“Is it dead?” I asked. The anwser was the discharge of a railgun, and the things head exploding. Faceless turned to me, “Yes.” before continuing down the tunnel. Brute chuckled, following our leader. I shrugged and followed them, making my way over the ceiling. The three of us were investigating a report about an out of control mutant in a part of the sewers.
Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against those who choose biological change over augmentation, but sometimes these people forget they are human. Obviously, this happened to the augmented as well, but at least they usually decided they wanted to be integrated into something useful, like a factory or even a tank. No matter, it gave us a job.
“Claws, opening ahead.” With a thought, I acknowledged. That was my job, surveilance, and if we found something hostile, I could easily kill it without anything else noticing. I crept across the ceiling, and over the lip into the cavern. As I reached the top of the cavern, I released my hands from the ceiling, hanging from my feet.
Each of us had their own, specialised suit. Faceless had his (or hers, we weren’t sure) standard, without identification marks. Or any kind of mark. What set it apart was that his left arm had no hand, but was a railgun from the elbow down. I wondered how much of it was still human. Brute was, as his name implies, brutish. A massive suit of armor, lots of power in there. Lots of weapons, too. Mine was designed to be elegant. Claws on both hands and feet, giving me great mobility. All I had for weapons were shock-prods on my wrists, and obviously my claws.
“Nothing here, there are tracks though.” I dropped from the ceiling, landing on all fours. Walking on claws is hard. Brute entered, followed by Faceless. Something stirred in the darkness, and heavy footsteps came our way. Brute put himself between us and it. “Looks like you were wrong, darling.” I knew he was grinning in his suit, he loved this part. Then we saw it, and even Brute took a step back.
These days, being altered was easy. All you needed was money, and if you had none, there were other ways. The army was a good one, since they always needed more soldiers, be they augmented or mutants. After a few years of service, upon your discharge, you could get an alteration again, making you more suitable for civilian life. Of course, those with extreme alterations usually didn’t leave, it’s hard being a civilian when you’ve been a predator for years. And of course there were those like us, who took on the special missions.
It was a spawner. Mutants so far gone, their offspring wasn’t even human. “It’s a female sir, not all gone. The spawn are though, so it’s mate has lost it.” Faceless nodded, “Kill the spawn, but keep the female for interrogation. Brute, do not engage, wait for the mate.”
---
Sci-Fi, to break up the fantasy.
A little background is perhaps in order.
Humanity now consists of the normals, and the altered. The altered are again divided between the mutants and the augmented. Augmented are mechanically enhanced humans, while mutants are, as their name implies, mutated nearly beyond humanity.
Sorry if this sounds bad or anything, but I would like to ask anyone who has read this to leave a comment. I want to know who, if anyone, reads my stories.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
A Gift from Dead Gods, 5.
Finally, the day had come. Luno wore his ceremonial robes of the priesthood with pride as he marched into the temple. As he had expected, the Lord was waiting, as were the sisters. The god spoke first, “Ah, Luno.. How long has it been, when you stood here, amongst the masses, not knowing what you would become? Look at you now, a full warrior. Today, I pronounce you as my champion!”
Luno nodded, “As my Lord commands.” The sisters grinned and the one on the left, whom he had come to know as Ilane, nodded. “An obedient champion, my Lord. Do we honor him with the gifts?” The god nodded his armored head. The other sister, Irune, who had further decayed in the years that had passed, waved a skeletal hand and a group of guards carrying a heavy chest came into the hall.
Ilane opened the chest, pulling out a helmet. Luno noticed it looked a lot like the armor the Lord used to be present. Irune smiled at him, “This is our gift to you, Champion. Let no man, woman or beast doubt the power you wield!” He bowed his head as he accepted the helmet. “Thank you, sister.” The sisters bowed, turned and left the hall. He was alone with the Lord. “My champion, you have grown. No longer are you as young as you were when we met.”
