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Overlord of Night- Shadow
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 Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:34 pm
The chute fell open, and what came out was not garbage; well, not technically. Instead, the charred corpse of a middle-aged man tumbled out, ashes falling around the body like a gentle snow. But it didn't reach the ground; instead, the wires twined around him held his body, spread-eagled, in the air just a foot above the ground. Not much had been done to this body otherwise; however, a pile of ashes tumbled out from the gaping stomach cavity onto the ground. That was likely where the fire had been started; if one were paying attention, one would notice that every one of these corpses had been mutilated AFTER the person's death, and not before. It seemed that the one killing them had at least some small sense of dignity, enough not to torture these people. However, if one looked close one could see that the top of the skull had at one point been severed; and in fact, the inside of the head was now completely empty.
The body was now cold; it seemed that this one had been dead for some time at this point, and no one had found it. Not very strange; commoners couldn't read, and why would any normal person go pull the cord on a garbage chute? In any case, the body was here, with a smudged and soot-blackened note pinned to the chest. Luckily, it had been folded, so it was still perfectly readable inside. The note read like this:
flame of might, burning away
all impurity and purifying
body and
mind
and soul, all
trapped inside this cage of flesh
all that is
is really just a few
pieces
of blood and bone and muscle
if none believed you were real
would you
walk
speak
breathe
be?
death is
escape from pain and suffering and burdens
yet it comes to some early
and relieves them of
happiness
and growth
and possibility
and the ones around them
of hope
i have seen this
i have died
yet i live
i am immortal
why
torture
let me be
let me go
i live
it hurts
it hurts
it huuuuuurts
Once again, that was all. No additional notations, nothing. It seemed as if his mind were not functioning quite the same as it had been originally...
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:53 pm
I ain't givin' in,
no matter how hard th' fight
before me looks t' be!
>{Leon}< The message had come to Leon. There was another murder, obviously connected to the others. Hole in the stomach, and a cryptic note that was left behind. Tura had struck once again.
Leon sent out more messages from the Watch's vast network of the couriers, hoping to get some form of reinforcements as he rode out to the scene where it was. Apparently, an off-duty Watch member first spotted it.
Upon arriving, he saw the body, the falling ashes, and a familiar face who shouldn't have had to be here. " 'Melia, ya... you shouldn't be lookin' a' tha'... ya can lemme handle it from 'ere..." What Leon didn't notice was that his tone and his words were faltering. The exhaustion from pulling almost two all nighters in a row (the 'sleep' he did get was only a few hours or so) starting to really take its toll on him. But he was still able to ride, that's all that mattered to him.
He took the note, blinking a few times to focus it. The last words made the knight go somber. "'E's sufferin'? Tha's wha' it looks like now... hurts... th' guilt... mus' hurt." Leon too had noticed, from the reports that the medical examiners gave him that the mutilation did occur after the victims were long dead. They weren't tortured, they weren't suffering, after all, it was an assassin they were killed by, they could do it in one blow. He had some honor left. "As crazed as 'e be though... 'e be human now that I think 'o it. ... 'e's def'nit'ly human.">{Watch Lieutenant}< If ya just bel'eve, then...
ev'n if th' world be torn asunder,
vict'ry will be yers to hold!
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:05 pm
Watch members were still out and about. Fireman was still trying to gather information. But the truth was that save for the one victim, "Fireman", AKA Jin, wasn't finding anything new about the case. And the Watch? After Easter and the Guildaversary, some people went so far as to say the Watch were cursed. The ranks were simply too thin to stop one "supervillain".
As for as Ghis was concerned, that left him with one option (though he would never speak it to anyone)...
The word had first come from Isadora's mouth: Tura believed that all his victims had "deserved to die". After getting everything wrong at the Guildaversary and discovering the Captain and FEF were in the right, it was easy enough getting rumors to spread.
Tura, he said to those who would listen, was a self-appointed vigilante. An "Angel of Death", he fancied himself. Delivering "unholy retribution" to those who already lived lives of crime and in darkness. If you take to the streets at night, it might be wise to change your ways before it was too late, and a sharp dagger descends on you in the night.
The result was a win-win situation. Most ruffians about town may have had confidence when ganging up on a defenseless old woman, but hardly any had that same courage against what was clearly a professional assassin who had planned out his targets well in advance and could do away with someone with but a flick of his wrist. The rumors were throwing some street criminals into chaos, and Bishops like Rhys found themselves a bit shocked at the "repentant" flocking in unprecedented numbers.
