger or faster or stronger. The younger siblings became prey far too easy for to push around, so she didn't bother. In fact, pity occasional swelled in her physically large heart and she stepped in if the odds were too unfair for the younguns. So, despite her strength, she's known for her softness among the Stormbrews--enough to earn a disapproving frown from her father.
The time came for Lexann to take up the sword outside of competitions and war games. While she wasn't the best educated, she knew enough to take pride in her country and its exploits in the pre-void era. She wanted a taste of that glory, to stand out against her dozens of siblings and thousands of countrymen. Surviving against the void on the front lines was certainly one way to earn renown-- but suicide for a mere mortal, no matter how strong she was. Well, people have fought against the void since before she was born so surely there was something she could do.
A smarter person may have turned to books or scholars for answers, but Lexann wasn't type the type to think ahead. She simply acted: she journeyed to the great walls, where pyromancers worked around the clock protecting civilization against the void by fueling hearthfires. Pyromancers had become a rarity in her neck of the woods, their duty calling them out of city centers; so she was delighted to meet and converse with them. And her first disappointment was learning pyromancy was not something she could simply learn. However, she wasn't one to dwell so she sought out work against the void anyway. Hunters were yet to exist.
For over a year, she was a scout against the void and the occasional mortal threat. She spent much of her time outside walls and hearthfires, returning to their safety to report sightings to pyromancers who would handle the real work. Although it was exciting at first, enlightening and horrifying, to see the void firsthand and survive, Lexann could still only standby when it reared its ugly head at humanity. What she did was good work, but it wasn't satisfying-- it wasn't enough.
Enter the hunters. Although they were being manufactured, existing in the world, word of their existence had not yet graced Lexann's ears. And just like humans were learning and evolving to survive, so was the void. While Lexann's small party of scouts had always spotted signs of the void first, that night the void found them. For the first time in her life, true fear took hold of Lexann-- There was nothing she could do but run, run away from the void and toward the flames of safety. While duty was important--warning the pyromancers of the threat--it was only self preservation that pushed her on as others died around her. She was surely next--
Somehow, she was still standing. And between the void and Lexann were narrow shoulders and average frame--smaller than herself, but somehow leagues stronger. The figure pushed back the void and instead of running, lunged after it with murderous intent...
That night, Lexann was saved by hunters--humanity's real chance against the void. It inspired her. Ignoring warnings and throwing caution to the wind, she joined their ranks.
Full Name - Lexann Stormbrew Age - 24 Gender - F Vocation - Sentinel Country - Ldrant -
P E R S O N A L I T Y
Plucky The rookie in her is yet to die. Lexann is optimistic in the fight against the void, confident in humanity's resilience--or at least Ldrant's. Especially as a hunter, she doesn't back down from a challenge. Losses here and there don't dissuade her confidence, and she celebrates wins to the fullest. Pessimistic words roll off her like water droplets, often unacknowledged as if they've gone through one ear and out the other. Needless to say, Lexann is difficult to rattle. Her determination offers stability and morale to those who seek it.
Boisterous Just below the surface of her skin, embers constantly burn from the inside out. The flames would consume her mind if she dared dwell for too long. The quiet is violent. So the extrovert seeks relief from the flames in the world and people around her. Bubbly and bold, Lexann isn't shy about striking up a conversation with anyone who will tolerate her babbling. She doesn't think twice about her place in the world: she laughs loudly, takes up space, clasps others' hands in greeting. She's energetic, carefree.
Simple While Lexann isn't the most intellectual or deep, she is surprisingly level headed. Simplicity becomes her strength under pressure: there is no need to get caught up in the past, future, if, buts, or whats. She doesn't easily get dragged down by negative emotions as they are far too fleeting to run deep. She simply accepts what she perceives and acts on it. She lives fully in the moment, adaptable, and rolls with the punches. Her willingness to accept things as they seem can clearly be a strength, but it also makes her prone to trickery.
G I F T
Pick on Someone Your Own Size Lexann has the power to meet the strength and speed of an opponent. If they're too fast for her to normally keep up with, her ember burns hotter to help her move quicker. On the rare occasion she can't outmatch someone else's strength, her soul brightens and in turn enhances her muscles--they may even grow in size to combat the other.
However, there is a catch: for her gift to activate, she must be acting to protect someone else. If she's fighting for herself, she only has her usual strength and speed to act with.