“You have said you were at my command. Thus, I command you to go to the forest of Artok, to the north. There you will find a host of dryads. As the god of murder I bid you, destroy them all. A mage will accompany you.” The Lord of Blades turned and headed for his throne, where he sat down. “You will leave in two days. Finish your business here, then come to the plaza at dawn, wearing your new armor. She will find you.” Luno bowed, turned and left the hall.
In those two days, Luno went around the city, saying farewell to all those he had met in the last years. Finally, he came to the house of the man where he had lived, before moving into the temple proper. He still visited here often, the old man had turned into a reliable, if talkative friend. Before he had knocked on the door, the man opened. “Hello, good to see you! You’re quite the talk of the town, you know. Yes, everyone is talking about the new champion, and I wondered if it would be you. Well, do come in!”
When the two days had passed, Luno put on his new suit of armor. As a note in the chest had explained, the armor was enchanted. It could repair and clean itself, and the pieces locked together to form an almost impenatrable shell. As he began putting it on, the plates, joints and undersuit clicked together the way they were meant to do. He noticed several cleverly placed plates which he found he could open using a little magic burst. Finally, he wrapped a cloak around his armored shoulders, and headed for the plaza.
It was just before dawn, and the streets of Rasnach were quiet. Those few people he passed stared in awe as he walked by. Inside the suit, Luno grinned. He had certainly come far from where he started. The plaza was packed with priests, he noticed. They parted, bowing to him as he passed. Finally, he came to the entrance of the temple, and on the steps stood an elf girl. She smiled at him and jumped down to stand before him. “So.. you’re the champion. I hope you’re as strong as you look, we have a lot of killing to do.”
Luno took off his helmet, and held it under his arm. He looked her over, and grinned. “I hope you’re stronger then you look, because all I see is a small elf girl, without armor or weapons.” She anwsered by lifting into the air, fire streaming from her eyes and hands. In seconds, she was covered in flames. She tilted her head, “My name is Fyanha. I have no need for such things.” Luno nodded, “Agreed.”
As the flames went out and Fyanha landed gracefully, a priest threw himself on his knees before them. “Champion, we of the priesthood present you with a final gift!” Two priests came forwards, one bearing a longsword, the other a matching shortsword. “Please, accept our gifts, oh great champion!” Luno put his helmet back on, and accepted the swords. “Thank you, priest. I accept your gift.” He turned to Fyanha and smiled. “Shall we leave?”
Luno nodded, “As my Lord commands.” The sisters grinned and the one on the left, whom he had come to know as Ilane, nodded. “An obedient champion, my Lord. Do we honor him with the gifts?” The god nodded his armored head. The other sister, Irune, who had further decayed in the years that had passed, waved a skeletal hand and a group of guards carrying a heavy chest came into the hall.
Ilane opened the chest, pulling out a helmet. Luno noticed it looked a lot like the armor the Lord used to be present. Irune smiled at him, “This is our gift to you, Champion. Let no man, woman or beast doubt the power you wield!” He bowed his head as he accepted the helmet. “Thank you, sister.” The sisters bowed, turned and left the hall. He was alone with the Lord. “My champion, you have grown. No longer are you as young as you were when we met.”
“You have said you were at my command. Thus, I command you to go to the forest of Artok, to the north. There you will find a host of dryads. As the god of murder I bid you, destroy them all. A mage will accompany you.” The Lord of Blades turned and headed for his throne, where he sat down. “You will leave in two days. Finish your business here, then come to the plaza at dawn, wearing your new armor. She will find you.” Luno bowed, turned and left the hall.
In those two days, Luno went around the city, saying farewell to all those he had met in the last years. Finally, he came to the house of the man where he had lived, before moving into the temple proper. He still visited here often, the old man had turned into a reliable, if talkative friend. Before he had knocked on the door, the man opened. “Hello, good to see you! You’re quite the talk of the town, you know. Yes, everyone is talking about the new champion, and I wondered if it would be you. Well, do come in!”
