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 Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 10:54 pm
Cobra_X Cobra quickly followed Gloryness down and closed the cover behind them and began to lead the way down the more and more familiar sewer pathways that would eventually lead to the hideout, but figured it woukld be a good time to get to know this new ally... "Well I don't know what 'your day' was, but nowadays elemental users are not as common as it would seem by the current circumstances. Had I met you a week ago, I would be agreeing with you that we do not see many elemental users together at any one time...we are rare enough that you could find yourself meeting one only every few months or so. However, strangely enough, in the past month, I have met and dealt with more elemental users then I have in nearly my entire life time. If you ask me, it's a sign of something to come...but that's just me.""As for why they fear us, who can say. We all fear what we don't understand, and when it comes to the amount of power some of us wield, that fear can be amplified. You could say that it is their lack of ability to control us that would drive their overzealous attempts to do so. For whatever reason however, elemental users normally lay low, not wanting to draw too much attention to themselves in the fear that they will attempt to be controlled. As for me, I have traveled for years now, trying to use my abilities for good, to right past wrongs. there have been times when I have been heralded as a hero as you say...but I think that nowadays, most governments don't want heroes...they just want subjects. They want the power, and they want people to listen, and they don't care how order is established, as long as its peaceful for the most part. They don't need us to keep the peace, and they fear the power we control will bring chaos, and so, as it is currently, we are hunted."...continuing down the winding paths and causeways that lead from one pipe to the next, Cobra realized suddenly how much he had been talking and changed the subject to Gloryness, "So, Glory, tell me about yourself...what is 'your day'? Fifty?...60 years ago? When did you realize your powers?"Still following Cobra. He responded to the last questions. "Make that a few hundred. If not more."Gloryrness said, laughing. "I was granted this 'gift' by the gods.... A few hundred years ago.. A huge war took place near here. Between the humanoids. People like you and me, elves and gnomes. And things alike.
And the monsters,
Like the one we just fought.
Undead, Vampires, Taurens and orcs, Trolls. Need I go on?
Oi. I fought in that war. An army of thousands. I was one of the leading warriors. We won.
But, the people were afraid that monsters would one day attack again..
And I too age. They gathered 5 mages, from different regions and countries. And they casted a spell upon me in the city that we just saw before us. They turned me into a statue, only to be woken up in times of chaos...
So... Here I am. "
"So, do they have any ale down there? I could surely use one."
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:40 am
"Very strange...", Cobra said as they turned into the final causeway that would lead to the three-way intersection where Cobra had made the entry way into the hideout, "So you were GIVEN your powers rather then being born with them from the start? You certainly have a strange tale, as if a man of your stature and style of entrance were not strange enough. It would seem however that my theory was correct. if you were only to stir in times of chaos, well, there must be some reason for so many elemental users suddenly coming together seemingly randomly."
...the man's story was strange, almost mythical, but with how he looked, spoke, and the powers he possessed, Cobra had to believe him. Either way, a new ally was a new ally, and they could use all the good fighters they could. Cobra smirked a bit at the question about the ale. it brought a striking sense of realism to the man's character..."Not really sure on the ale...I never drink the stuff. I'm sure that being the man of taste and character Straven was however, that there ought to be a keg of it lying around...maybe?" Leading the way, Cobra led the way over the makeshift stone path, asking Glory to go first while he removed the bridge after they were over it and in the room. Taking a few seconds to patch up the wall so as to keep their entrance hidden, Cobra opened the door to the room to look for the others. He had some sad news to deliver, but he had at least returned.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:46 am
"Born? How can one prove himself to be worthy, while he has only yet born?"
"And I'm not strange. In this time I might be. When I still lived, this city was the city of exchange. There were even seperate districts for us dwarvens. And for Humans, elves, and the like. It was certainly not strange.
It's a shame this city has become the human's. I get all strange looks. Are they not used to men like me?"
