Momentarily at a loss for what to do, Zander stared at a pile of cinders. He didn't particularly feel like kicking them; after Union's brief bout of activity, it felt most natural to relax and let the equilibrium restore. While angelic anatomy had no substitute for adrenaline, burning passion in itself had the capacity to prove a self-perpetuating hazard. When the golden flames were called upon, they burned within Union much like they did without, and overuse of that fire could cause it to grow too strong. “At least tell me that Buer was a serious opponent,” he finally supplied.
Zoe rested her forehead in her hands. The wind, compacted into a stream by the layout of the street beat against her skin, but the warmth within her kept her from feeling its bite. “Not really,” she admitted after a little thought. “He's more or less a medic. While he keeps a great command of demons -fifty legions if my memory serves- his own combat ability is negligible. He's no fool, though...what reason might he have to think so highly of his own troops despite their blindingly obvious weakness?” She suddenly turned to face her partner. “What really surprised me was him summoning them at all. The more powerful demons like Buer don't leave hell all that often, and the lesser ones are unable to do so on their own. Bringing them onto Earth requires great expenditure of energy.”
“Seems very suspicious,” Zander remarked, “Our next step should be to find this Astaroth character and see what we can glean from him. Nothing good can come from demons bringing their minions into this world.”
Just then, his positioning allowed him to see a man approaching from the shadowy gap between a laundromat and a convenience store. Zander pointed, and Zoe, feeling his presence as well, turned to look. A tense moment passed as neither party moved or spoke. “Another sensitive,” Zoe then muttered. “Whatever's going on in this town must be big.” She raised her voice so that Eric could here. “Evening. Can...we help you?”
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Current GM of World of Light. When it comes to writing, there's nothing I love more than imagination, engagement, and commitment. I'm always open to talk, suggestion, criticism, and collaboration. While I try to be as obliging, helpful, and courteous as possible, I have very little sympathy for ghosts, and anyone who'd like to string me along. Straightforwardness is all I ask for.
Looking for more personal details? I'm just some dude from the American south; software development is my job but games, writing, and trying to help others enjoy life are my passions. Been RPing for over a decade, starting waaaay back with humble beginnings on the Spore forum, so I know a thing or two, though I won't pretend to be an expert. If you're down for some fun, let's make something spectacular together.
Looking for more personal details? I'm just some dude from the American south; software development is my job but games, writing, and trying to help others enjoy life are my passions. Been RPing for over a decade, starting waaaay back with humble beginnings on the Spore forum, so I know a thing or two, though I won't pretend to be an expert. If you're down for some fun, let's make something spectacular together.
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Waiting for everyone to introduce themselves.
Might be worth noting, Stefan, that following its fisticuffs with the lesser demons and Buer is returned to its disguise form. I'd imagine that Eric would react to a single angel becoming two humans in a surprised way.
The lion's maw flashed its teeth in a sort of grin. While its lips didn't move, a guttural, grinding voice issued through those teeth. Those words slithered out with agonizing slowness in a fashion that screamed maliciousness. “You know me...? I'm. .flattered, to say the least. Not every self-important runt with a halo does their research.”
As badly as Zander wanted to ignite his fists with golden fire, he knew to hold off open aggression until they had ascertained that this Buer was a threat. “Save your small talk for your victims. Why are you here?” He repeated.
Buer rasped out a resigned sigh. “Always in a rush. You ought to respect your elders, my dove. At my age, you learn to take it slow. My purpose in this town is to send you a message. An associate of mine spotted you following him, and has requested that you abandon your pursuit.”
Union frowned. “Is that all?” Zoe inquired.
“Yes,” Buer gazed at the angel as if it were prey, though his tone remained even and devoid of desire.
With their course of action decided, both voices of Union spoke in perfect unison. “Any demon we encounter is subject to our judgment. We will not relent in our pursuit of those who would steal the oracles away from their rightful side by the angels.”
If a five-legged wheel with a lion's head for a hub could shrug, Buer would have done so. “Two heads, twice the thickness. Luckily, I expected this meeting might turn out this way.”
Zander grinned invisibly beneath his helmet. “Are you going to fight us?”