When the two days had passed, Luno put on his new suit of armor. As a note in the chest had explained, the armor was enchanted. It could repair and clean itself, and the pieces locked together to form an almost impenatrable shell. As he began putting it on, the plates, joints and undersuit clicked together the way they were meant to do. He noticed several cleverly placed plates which he found he could open using a little magic burst. Finally, he wrapped a cloak around his armored shoulders, and headed for the plaza.
It was just before dawn, and the streets of Rasnach were quiet. Those few people he passed stared in awe as he walked by. Inside the suit, Luno grinned. He had certainly come far from where he started. The plaza was packed with priests, he noticed. They parted, bowing to him as he passed. Finally, he came to the entrance of the temple, and on the steps stood an elf girl. She smiled at him and jumped down to stand before him. “So.. you’re the champion. I hope you’re as strong as you look, we have a lot of killing to do.”
Luno took off his helmet, and held it under his arm. He looked her over, and grinned. “I hope you’re stronger then you look, because all I see is a small elf girl, without armor or weapons.” She anwsered by lifting into the air, fire streaming from her eyes and hands. In seconds, she was covered in flames. She tilted her head, “My name is Fyanha. I have no need for such things.” Luno nodded, “Agreed.”
As the flames went out and Fyanha landed gracefully, a priest threw himself on his knees before them. “Champion, we of the priesthood present you with a final gift!” Two priests came forwards, one bearing a longsword, the other a matching shortsword. “Please, accept our gifts, oh great champion!” Luno put his helmet back on, and accepted the swords. “Thank you, priest. I accept your gift.” He turned to Fyanha and smiled. “Shall we leave?”
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Random short stories.
All she wanted to do was dance. Dance on her toes. Twirling around on the roof, not seeing where she goes. Her blindfold blocks out the world. She never falls down, something greater guides her steps as she moves across the roof.
Tired. She is so tired, but she never stops. The dance goes on, and on. Never stopping, not for a moment, she dances here. Is she waiting for something, or someone? No one knows. All that is known, is that she is always there, dancing on that roof, blindfold always on.
---
He remembered what it was like, in the old days. People were everywhere back then. He smiled as he stared across the quiet landscape, thinking about the ones who had filled his life with joy, back then. Now, the world was silent.
How it had happened, he never knew. All he knew was that in all this time, he hadn’t met anyone besides himself. They were all dead. Sometimes he longed for a goal, a purpose. No such illusions surrounded him anymore.
There he stood, alone. The wind carried the scents of a patch of beautiful flowers. They brought him happiness, these days.
---
Never never never. He said it again and again. Never never never would they catch him. He couldn’t let them. Never never never would they learn what he had learned. What they could do with the knowledge, if they got their hands on it. Never never never would he allow that to happen.
He couldn’t die, that would just make it easier for them. Never never never die. He shook his head in frustration, why couldn’t they just let him go? Never never never give up, he reminded himself.
---
These were some things I wrote up. What do you think?
Tired. She is so tired, but she never stops. The dance goes on, and on. Never stopping, not for a moment, she dances here. Is she waiting for something, or someone? No one knows. All that is known, is that she is always there, dancing on that roof, blindfold always on.
---
He remembered what it was like, in the old days. People were everywhere back then. He smiled as he stared across the quiet landscape, thinking about the ones who had filled his life with joy, back then. Now, the world was silent.
How it had happened, he never knew. All he knew was that in all this time, he hadn’t met anyone besides himself. They were all dead. Sometimes he longed for a goal, a purpose. No such illusions surrounded him anymore.
There he stood, alone. The wind carried the scents of a patch of beautiful flowers. They brought him happiness, these days.
---
Never never never. He said it again and again. Never never never would they catch him. He couldn’t let them. Never never never would they learn what he had learned. What they could do with the knowledge, if they got their hands on it. Never never never would he allow that to happen.
