|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 3:06 am
Jake Uso was in a bad place- between a rock and a hard place as they say. Surrendering his momentum to face the leatherfaces behind him would only give the Black Phantom a free shot, so he continued on his collision course with the demon.
Ultimately, he knew he couldn't make the first move, so it became a game of chicken: who would lash out first? Possessing only his body as a weapon, Uso really couldn't afford to lose. Striking too early would leave him wide open for that big sword the Phantom lugged around.
Jake Uso was smiling in spite of all this. He had come to live for these moments- these fleeting, climactic moments when lives and victory were in the balance and all hung on just a few seconds and a decision.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 10:45 am
Nathaniel grinned, "Finally." he chuckled, jumping out of the car. He threw the bullet that had been in his hand, putting his High Impact spell behind it. The projectile slammed into a leatherface, exactly between where its eyes should have been, taking the minion off its feet and sending it to the ground. Nathaniel shivered with excitement, feeling the rush of the kill. Despite his excitement, Nathaniel had the self control to stay near the car. The doctor needed to be protected. The thin man held up his hands and formed a spell with each hand, firing his Baby Boom spells at the closest minions. Each spell had enough force behind it to rip a man apart. Nathaniel felt so... alive. He lashed out, slinging spells at any minion that was stupid enough to approach the side of the car that he was protecting. The feeling of the souls pouring into his body only fueled and drove him to kill more.
Nathaniel was amazed that he was able to focus himself so well. Normally, he would have gone out of control. Somehow, he was managing to keep himself contained. Other than being slightly annoyed at the fact that he wasn't cleared to attack the demon, Nathaniel was doing fine in terms of controlling his battle rage. Well, he wasn't seeing red yet, so he considered that a good sign. Maybe it was that part of him that hated what he was. Maybe he was more worried about protecting Dr. Miles than killing the minions. More likely, it was probably because Nathaniel wanted to kill the demon more than anything. Now that he thought about it, keeping the doctor alive seemed... important to him in some way. He didn't quite understand why, but he decided to make that a priority. He placed his back to the driver's side of the car and assumed a slightly more defensive strategy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 1:21 pm
Richard was a little disappointed that his Crazy Eye had little noticeable effect on the swordsman, but it was expected. With a shrug, Richard waited for the "Weapons free" to come.
Weaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfree
That thing has a massive sword. I wonder if it's compensating for a tiny demon p***s.
Richard's face shifted to a look of mild horror as he involuntarily imagined what a demon p***s would look like. He shook the terrible visage from his mind and continued to wait.
Weaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfree
Ah s**t, these things? Again? No big deal, you've fought with them around before. Just act like they aren't there, they'll go away soon enough. Guess I should report this when we get back.
Weaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfree
What's that kid going to do, punch the damn thing?
Weaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfree
There's a Barrett M-82 next to you, now.
Weaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfree
Hey, Richard...
ShootitshooitShut upShootitshootitshootitShut up!ShootitShut upShootShutitupshootShut up!itShut. Up.Shootitshootitshootitshooit SHOOT IT NOW! SHUT THE <********> UP!
...b***h
Weaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfree "Understood"Weaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfreeweaponsfree WEAPONS FREE!
With only a second's hesitation for Uso's sake, Richard opened fire, starting with the swordsmen near the phantom and away from Uso. He let fly one grenade after another, sending minions flying left and right as he brought the stream of grenades closer and closer to the Black Phantom until he was firing directly at it.
He kept a mindful eye on Uso and hoped he would be rational enough to not charge into the hail of explosives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:27 pm
Doctor Rachel Miles, psychologist, was trying not to think too hard about the sliced-in-half car (of the same type as hers, no less) off to the side, even as its driver crawled from the wreckage, shot two minions in their kneecaps, and joined her in the armored car in the now-empty space they had with the Illuminated deployed. She didn't think she'd seen him about the base before.
"My advice," the driver said, "Is to not let that thing get in sword range."
One of the sword minions took a look at Niko and lunged. Niko also lunged, and the ensuing events went much better for Niko than the minion. Even in a twisted human body, it seemed that most free spirits were not going to be a match for a proper Illuminated - especially not a certain one whose claws glowed dimly with the might of his Witchcraft.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel's uncharacteristic calm was not missed by Rachel. It was unusual; by his file, he ought to be going absolutely mad by now. Instead, he was calmly standing, back to the car, and... being on defense? That was quite new, indeed.