Now Buer's eyes were filled with hunger. “Me? No, no. I'm little more than a doctor and a teacher, really. I leave such base matters as combat to my legions.”
Buer waved the legs he held in the air, and red circles appeared in the pavement. Rather than pavement, these magic inscriptions appeared to be drawn in blood, eking out of the asphalt as if it were bleeding. In the space of seconds, the five of them reached their full size and abruptly opened, coughing out noxious red, yellow, and black gases. Union's hands and wings erupting into blazing golden fire as a score of demons appeared in the street. These were gaunt, about the size of a human, with mottled, charred skin, pointed white teeth, and lidless pink eyes. Some of them wore armor, but all of them carried weapons.
Still sporting that predator's grin, Buer took a step back. “Not bad, eh? I might only have two or three mobilized, but it shouldn't take more than one to drag you down to hell. I wonder what sort of demon a two-headed angel might make? Lust, maybe. That'd be...heheh, delicious. Go on, troops; relieve our fiery friend of its soul.”
As one, the pack of lesser demons began to move forward. Without hesitation, Union leaped into the air, pumping its wings to gain height and inertia. Wreathed in burning passion, Union crashed into the middle of the group, instantly incinerating half of the fell creatures in a holy explosion. What remained were quickly dispatched as Zander streamed fire from his hands and Zoe delivered searing slices with her wing-tips. Before Buer could utter an exclamation of surprise, let alone start rolling away, Union was upon him.
“I don't know what you're planning, Buer, but your part in it ends here.”
The demon snarled, very out of character for an individual normally so composed. He seemed to know his fate. “You haven't seen the last of me, you meddlesome pigeon. I hope you do find Astaroth. He's not as cultured as me.”
A flaming fist to the repulsive lion's mouth was all it took to send Buer back to hell.
Union changed back to human form. They stood alone on an empty street; it was as if nothing had ever happened. “Well,” Zander said at last. “That was interesting.”
As badly as Zander wanted to ignite his fists with golden fire, he knew to hold off open aggression until they had ascertained that this Buer was a threat. “Save your small talk for your victims. Why are you here?” He repeated.
Buer rasped out a resigned sigh. “Always in a rush. You ought to respect your elders, my dove. At my age, you learn to take it slow. My purpose in this town is to send you a message. An associate of mine spotted you following him, and has requested that you abandon your pursuit.”
Union frowned. “Is that all?” Zoe inquired.
“Yes,” Buer gazed at the angel as if it were prey, though his tone remained even and devoid of desire.
With their course of action decided, both voices of Union spoke in perfect unison. “Any demon we encounter is subject to our judgment. We will not relent in our pursuit of those who would steal the oracles away from their rightful side by the angels.”
If a five-legged wheel with a lion's head for a hub could shrug, Buer would have done so. “Two heads, twice the thickness. Luckily, I expected this meeting might turn out this way.”
Zander grinned invisibly beneath his helmet. “Are you going to fight us?”
Now Buer's eyes were filled with hunger. “Me? No, no. I'm little more than a doctor and a teacher, really. I leave such base matters as combat to my legions.”
Buer waved the legs he held in the air, and red circles appeared in the pavement. Rather than pavement, these magic inscriptions appeared to be drawn in blood, eking out of the asphalt as if it were bleeding. In the space of seconds, the five of them reached their full size and abruptly opened, coughing out noxious red, yellow, and black gases. Union's hands and wings erupting into blazing golden fire as a score of demons appeared in the street. These were gaunt, about the size of a human, with mottled, charred skin, pointed white teeth, and lidless pink eyes. Some of them wore armor, but all of them carried weapons.
Still sporting that predator's grin, Buer took a step back. “Not bad, eh? I might only have two or three mobilized, but it shouldn't take more than one to drag you down to hell. I wonder what sort of demon a two-headed angel might make? Lust, maybe. That'd be...heheh, delicious. Go on, troops; relieve our fiery friend of its soul.”
As one, the pack of lesser demons began to move forward. Without hesitation, Union leaped into the air, pumping its wings to gain height and inertia. Wreathed in burning passion, Union crashed into the middle of the group, instantly incinerating half of the fell creatures in a holy explosion. What remained were quickly dispatched as Zander streamed fire from his hands and Zoe delivered searing slices with her wing-tips. Before Buer could utter an exclamation of surprise, let alone start rolling away, Union was upon him.