He couldn’t die, that would just make it easier for them. Never never never die. He shook his head in frustration, why couldn’t they just let him go? Never never never give up, he reminded himself.
---
These were some things I wrote up. What do you think?
Thursday, April 30, 2009
A Gift from Dead Gods, 4.
“So, here you are..” said the god. “You’re taller then I expected you to be.” Luno shrugged, what was he to say? He just smiled. The woman on the left took off her hood, and Luno took an involuntary step back. The lower right side of her face was half-rotten off. She smiled at him, “Do not be afraid. One can get hurt in the service of the Lord, but He has necromancers amongst his servants.”
“We are the ones known as the sisters of suffering, and we are the high priests of our Lord.” The other woman took of her hood as well, and nodded, “My sister lost part of her mortal shell in His service, and thus she has been blessed with partial unlife.”
The god held out his hand to Luno, “I invite you now to join my priesthood. Would you accept?” Luno shrugged, “Will I have to run around like an idiot, herding those people out there?” A grating laugh sounded from within the armour. “Only if you choose that path. There are other things one can do in my name. Does the path of the warrior attract you?”
And so Luno joined the priesthood of the Lord of Blades. For years, he trained in the closed off areas of the temple, honing his skills and muscles. He trained in the ways of the sword, in the ways of the axe, and in the ways of the dagger in the night. He was taught the basic skills of magic, and the stillness of mind required for battle. He was conditioned to go without sleep for days, and spent time in a woodland temple where he learned to live off the land.
---
Nathaniel opened his eyes and looked around. Everything around him was dark. He could hear water falling from the ceiling, so he was in a cave. How long had he been out? It had to be quite a while, his body felt weird. He shook his head, and his vision came back to him. A darksight spell? He couldn’t remember casting it. At least now he could explore, and figure out what had happened.
He fell over as he took his first step. That wasn’t meant to happen. He stood up, then nearly fell over again as he saw his body. His hands.. Those weren’t his hands. And his legs had grown, stretched, like the legs of an animal. Standing up to his full height, he estimated he was nearly 4 metres tall. He shook his head again. He had to get out of here.
“We are the ones known as the sisters of suffering, and we are the high priests of our Lord.” The other woman took of her hood as well, and nodded, “My sister lost part of her mortal shell in His service, and thus she has been blessed with partial unlife.”
The god held out his hand to Luno, “I invite you now to join my priesthood. Would you accept?” Luno shrugged, “Will I have to run around like an idiot, herding those people out there?” A grating laugh sounded from within the armour. “Only if you choose that path. There are other things one can do in my name. Does the path of the warrior attract you?”
And so Luno joined the priesthood of the Lord of Blades. For years, he trained in the closed off areas of the temple, honing his skills and muscles. He trained in the ways of the sword, in the ways of the axe, and in the ways of the dagger in the night. He was taught the basic skills of magic, and the stillness of mind required for battle. He was conditioned to go without sleep for days, and spent time in a woodland temple where he learned to live off the land.
---
Nathaniel opened his eyes and looked around. Everything around him was dark. He could hear water falling from the ceiling, so he was in a cave. How long had he been out? It had to be quite a while, his body felt weird. He shook his head, and his vision came back to him. A darksight spell? He couldn’t remember casting it. At least now he could explore, and figure out what had happened.
He fell over as he took his first step. That wasn’t meant to happen. He stood up, then nearly fell over again as he saw his body. His hands.. Those weren’t his hands. And his legs had grown, stretched, like the legs of an animal. Standing up to his full height, he estimated he was nearly 4 metres tall. He shook his head again. He had to get out of here.
Friday, April 24, 2009
A gift from dead gods, 3.
The temple was a magnificent structure. It dwarfed and overwhelmed any other structure surrounding the large plaza. Luno looked around, noting the priests running all over the place, trying to control the masses of people swarming around. One of the priests bumped into him, “Oh dear, oh dear! Sorry sir!” The priest tried to move on, but he grabbed his arm.
