Open Season (Open RP)

Suraya followed her husband and reinforced him with her fiery magic. Then send out an Fata Morgana army... made of solid light... that went and scattered some of the Circlle! She looked down and followed the route they where taken... "We are way to close to the Worn Cover!", she yelled out.

Far away from Paragon City underneath the eery building covering the dungeon maze that made up the home of the Court of the Blood Countess Elizabeth stood in front of her black crystal mirror. She was sending spell after spell towards it... then changed her tone and waved across the mirror.

In Paragon's Steel Canyon a black reflection in midair appeared close to Tezkarial. The vampire witch her voice sounded... "Tezkarial! Status report! Me and several of the Circles mages are reinforcing the portal. But I am not sure how well it will hold."

Behind Elizabeth Vladimir walked in... almost without sound. But her vampiric enhanced hearing heard him enter anyway. "Mistress...", the lich said in his raspy voice. Very carefully in the hope that he wouldn't disturb her too much.

Without looking back to him she threw in another spell of dark energy that hit the mirror... it's power send to feed the portal. "Almost done! And it better be important sack of sorcerous bones!", she replied in haste.

Storm heard Pious' voice over the amulet, not one to trust magical protection he decided to head to the Worn cover anyway to make sure it was safe.

He then looked at the Succubus he was holding in his hand, wrapped around her throat as she struggled to breath, three behemoth lords lying motionless on the floor around him.

"You got off lucky here, try to remember that..."

Throwing the Succubus into a wall he burst forwards, the sound of a sonic boom shattering the windows of the buildings around him, flying straight for the Worn cover he saw a few demons near it, causing seemingly random destruction while perhaps not realising how close they were to the Nighthunters base of operations.

He flew directly at one of the demons, he wasnt sure what type it was but at this point it didnt matter, wrapping his left arm around its waist he pulled it along with him, then while still flying he brought it forward, using his right arm he delivered an electricity fueled punch to its chest sending it flying down the street and into a parked car, resulting in a massive explosion that seemingly destroyed the demon.

Storm landed, turning around to see the other demons surprised look he flew forwards again, directly at it, in the moment it took for Storm to reach the demon it had tried to hit him with its claws, unfortunately for it Storm was able to catch its arm mid swing, electricity surging around his hands he sliced through its elbow with the very energy he was producing, it howled in pain before Storm brough his knee to its stomach, silencing the beast and causing it to collapse on the floor.

Before its head hit the floor however Storm delivered an almighty kick to its face, sending it flying over to the pavement in a bloody heap. He looked around, more would be coming and at this point he might be the only one to defend the bookshop, clenching his fists the sky began to grow a little darker, thunder could be heard as the lightning swirling around his body started to surge towards his eyes, growing brighter they seemed to burn a hot white energy.

"WHO ELSE WANTS TO TRY ME!!"

Storm thought to himself, first the countess, now this, probably connected somehow, and just how many more times could we let something like this happen...

Drew sat upon a rug on the floor of the tiny apartment she used, her young brows creased in concentrated thought. She contemplated the upcoming mission with great care and finally reached her conclusion. The black catsuit was more suitable than the purple. She tossed the purple garment aside and placed the sleek black suit upon her bed, remembering.

*****

A younger Drew, perhaps ten years old, but possibly younger with her waif-like build, sits lotus-position upon a mat of woven reeds. She does not look directly at the man who speaks, keeping her gaze respectfully lowered. The man paces slowly as he speaks, his footfalls as silent as a stalking cat and just as effortless.
"The assassin should rarely wear black. Despite the common foolishness, black is a stark shade - too easily picked out against anything but complete darkness. The moment you must cross the smallest patch of moonlight, or be sihouetted against a grey stone wall, you are as starkly visible as the shadow cast by a searchlight."

*****

It was barely 15 minutes later that a stark shadow moved the short distance from a high window of an apartment block to its dark tiled roof and was lost. The heavy industrial smog in the sky meant that not only was clear moonlight rare, but that even the stars could scarely be seen. Drew was a black shadow against dark clouds in a moonless night. There would be rain later, a while before the dawn, Drew knew.

