Sep

No Wraith allowed

I am Brave.

This is the greatest lie I tell myself. As the floor rattles, my heart thunders in my hollow chest. I hold it, for fear that my heart may burst from my chest, leaving it truly empty. I try my best to remember my training, decades of training and discipline. My body is my temple, my instrument and my weapon. I release the breath I didn't know I was holding as the door opens, the Golems made from rock and stone enter the room. Their joints grind together, crumbling the stone as dust falls gently to the floor. The sound like rain. Oh, how I miss the rain. They wait, patiently. They've long given up grabbing me, manhandling me. There isn't no need, I no longer resist them. In the early days, I had, but punishment had been swift. Retribution, tenfold.

It was never on me, I was never punished for what I did. No, the others were punished. I was just made to watch, and it broke me. Broke my heart and left me like this, this shadow of myself. That shuffled before these two guards, these two I could crush like pebbles. Scatter them like ash in the wind. Instead, I moved without purpose and without guidance. I was but a tool of their bidding. What other choice did I have?

I am Daring.

The winter's sun blinds my eyes, as I raise a weak and withered arm to try and shield my eyes. Three, two - I don't even manage to count to one before I feel the thick, firm finger prod into the centre of my back. Causing the wind to rattle around my chest. There had been a time I had killed men for less, I looked longingly towards the outer walls. They had once been much shorter; instead, I had jumped them many times. I had punched my way through them several times more, me and my fellow inmates making our escape. There had been fewer of us each subsequent time. Our resolve never held, until only I was had the courage, the daring, to do what the others would not do. This was when they started punishing others.

I looked to them now, their rags and bodies tattered and torn. In my heart, I knew that I looked just as run down, just as bedraggled as each of them. Though deep down, I wished that I was the worst off. None of them met my eyes, not anymore. It was hard to tell if they understood the reason they resented me, if they knew my goal in escaping was to try and help them all. That I didn't stop because I kept getting caught, did they understand that I stopped because I could no longer risk it? When I had been punished, I didn't care. I could take it, I could take a thousand times the punishment of the others, but I couldn't take them being punished.

I am Hopeful

The screech pierces the air; it tears through me. The hair on the back of my neck, my arms and even my legs stand to attention. Stands ready, I can feel the adrenaline trying to pump its way through my body, but I fight it. I take a deep breath. The guards seem oblivious to my change of state, either that or they just don't care as I fight to bring my breathing back under control. In through the mouth One-Two. Then back out through the nose, a technique I have practised many times. In diplomatic meetings, on the battlefield and in various training and battle scenarios throughout my life. The screech again, the flutter of wings.

I will not look. I will not grant the satisfaction. I know how I got to be here. I understand the chain of events that brought an end to life as I know it, as the others knew it. It changed everything, and it is all my fault. The guards leave as they push me through a gate. I can feel my frail bones shudder at the impact. I don't give them the satisfaction of a wince, but I cannot prevent a gasp from escaping between my lips. Nobody looks up as I enter, they never do. These, like most of the others, have long ago forsaken me. I pray every day, it is through the need for self-preservation, and not through hate. If they hated me, I don't think I could bear it.

The screech again, this time closer. I look up at the owl, sat perched on the top of a guard tower. It looks directly at me, its piercing yellow eyes. I stare back, my blue eyes dull and withered. Underneath it, I hope she can see my steely resolve.

Then she does something I do not expect. She winks at me before flapping her wings and rising into the air. My truth shatters, my faith withers. Had I been wrong in my convictions this whole time? This whole time, I had been sure of my jailor, the one who punished me and those around me. Now? Now a fresh fear clawed its way through me. Squirming its way under my skin. If I had been wrong, how much did I truly know?

---

"This is going to sting."

Sif spat into the paste, finishing the mixture. With two fingers, she scooped up a healthy-sized glob, and before Heather could protest, rubbed the salve into the open wound. The flesh bubbled and boiled, and the stench of burning flesh cut through the aromas of the various herbs like a knife. Heather just stared on as Sif moved her hands to clasp Jackie's shoulders. "Grab her feet before-"

Jackie screamed.

Then her entire body convulsed. Heather grabbed Jackie's legs as they thrashed and they bashed. Sif moved one arm across Jackie's chest, keeping her down, while her other han,d with the seasoned grace of a caring mother, moved beneath Jackie's head to hold it carefully to prevent it from bashing against the ground. There was a ring of a bell as the door to the shop was slowly pushed open, Heather turned to shout over her shoulder: "Sorry, we're-"

Before she could finish, a woman wearing a black jumpsuit with green stripes burst through the door, gun sweeping the room before coming to be trained on Sif's head. Sif looked up for a moment, looking at this new female warrior before returning her attention to her charge.