E Q U I P M E N T
The Forge Gifted to Lexann by her father upon her transformation into a hunter, the Forge is suitable only for a hunter to wield. It was intended to be stuck in the ground while a marksman takes cover behind it, large enough to cover an average sized person and rectangular in shape. However, Lexann's superhuman strength allows her to wield it against danger on a single arm, albeit slowing her down some. It's thick with metal, impossible to penetrate by normal means, and deadly as a blunt weapon.
However, it is not its size nor weight that makes the Forge a forbidden weapon. It is the flames that burn toward the user. The face of the shield, likened to a flattened dragon head, is mostly unassuming save for the ferocious eyes and teeth. But upon equipping the shield, its back opens and plunges into a void of flames. As one uses it, her body burns uncomfortably, like standing too close to a bonfire. And if she was not only brave enough to reach into the fire, but resilient enough to keep her arm as well, she could pull a weapon from its depths at the cost of her skin and blood.
The Forge seems to take the blood boiled off its user as a sacrifice, merging it with the fire within to make a weapon of its choice, not hers. The weapon--whatever it may be--emerges as blazing plasma from tip to hilt, cooling slightly in the open air but still scalding against skin. Assuming she can bear the pain, the weapon will serve better than any other weapon due to the burning blade. Once released, whether intentionally or through clumsiness, the flame weapon dissipates and its fire is siphoned back into the Forge.
Physical Description
Nearly 6' in stature, Lexann's taller than most men and women, and her limbs are hard with natural strength enhanced by her transformation into a hunter. Somehow, she often seems even taller--a cool confidence pulls her shoulders and chin up even when she's lounging. Long, peachy hair is a sharp contrast to the Ldrantian warrior's build. Often it's styled into two separate tails, but the occasional braids or buns aren't unheard of for Lexann. Bangs fall to her bright, sea green eyes--like a cat's, they're wide and interested in the world. Watchful, but easily distracted. And while her face is young, free of blemish from stress or age, her clothing hides various scars earned in combat (and clumsiness).
Her clothing of choice, while comfortable first and foremost, is often colorful. Eye-catching, she doesn't mind standing out in a crowd and welcomes attention--even on a battlefield. Fortune favors the bold.
Character Conceptualization
Lexann was born among many siblings and half-siblings, her father a once renowned warrior in Ldrant and first of the name Stormbrew. After fighting for the glory of Ldrant, the next best thing a man could do is provide more foot soldiers. Stormbrew offspring are infamous, even in Ldrant--swords and spears in their hands as soon as they can grasp, dominating friendly competitions, and merciless in the unfriendly sorts. Perhaps it is thanks to the void that Stormbrew cultivated such an army, as surviving mortal enemies certainly don't call for such rigorous child rearing.
Needless to say, Lexann's strength was tested daily for as long as she could remember. Teachers were impatient, cruel, and had high expectations that few could meet. Her father was distant, cold--he had more children than he could keep track of. What was the point of getting attached? And when one might think that she could look to an older brother or sister for support, she could not. Older siblings were the biggest bullies, and those the same age as her were unfriendly rivals. The blood between seemed to mean little. "Family" was a word hardly uttered among these kids who shared a name.
While it was isolating, Lexann learned quickly that she could do and take as she liked so long as she was stronger than the other guy. She liked her sister's doll, so she fought for it. Her brother earned a war horse, so she took it for her own--he was too short to ride it anyhow. While she didn't always come out on top, she welcomed new opportunities. And in her strength and victories, her pride and confidence grew. Her growth spurt came in her teens and older siblings weren't always bigger or faster or stronger. The younger siblings became prey far too easy for to push around, so she didn't bother. In fact, pity occasional swelled in her physically large heart and she stepped in if the odds were too unfair for the younguns. So, despite her strength, she's known for her softness among the Stormbrews--enough to earn a disapproving frown from her father.
The time came for Lexann to take up the sword outside of competitions and war games. While she wasn't the best educated, she knew enough to take pride in her country and its exploits in the pre-void era. She wanted a taste of that glory, to stand out against her dozens of siblings and thousands of countrymen. Surviving against the void on the front lines was certainly one way to earn renown-- but suicide for a mere mortal, no matter how strong she was. Well, people have fought against the void since before she was born so surely there was something she could do.