So, Two-rah, le's you an' me work out a deal in secret, ah? Ghis thought to himself. Ye got me o'er a barrel. We both know it. So ah'm gonna LET you play this farce t' th' last day. In exchange, ah get t' use yer repu-- err... FAME fer mah own ends. An if'n ye try t' stop the rumors, ye'll have tae come out t' defend yerself!
Two "bad" people die. At least more than two "good" people get to live easier lives. Fair trade.
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:44 am
{I'm at school. No tek formats here. At the time of me first writing this, it was 8:38.}
Leon was beginning to hear the rumors that Ghis no doubtedly started. If there was one of the things he definitely knew about both Captains Ghis and Steely Dan, it's that they would do this sort of thing, no questions asked if it meant not only making their jobs easier by possibly scaring some of them straight, but also calling out those who hid. They used... unconventional methods, to be frank.
But those methods were brilliant. Already, the news had spread at a very rapid pace. Leon couldn't do anything but smile, proud of Ghis doing something besides being completely indulged in alcohol.
Maybe, jus' maybe... we'll be gettin' closer to 'im.
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 10:06 am
Isadora's mouth closed firmly at the situation after following Leon to the scene of the crime. Another murder was committed and Tura had left a note to them.
In addition, there was a rumor spreading around. A rumor that would drive street criminals into low profile. Despite how easy it would be to comb the city and capture the criminals due to the crazed assassin's game, the paladin didn't like the idea. Wasn't it the law's duty to protect the city? To protect the people, whether they were good and bad? If the Watch and herself were to go along with this game, would they be following the same path as Tura did?
Somehow, the paladin was having second doubts about the tactic. Maybe they were being punished of letting a criminal doing their work while they did nothing. Maybe they didn't deserve to be the protectors of Eyris.
Sadness loomed over Isadora's eyes. She was unsure what to do now. If only she had some guidance of what to do. She would seek guidance from Victoria right now, but the bishop was busy to her business.
If only she had some guidance just like the previous time she had with Father Renault. However, she was having doubts of whether the bishop was alive or not. She knew she saw Father Renault fell to his death during their battle with Loki. But after being informed that he would come back to them, she was confused. If Father Renault was alive, why was he hiding from them? Why was he pulling this stunt and tried to punish them? Weren't they his friends? Isadora thought she knew him so well after battling alongside against Nergal to Renault's last battle. But now, she felt as if he was a stranger to her. To what gain was the bishop trying to get while punishing them?
Not trying to let her turmoil emotion get the best of her like before, Isadora composed herself to read the note. The first paragraph she didn't understand. It sounded like it was the question of a morph's existence. However, the paladin knew it couldn't be about morph. Tura was trying to aim something higher in the creation of life. But what was it?
The second paragraph was about death and the suffer of immortality. She then heard Leon spoke, saying that Tura was human. Isadora looked at the note and reread the second paragraph. Somehow, she had a feeling that this note wasn't about Tura at all. A grim started to form in her mouth.
"No..." Isadora disagreed. "I don't think this note is about his suffering, Leon."
She wasn't quite sure how to explain it. It was still confusion and odd to her. However, she couldn't help feel it.
"You say that Tura is human. However, this note said 'I am immortal.' A normal human wouldn't dare write it unless he found immortality." Isadora explained. "I don't know if Tura is human or not. But this note... This note doesn't sound like him at all. I don't know how to explain this, but I have a feeling that Tura writes this note under someone's else influence."
She needed to tell Amelia and the Watch from what Tura had informed her. They had to know it immediately.
"Last night, Tura informed me that this game was to teach us a lesson. He didn't say why. He's giving these notes for us to figure out our lesson. If we don't solve it, Tura will reveal it after the seventh death. You've already know why he's killing those victims. That they somehow deserved to die to create a new life."
Isadora bit her lower lips. She wasn't sure how she would explain it neatly between the information Tura informed her and the note. But she had to tell them. They needed to be prepared, especially Amelia.
"Tura also said that Amelia and I are the honored guests of three to see the ending of his procedure. I don't know who is the third person, but he informed me that this person already knew. He said that once the proceeding is over.... we will be able to see him again."
She nearly choked at the last sentence. It was hard for her to say it. No matter how important the information was, she somehow couldn't say it. However, she had to say it. She needed to gather her courage for the protection of Eyris.
"Tura informed me that he was being contracted to this. That he was doing the direct request of the person he worked for. As much as I wanted to disagree or deny it, we both know that assassin don't kill people unless they were ordered to."
Isadora then took the note from Leon and held it up. "I believe Tura writes this note in someone's place. Someone that he works for. Someone that we knew."
Tears started to form in her eyes. Her hand was starting to shake. "The person Tura works for is Father Renault and I believe this note is about him being suffered!"