"Disarm and step away from the woman - Now."

Sif looked at the warrior again with ice in her eyes, seeing the gun waver. This warrior was no better than those she had previously fled; this one was inexperienced. With these new weapons, the mortals had, which made her dangerous.

"This woman has been harmed by your own Guardsmen and Warriors. I will step away when her life is no longer at risk, and only then." The newcomer looked to Heather, who nodded a little uneasily. The weapon lowered slightly as Sif returned her attention to the wound. The flesh continued to sizzle, and Jackie continued to convulse until the flesh around the wound started to shift and move.

Jackie's scream became a shriek as slowly but surely, the bullet was forced from her body, as if her body were rejecting it. Sif relaxed her hold as she felt the body beneath her go limp, the screaming stopped and her entire body relaxed. Sif smiled down at Jackie as her eyes opened, a strange look crossed her face. Something akin to disappointment as she reached out with what little strength she had for Sif's hand. Sif grasped the womans hand as gently as possible, smiling a soft, caring smile.

A sadness travelled up to Jackies eyes. "I wasn't ^{_{exactly honest with you about Thor, in the facility there is the axe.}}"

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<Snipped quote by Lord Wraith>

I miiight have had an idea or two before. Ideas that I read up on so could maybe do them justice. Back around Halloween, I did want to do something that was a little more mystical horror in nature. Change up the writing.

@Pirouette

Its always good to push yourself as a writer, and try something new. Sometimes it helps your creative juices too.

Absolute Comics: Odyssey [Invite Only]

Mister Negative usually ends up playing a key role in Cindy's storyline for me. That and a slight lean towards Asian American influences with immigration so I'd want to know exactly what that country is.

@Pirouette

I will point out @rocketrobie2 is looking at a potential Spidey sheet.

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<Snipped quote by Captain Uni>

Uuuuugh

My secret motivation was to see if I would get invited and you did it.

You son of a bitch.

@Pirouette

Darn, we fell for your ploy!

<Snipped quote by Colonel Sep>

I thought the theme park was what we were calling your dick.

@Lord Wraith

Never type that sentence again.

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<Snipped quote by Pirouette>

This is the version with blackjack and hookers.

@Lord Wraith

But without the theme park.

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Giving feedback is an art and GG has it mastered.

@Lord Wraith

It's why I don't do it.

I just give you my love.

Except for that one guy. You know who you are.

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@GreenGrenade love/hate you too respectively buddy

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I posted just to spite @GreenGrenade

Absolute Comics: Odyssey [Invite Only]

"I have come in peace, but I will not disarm, and I do not kneel."

Sif stood, her body coiled like a spring. Waiting. The Guardsmen looked at each other as they shuffled about uneasily, trying to plan out their next move. The small weapons still held firm in their hands. Unwavering. Still she stood, palm up. Holding her sword loosely as if goading the guards to try and disarm her, to doubt her conviction. Her resolve. Turning her head, Sif looked back at the woman whom she had spoken to on her arrival. Many who had surrounded her had used the distraction of the guardsmen's carts to flee already; however, this one had not. Perhaps she still thought herself insane.

"Do you know of any wise-people, seers, whom I could ask for aid on my quest?"

The woman looked to the guards, then to Sif.

"There's an old Wicca shop a few blocks over?"

"Picture this place in your mind."

Sif took a couple of steps, ignoring the incessant shouting from the guards. Reaching out with her free hand, the woman offered her her hand. Sif grabbed onto the womans wrist, and she closed her own hand around Sifs wrist in response.

"Through your guidance." Sif raised the sword high in the air.

"PUT IT DOWN NOW, STEP AWAY FROM THE WOMAN!" The shrill voice cut through the air towards them. Sif merely shot a look of disdain as she brought the sword crashing down, a whisper away from her guide's skin. As the sword came down, a crackle of energy flowed through Sif and out through the blade, slicing open space. A rift appeared, its edges flashing and fluttering with all the colours of the rainbow.

Sound near the rift distorted, ruffled and quietened. There was a faint pop, pop, pop behind as Sif stepped through the breach, pulling her guide with her. As they stepped through, they found themselves in a musty old shop. Sif smiled as the aroma of herbs and spices assailed her. This was clearly the home to a seer, or a healer. A woman screamed from within at the sudden appearance of the sword-wielding heroine and her ward, but Sif's attention was pulled back as she heard the soft thunk of flesh crashing down, the grasp on her wrist loosened.