A smarter person may have turned to books or scholars for answers, but Lexann wasn't type the type to think ahead. She simply acted: she journeyed to the great walls, where pyromancers worked around the clock protecting civilization against the void by fueling hearthfires. Pyromancers had become a rarity in her neck of the woods, their duty calling them out of city centers; so she was delighted to meet and converse with them. And her first disappointment was learning pyromancy was not something she could simply learn. However, she wasn't one to dwell so she sought out work against the void anyway. Hunters were yet to exist.
For over a year, she was a scout against the void and the occasional mortal threat. She spent much of her time outside walls and hearthfires, returning to their safety to report sightings to pyromancers who would handle the real work. Although it was exciting at first, enlightening and horrifying, to see the void firsthand and survive, Lexann could still only standby when it reared its ugly head at humanity. What she did was good work, but it wasn't satisfying-- it wasn't enough.
Enter the hunters. Although they were being manufactured, existing in the world, word of their existence had not yet graced Lexann's ears. And just like humans were learning and evolving to survive, so was the void. While Lexann's small party of scouts had always spotted signs of the void first, that night the void found them. For the first time in her life, true fear took hold of Lexann-- There was nothing she could do but run, run away from the void and toward the flames of safety. While duty was important--warning the pyromancers of the threat--it was only self preservation that pushed her on as others died around her. She was surely next--
Somehow, she was still standing. And between the void and Lexann were narrow shoulders and average frame--smaller than herself, but somehow leagues stronger. The figure pushed back the void and instead of running, lunged after it with murderous intent...
That night, Lexann was saved by hunters--humanity's real chance against the void. It inspired her. Ignoring warnings and throwing caution to the wind, she joined their ranks.
@HyperWrites Still alive, feel free to apply. I can't say if it's allowed, but if you make a good sheet, the GM might approve it anyway. Feel free to hop into the discord: discord.gg/mG7v8aW644
The noodle shop didn't have the best selection of food, but it was one of only restaurants Riddley could get to via foot by navigating the blind spots of Atlanta's street cameras. So that's where she ate tonight. While she would usually grab a meal to go, she needed at least a moment away from the safehouse. Spending her mornings, afternoons, and evenings there perusing through her parents' things was draining. She was still struggling to unlock her mother's laptop, which is where she would find information on Legion--if there was any to find. Riddley always thought she could figure out her parents' passwords or keys if she needed, but life wasn't like the movies. There were no cute phrases or important dates that her mother trusted enough to guard her secrets.
Riddley sighed as the bowl of noodles was placed in front of her, the chef with an expectant smile. "Thanks," she offered. That seemed to be what he wanted because he nodded and returned to his place in the kitchen behind the counter.
She dropped the hood covering her short, dark wig and half heartedly ate the soup. Other than the occasional slurp, it was quiet in the shop--Riddley was the only one, as usual. That was no surprise to the woman: the shrimp was slimy and the noodles a little too soft for her liking. There were much better places to get your noodle kicks in Atlanta, but none so out of the way. At least the serving is ridiculously huge, she thought with a shrug. It'd keep her full until breakfast.
Another benefit of the noodle shop was its TV: the Taiwanese uncle always had a news station on. The catch was that it was in Mandarin...and luckily Riddley knew the language. As she half heartedly ate her noodles, she watched the report of a super right here in Atlanta who was targeted criminals. The big news this time was that cops were finally included in their kill count. She shook her head, eyes narrowing at the screen. A wannabe superhero turning out to be just another reckless vigilante. Who'd have thought? But... Riddley was interested. She wanted to meet this person.
Once she finally finished eating, she sat there for another moment to let the food settle. She was satisfied enough, and pulled a twenty from her pocket to leave on the counter before she left the shop. The air was fresh and no one paid her attention as she hid her fake hair again and started the trek back to the house. She knew the route well now--it wasn't a direct line, but it got her to and from food and safehouse undetected by Atlanta's cameras. Not that she was terribly worried about being recognized--she had fled New York after all. But it was better to be safe than sorry--especially with an unusual amount of super activity rising in Atlanta.
This was on her mind when she heard a cry for help. Her red brows furrowed and her walk grew into a jog as she looked for the source of the sound, still not deviating from her usual path. She came to a stop when she spotted it--a man with a woman in the alley opposite the street, his hand clamped over her mouth as he held her against the wall. Clearly, he was pushing for something that she wasn't interested in. Anger overcame Riddley like a wave, but she stood straight and still against it. Instead of moving, her gaze flickered about the corners and posts on the street. To help, she'd have to expose herself to the cameras. But if she didn't help...