Jake Uso's hand was quite rapidly forced by a certain overenthusiastic ally. WEAPONSFREE The stream of 40mm grenades tore apart a half-dozen minions, blew open a storefront, and then sailed over Uso - who, for lack of a better option, had turned, struck down a swordsman behind him, and gotten the ******** out of the local dodge before the grenades hit.
The phantom drew back and hopped away from the grenades. As the full-auto stream of grenades followed it, it ducked into a store's side door (kicking it off the hinges).
"Don't let the bugger get away!" Eamon yelled. Eamon - and perhaps others - were beginning to realize that this thing was not behaving like a demon despite binding the free spirits. A demon would almost certainly have simply killed the gunner with as much time as it had (a full 0.84 seconds, for those counting) before Bender had gotten the sights on it. Whatever this was, it wasn't a demon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:48 pm
Richard ceased fire, wondering if he was cleared to fire upon buildings. He quickly glanced around and found Eamon.
"Something's off about this, since when are demons defensive? "
Richard didn't like the idea of following the Black Phantom into a building, but he didn't see much of an alternative other than blasting the store to hell, and even then, the b*****d would probably carve his way out the back.
"I have a feeling we'll lose it or worse if we try to chase it in the car. Am I cleared to fire into the shop or should I switch to small arms and pursue?"
He glanced at the destroyed car and again at the shop the Black Phantom had entered.
Blow up the store and KILL IT NOW!
Go away, no one loves you.
KILLITKILLITKILLIT
Shut up!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 11:38 pm
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow as the Black Phantom turned and ran from the grenades. Demons didn't do that, generally speaking. The gaunt man fired several more of his Baby Boom spells, beginning to feel slightly out of breath from the use of magic, "Sir, we need somebody to follow it on foot!" he called out, slinging a quick spell at a swordsman that had ventured too close to the armored car for his liking, "Do you want me to defend the car or go after the target?" Nathaniel, despite his newly found desire to protect the doctor, really wanted to go after the Black Phantom. A quick Implosion spell, while it would be extremely exhausting, could potentially solve their problems for the day. Not to mention, watching blood spray in all directions as he crushed the life out of something would make Nathaniel's day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:09 am
After quite nearly face-planting on the pavement in an effort to elude the stupidest ******** support he had ever received- I mean SERIOUSLY, who shoots when it's that ********>- and plowing through yet another leatherface, he briefly cocked his head toward the armored vehicle. "Maybe!" he shouted, "If you'd let me finish what I started, we wouldn't be having this problem!" It was arrogant and he knew it, but Uso was also aggravated that his fight had been so rudely- and STUPIDLY, he could not forget the stupidity- interrupted.
Then, to answer everyone's questions he charged after the Phantom, leaping through the gaping doorway and over the unhinged door. In that split second he realized those people had been requesting orders, which meant a leader. Too slow, Jake reasoned. Something has to be done now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:23 am
Bathed in gore and ripping through minions in a winding path of pure reaction to whatever got too close, Niko wasn't very much aware of anything going on beyond the sweet, sweet taste of souls and twisted minion blood. Somewhere in the back of his broken mind a tense voice shouted It's getting away but he didn't listen to that one either. Only fair.
What he did listen to was his commander. Years of service had taught him to do at least that. Instruction to not let a 'bugger get away' caught the beast's attention. Something was running away. Demons don't run. Ears laid back and upper lip curled in a snarl as he stared after the Phantom's last known location to see the young brawler dart into a building. Don't let it get away. . . bloody lips curled in a wicked grin and he leapt over the nearest minion to give chase. It had been a while since this wolf last had a good hunt.
He told us to guard the car that tense voice protested but the beast didn't much care for guard duty.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:03 am
As the slew of new combatants came into the playing field, Strings took a moment to sigh quietly to himself. Too many, too active. If the way the slaves were being taken apart was any indication of their weakness, having this many bloodthirsty Illuminated trying to clear swaths of flesh was simply unnecessary. They needed to chase after the phantom, the demon, whatever it was. But Strings had his station. He continued to absorb souls from those fallen around him, his entire mind's power set on keeping level-headed and doing his job. "Chase the demon," he barked gently, if those two words can be reconciled. His tone was still one of deference, to those who were mobile. "I'll handle the cannon fodder."
