|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 4:45 pm
Not for the first time that day Rep wished he had his own laptop with him so that he could at least make some attempt to write something that might pass as him knowing what the hell he was saying. Of course, it would mean his most important possession would no doubt be completely ******** several times over at this point. So perhaps it was for the best he was stuck using the ******** brick of one. If he'd been at home, before the island he could have had the thing functional, maybe even connected to the network, but he had none of his USBs and none of his kit to do it with.
He eyed the slab anxiously, the black crystals already putting him on edge.
"I can't unlock the laptop." he spoke up, because even if Caelius didn't want to hear it from him, he was dutybound to at least try and inform him once. "Also uh. Are those the spready kind of crystals?" he sidled away just a little. "I mean if they aren't, that's great. I'm just checking."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 5:12 pm
"Spready kind of crystals." Caelius repeated, as if Rep had lost his mind. He obviously didn't find the joke funny at all. "If-"
-The ground shook as a blast went off in the distance, followed by the roar of flames. That obviously got enough of the Death lead's attention as he considered, but made no motion, to actually move towards any explosions of any sort and just stared grandiosely that direction.
It was also about a delayed five seconds later that the computer facing Rep suddenly turned off, into a deep abyss of black screen. Perhaps it was one of those things that pressing the circular button might have fixed, if it suddenly did not reboot again, this time without any operating system. White lines of code began to run along the black screen and systematically navigate directories and files, several windows opening up to different programs, all loading. If Rep was computer savvy at all, he might have noticed that the computer seemed to be running it's own queries based on Caelius's past inquiry, as if it had gained sentient life of its own.
A moment later, a scanning bar popped up, and the image of the exact same glyph, or one with a ninety-eight percent accuracy rate popped up in a presentable almost wikipedia-like form, detailing basic information. It was called the Sigil of Madness, according to the file provided with a handy, more accurately depicted glyph, and runes of the same language had locations scattered from Indonesia, to Tibet, to the south-China Russia border. According to the information provided, and for some reason, conveniently highlighted on the page, it was one of the thirty-two sigils used in and event referred only as The Resurrection.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 6:08 pm
Rep's first instinct as the laptop went black was that just his luck, the battery had gone dead, probably not charged. But it came back on again and next thing he knew it was cycling through its own information and very possibly being remotely operated, he was utterly relieved. Even if it was booting up some self destruct program it was at least doing something that wasn't being ******** useless.
As the information came up on the screen Rep piped up reading what the screen had to say. "Here sir. The Sigil of Madness, related to something known as The Resurrection! One of umm.. thirty two. has there been others? Is this what you are looking for?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 6:19 pm
He didn't actually respond to Rep, but he didn't throw the Sun Hunter out of any windows either, so Rep was probably on the right track. Caelius simply stared into the distance where a small forest fire was brewing, looking majestic or whatever it was he was doing, most likely deep in thought, or perhaps he just enjoyed bathing in the warm glow of forest fires.
Rep's screen lit up again and there was a single window that popped up.
"You're welcome.
-M"
It popped closed again as the computer itself shuffled and rebooted, turning back to the login screen.
"We are done here," the Death lead didn't wait for Rep to ask what exactly happened to the other Hunters and turned back to the portal, "pack everything up. I will see you in my office at six."
He left, also leaving Rep with the tablet that was still growing crystals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 8:02 pm
Rep took note of the fact that he would really need to thank Mark later for saving his a** and followed along as always. He was concerned about the other hunters but for the most part was grateful that he was still alive and hadn't also yet been abandoned.
Though it was probably a matter of time.
He closed the laptop and tucked it under his arm and then turned his attention to the tablet, frowning anxiously.
Tracey spoke up.
<> he added.
So, experimentally he poked it with a stick, trying to keep an eye at the same time of the encroaching forest fires which may or may not have been started on Cael's orders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:08 pm
Thankfully this time, nothing happened, and at some point the crystals had covered the entire tablet, but there were no mirrors, strange undead creatures, or any of the above in sight. However, the wound where said undead had bitten Rep began to pulse a bit in pain, either as a phantom reminder, or as a reminder of something a little more permanent.
As the Sun Hunter had been kind enough to linger behind, not much longer two of the six Hunters arrived, a little singed around the edges, but safe. They gave Rep a grim look and did not say another word as they passed through the portal. A little while longer, Oz and the other Death Hunter that had been with Rep at the interrogation room also arrived back, hoisting someone injured, though everyone else was in pretty good shape. Considering how many explosions were going on, the survival rate of said mission was surprisingly high, and not a single Hunter said any single word to each other, communications tense. They really had nothing much else in common but a common job.
The portal waited for Rep, but it seemed it wouldn't last that much longer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:33 pm
Rep figured ultimately there was nothing else for it, everyone else was leaving and he should too.
But first he tried to wrap the tablet in his coat and bring it back with him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:55 pm
The tablet crystals tore right through his coat, and seemed to fuse with it, but thankfully did nothing more to harm. The throbbing on his arm however, had settled into a slow, painful burning sensation, though upon inspection, there was nothing wrong with his arm, the bite wound, or whatever crystals had remained, entirely gone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:04 pm
Rep was no stranger to repairing or replacing his coats but was nevertheless vaguely dismayed at its ineffectualness as a restraint for magical tablets. Under pressure the Sun hunter tended to get more and more reckless the more that time became a restraint. The pain in his arm was worrying to say the least but at the same time part of him wanted to bring the thing back with him just in case it had any ******** hint towards how to fix whatever was wrong with him, not to mention the thing sounded like a horcrux or a very important quest objective in an mmo. He felt like leaving it behind would be a grave oversight.
Cael had been holding it moments before right? Maybe a shield could withstand it?
Tracey was not keen on this plan of action but he reached out with a finger to poke it anyway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:11 pm
Filaments of black, thinner, immediately wrapped around Rep's hand, and traveled, in the shape of delicate crystal vines, up his arm. There was a strange feeling, and he could hear it through the strange humming it emanated. It felt hungry and it wanted him to consume, like a spider pulling in a long awaited prize.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:17 pm
Rep immediately regretted his course of action the second the crystal spread to him again, panicking outright. There was going to be no way to bring this thing back and given how cursed it felt - he didn't want to. The hunger was enough, consumption and carnal drive was what he existed on, he knew how dangerous it could be, and this thing was ******** dripping with danger.
He tired to recoil and pull away from the thing, if he managed it, he fully intended to just run to the portal. He was done ******** with the thing. He was not Cael.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:42 pm
The crystals were gaining form now, driven mad by hunger, folding into itself, creating skeleton and skin and flesh with crystal pieces alone. Still half-formed, it began to walk steadily towards Rep, reaching one hand forwards. As it drew closer, the pain in Rep's arm screamed louder, numbing his senses, slowing him down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:55 pm
Rep wanted to run away, to head to the portal but once again he felt obligated by the very definition of being a Sun hunter to fight the creature, summoning Tracey for what felt like the hundredth time that day, and swinging with all his might, still holding the laptop in the arm that had been bitten and wasn't really good for anything.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:06 pm
The axe went right through the growing monstrosity and cleaved it right in half, the crystals falling apart, only to pull themselves together again, into two shapes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:12 pm
When Rep panicked he did one major thing. He swung more. He didn't care if it seemed to be replicating the creatures, he just needed to keep them off him.
Still, all the while he was backing up in the direction of the portal, just refusing to turn his back to what could potentially be his doom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