Well, she decided, she didn't have to expose herself as a Storm or an Empowered. It would one man against a former CIA operative in disguise. So she crossed the street.
Her approach wasn't noticed until she threw the punch, knocking the skinny man off the girl and to the ground. "Go," she said to her, brown eyes never leaving him as he recovered--rather quickly, Riddley noticed with a scowl. Too quickly--Riddley hadn't blinked and she was suddenly on the ground, dazed by a pain in her head. How did that happen? Where did he go? She was still processing when she picked up and shoved to the wall instead. All of this happening as the girl was still turning on her heel to run."Oh shit," she groaned, realizing she decided to confront another invincible. He could move faster than she could see, growling about how'd she regret playing the hero tonight.
He pulled for her hair, only for her wig to slide off and reveal her natural orange strands. Then he noticed her eyes brighten, the dull brown suddenly a glowing gold. Now he realized he was fighting another invincible, and she was pissed. He tried to step back, but she had a grip on the arm still holding her dark wig. He was fast, but she was stronger. He was caught, and she wasn't letting go. Both their hair and clothes suddenly started dancing as the wind picked up around them--it was like a tornado rumbled in the ally where they fought.
Suddenly, his eyes grew wide and he gasped for air...but none came. Riddley watched with a cruel smile as she used her powers to block any airflow into his mouth and nose. She let go of his arm as he fell to his knees, clawing at his throat and pleading silently for air. Her eyes remained bright, gold as she watched and focused on maintaining her control. For about two and a half minutes, she watched him struggle...and then finally pass out. Riddley did not cease her control, though, and she waited moments longer until she was sure he was dead. Finally, the light in her eyes dulled to their usual brown and she tilted her head, cracking her neck.
In a futile effort to protect her identity, she did not even glance at the street camera she knew was watching. Instead, she pulled her hood back up and quickly fled to the blindspots again. She guessed she'd have a few hours at most to return to the safehouse and decide on her next move.
"I needed this," Ryan sighed, the wine coaxing her to give in and drop her elbow on the table. She took another sip as a newly engaged couple eyed her from their seat and exchanged glances. Who would slouch like that in such a high end restaurant?
The young woman across from her didn't mind. Piper laughed at her sister and finished the water she had. "It was your idea," she said as a waiter cleared his throat to give them the check. Piper smiled apologetically and took it from him as Ryan managed to sit up and make a face at him. "Aaand your treat?"
Now Ryan laughed and reached to take the paper. "Duh." In return for his contempt, Ryan didn't add a tip to the automatic 18% gratuity--not that she had any qualms about the price. The restaurant was her choice, after all--a reward to herself for finishing a particularly difficult commissioned piece for a winter wedding. She had ranted to Piper moments before, demanding the reasons for a winter wedding: people already had the holidays to worry about and now a wedding? It's too cold. Way too much white if you go with a snowy theme. Not to mention the last minute demand for a dress. Ryan sighed again, handing her card and check to the waiter.
As he walked away to charge her card, Ryan finished her wine. "I'll run to the ladies room, then we can go," she said to Piper, who nodded and took the alone time to pull out her phone.
Moments later, Ryan finished washing her hands and took a moment to look in the mirror. She adjusted her red dress: it fell just above her knees and boots and stockings kept the rest of her legs warm in the New York winter. It sat loosely and comfortably on her, but didn't hide her slim figure. She smiled, running her hand over the wide neckline and turned to admire how it matched the red bow tied in the back of her hair. Satisfied, she shrugged at herself in the mirror and turned on her heel to step out of the ladies' room...
...and into snow. Ryan blinked at the whiteness around her. Her hands rose and she hugged herself tightly against the sudden cold. "Huh?"
She looked around at those around her: an old man who looked like something out of a fantasy show, a woman with the fashion choices of a teenager, a well dressed man, and...a cosplayer? With an ice cube? Ryan was stunned to silence, her brown eyes lingering on him the longest before looking back to the old man. She wasn't properly listening to most of it, but did catch an opportunity to get out of the cold that bit at her legs and arms. Dozens of questions were bubbling up in her mind, but Ryan still managed to bite her tongue for now. She just wanted to be warm and stepped to follow him. She hoped the others would do the same.
Lemons
Alby47