Slim shadow in the darkness, running silently and with perfectly trained grace, from rooftop to shaded balcony to leeside of chimney and back out to rooftop. No stray moonlight caught the silent shadow, nor gleamed from the claw-blades attached to her hands, nor the deadly needle-guns attached to her wrists. Tonight, black was the perfect choice for the assassin.

She sprinted as though her feet barely touched any surface, a rolling motion of the foot absorbing all sound and impact smoothly. She ran to the edge of the roof and leapt, without pause or concern, falling, diving, and cutting the cold waters more cleanly than a knife. Sleek black shape in the cold black waters.

The mercenary she sought to torture had very few friends as such. Many aquaintances, but few he actually cared about. Even killing a dozen of his past sexual partners had seemed to have no effect. Not even the one who she'd left to be mauled in death in the tiger's cage of the zoo. It seemed that Game didn't keep any interest or contact with his conquests once conquered.

Drew wondered if he had yet heard about the death of the retired Mother Superior who'd once worked at St. Joseph’s Children’s Home, Brooklyn. Game had made better efforts to stay in touch with the orphanage as far as she could tell, and finding the retired former Mother Superior crucified on their steeple certainly should attact attention.

Tonight's target seemed far less likely to hurt Game in any meaningful sense than any of the others, but she was sure it would all have effect eventually. If only by demonstrating how wide the net was. That noone he had ever known was entirely safe...

*****

Little Pete hummed to himself as he steered the boat from the small cove. His cargo was in a half-dozen large wooden crates loaded at night on a quiet little dock in a small secluded cove. A brisk breeze blew across the ink-black waters, and might have been considered 'fresh' if it were not laden with industrial smog.

Pete had done this run three times before, quietly and without fuss. His boat, the Wifes’s Envy, had been a good smuggling vessel for Little Pete's father, Salty Pete, until that run smuggling mutants. Shipping the crates of guns to Striga from the Council facility in Sharkshead was much safer. The Spiders didn't care, and The Council controlled the landing zone at the other end completely.

As he reached the point at which the shoreline and cliffs hid all sight to and from the cove, Little Pete glanced about, although who he expected to see was as unknown to him as it would be to any observer. Checking that nothing was in sight, he cracked open one of the crates with the jemmy he kept in the boat's toolbox. It never hurt to be sure of what you were carrying. Might be bombs or anything with those Council loons.

Little Pete whistled to himself as he looked at the gleaming assault rifles in the crate, then slapped at the mosquito that bit the back of his neck. His vision blurred even before he realised that his neck was too numb to feel the slap, and that the 'mosquito' was actually a tiny sliver of metal. He fell to the deck heavily, while a silent black shadow slipped her arm back from the boat and slid back down into the waters without a splash.

Drew didn't know how well Game had known Salty Pete's son, but she knew for sure he'd remember the Wife's Envy, the boat he'd so admired when Salty Pete had moored it next to The Jelly Fish Dream for so long. People would think the boat cursed now that both owners had been killed on it. But Game would wonder. Game would suspect. Game would know that he was now the game. Big game indeed!

As smoothly silent and invisible as ever, the black shadow within the black waters swam undetectably away.

Unseen above everyone on the balcony Darkleaf edges silently on her tiny feet to the side nearest the doorway, still keeping a wary eye on the mirror which is still an open portal, and an ear toward the conversation in the lounge... She sits with her back to the wall, wings pressed up against it, knees drawn up to her chin and arms wrapped around her legs.

Tez grunted at the portal as it closed "fool Bathory, we shouldnt be allied with such filth, and certainly not I, a chaos demon. Still i can sence the magic is close, i just cant see it, the rest of you, go back to the portals, i want shields and fortifications up to stop other heroes getting to us. Karz will handle the heroes at the central portal soon enough. well, get going!" he shouted at the mages and demons round his giant form as he began moving onward towards the Worn Cover's hidden location, himself alone able to see its true where abouts, even if he couldnt see the building.