With that, he waited until Jake, Nathaniel, and Niko (and any others who seemed to be heading the direction of the store) were out of range, then loudly said, "Cover your noses." He then slammed the bow down on three strings at once, and as he drew it across them, slow as nails on a chalkboard, he pulled his fingers up the neck of the instrument, choking it, making a repulsive squeal fill the immediate soundscape. A sickly miasma of purplish gas spewed forth from the point of contact, and in short order, had suffused the surrounding streets. It was not a strong poison, and so would have little effect on the Illuminated, and Strings also put a great deal of concentration into keeping it from the newly arrived vehicle. This made him a target, he knew, but with luck, it would draw the lesser enemies towards this new and delicious annoyance, and allow the rest of the team to concentrate on the far more potent threat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:56 am
"********! Do your own god damned job! Don't go running off like that!" Nathaniel yelled after the beast-like thing that was once Niko. There was no way in hell he would get to pursue the Black Phantom at this point, unless Eamon abandoned all sense and left the car unprotected. Nathaniel would have to double his efforts to protect the vehicle without Niko guarding the other side, which would push him over the already dangerously close edge. He was beginning to feel the tugs at the edges of his mind, threatening to pull him down. It was a promise of freedom for him, a release of his pent up aggression. Nathaniel circled to the other side of the car, pulling bullets out of his pocket as he moved. He threw the bullets with High Impact spells into a crowd of swordsman that were nearing the car. The man grabbed a swordsman's face and pushed it into another minion, slinging a Baby Boom spell after them. The use of magic was slowly tiring him out, only making it harder for him to stay in control. The sheer number of swordsman was slightly overwhelming, even if they were split up between Nathaniel and Strings. Minions just kept coming at them. Nathaniel increased his magic use and the force he was putting behind his spells in hopes of stemming the tide. His vision began to go red and he began moving and attacking in an increasingly erratic pattern. The only warning the others had was the laugh that had erupted from Nathaniel's mouth. He was losing control, the souls from those he killed fueling his strength.
Strings snapped him back to reality, in a slight way. As far as Nathaniel was concerned, that meant that the demon was all his. He cackled and rushed after Niko and Jake, determined not to be left behind by either of them. They were competition. They were all predators after the same kill. After Nathaniel's rightful kill, as far as he was concerned. The thin man sprinted after Niko, ducking into the shop. At the back of his mind, he remembered the doctor. He felt something negative about leaving her there, but the madness had taken over.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:49 am
Rachel had stopped the car by now and was staring wide eyed at the carnage in front of her. She jumped with a tiny squeak when the other driver climbed into the seat beside her and gave him a weak smile. She had no intention of going anywhere near that. . . thing. The boys could take care of it, she reminded herself as she watched it dodge the grenade fire and disappear into a building.
Interesting. I was under the impression that demons were more aggressive she thought to herself and a quick glance to the team confirmed it. They were surprised. She'd not made up her mind if that was good or bad before Niko and then Nathaniel ran after the thing. She really should have expected this but then she'd not expected to be facing a demon on their first outing, certainly not one with hordes of minions. On first seeing the threat she had hoped the reward of lost souls from the minions would keep them closer. But she'd underestimated the thrill/obligation of demon slaying which drew her guards off, leaving her with the very real threat of those faceless minions.
“Get your scrawny asses back here!” She shrieked leaning slightly out the window to do so. “Nathaniel. Nikoli. You're going to get me killed!” She jerked her head back inside with a gasp, narrowly ducking the swing of a minion's sword that had gotten through the hole left by the dumb bastards.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:31 pm
"Not to worry, Miss," Strings said politely, his voice carrying through the mist to her. He was sweating by now from the effort, but after he realized the woman was left completely unprotected and apparently unable to protect herself, he concentrated his firing on two small areas - primarily that closest to the car, and secondarily that closest to himself. His music was slower now - a wheedling, slow melody that was more precise rather than the earlier pieces that had enabled him to sling fire somewhat haphazardly - as he preserved his strength, and his sanity. Hopefully, the boys would be done, soon. Or the commander would start to throw his strength into the fray.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:05 pm
"Idiots are going to get themselves killed." Richard remarked, mildly annoyed. He watched the boy, wolfman, and Nathaniel run towards the shop to chase the Black Phantom.
Uso wasn't under any orders, the kid was just being an idiot. The other two had no excuse, they were under orders to protect the car and instead rushed after the Black Phantom, probably lusting for the kill just as he was. If there was one thing Richard had to thank the voices in his head for, it was the near-constant exercise of willpower they've forced upon him for years.