“I don't know what you're planning, Buer, but your part in it ends here.”
The demon snarled, very out of character for an individual normally so composed. He seemed to know his fate. “You haven't seen the last of me, you meddlesome pigeon. I hope you do find Astaroth. He's not as cultured as me.”
A flaming fist to the repulsive lion's mouth was all it took to send Buer back to hell.
Union changed back to human form. They stood alone on an empty street; it was as if nothing had ever happened. “Well,” Zander said at last. “That was interesting.”
A shake of Kuhaku's head made Abel curious. Though no expert on the subject of humor, the guardian didn't expect that his teammate -so recently and so badly injured- would be this eager to make a bad joke. Any more thoughts he had were vanquished by the splatter of dessert on the floor. Abel practically winced. Was that really necessary? What a waste.
He remained passive during the following exchanges and the subsequent explanation. His only action was to cross his arms, as if he were sizing up Kuhaku's description of the bad side effects of his semblance. It seemed so...surreal. A man with greater power who made a difference in others' lives, only to forget it all in the end? Sounded like something out of a comic book. In real, life, however, this was tragic. The part about not remembering his own parents' faces seemed particularly depressing to Abel, whose mournful face displayed the abjectness that 'Shiro' did not. How strange it was for someone to be so optimistic about such a terrible curse! Abel also couldn't help but feel irritated; the time he had spent with Shiro (the whole of Blackguard, really), while only a few hours so far, had made quite the impression on him. That was something that Shiro would never have, and it was far greater a waste than the dropped cake.
“Rely?” He finally questioned, the first to interrupt the silence following the faunus's words. “Don't know. But I'll try.” After a brief pause, an idea came to him. “I'm not one for big introductions, but now looks like a good time. My name is Abel Fulgurate. I come from the edge of the kingdom, where I served as a guard along the walls as my family has done for generations. I learned how to fight at a little place called Pallisade, but I've never done more than protect mankind when the Grimm comes calling. I'm hear to learn how to hunt them down and destroy them, so I can live in peace.” The last half of his sentence came across as oddly forced, and he seemed to notice this, for he uncrossed his arms and leaned back against a cabinet to try to appear more casual.
He remained passive during the following exchanges and the subsequent explanation. His only action was to cross his arms, as if he were sizing up Kuhaku's description of the bad side effects of his semblance. It seemed so...surreal. A man with greater power who made a difference in others' lives, only to forget it all in the end? Sounded like something out of a comic book. In real, life, however, this was tragic. The part about not remembering his own parents' faces seemed particularly depressing to Abel, whose mournful face displayed the abjectness that 'Shiro' did not. How strange it was for someone to be so optimistic about such a terrible curse! Abel also couldn't help but feel irritated; the time he had spent with Shiro (the whole of Blackguard, really), while only a few hours so far, had made quite the impression on him. That was something that Shiro would never have, and it was far greater a waste than the dropped cake.
“Rely?” He finally questioned, the first to interrupt the silence following the faunus's words. “Don't know. But I'll try.” After a brief pause, an idea came to him. “I'm not one for big introductions, but now looks like a good time. My name is Abel Fulgurate. I come from the edge of the kingdom, where I served as a guard along the walls as my family has done for generations. I learned how to fight at a little place called Pallisade, but I've never done more than protect mankind when the Grimm comes calling. I'm hear to learn how to hunt them down and destroy them, so I can live in peace.” The last half of his sentence came across as oddly forced, and he seemed to notice this, for he uncrossed his arms and leaned back against a cabinet to try to appear more casual.
Sorry, folks. There will be a minor delay. Really cruddy day and all.
An NPC demon has appeared in the fray! I am considering making a second character (first thought goes to Cherish, but having another demon might be nice. I don't think I want to have a sensitive) and if Buer sits well with you all, I may promote him.
Zander's eyes narrowed. “The demon is speaking to her.”
“Can you hear? I cannot.”
“Not I. Can we intercede?”