++++

Blade scanned the streets from the sky, heading towards the central portal. over the amulet he sent the message "the circle are heading in all directions Pious, wrecking every building. i dont think its gonna matter if its hidden or not, someone is gonna find it if we dont push back the circle now!". He saw the giant Tentacles of a monstrous demon atopthe central portal building, fighting against heroes he couldnt make out. speeding up, Blade flew at full pelt right at the creatures chest.

Storm leapt over an expanding crack in the road, running towards the ruin mage resposible, two life mages on either side of him, as they brought their hands up towards him he flew into the air, holding his hands together in a ball he hurtled to the ground with only one thought in his head, they already made one crack in the ground, im sure one more wont hurt.

Hitting the ground, golden electricity exploded from his fists, the two mages flew in opposite directions, volting forwards at the ruin mage he placed his hands tightly on either side of the mages head, bringing his own head straight into it, leaning it backwards as he did with enough force to break the mages nose, then flying just a few inches off the ground he brought his head down again, directly into the mages face once more with a loud thud.

The mage fell to the floor, unconcious as were the two life mages. From the alleyways around him and running down the road towards him, guides, thorn wielders and roughly 8 or 9 energy mages all ran at him ready to attack, powering down for a minute he decided to conserve some energy. The energy mages appeared to be keeping back, raising their wands together a mass of energy began to form in a line from one wand to the next.

The first guide reached Storm, he managed to grab his arm and spin him to his left, as another one came along he kicked him in the stomach, raising his right arm as to twist the other mages arm behind his back, then he brought his right arm back, using his elbow to smash the other Guide in the face, grabbing the head of the mage he had hold of with his left hand he pulled it down into his knee then pushed his back hard, he fell to the ground like the other Guide had.

Another Guide came along trying to hit Storm while one of them stayed back, pulling out his crossbow and aiming it at Storm while a Thorn caster threw a throwing knife directly at him.
Using the back of his right hand he smacked the Guide in the face, catching the knife in mid air with his left hand he used his right knee to push the Guide next to him right into the path of the arrow the other guide had just fired, hitting him in the shoulder and pushing him to the floor.

Storm twirled the knife in his hand and in a split second threw it, handle first, into the face of the bow wielding Guide, disorientating him for a moment. Taking advantage of the moment Storm rushed forward, bending down he grabbed at the leg of the Thorn wielder, pushing foward he placed his other hand on his chest and followed through by picking him up over his head, then moving forward and smashing the Thorn caster down on top of the Guide.

Storm attention was now on the Energy mages, reaching forward he cupped his hands together, fingers stretched forward, the energy mages were ready, together they had collected a massive amount of energy and were ready to throw it. The centre mage pulled his wand forward, sending the mass of energy directly at Storm.

"Power..."

The mass of energy flew through the air, tearing the road apart as it did.

"SIIIIIINK!!"

Storm pulled back his arm, keeping his hands cupped together, the mass of energy being drawn inwards through his hands until it was all absorbed.
Placing his arms at his sides he clenched his fists, golden electricity swirling around them giving off a strong, bright glow, his eyes burst with energy as his whole body shone brightly, the ground shaking slightly as the golden glow from his body seemed to glow bright and brighter, spreading throughout the street, electricity sparking everywhere, shattering windows, lamp post lights and setting off car alarms.

Storm looked at the mages, his eyes burning brightly, they simply stared at him for a moment before turning around and running off down the street. Storm decided to let them run.
He didnt feel safe going any further from the Worn cover, even if he had rather grudgingly moved a couple of blocks away, just to misdirect the Circle.

Tezkarial stood infront of where the Worn Cover should have been. He was sure it was here, but he could neither touch nor see it. It was then he heard a call in his head "Nighthunter engaged, we need assistance!".The call was close by, and Tez lept into the air, firery wings expanding from his back as he flew over the few streets between him and Storm.

Landing, Tezkarial smiled, "so Nighthunter, i can take some revenge for the thieft from our city" and with that he charged, his clawed feet making cracked indentations into the pavement below, his fire sword raised, heating the air and slicing through street lamps with ease. As he reached Storm, the demon brought the blade down in an arc towardsthe Nighthunter's chest.