Turning Sif saw her guide on the floor, clutching her stomach that was rapidly becoming redder as blood seeped through her skin and clothes. Without a second of hesitation, Sif crouched down beside her, dropping the sword to the floor and ripping the bottom of the woman's shirt off. Rolling it up into a ball she placed it on the wound and pushed.

The woman on the floor winced. "Trigger happy cops."

Sif smiled softly down at her guide. "Save your breath. You will be well."

The seer had composed herself and had rushed herself forward. "Jackie? Jackie is that you?"

The identified Jackie groaned as she sat herself up. "Oh -ugh- hey Helen. Sorry to drop in on you like this."

The Seer dropped to her knees at the other side of Jackie, looking at the blood. "We need to get you an ambulance, what the hell - where's my phone-?" The woman went to stand when Sif grabbed her shoulder, locking eyes with her.

"Bring me honey, ginger, hazelnuts and yarrow."

Helen looked at Jackie, who merely shrugged and nodded. Helen jumped to her feet, and could be heard frantically searching through her pantry.

"If I am going to die-"

Sif scowled down at this Jackie. "You are not going to die. Mortals may be frail, but you have a strength about you." Sif placed a kind hand on Jackies shoulder, still maintaining pressure ont he site of the wound. "I recognise a warrior's spirit when I see one, even if you do not see it within yourself." She turned her head as she heard feet scuffling back towards her, Helen with the loose ingredients in her hands. Without a pestle and mortar. What kind of wise woman was this?

"Bring me a pestle and mortar Helen. I will need it to combine the ingredients-"

"Oh- right, right. Yeah, ofcourse." She dropped the supplies down beside Sif and retreated once more to her crashing and banging as she looted around for what was the most basic of supplies. Clearly, in todays world, potions weren't in high demand. As Helen returned, Sif looked at her expectantly; however she didn't move to grab the ingredients. Helen gasped as she realised. "Oh, you want me to? I don't know what you are doing."

"You are the seer? The Apothecary? Surely you have dealt with issues such as these before?"

Helen shook her head in shock. "N-no. I just, I deal in essential oils and herbal remedies. People looking for alternatives to medicine. I don't, I can't do-"

Sif rolled her eyes. She was a charlatan. Grabbing the womans hand she put it on the bloody cloth. "Apply pressure here." Helen thankfully did as she was told, while Sif opened the jar. The golden liquid oozed slowly into the mortar. Followed by a handful of nuts. She crumbled the yarrow as much as possible before she grabbed the pestle and started grinding the ingredients together.

She wasn't a seer, she wasn't an apothecary or a sorcerer. Yet she closed her eyes, focusing on what little ability she knew, what little she had. Willing the infusion to have power, willing it to become a healing salve that would save the life of this mortal. Returning her to the picture of health. A green mist swirled lazily at the bottom of the bowl as Sif opened her eyes, hovering above the mud coloured salve. Sif looked down upon Jackie, a soft smile on her face.

"This is going to sting."

---

The Opti-Binoculars focused in on the four men milling outside the facility. A window to the side identified them as Dirk Garthwaite, Henry Camp, Eliot Franklin and Brian Calusky. All listed as Roxxon private security. All have previous criminal records. No doubt Roxxon would claim that they were hired in the name of helping rehabilitate them and reintroduce them to civilian life. Roz wasn't entirely convinced that this was the only reason. Roxxon had a reputation for coming in with the strong arm and forcing things to be their way. The facility had gone up in record time, and the amount of red tape being cut was record-breaking.

That is why Roz was here. Roxxons environmental record was questionable at the best of times, so S.H.I.E.L.D had sent her here to investigate this new 'State of the Art Electrical Generation' facility. Thunder rumbled, and she looked up at the clouds that seemed to always swirl around the facility. A flash shuttered through the sky, and she felt a shiver go up her spine. Putting the binoculars down, she looked back at her tablet that had the public information on the facility. According to the plans, the facility essentially used a combination of wind power and lightning in order to load batteries for cheap and efficient energy. The output, however, didn't make sense. Lightning wasn't a reliable source of energy, and yet the facility had never missed the quota.

There was a chirp in her ear, tapping her earpiece there was a buzz as the line opened. Tapping it twice as the line was full of static. There shouldn't have been static. "Come in Agent Solomon, can you hear me?"

"Copy three-by-five Control."

"Report to town immediately, there reports of a woman that has fallen from the sky."

Roz put the tablet away as she stood up.

"Run that by me, one more time."

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@Captain Uni I mean probably