Letting out a sigh, He followed Cobra inside the hideout. It was better then he expected. But for a man who spent a large part of his life in mines, what's there to complain?
"Ai. I sure hope that they got dem ale. I got me some thirst."
Walking further in, he already mentioned a few people. But he said nothing. It could be considered rude.
Turning around, he waited for Cobra.
"So,... Us elemental users are seen like the monsters I fought? I believe it's the leader of this cam- Err....City that's got dem mind of an Orc then."
"Now, Let's hurreh. I'm running dry here"
(( I'm not sure if it's even said like that. But running dry means, in this case, that he's thirsty. But what do you expect of someone who's been a statue for over 500 years? ))
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:14 am
"Well, what is there to prove? You either have the gift, or you don't. I can't even remember a time when I was not able to control the element of earth. Of course, I was not always able to control it as well as I can now, but the ability has always been there...I've always felt a connection between it and myself. Perhaps I am simply different, I don't know...some people don't experience the ability until later on in life, so I can't say that how it's happened to me is normal, but that's just how it has been."
Cobra continued past several common residents of the sewers, they looked rather hungry, it's possible that he may need to find food before they left. It troubled him suddenly that he may be gone for a while, who would care for these people?...he would probably have a few days to find someone, but who would take such a responsibility? Shaking it off, he asked if anyone knew about where they could find some ale. An older man pointed out a door while he was talking to someone else and spoke up "we don't have much, but Mr.Straven always kept a little for the harder days, for celebrations, should be in that room over there." "Thanks!", Cobra said as he walked past the man.
Opening the door, the room in question was relatively large, had a few tables set up and looked like a place where you could have a small party. At the end of the room, a keg was set up, a single spigot coming forth from it, with a few glasses lined up on the side. "there we go...Ale for the dwarf. To answer your question however, I can't say I've actually met too many of your kind. As far as I know, humans are the majority nowadays...it would have been interesting to see and live in a more integrated time."
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:57 am
"Well. Sam, Let's just do it. I'm sure these people would appriciate it too. After all, we're using their supplies. Eventough they're limited already.
We get shelter, for free.
These people have nothing, and yet they give all they have.
Let's get the food, and go to the blacksmith's to get some other supplies too."
Ace began to walk to the Costume room. Assuming that Sam'd follow.
While on his way, he noticed a room he hadn't noticed before.
Must've been because the door was closed.
While he peeked his head in, he noticed a man that looked a lot like Cobra standing near the door.
"Cobra?"
He asked questionally.
"Cobra, is that you?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:11 pm
Cobra was a a little surprised to see someone crack the door open, truth be told he was kind of focused on whether or not Glory would freak out at the sight of the Ale...he seemed pretty fixated on it before. With the mention of his name, he turned around to see Ace with Sam not far behind...
"Ace...good to see you again. I only just got back myself, I wanted to find everyone and tell them what happened, but our new ally here was thirsty and rather set on getting some ale. It's been a while for him I guess." , Cobra's heart suddenly sunk again as he was forced back to the reality that no one else was aware of what had happened above. It was such a critical event, and yet no one had seen it. It was probably quite noticeable that he was immediately saddened at the thought of it.
Turning to face Ace, he could probably realize that Cobra's right arm was hanging limply at Cobra's side as he had not propped the arm up in a sling yet..."I arrived in time to help, but by the time I got there, Salem had lost control of whatever it was inside him. Straven, Gloryness here, and myself were able to battle him down and bury the beast, sealing him away, but I'm afraid Straven paid for it with his life. We had to run from the scene ourselves shortly after burying him, and now here we are. Sorry I didn't come to you earlier, Gloryness simply needed a drink. Who could blame him after all?...the fight was not easy."
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:05 pm
At the sight of the room. Gloryrness facial expression was Unimaginable.
It went from neutral to one of the happiest faces you've ever seen.
But hey, when you've been a statue for over 500 years, And just had a battle that rough... Alcohol really is a relieve.