“Hold on a moment. Why are there so many people here?” The priest gave him a dumbfounded look. “Ya mean, ya don’t know? This is the temple of the Lord of Blades, the only god who still anwsers!” Luno nodded, and the priest hurried on. The world had gone crazy when the gods stopped anwsering to their followers all those years ago. There was only one now, and Luno wondered if this was a good thing or not.
Making his way through the crowd, Luno joined the masses pouring into the temple. He decided he’d picked a bad time to go here. Nevertheless, the masses carried him on, and into the temple proper. After being jostled around for a while, the masses had finally all entered the temple. Luno looked around. Almost a thousand people filled the hall, the exits at the back guarded by guards in full suits of armour, and several guards around the elevation at the very end of the hall. On the elevation were two pulpits, and behind them a throne with a large, seemingly empty suit of armor. Luno recoiled slightly as he recognised it from the dream he’d had as a boy.
The guards at both entrances parted, and two women clad in black robes walked in. The crowd fell silent, and Luno stared from one woman to the other. Nothing besides their gender was visible beneath their hoods. They reached the pulpits, and one bowed her head. The other spread her arms wide. “People of Rasnach, you are gathered here today, as all days, in the precence of our Lord.” The masses responded, “We are.” “As all days, we chant to our Lord.” “Our Lord guides us.” A light sparked in the armour. The women turned, “Our Lord blesses us with his divine presence today!”
The Lord of Blades stood up from his throne, a harsh light glaring from within the armour. “Amongst you is a man, who has seen me in his dreams. After the service, this man shall stay here.” After the service ended, Luno found he had no choice but to stay. As much as he wanted, he couldn’t make himself leave. Soon, the grand hall was empty, and he swallowed as the god approached him, followed by the two women.
---
Nathaniel reached his destination shortly after sunset. It wasn’t too dark yet, and the villagers had already lit their fires. He greeted the people he passed along the way, heading for the centre of the village, the place he’d meet his employer. He’d have to travel a while before finding a place to sleep though, that kind of this was hard in this town. As soon as he came near the agreed place, he knew somethings was wrong.
Dryads never left the forests. So what was she doing here? And who was that man? The dryad was smiling, “Hello Nathaniel. There have been.. Complications.” The man raised his hand, and he felt the world fade away.
“Hold on a moment. Why are there so many people here?” The priest gave him a dumbfounded look. “Ya mean, ya don’t know? This is the temple of the Lord of Blades, the only god who still anwsers!” Luno nodded, and the priest hurried on. The world had gone crazy when the gods stopped anwsering to their followers all those years ago. There was only one now, and Luno wondered if this was a good thing or not.
Making his way through the crowd, Luno joined the masses pouring into the temple. He decided he’d picked a bad time to go here. Nevertheless, the masses carried him on, and into the temple proper. After being jostled around for a while, the masses had finally all entered the temple. Luno looked around. Almost a thousand people filled the hall, the exits at the back guarded by guards in full suits of armour, and several guards around the elevation at the very end of the hall. On the elevation were two pulpits, and behind them a throne with a large, seemingly empty suit of armor. Luno recoiled slightly as he recognised it from the dream he’d had as a boy.
The guards at both entrances parted, and two women clad in black robes walked in. The crowd fell silent, and Luno stared from one woman to the other. Nothing besides their gender was visible beneath their hoods. They reached the pulpits, and one bowed her head. The other spread her arms wide. “People of Rasnach, you are gathered here today, as all days, in the precence of our Lord.” The masses responded, “We are.” “As all days, we chant to our Lord.” “Our Lord guides us.” A light sparked in the armour. The women turned, “Our Lord blesses us with his divine presence today!”
The Lord of Blades stood up from his throne, a harsh light glaring from within the armour. “Amongst you is a man, who has seen me in his dreams. After the service, this man shall stay here.” After the service ended, Luno found he had no choice but to stay. As much as he wanted, he couldn’t make himself leave. Soon, the grand hall was empty, and he swallowed as the god approached him, followed by the two women.