“I do not know if we can. That woman is no ordinary person, and as we found with Brian, interacting directly with oracles doesn't infringe on our restrictions.” She waited a moment, intent on observation. The wind picked up; it whipped her black hair against her face. After brushing it aside, she made her conclusion. “It hasn't attacked her. Not that it would; killing humans does nothing for demons, it would rather control her.” As she and her partner watched, they began to walk away. The sight alarmed the angelic pair somewhat, since a sensitive obliging a demon typically meant some malfeasance was at work. If not, then the sensitive was interacting with the monster of her own record, which was arguably worse. When Shae passed beneath a streetlight, Zander managed to spot a quirk about her.
He nudged his partner in the side. “Check it out. Those look like normal tattoos to you?”
Zoe took her turn to examine the tats. “They are wards, protection sigils. Support specializes in them, remember?”
“Support...was he the Power with the two big swords?”
“No, that was Tithe. He wasn't even a Power. Support is our six-winged comrade in Central America.”
“I suppose. What do you think the wards do?”
“No telling. If she is wise enough to have such enchantments, they are probably not pleasant. It also means that she's not helpless against this demon, however. Let us follow her and see about this demon.”
“Finally.”
The two took off. There were no affectionate displays—this time, they had purpose in their stride. They followed at a good pace for about a block, staying across the street an d far back enough that Shae would have had to go out of her way to see them. As the sensitive and Ignavas rounded a corner, Zoe abruptly stopped. “Something bad is coming.”
Zander whirled to face her, surprised. Having set himself in a stealthy frame of mind, he hadn't at all expected for a foe to appear so quickly. “What do you mean? Should we...?”
“Yes! Reunite!”
Without hesitation, the two turned back-to-back and slammed together. To a normal person, they couple would have appeared to have vanished from existence, nothing more than deja vu. If a sensitive were watching, however, the area would have been illuminated by the fiery golden glow cast by the pair as they merged into their true form.
Union opened its collective eyes. “The burning passion ignites anew,” Zander's voice, deeper and reverberating, intoned. Zoe said nothing, focused on her surroundings for any sign of the approaching presence. She hadn't long to wait; from a nearby alleyway emerged a bizarre shape. It had the head of the lion, but instead of a body, behind its mane were five goat legs arranged in a star-pattern; the creature looked like a grotesque wheel. Union spotted it and was instantly on the alert.
“Buer,” Zoe declared, leafing through her mental archive. Union had changed into a side-facing stance so that both heads could clearly see the demon. “What is hell's Tenth Spirit doing in a city like this?”
“Can you hear? I cannot.”
“Not I. Can we intercede?”
“I do not know if we can. That woman is no ordinary person, and as we found with Brian, interacting directly with oracles doesn't infringe on our restrictions.” She waited a moment, intent on observation. The wind picked up; it whipped her black hair against her face. After brushing it aside, she made her conclusion. “It hasn't attacked her. Not that it would; killing humans does nothing for demons, it would rather control her.” As she and her partner watched, they began to walk away. The sight alarmed the angelic pair somewhat, since a sensitive obliging a demon typically meant some malfeasance was at work. If not, then the sensitive was interacting with the monster of her own record, which was arguably worse. When Shae passed beneath a streetlight, Zander managed to spot a quirk about her.
He nudged his partner in the side. “Check it out. Those look like normal tattoos to you?”
Zoe took her turn to examine the tats. “They are wards, protection sigils. Support specializes in them, remember?”
“Support...was he the Power with the two big swords?”
“No, that was Tithe. He wasn't even a Power. Support is our six-winged comrade in Central America.”
“I suppose. What do you think the wards do?”
“No telling. If she is wise enough to have such enchantments, they are probably not pleasant. It also means that she's not helpless against this demon, however. Let us follow her and see about this demon.”
“Finally.”
The two took off. There were no affectionate displays—this time, they had purpose in their stride. They followed at a good pace for about a block, staying across the street an d far back enough that Shae would have had to go out of her way to see them. As the sensitive and Ignavas rounded a corner, Zoe abruptly stopped. “Something bad is coming.”
Zander whirled to face her, surprised. Having set himself in a stealthy frame of mind, he hadn't at all expected for a foe to appear so quickly. “What do you mean? Should we...?”