++++

Elsewhere in Steel Canyon

"coming up on Second target, Portal is heavily gaurded, appears to not have hero support, will continue to engage, request back up." Said Rack Up as he fired a grenade into the buildings front door and entered, firing a wide arc at the circle mages inside, knocking them off their feet. He ran up the inside stairs, using his knife in such close quarters to fend off attacks from thorn casters and guides, demons and hell beasts. He reached the second floor and pulled his rifle up again, throwing caltraps across the floor to stop the enemy getting too close.

An arrow shot past the heads of the demons and the mages, passing just past Rack Up's own ear and thudding into something behind him. He turned to see a Thorn Caster, knife raised over his head, fall back down the stairs, with an arrow in his arm, crumpling at the bottom of the stairs. "you alright there American?" called a british voice as a wave of Ice froze the floor around the circle members.

Suraya looked over what now seemed a complete battlefield. For a second she was lyable to engage the demon leading them as he stood right in front of the Worn Cover. But as he jumped away she knew trouble would come to one of her team members.

She created a huge flash disorienting all around her... then realised that whomever it was the demon went for... Blade, or maybe Adam... he would probably be able to hold his own. But the reinforcements kept coming as long as the gate would stay open. And the enemy was indeed legion. The gate! The gate has to be shut down..!

She created a small desert storm out of sheer heat clearing her path to where the gate should be. And rose a bit higher... There it was. Dark energies oozing away from the 'centre' of it. All the way still spawning more demons, ghosts and succubi. She made herself invisible again and went straight for it. Just above the gate she re-created her phantom army and released the phantasmic body of Meymaneh. The Djinn screamed out and then saw the enemies. With a loud laughter he started ripping through them. Enjoying every minute... every second of carnage. Normally this would shock Suraya to the bone, even after centuries. But this time, this time she wanted revenge! A spell of heat re-inforced the djinn's form and she gave her attention to the portal.

Obviously it was constructed and fed by energies most faul. Dark like tar. She blinded the senses of a ghost who just came through the portal and the creature moved straight up with a loud scream.

If the portal was feeding of dark energies maybe it would spend those energies faster if light energy would be fed to it? And that she could do! She concentrated and then exploded in a light brighter then a star! Almost all of it was instantly absorbed by the dark gate... the rest blinded those close by. The shock forced her to land...

Then she did the same trick again... trying to keep the light on for a longer time. She never used this much power so close upon the last time... and the strain was incredible. But the portal seemed to need more... more! Slowly she builded up the light intensity. The portal still sucked up most of it but now she kept in on. Succubi who looked at her dropped in agony as their eyes where burned out... ghost flew away as their ethereal bodies where almost consumed... Some mages noticed the effect in time but where unable to react as they where frantically holding their arms in front of their eyes.

One of Techbot Alpha’s Hidden Storehouses...

For Shop time hiding out with Big Game in Techbot’s storehouse was great. Ever since he managed to make his way to the Isles, and hook up with his still oblivious father Shop had little opportunity to spend quality time with the man. The pair being forced to stay low had at least given Shop plenty of time around his father, and the pair had actually spent a lot of that time talking. Only things spoiling it were Big Game’s frequent ill advised trips outside to relieve his boredom, and of course the ever present threat of death due to Bathory’s bounty.

Shop looked over at his father, and smiled. Big Game was tinkering with a metal ball like object. One of the many things the pair had in common was a talent for repairing, and modifying junk. For Shop this was the one thing he was really good at, something he’d inherited from his father, and something that had supported him when he first got to the Isles. For Big Game it was one of those skills he’d mostly forget, occasionally surfacing when he couldn’t just shoot something, or had to fix something he’d broken. Shop wasn’t exactly sure what ‘Game was working on but apparently it was some sort of surprise for Bathory once he’d talked the Corporation around into making a move against her. Whatever it was he’d been toying with it since his meeting with Pious Hunter, and the discovery that bounty hunters were now targeting Big Game’s former lovers in an effort to flush him out.