Besides, It has a slightly different effect on dwarves.
Inmediatly, he took a glass. It was filthy, but all Gloryrness did was blow some dirt from it. He was used to it.
He filled the glass to the top, and inmediatly drank it. Some of the foam staying behind in his beard.
It was untill the disappointed expression he saw on the other man's face. (Ace's)
Walking over to them. He wanted to introduce, but then he also managed to see underneath Cobra's hat. And he saw his sad expression too.
"Do not mourn, My friend. He's with the lord now... He's in no more pain. "
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:18 pm
Ace expression saddened. He didn't like Straven before all this. But in the past day. He really got respect for the man. Especially after seeing this hideout, and that he took care for the orphans and the poor.
It saddened him that Straven was dead. Even to his last day, he was fighting for the city.
"I'm....Sorry to hear that.. .."
His look focused on Cobra's arm. He reached to inspect it. But he wasn't even able to finish his sentence. "What's wrong with your.."
Ace stood expressionless. His eyes wide. He did not move at all.
When it was over, he saw blurry. He was not feeling well at all.
"I.......think I have to sit down.."
(( Could it be possible that he just saw the battle? You said awfull things. That'd be awfull, no? ))
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:42 pm
((Touching Cobra's arm, or really any part of the right side of his body, which is covered in a darkish-purple/black colored ancient glyphs that look mostly like deep bruises, pretty much results in the following : People get blasts of imagery into their mind, images of a shadowed demonic face and high pitched squealing, then a series of images of death that the sword has taken part of in the past. Basically, it's images of a darkened Cobra, from his assassin days, participating in murders that are as gory, vicious, cruel, and tortuous as you can get...all of it flashed in your mind in a few seconds in rapid succession. Other images not involving Cobra can flash as well, from past wielders of the blade, but about 75% of them are of the current sword's owner. Needless to say, it's rather disorienting and very disturbing. Whatever touched Cobra also had a burning sensation during the flashes of imagery and is all tingly, like pins and needles for a little while afterwards.))
"No don't!",Cobra tried to stop Ace from touching his arm, but he was distracted by Glory's comment and did not see him reach out for it. He watched Ace's eyes open wide, then saw him get dizzy and almost fall. Cobra wanted to reach out and help him stabilize, but it would likely just cause Ace to come in contact with the glyphs again...
"I'm sorry Ace, I didn't mean for you to see that...I should have warned you. That is the price I pay for using the sword's power for so long...it is not something I wish for others to ever have to experience. The sword I carried is powerful, but cursed and bound to me as well. I have not always had the control I now possess, and the sword's past atrocities are most likely what you have just seen. If it's anything like what I have seen in my dreams, I deeply apologize. Whenever I call upon it's powers and abilities, I sacrifice a part of myself depending on how long I use it. It is the swords way of receiving tribute for it's help. My arm will likely be like this for a few days."
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:55 pm
(( Alright then. ))
Ace shook his head short but wildly from the left to the right, trying to gain sense again. And he blinked his eyes several times. Did he just really see that? And..That man...
"Cobra.....Don't tell me that was you!? It can't be! How could you, of all people.. appearing so peacefull, and helpfull, have done that? Those people. Have you not ever kept in mind that they too had a family, and perhaps children?
What was important enough for you to do it anyways. Why!? Cobra, tell me.
How could you man.." He said, nearly shouted. Hystirical.
He was still shocked by those images. But that he had seen that man, was it Cobra? and all those dead people.
Ace never killed. Well, he had killed 3 people at most. A 4th soon. Within a few months, years. After enough training.
But this, this was WAY more then 3, or 4. Way more.
"This can't be true man. Go away!" He said, standing up. And walking, nearly running, to the door.
However, he was still dizzy. It felt as if pins..or needles. It felt like.. it was as if Ace got poked with pins and needles all over his body.
