Zealous Blade

Lantern

I'll try and post after you do then. It'll be a double length response.

Lantern

If Kituo could clench the lantern any tighter, he would've. He had abandoned his only allies in favor of securing his possession of his lifeline. He would be distraught if some random old man took it away from him. Kituo refused to allow the old man to encroach, picking up his pace in hopes of creating distance between them. A summoning lantern? Kituo registered, catching wind of the old man's classification of the lantern. Just what did he mean by that? He took a glimpse at the lantern, its glow ever so soothing to his nerves. It did have a strange feeling to it. It gave off a vibe that he couldn't necessarily describe. Exactly what could be inside of this thing? Kituo wondered. What if the lantern's purpose was to summon a monster to kill its owner? There it was again. Kituo's wild imagination which was responsible for his excessive panic attacks. There was no way the old man would want something that was going to kill him. Nobody wanted anything that would kill them. There was definitely more to this "summoning" aspect of the lantern. Kituo determined to find out. "Ah!" Kituo lost his balance, tipping over as the stray tree root caught his foot. He turned mid fall, now facing the man as he neared him. Frightened, Kituo shuddered as he took notice of his eerie features. The armor he wore was covered in markings that reminded the boy of those scribbled on the tree where he first spawned into the forest. What concerned Kituo the most was the tattoo on the palm of his hand. It was that of eye and it seemed to carefully inspect Kituo as the man reached towards the lantern. "Get away from it!" Kituo snapped, kicking out and attempting to roll over. Very seldom did his fear cause him to lash out. However, given his circumstances, flight was becoming less and less viable of a solution. To kick the man was a very impulsive and probably stupid decision on Kituo's part. He was certain that his armor wasn't normal and he failed to notice the sword he kept. Besides the lantern, which was confirmed to work on monsters such as the monkey-bats, Kituo bore no other methods of protection. If the man decided to draw his weapon then he would be completely vulnerable. He inferred that the lantern didn't work on humans. After all he had been able to hold on to it so far without any ill effects. "Help!" Kituo screamed, kicking out again to prevent the old man from getting closer. Maybe he was being too extreme. Oh well, that was a part of him being his self.

Lantern

Just wanted to say I'll post tomorrow. It completely slipped my mind.

Lantern

Kituo rubbed his head after his collision with the bell. His brain was ringing and his vision blurred for a few seconds before returning to normal. He heard a voice shush him and was surprised to see an elderly gentleman emerge from the undergrowth. Kituo's eyes spread at his mentioning of "monkeybats" - the only reasonable description he could conjure for the creatures that attacked him. He examined the man closely and took note that he was wearing armor. Although it certainly did not look like it would be formidable against a well crafted sword, he was definitely prepared to do battle. "I know where some 'monkeybats' were," Kituo said, taking a pause to reconsider what he was planning to say. His conscious wanted him to tell the man about the peril he and his former companions had faced just moments ago. However, being realistic and true to himself, Kituo was in no way ready to relive the predicament. For the sake of remaining well, he elected to reveal no more knowledge. "Never mind. I'll be on my way." He tried to tuck the lantern under his shirt to prevent the man from seeing it as he walked to move past him. What lay beyond the boy was unknown and he didn't doubt that there were worse dangers awaiting him. But, there was nothing that made him feel more invincible than the lantern. Anyone that tried to come between him and his beloved source of illumination was an enemy. Kituo had yet to become aware of it, but his possession of the lantern was making him have some unusual thoughts. He did have to admit that he felt like a slightly different person since the whole ordeal began. Getting a chuck of his ear ripped off - the most traumatic experience of his short life - played a huge role in his alteration. Now less trusting of others, it seemed as if he was developing some faith. Hopefully it wouldn't get effortlessly squashed again.

Lantern

Just wanted to say I'll be posting tomorrow for sure. Some things came up this weekend, writer's block being one of them.

After The Great Mushroom Wars; An Adventure Time Story of Survival

I'm still willing to join this if it takes off.

Lantern

I'll be posting this weekend. Had three exams taking up my time. Don't worry, I'll be back to full efficiency post haste.

The Dragon Dance - A Dark Fairy Tale Fantasy (High-Casual/Always Open)

While the processions of Alexandria roared behind him, Baleno was involved with a fine sword until the merchant told him its price. Gritting his teeth out of embarrassment of having to decline the purchase and disgust at how high he was charging, Baleno grudgingly placed the weapon back on its rack. It was a shame that such a glorious blade cost so much. He was sure that it would be put to proper use in his hands and not that of the aristocrat that could afford it. Baleno wished a good day to the merchant and turned to leave his stall. That was when he came face to face with his wishes. The recruiter's offer was like music to his ears, a mischievous smirk sculpting his lips. All he needed to peak his curiosity was the word prince. And to think that he didn't even have to go far to find a need for his services. There wasn't a chance in hell that Baleno would decline the offer. Before opening his mouth to accept, he shot his eyes back at the sword he was marveling. Blessed with another job it seemed, the coin that Baleno required to get the weapon was as far away from him as his feet were from his knees. Sure a bit of labor was required but it wasn't like Baleno couldn't cut his way to another payday. "I humbly accept the honor if it is to be mine," Baleno responded to the recruiter, tilting his torso in a slight bow of respect and gratefulness. "And I prefer women, thank you, " he sarcastically added with his own flavor of bold humor. While Baleno appreciated the offer he knew that no job came without competition. Even if he were to gain acceptance into the ranks of such high nobility, a service that carried more stability than any of his previous ventures, he knew that he would be fighting not only next to some fine warriors but against them for recognition. As a man who sought profession at every angle, Baleno was fully prepared to do what it took to stand apart from the rest. He had his invitation so now he needed to secure it. Already aware of the upcoming fighting competitions, his next move was to gain access to the Keep. Since he was a foreigner he wasn't formally acquainted with the social order of Alexandria. He didn't want to march straight in to the Keep yet without first obtaining clearance. "Excuse me, sir," he addressed the recruiter, "but I have also been led to believe that a tournament is coming up. Do you know for certain where I may enlist myself for such an event?" His aim was still to show what he was made of. He hadn't walked all the way from the Olympus Imperium just to become another grunt. He needed status to accompany his profit. Drawing the blood of others was the easiest way for him to obtain both.