---
Nathaniel reached his destination shortly after sunset. It wasn’t too dark yet, and the villagers had already lit their fires. He greeted the people he passed along the way, heading for the centre of the village, the place he’d meet his employer. He’d have to travel a while before finding a place to sleep though, that kind of this was hard in this town. As soon as he came near the agreed place, he knew somethings was wrong.
Dryads never left the forests. So what was she doing here? And who was that man? The dryad was smiling, “Hello Nathaniel. There have been.. Complications.” The man raised his hand, and he felt the world fade away.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A gift from dead gods, 2.
The morning had gone, and the sun was up in the sky, sending its heat and light down on everyone. Luno adjusted the pack on his back, sweating in his clothes. After 3 days of walking across the land, he’d finally reached his destination, the great city of Rasnach. It was nothing like his home town of Rorr. He smiled, things had to be better here.
He thought back to the beggar he had given some coins this morning, thinking how something about the mans eyes had told him he wasn’t a beggar. But then again, it was none of his business. As he looked about, he noticed a certain panic in everyones eyes. He stopped a man, asking, “Sir, what is going on?” The man blinked and stared at him in disbelief. “You don’t know? Someone destroyed the museum! Everything, gone!” Luno nodded, “Hm, why would anyone do that?” The man shrugged, “They think it was a political thing, so..” He shrugged. Luno thanked him and the man walked away.
Well, seems like this place was definitely different then Rorr. He smiled, and headed deeper into the city, looking for a place to stay. That was the first thing he needed to do, find a cheap place to stay. Then, time to look for money. There had to be some way to make money fast, in a place like this.
It wasn’t long until he found the busy marketplace. He started asking around, and eventually found a place. He looked at the house, it wasn’t big or beautiful, but it’d do. He knocked on the door. After a while, an old man opened the door. He smiled at Luno, “And what brings a young lad like you to my humble home, today?” Luno smiled back, “I’m looking for a cheap place to stay, and I heard you have a room free.” The man waved for him to come in, “Yes, yes, yes! I have a spare room. And I could use the company. Come in, come in! Do you want some tea? We’ll discuss this, over tea!”
A couple of hours later Luno walked back out. His bags were in the spare room, his room now. The man had talked and talked, but at least he was friendly. The room was cheap, that was a good thing too. Slowly, he made his way back to the marketplace, which was getting quiet. He approached one of the merchants.
He studied the man for a moment. He was short for an elf, but he had the same slender build as most of his kind. “Greetings, Sir. I’m new in town, and.. Well, I need money.” The elf turned and nodded, “Eh, not much to do around here. They’re looking for people near the temple though.” Luno nodded, thanked the man and went on his way to find the temple.
---
In the woods near the city, a beggar was cursing loudly. Nathaniel cursed the guard for interfering, cursed himself for not saving more power and cursed the trees because he felt like it. He shook his head, then appologised to the trees. As he neared the tree he sought, he started smiling. Soon, he’d have comfortable clothes again, and a nice hidden place to rest.
With the sword still in his bag, and a good nights rest ahead of him, things were looking good.
He thought back to the beggar he had given some coins this morning, thinking how something about the mans eyes had told him he wasn’t a beggar. But then again, it was none of his business. As he looked about, he noticed a certain panic in everyones eyes. He stopped a man, asking, “Sir, what is going on?” The man blinked and stared at him in disbelief. “You don’t know? Someone destroyed the museum! Everything, gone!” Luno nodded, “Hm, why would anyone do that?” The man shrugged, “They think it was a political thing, so..” He shrugged. Luno thanked him and the man walked away.
Well, seems like this place was definitely different then Rorr. He smiled, and headed deeper into the city, looking for a place to stay. That was the first thing he needed to do, find a cheap place to stay. Then, time to look for money. There had to be some way to make money fast, in a place like this.