Richard, responding to Rachel's yelling, drew his Five-seveN and placed a bullet in the head of the swordsman outside of her window. Minion's were closing in on the car now that the morons who were supposed to be guarding it had run off.
"Sir," Richard addressed Eamon, "We should move the car into position to back the fools up when s**t inevitably hits the fan."
Richard would absolutely love to join the chase on foot, it was his calling after all, but he also knew that it would be more productive to the fight to stay behind and help keep the others safe. Three chasing after the Black Phantom was plenty, and it didn't actually matter who killed the damned thing. Richard was part of a team, and he understood that. He also understood that the more members of a team that actually worked together to make the kill instead of fighting for the kill, the better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:54 pm
Eamon had failed to deliver orders; he had seen this behavior before and it meant he wasn't going to be able to leash them. Any attempt would result in confrontation. The confrontation would come later. "Doc, don' bother. They're not comin' back. I'll have to more thoroughly establish chain o' command later."
"Richard's right, pull forward but don't get too close. I'd have you engage, Bender, but there's too many friendlies in there already." He'd hoped his squad would be smarter. Either they'd smarten up or they'd get replacements, he figured. "You, stay with the car as we advance!" he shouted at Strings. "Richard, keep tha' big gun on the ugly ones! Doc, go, but keep it slow, I'm going in there and I'm gonna try ta regain control o' the situation! If ye can, raise reinforcements!" Normal commanders had it easy, Eamon figured; they didn't have to deal with troops who were eager to fight.
Eamon took off for the store, knocking back the leatherfaces without actually killing them and only when he absolutely had to. He'd get into the store, order everyone out, form a perimeter, and pour 40mm fire into the building until they could flush it out into the open. In there, at that range, it would flatten them, Eamon was sure of it. The sword might inhibit it... or it might just cut straight through walls. Given the sliced-open armored car, Eamon was guessing the latter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:24 am
Their spirits calls for the hunger to be sated with the phantom's blood. Their wills are not their own. The black phantom beckons. The Terminal beckons. Blood must be spilled, and their choices are no longer in their own hands.Jake Uso moved into the back of the store; it was cramped, full of shelves. Books, it looked like. He registered in his mind that this must have been one of San Lazaro's last bookstores if- The scrapper ducked as the blade cleaved through a shelf next to him. It looked like the tight quarters weren't going to be as big of an advantage against the oversized weapon as he'd hoped. Made sense, given the fate of the first car, though. Niko, the werewolf, came around the side and went for the phantom, who danced back. Uso rose to his feet and went back in. Both of them were anticipating taking the kill. Uso closed as fast as he could as Niko went for the throat, closing before the sword could be brought into position. They were totally (and not at all unjustifiably) unprepared for when the black phantom jammed his sword into the ground and slammed his fists together, producing a powerful shockwave that threw them both back in some sort of casting they had never seen before. As Niko, who had been closer, hit the ground and attempted to come up in a roll, the enormous blade slammed into him at the left shoulder. Before he could do anything but howl in pain, the blade came up and back down again, splitting Nikoli Bedier from right between his shoulder and his collar bone and right down through his rib cage to his hip. The phantom flashed a bright red and rushed at Uso. Touching his fists again, he blew Uso back over and brought the blade down through his torso, pinning him to the ground. As they died, each one felt the phantom seizing their souls; their weakening spirits clung to their remaining power, their remaining integrity, and each stopped the phantom from taking all. As the black-red coloration of the phantom faded away, the invader - now looking quite dignified and knightly, with light but ruddy skin, an utterly impassive facial expression, dark eyes, and a finely-trimmed white mustache within his steel helmet - withdrew his sword, bowed, and disappeared in a pillar of light. That the wounds were clearly cuts and not explosions was the only thing between Nathaniel and an accusation of betrayal. Outside, Strings' final notes and Richard Bender's pistol kept the abandoned and somewhat alarmed Doctor Rachel safe as the area's remaining bound spirits were relieved of their stolen bodies. As Nathaniel reacted to the sight inside, Eamon reacted to Nathaniel, and those in the armored car saw Eamon, it became immediately clear to all from the body language and the sudden silence that something had gone quite wrong. >First Contact
>DuskThis Fragment has darkened.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