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 1:01 pm
I ain't givin' in,
no matter how hard th' fight
before me looks t' be!
>{Leon}< "Fa... Father Renault did..." Leon was now positively stunned by the news Isadora had brought him. He'd met the bishop only once, and that was on the battlefield alongside the Watch and FEF, in order to fight off the Heroes and the morphs! It was that time where he'd left Amelia in the man's care, trusting him.
"... was I... wrong t' trust 'im..." he muttered, still dumbfounded. "Would 'e really do all this so 'e can be comin' back t' life..?">{Watch Lieutenant}< If ya just bel'eve, then...
ev'n if th' world be torn asunder,
vict'ry will be yers to hold!
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 3:03 pm
"You can't blame yourself. Blaming yourself and falling into depression, it won't change anything.
You have to look →forward→. Remember what you have here now.
Just think; if you hadn't come here, you wouldn't have met anyone here from Elibe or anywhere else!" XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX{Amelia}Amelia couldn't breathe. She tumbled away from the man and fell over, staring in shock and spiking fear as the ashes tumbled around him and hit the ground. She could feel them on her exposed knees, on her shoulders, on her cheeks. She didn't move to brush it away, too busy trying not to start overreacting as she stared at this mutilated corpse. Amelia had to spend a few minutes getting her emotions under control as she slowly got herself to her feet. She had requested this day off specifically not to find more corpses... It was doubtful that, had she appeared any healthier, that she would have gotten her request fulfilled, but she was straining, especially under what Kishuna had told her.
"This chain of events started because of your father."
"I won't say I agree or disagree with what is going on, but it isn't my choice."
Amelia felt as if she was moving through water; her senses dulled, she went slowly over to the corpse and cut the strings to allow the body to rest on the ground. Amelia quietly tore the note off of the man's chest (her stomach quailed just a little at the better look she got at the gaping hole through his stomach, where she could see the charred, burned flesh) and read the note silently.
She felt nothing. Tura was in pain. He was immortal, and he wanted this to end, perhaps? If he wished this game to stop, he merely had to refuse to kill more people, but... it didn't seem to be that way. Amelia was still staring blankly at the note, still wearing her shorts and tank top, when she heard Leon's voice from nearby.
"'Melia, ya... you shouldn't be lookin' a' tha'... ya can lemme handle it from 'ere..."
Amelia didn't answer. She merely shook her head just slightly and offered a very small smile. Even off-duty, she was a Watch member. She had arrived at the scene of the crime. It was her duty as a member of the law.
Amelia hardly even noticed that Isadora was there, not even hearing her words about the note, until she began to mention 'last night.' Amelia's eyes focused and she turned to face her guardian. The night before, she had arrived at a murder scene only to sway and pass out for a few minutes.
The General listened in uncharacteristic silence as Isadora explained herself. Amelia was trying to absorb all of the knowledge she was being given, process it. But death doesn't bring life. It only brings pain and heartache. That... doesn't make sense.
A chill rolled down her spine. Honored guests. What ending? See who? Amelia could see the Lady's hesitation to speak now, trying to force this news out into the open, and Amelia's face paled.
She thought again of Kishuna.
"I'm still a constructed morph and I have to obey the orders of the one who created me."
There had been the doubt before. There had been hints that it was him. It can't be him. I'm sure it's not him...! He's a Bishop! He brings life! He doesn't take it from people! Kishuna can't...
Isadora's words then crashed on her, taking all of her doubt and slamming its face into a wall. "The person Tura works for is Father Renault and I believe this note is about him suffering!"
Amelia vaguely remembered the last thing Kishuna said.
"The last time I saw him, he asked me to tell you... That he'll be seeing you again soon."
Amelia's world went black.  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX{Graceful Spear}XXXXXXXX"What... I mean is... Being a member of the holy order doesn't mean you can't put your own wants first sometimes. The goddess is supposed to be all‑forgiving, right? You've worked hard and you deserve to do some things that make you happy.
I think she'd forgive you for it."
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:07 pm
Where ever I wander, where ever I roam,
There's only one place I'll ever call 'home'The Magic Swordman Master Lord, Roy  Roy nodded at Mel slowly. He could feel his stomach demand food, and was close enough to attempt devouring itself. "Sure...let's go downstairs and see what they have in the cafe...or do you want to eat out?" he asked. 
I'm a Master Lord on an epic quest
Hurt my family and you'll be impaled by my Magic swords, you pest.
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:15 pm
"Wherever we can find something spicy." Melethia grinned, showing her fangs. "I love my meats and my spicy food. I know of a good tavern that has some good spiced meat. I go there quite often. I went there just yesterday. The owner likes to see me around."