It wasn’t long until he found the busy marketplace. He started asking around, and eventually found a place. He looked at the house, it wasn’t big or beautiful, but it’d do. He knocked on the door. After a while, an old man opened the door. He smiled at Luno, “And what brings a young lad like you to my humble home, today?” Luno smiled back, “I’m looking for a cheap place to stay, and I heard you have a room free.” The man waved for him to come in, “Yes, yes, yes! I have a spare room. And I could use the company. Come in, come in! Do you want some tea? We’ll discuss this, over tea!”
A couple of hours later Luno walked back out. His bags were in the spare room, his room now. The man had talked and talked, but at least he was friendly. The room was cheap, that was a good thing too. Slowly, he made his way back to the marketplace, which was getting quiet. He approached one of the merchants.
He studied the man for a moment. He was short for an elf, but he had the same slender build as most of his kind. “Greetings, Sir. I’m new in town, and.. Well, I need money.” The elf turned and nodded, “Eh, not much to do around here. They’re looking for people near the temple though.” Luno nodded, thanked the man and went on his way to find the temple.
---
In the woods near the city, a beggar was cursing loudly. Nathaniel cursed the guard for interfering, cursed himself for not saving more power and cursed the trees because he felt like it. He shook his head, then appologised to the trees. As he neared the tree he sought, he started smiling. Soon, he’d have comfortable clothes again, and a nice hidden place to rest.
With the sword still in his bag, and a good nights rest ahead of him, things were looking good.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A Gift from Dead Gods, 1
It was a quiet morning in the city of Rasnach. Dawn had come, and gone. Just the way he liked it. No one around yet, lots of light, and none of the heat of the midday sun. His client had asked for a sword. Enchanted, cursed, and more of those things. Not that he really cared about any of this, as long as he got paid. What made this item special, was that it had to vanish. There had to be no trace.
But how to do this with a weapon known and revered throughout the lands? The fabled sword of the Hero of the shining bridge? There were ways, of course. So they had come to him, given him what he wanted, and told him to bring the sword to the village of Rorr in 2 weeks. 10 days had past. He had waited for most of the night, perched in a dark corner of the museum roof.
He chuckled as he shook his head. This was crazy, even for him. Destroying the entire museum just to do a job? If he messed this up.. Left any clues.. Ah, at least they’d execute him on the spot. No trial, no paperwork. He checked the front door of the museum, and noted that the night guard was leaving. The morning guard would check the lower floors, and the museum kitchen first. That free breakfast would be expensive today.
Cupping his hands, he whispered a few words into them. A blueish flame appeared, and he directed it towards the roof, burning a hole for him to squeeze through. The fire would negate the concealing spells of his clothing, but it didn’t matter now. He was inside, and his target within his reach. Dropping to the floor, he looked around. Three halls to the left was the sword.
On the way to the sword, he grabbed as many magical artifacts as he could. This would have to be a large explosion. Then he saw it. The sword. As he threw all the items he’d picked up on a large pile now building in the middle of the room, he glanced around. Grinning, he grabbed several precious stones, and a useful looking dagger.
He slung the bag he was carrying off his shoulder, and pulled out a large metal orb, putting it on the ground next to the pile. The gems, the dagger and the sword went into the bag. Removing his clothing and adding it to the pile, it revealed the clothes underneath. No one would look twice at a beggar, when obviously a mage had destroyed the museum.. It was a trick he had used many times.
Standing up, he slung the bag over his shoulder. He’d have to replace all his gear, but that was easily done. He grabbed the orb in both hands, and focused his energy into it. Reminding himself to save a bit for the journey, he left the charged orb sitting on top of the pile. As he turned around, he found himself facing the guard. “What are you- Why- Who are you?” He grinned. “I am but a beggar. And you, my friend..” Whispering a few words, his next move slammed the guard into the far wall.