Lantern

Kituo was sung by the claws of the fiends digging into him as he swung the lantern. The adrenaline pumping, he was able to ignore most of the pain for the fear of getting killed propelled him to keep swinging the lantern at his assailants. Just as he expected, the lantern was doing its job of protecting him properly. He was able to keep the fiends at bay for a little bit before reinforcements arrived. Kituo found himself swamped with an endless pile of enemies who refused to relent. Whenever he swatted one back with the lantern, another one came ready to reap him with its sharp claws. He winced as his felt blood ooze from his arm. Surprisingly, none of his newly attained injuries hurt as much as the rat attack despite that he was literally being torn to shreds. Kituo was unaware of the latent effects of the water he drank. He still kept fighting, his mind focused purely on survival and nothing else. It quickly became apparent to Kituo that he would not being going anywhere. Imagine how greatly that disappointed the coward. Stumbling upon yet another problem that could not solved by running away was both aggravating and saddening. The fiends insisted on ripping Kituo apart. He could feel their hatred and rage as they dug into him. But, like a phoenix, he emerged from the ashes of his own despair and continued fighting. By now Kituo's will was broken and it was only his adrenaline that drove him to keep fighting, his bodies naturally response to resist getting butchered. He desperately wanted to quit but his body wouldn't allow him to. He begged his arms to quit swinging and his legs to quit teetering about as they tried to steer him through the onslaught. The fiends continued their descent and Kituo continued to recover. No matter what he wished for - relief or death - he would be getting neither. Not even the spear craftsman's arrival to his aid did not Kituo's automated defense. It wasn't until he saw the fiends fleeing from him after he killed one of them that he began to calm down. His heart slammed against the walls of his chest as if it were trying to break out of prison. The adrenaline that operated Kituo's body was drained and his tank was rushing towards empty. Time slowed around Kituo as he took a clear observation of the encompassing chaos. A girl had joined them in the clearing and was doing her part in fighting back the monsters. Sweat streamed down Kituo's limbs as his eyes and ears twitched, his senses stabbing him with the force of a gazelle's horns. He was in shock. Trapped within a paradox conjured by his own mind. His mind registered the carnage as an illusion while his body recognized it as real. Kituo was baffled as to which was correct. Finally, retrieving him from his consternation was a single word from a familiar yet foreign voice that played in his head. "Go," it told him and that he did. His legs moving on their own once again, Kituo stampeded down the exact path that he would not have picked if he were in control of himself. It was dark and void of any preexisting lighting, the lantern's glow rectifying that obstacle as he advanced further. Over his heavy puffing he could hear the screeches of the winged monkeys as they chased after him. Kituo clenched the lantern as tight as a python around its paralyzed prey. His legs were burning and joints felt as if they were ripping apart. He didn't know how much longer he could keep going. Eventually, the last of steam vanishing, Kituo's speed gradually decreased until he dropped onto his knees. He threw his head back and was stunned to see that his pursuers had lost his trail - or so he assumed for he could no longer see nor hear them. "I-I made it," Kituo gasped. He was due for a rest. He left his knees in the dirt for awhile before he pried his body up onto his feet. He couldn't stay in one spot for too long. There was no telling if the fiends were still after him. They were definitely more familiar with the forest than he was and he doubted they had much trouble navigating it. A worse realization Kituo had was that he was now all alone. He couldn't see Simon, the spear craftsman, nor the girl who had showed up in the midst of the fray. He was all alone with only the lantern, which was inanimate, to keep him company. Kituo couldn't pinpoint his exact thoughts on the matter. There were advantages and disadvantages to being alone, the latter heavily outnumbering the prior. Now that he was without the benefit of comrades, Kituo had no one he could hide behind if danger came. That was horrific considering that danger seemed to be lurking around every corner of the forest. On the other hand, he did have his beloved lantern to himself. He was secretly afraid that the others would try and rob him of it once they took notice of its protective properties. Without the lantern Kituo was nothing. He had to secure his only asset and part with all who posed a threat to his dependence on it. The transition into a peaceful atmosphere quelled the linger side effects of Kituo's shock, his cluttered thoughts dispersing and his body temperature decreasing. Any aching was beginning to subside as it was overwritten by a tingling phenomenon. Feeling better, Kituo failed to identify the healing scrapes and bruises that littered his body. The tingling, while he found it be awkward, soothed him. In comparison to the strenuous claw raking that previously tortured him, Kituo deemed it the best feeling he had since the entire ordeal begun. He stared up into the canopy as he ambled aimlessly. Bing! "Ouch!" Kituo's forehead rung after it tapped against a hard object. Having fallen too deep into his recollections, which had recently become his favorite avenue for amusement whenever something wasn't trying to kill him, he failed to heed the bell dangling in front of him. "What's this doing out here?" Kituo reared from it. If there was one lesson he learned it was that he should never touch anything that wasn't water or the lantern. Too bad he already brushed against the bell.

Lantern

Alright, I've got my computer back up and running. I'll have a post up after the morning.