Shop turned away from his father, and powered up the laptop Kimi had brought for him when she dropped off a message from Hailey several days earlier. For Shop the laptop provided him an escape from the storehouse while his father was otherwise engaged, and he used it to catch up with friends back home in Brooklyn. After a few minutes chatting online he suddenly spoke out loud...

“No way! Never thought something like that could happen back home.”

Big Game looked up from his work. Having come from a part of Brooklyn not far from where he’d lived was one of the reasons he’d took Shop on as his apprentice, so any mentions of home would also pique his curiosity.

“What’s up kid? Dodgers loose a season?”

Shop turned around to face Big Game. “Nope. Some sicko crucified some Mother Superior on the steeple of St. Joseph’s Children’s Home. There’s pictures on the Net , and everything.”
Big Game leapt up from the crate he was sitting on. Both the ball like item and the tool kit he’d been using crashed to the floor as he hurried over to the laptop. Snatching it out of Shop’s hand Big Game started to scroll through the pictures. His face contorted with a mixture of pain, and anger.

“It’s my fault... I’ve put them all in danger.”

Shop looked up confused. Meanwhile Big Game tossed the laptop back into Shop’s lap and started gathering his things.

“Da...I mean um... What’s going on?”

Big Game was too occupied to notice Shop’s slip of the tongue. “I’m going back to Brooklyn kid. Somebody has been trying to get my attention, and now they’ve got it.”

“Wait up; I’ll get my stuff too.”

“Forget it kid. Things are gonna get nasty. Stay here where it’s safe. Besides I need you to get hold of Aquis. Bathory’s bounty has gone on long enough. Once I get back from Brooklyn I’m gonna end Bathory’s ‘Open Season’ once and for all, with or without the Corp’s help.”

“But...”

Shop’s words were wasted as Big Game had already stormed out of the storehouse door...

-where someone watched him leave.
"He's going to get himself killed, one of these days."
"You don't sound particularly concerned..."
"One of these days. Someday when people like me, who are too kind, aren't there to keep an eye on him."
"Ah. I was wondering..."
"Set a watch on the kid, and make sure we've got a teleport uplink set up. Oh, and make sure I can comminucate with him if needs be. If this place gets hit, maybe it's time the kid learned to use some of the really big toys we got around here."
"You know that's probably a bad idea, right?"
"Yup. And I'm doing it anyway."
"Sounds like a plan."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

Storm saw the demon coming but didnt expect for it to move so fast, having no time to dodge he did something drastic, shooting a high powered bolt of lightning from his right hand directly at the floor he manages to use the resulting explosion to roll to the left, barely missing the attack from the demon.

Pushing off the ground with his legs he shot into the air then slowly lowered himself onto an adjacent building, planting one foot on the edge of the roof while keeping the other one raised a few inches from the floor.

"Theft? im afraid your a little confused here, you attacked this city, you burned its buildings, attacked its people, i dont give a DAMN what reason you think you have to do something like this, im sending you straight to hell."

As Storm finished talking, golden electricity surged all over his body, small orbs shimmering around his hands, stretching his arms out forward he cupped his hands together and pointed them at the demon, slowly pulling his arms back he thrust them forwards, a stream of golden lightning reaching outwards straight at the demon.

Blade hit the large demon coming out of the central Portalsquare in the chest, knocking it back through the portal. This had the unfortunate effect of also sending him through the portal. Sword in hand, Blade readied himself for what would come next, and looking around he saw a multitude of demons each one ready to pounce on him.

Drawing all his might he begn to strike at them. "Come on then if you think your big enough!" he yelled, sticking his sword into the large demons head, and using the sword to kick the demons back in a flurry of super speeded kicks.

Blade knew he could not returnthe way he had come, the portal's destabilisation from Suraya's Flames had already begun, besides he was drawing demons from the other portals, he could see them, blue lights the dim blackness surrounding him and the demons. Picking up his sword, he began to fight the toughest battle he had yet to come across.

++++

Tezkarial was looked around to see where Storm had disappeared to, the lighting flash he had used to roll away only serving to increase his rage. When the lightning bolt struke, it knocked the Chaos Demon back, staggering against the wall next to him.