Pain wracked his body. He had spent too much of his energy. He shook his head. He had to get out of here, fast. Making his way along the halls, he counted in his head. 10 – 9 – 8 He smashed a window near the back of the museum with his bag. 7 – 6 – 5 He jumped out, landing in a half-roll, not absorbing the impact as much as he had wanted. 4 – 3 – 2 He got up, heading into a side alley. 1 – Click. The orb released all of its pent up energies, creating a chain reaction amongst the artifacts, destroying the museum in a blast of arcing energy.
In the chaos of the early morning, with chucks of masonary crashing as far as the temple grounds, and static energy shocking everyone near the ruins of the museum, only one person noticed a beggar limping across town. That mans name was Luno, and he gave the beggar a few coins and wished him safe travels.
---
Oh my, a name. Luno is the man who had a dream, in the intro.
The thief/sorceror will be back, I guess.
And yes, inspiration struck at 3 in the night. Let me know if this is any good, or not. Comments are really, really appreciated.
But how to do this with a weapon known and revered throughout the lands? The fabled sword of the Hero of the shining bridge? There were ways, of course. So they had come to him, given him what he wanted, and told him to bring the sword to the village of Rorr in 2 weeks. 10 days had past. He had waited for most of the night, perched in a dark corner of the museum roof.
He chuckled as he shook his head. This was crazy, even for him. Destroying the entire museum just to do a job? If he messed this up.. Left any clues.. Ah, at least they’d execute him on the spot. No trial, no paperwork. He checked the front door of the museum, and noted that the night guard was leaving. The morning guard would check the lower floors, and the museum kitchen first. That free breakfast would be expensive today.
Cupping his hands, he whispered a few words into them. A blueish flame appeared, and he directed it towards the roof, burning a hole for him to squeeze through. The fire would negate the concealing spells of his clothing, but it didn’t matter now. He was inside, and his target within his reach. Dropping to the floor, he looked around. Three halls to the left was the sword.
On the way to the sword, he grabbed as many magical artifacts as he could. This would have to be a large explosion. Then he saw it. The sword. As he threw all the items he’d picked up on a large pile now building in the middle of the room, he glanced around. Grinning, he grabbed several precious stones, and a useful looking dagger.
He slung the bag he was carrying off his shoulder, and pulled out a large metal orb, putting it on the ground next to the pile. The gems, the dagger and the sword went into the bag. Removing his clothing and adding it to the pile, it revealed the clothes underneath. No one would look twice at a beggar, when obviously a mage had destroyed the museum.. It was a trick he had used many times.
Standing up, he slung the bag over his shoulder. He’d have to replace all his gear, but that was easily done. He grabbed the orb in both hands, and focused his energy into it. Reminding himself to save a bit for the journey, he left the charged orb sitting on top of the pile. As he turned around, he found himself facing the guard. “What are you- Why- Who are you?” He grinned. “I am but a beggar. And you, my friend..” Whispering a few words, his next move slammed the guard into the far wall.
Pain wracked his body. He had spent too much of his energy. He shook his head. He had to get out of here, fast. Making his way along the halls, he counted in his head. 10 – 9 – 8 He smashed a window near the back of the museum with his bag. 7 – 6 – 5 He jumped out, landing in a half-roll, not absorbing the impact as much as he had wanted. 4 – 3 – 2 He got up, heading into a side alley. 1 – Click. The orb released all of its pent up energies, creating a chain reaction amongst the artifacts, destroying the museum in a blast of arcing energy.
In the chaos of the early morning, with chucks of masonary crashing as far as the temple grounds, and static energy shocking everyone near the ruins of the museum, only one person noticed a beggar limping across town. That mans name was Luno, and he gave the beggar a few coins and wished him safe travels.
---
Oh my, a name. Luno is the man who had a dream, in the intro.
The thief/sorceror will be back, I guess.
And yes, inspiration struck at 3 in the night. Let me know if this is any good, or not. Comments are really, really appreciated.
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