“Yes! Reunite!”
Without hesitation, the two turned back-to-back and slammed together. To a normal person, they couple would have appeared to have vanished from existence, nothing more than deja vu. If a sensitive were watching, however, the area would have been illuminated by the fiery golden glow cast by the pair as they merged into their true form.
Union opened its collective eyes. “The burning passion ignites anew,” Zander's voice, deeper and reverberating, intoned. Zoe said nothing, focused on her surroundings for any sign of the approaching presence. She hadn't long to wait; from a nearby alleyway emerged a bizarre shape. It had the head of the lion, but instead of a body, behind its mane were five goat legs arranged in a star-pattern; the creature looked like a grotesque wheel. Union spotted it and was instantly on the alert.
“Buer,” Zoe declared, leafing through her mental archive. Union had changed into a side-facing stance so that both heads could clearly see the demon. “What is hell's Tenth Spirit doing in a city like this?”
After wiping the last trace of ranch from her lips with a napkin, Zoe took a look at the street. Though the glaring light within the fast-food place meant it was difficult to see outside, she could tell there was movement out there. At this time of night, a few cars passing to and fro on the way to a night shift or a soothing bed was only natural, but to have this many pedestrians out seemed just a little abnormal. Of course, stranger things did happen. She turned back to Zander, who sipped from his near-empty cup of water.
“I am feeling something strange.”
“Is it a waistline?”
“Not this time. It is more like...a presence. Like I know that somebody important is nearby, but I do not know who they are. It is the same feeling we had around Brian, I think. Most likely an oracle. Maybe more than one.”
“Hold on, I thought we could not sense oracles?”
“I am guessing that if there are more than one in a given location, their collective presence is amplified. While good for us, that's a problem for them.”
“Because...if we could feel them, then demons, who are more keen, can too. Shall we get going, then?”
“Let's.”
A few moments later, the pair stood on the street in front of the restaurant. They scanned the area once more, taking one direction each and then swapping places to browse for anything the other might have missed. In the end, the search went to waste when the two simultaneously spotted a couple of people exiting the hospital just ahead of them. From this distance, the angel couldn't hear their conversation, but it ended soon with one of them -a man- reentering the hospital, followed by another woman that had only just arrived. Then, their prospective provided an excellent view of Ignavas' offer to Shae, and Zander and Zoe shared a glance. The man's eyes looked to them to be a soulless, blazing white. While this wasn't the demon they had been tracking, it was fairly obvious that this was a demon. And judging by his behavior toward the human, she was the sensitive that the angelic pair had felt while eating. They didn't take action just yet; as much as Zander wanted to immediately regain their true form and immolate the thing, Zoe persuaded him to wait to see what the demon would do.
“I am feeling something strange.”
“Is it a waistline?”
“Not this time. It is more like...a presence. Like I know that somebody important is nearby, but I do not know who they are. It is the same feeling we had around Brian, I think. Most likely an oracle. Maybe more than one.”
“Hold on, I thought we could not sense oracles?”
“I am guessing that if there are more than one in a given location, their collective presence is amplified. While good for us, that's a problem for them.”
“Because...if we could feel them, then demons, who are more keen, can too. Shall we get going, then?”
“Let's.”
A few moments later, the pair stood on the street in front of the restaurant. They scanned the area once more, taking one direction each and then swapping places to browse for anything the other might have missed. In the end, the search went to waste when the two simultaneously spotted a couple of people exiting the hospital just ahead of them. From this distance, the angel couldn't hear their conversation, but it ended soon with one of them -a man- reentering the hospital, followed by another woman that had only just arrived. Then, their prospective provided an excellent view of Ignavas' offer to Shae, and Zander and Zoe shared a glance. The man's eyes looked to them to be a soulless, blazing white. While this wasn't the demon they had been tracking, it was fairly obvious that this was a demon. And judging by his behavior toward the human, she was the sensitive that the angelic pair had felt while eating. They didn't take action just yet; as much as Zander wanted to immediately regain their true form and immolate the thing, Zoe persuaded him to wait to see what the demon would do.
I'll do my best to post tomorrow.
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