He saw Storm on the building above and launched himself upwards, hovering and looking where the hero had pearched, yelling "Tell me where our book is!".

He held his hand out and sent a multitude of green hellfire at Storm, and not waiting to see if they had hit, he flew towards Storms pearch, crashing into the buildings roof ledge with an awesome force.

Storm leapt upwards into the sky again, a field of electricity filling the air as he did, hitting the green flames and mixing together to form a thin wall of electricity and flame.
Once again Storm has to wonder what the demon was talking about, but as always, he decided not to give a direct answer, and instead replace it with more of a taunt.

"Try your local Library!!"

Storm turned around in mid air, he raises his left arm to the sky and pointed his right arm at the building as the Demon struck, the sky crashed with thunder as a lightning bolt fell down hitting his hand, travelling through his body and firing out of his right palm directly at the Demon below.

Storm decided not to rest this time, falling fast to the floor he hovered for a split second before landing on the ground, stretching his arms backwards he thrust them forward, cupping his hands and in a split second firing a bolt of golden lightning.

Pulling his arms back, golden orbs started to glow around his hands, rapidly thrusting his hands back and forth the golden orbs shot forwards, surrounding the area of the roof the demon stood on, hanging in the air until there was around 20 of them.
Storm outstretched his right arm, palm facing the sky.

"Tesla cage..."

Storm clenched his fist, the orbs of electricity connected with each other, electricity shooting between the orbs in a continuous stream, filling the air with a golden light that seemed to heat up the surrounding area.

-Darien's 'home'-

Darien stepped through the door and was greeted with the same sight he had seen for over a millenia. Except one thing ...

"Zhacol ... why are you sat in my chair?"
The colourless demon turned in the seat to look at Darien, a smirk on his face. Unusually, Zhacol was dressed in a red gown.

"You don't expect me to stand all ... the time do you?"
"You have seating provided?" Darien gestured to a simple wooden chair in the corner, adorned only with a pillow for slight comfort.
Zhacol sank into the chair before replying "That chair is old. Besides, you weren't using this, were you?"

Darien's eyes flashed with rage, and his control of his realm forced Zhacol out of his chair with invisible force. Mildly disoriented, Zhacol swept his robe and locked eyes with Darien.
"So, how was your search, Darien? Are the enemies of the Court bowing before your prowess?" There was a mocking tone to Zhacol's voice. Zhacol knew all along that Darien hadn't made the slightest attempt.

"No .. not yet."
"Hmph. Not yet? Are you simply going to out-live them?" Zhacol was surprised that Darien didn't strike him; perhaps things were changing. Darien walked over to his seat and sat down, taking the weight of his feet. There was a long pause before he spoke.
"No, Zhacol. I'm not even sure where to start." This surprised Zhacol greatly, so much infact that he inadvertently raised an eyebrow. Zhacol sighed and stepped down to Darien to talk to him.

"Well, Darien. I can show you the right path." Darien looked Zhacol square in the eyes, probing him for any sign of betrayal. Finding non, or at least, nothing obvious, Darien nodded his approval. Zhacol grinned and stepped back.
"Firstly, Darien, my knowledge does not simply extend to this realm. I have a great deal of knowledge of the .. outside world." Zhacol glanced at the door. "You need to aquire a list. A list of the Court's enemies. My advice is to start at the bottom, so to speak." Darien rubbed his chin and nodded.

"Hm. I see. And why shouldn't i start at the top?" Zhacol chuckled and shook his head.
"You're powerful Darien, there is no denying that. But so are your potential foes."
Darien thought on this, but as he did he turned slowly to Zhacol with an inquisitve glare "Zhacol ... show me how you know this." Zhacol grinned and chuckled darkly.
"Certainly Lord Darien ... follow me"
....

Storm became alert, he felt something in the air, a new type of energy, something strange and different to what he had felt before.
Leaping backwards he hovered in the air, a few feet off the ground for a second looking up and down the streets until he saw a man down the road, holding a blade in the ground as a loud noise swept through the air.

Floating backwards he landed on a roof across the street from the building the demon had attacked. He kept an eye on the demon but his main focus was now on the man down the street from him.