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:52 pm
Where ever I wander, where ever I roam,
There's only one place I'll ever call 'home'The Magic Swordman Master Lord, Roy Roy looked at Mel curiously. Meat and spicy food in the morning? What a weird breakfast. But he merely shrugged. "Whatever works for you." he said. "I personally want pancakes."He then laughed at her next sentence, and decided to tease her a little. "I'd like to see you around too, if you know what I mean." he said, winking at her as he went to get dressed.
I'm a Master Lord on an epic quest
Hurt my family and you'll be impaled by my Magic swords, you pest.
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:14 pm
Melethia blushed a bit at Roy's comment.
"That's not what I ment Roy." She said, "And I am a meat person. Spicy food is kinda something else I kinda eat alot of."
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:22 pm
Where ever I wander, where ever I roam,
There's only one place I'll ever call 'home'The Magic Swordman Master Lord, Roy Roy chuckled at Mel's reaction. So it wasn't impossible to get some embarrassment out of the dragon. He didn't mind changing with a female in the room (it wasn't the first time, and it wasn't like he was getting naked or anything. He was just changing shirts) and was soon wearing his usual attire. "If you want meat, get bacon or something." the young lord replied, grabbing his bag.
I'm a Master Lord on an epic quest
Hurt my family and you'll be impaled by my Magic swords, you pest.
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:51 pm
Isadora rubbed her eyes, trying to wipe the tears away. She choked. "I- I- I don't know. I know he had experimenting life with Nergal before, but they were creating morphs. I don't know about bringing back to life without the physical appearance or the lack of emotion of the morphs. It's impossible to accomplish. Only a high spirit or a god can do so."
The paladin was still unsure about Father Renault. She wasn't sure if he was alive or dead. But if he was alive, why would he not come to him after battling with Loki? And if he was dead, why would the bishop bother to be brought back to life? It would be impossible for a mere human to be brought back alive without the physical appearance of the morph. Even Nergal wouldn't be able to do so.
Isadora was taught that life and death should be balanced. That the fabric physic law of life should not be disrupted. If it did, it would bring chaos into the world. Why would Father Renault want to destroy the balance of life and death?
Suddenly, she heard a thump. Turning her attention, she noticed that Amelia had fainted.
"Amelia!" Isadora cried as she knelled beside the General. She was afraid this would happen. The news that she had given was too much for Amelia. If informing the General about Father Renault being in this crime was bad enough, would Amelia be able to handle of bringing order and justice to her own father?
Isadora felt the grim burden sinking into her heart. Maybe Amelia won't be able to handle giving the punishment to her father if Renault was the mastermind of this crime. After all, Tura did say he was contracted to do the work. It would be painful for Amelia to even bear it.
Isadora clutched her fist as a drop of tear fell on top of her fist. It would seem that the paladin had to do it. She didn't want the Watch to carry out the order and justice to Father Renault, especially Amelia. Isadora did promise the bishop that she would look after her. It would be better to receive the punishment from a friend than from an officer of the law. It would bring comfort for him, even if it were to guilt the paladin.
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Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 5:56 am
"I can do that." She said. She almost wanted the complement on how well built Roy was, but she desided not to in the end. She smiled a little bit.
"Shall we go Spitfire?" She asked.
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Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 7:42 am
{At school, no tek formats again, blah.}
" 'Melia!" Leon exclaimed as he saw the General hit the floor, probably in the same state of shock he was in earlier over the grim, dreadful news. They were deceived... betrayed by Father Renault. He was supposed to be part of FEF. He was supposed to be helping Eyris, not 'changing' it with these murders and mutilations, desecrations of the dead.
He was supposed to be the family that Leon trusted his dear friend with, not a twisted sociopath. Were these Father Renault's true colors? Was his real nature not that different than that of Madriana, who's evil spread throughout Learania and mercilessly slaughtered many?
No. That didn't sound like the man Leon met on the battlefield at all.
Muttering another curse, Leon's brows once again furrowed to the angry scowl. "Lady Isadora. Ya jus' think for a mom'nt who th' bishop Renault was. He ain't cap'ble o' this sorta thin'. Tura's playin' on yer mem'ries. He saw th' Father's gravestone an' tried t' twist thin's so ya'd get driven mad. Almos' worked on me too, but now tha' I see 'is plan, I ain't fallin' for it. And jus' when tha' note wanted t' make me feel sorry for him sufferin' guilt... he ain't sufferin' at all! 'E's toyin' wi' ev'y last one o' us... but t' sully Father Renault's mem'ry... tha's..."
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