While in his rush to escape, he ran into the wall that faced the opposite of the door, and fel unconsious.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 2:25 pm
Several times Cobra attempted to plead with Ace to calm down, but it was to no effect, and Cobra could not blame him. Everything Ace had said was true, in all reality he was a monster. If he could see why he was the way he was now however, he might understand how he could be a peaceful man with such a dark past. Nevertheless, Ace's words and utter shock at the imagery cut wounds deeply into Cobra, every word of it was true...all those people, the savagery of it, hundreds upon hundreds...possibly more. Cobra had come to terms with it long ago and vowed never to engage in it again and make his penance to the world and use his power for good.
...trying to explain that to someone who has only seen the images of cruelty he had been a part of however, was never an easy task. It was his curse to bear however for his foolish choices before he was able to break free of his former life. One member of the group knew now...it was only a matter of time before he'd have to explain himself to everyone. This is why he never stayed in one place long enough to be known, there was always a danger that his past would be uncovered. "I'm sorry Ace...if only you knew how I felt, you'd know that it's twice as bad for me having been there for all of it."
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 2:33 pm
Gloryrness cocked his head, putting the Ale down.
"Looks to me, he's been on the 'funny water' way too long... He needs rest, any beds here?"
Walking over to Ace, he lifted him up with two hands, And flipped his head over his shoulder. The legs hanging infront of Gloryrness' body.
This'd look funny. Since Gloryrness was so short. But it worked just fine. Ace'd not touch the ground. There was only a few inches space between it though.
"Lead me the way, Mr. Funny hat. Let's bring his guy to his bed."
He chanted, laughing.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:56 pm
"Heh...I guess so...", Cobra said with a troubled and fake laugh, "I'm not really sure where the beds are, but i'm sure they are some around here. If not, between the two of us, we should be able to make some makeshift slab for him..." Cobra looked at the comedic scene of Glory carrying Ace, his arms and legs dangling down to only an inch or so from the floor, gaining back a little bit of a smile from the earlier scene as he led the way out of the room. "sorry if you were planning on something Sam...I didn't mean to shock him so much, it was purely accidental. If you two were about to do something, perhaps it could wait till the morning/"
Cobra walked past Sam, not wanting any questions to really be asked as to what Ace had screamed about. Cobra was much more careful about his arm now, holding it in his left hand, but he knew it would be difficult not to let anyone touch his right side for the next few days. As he walked down one of the corridors of the hideout, he asked a passerby if there was a bunk area, and he was directed to it. "Just put him down here Glory...I'll stay here and make sure he's alright." There was a partial truth to his statement, he wanted to make sure Ace was alright, but more so, he wanted a chance to talk with him when he came to. Cobra pulled up a chair and sat down at Ace's bedside, reclining back a bit as he thought about the battle and his past. "Feel free to wander around and find Allure, she is our leader more or less and we will be helping her reclaim her kingdom...I'm sure that if you would plan to fight the good fight, you might want to speak with her first."
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:09 pm
Sam raised his hand as Ace walked into the all and lowered his head into his hands "smooth...." he said and chuckled lightly as he turned to the dwarf "be careful with that would you? I still need him" he added and turned to cobra " so... what was that? some kind of... journal?" he asked and began to walk with Cobra and Glory.
Sam suddenly brust into laughter "so you and I, we're one and the same huh?" he said and shook his head "From the look on Ace's face I'd say you're a cold-blooded killer after all" he added.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:24 pm
Cobra remained perfectly still in his seated position, but was actually quite upset by Sam's comment. "I'm nothing like you at all if you can call yourself that and laugh. My past is not something I am at all proud of and I have spent and will dedicate the rest of my life to possibly even start to make up for the atrocities I've committed. What I was is no longer what I am, and I am no longer a 'cold-blooded' killer as you so brashly stated."
..."The images you referred to as a 'journal' are actually memories. Snapshots that the sword remembers are particularly brutal and evil, the ones that it remembers because it enjoyed them the most. Unfortunately for me, they are also the ones that haunt me the most as well."
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