A-L

I read it again and realized that it didn't need to be there. Thanks again.

A-L

Bane and Elina were again alone in their own compartment on the airship. It seemed that few people wanted to head east. But Bane knew why. The Season of Fire had begun, and the parade would begin in the far south Metropolis. The parade would be grand beyond anything before. Entertainers of all kinds would join in the festivities. There would be fire dancers, beast lords, acrobats, fools, musicians, Artists, even wizards joined in the massive parade.

Millions of people would participate in the parade, and hundreds of millions would watch their passage throughout the Metropolis. Fireworks crafted by the finest pyro-technicians would precede the parade and follow in its wake. The skies would be alight for days on end, the light shows wouldn’t cease until the parade stopped. The parade would never stop, night or day, rain or shine, the Parade would continue until the Season of Fire had run its course. Even then the festivities would continue for days on end. The best food and drink would be served to the writhing masses.

The heat added with the clustering masses of people would create a massive flux of emotions throughout the city. Anger and lust would rage like wildfires and coalesce almost into one. Men and women and children would be murdered, homes would be destroyed, and friends would kill one another. But new homes would be built, new friendships would take place, and the many women, children, and men that had been lost would be replaced. It was the way of life, the way of the Metropolis.

Smiling wistfully, he remembered all of the naked women that ran through the city, coupling with men and women both. Beautiful women all and he had had his fair share. Looking over at Elina who gazed almost sadly out of the window, he sighed to himself. Between the both of them there was enough blood and sorrow to fill the Murk.

Admittedly he didn’t understand her, but he knew pain when he saw it, and the woman suffered greatly, perhaps more than him. He had told his story, or at least some of it and deep inside he wondered, what’s hers? He knew that she would tell him when she was ready, for though she would not admit it, she bled grief. Without uttering a word, Bane reached over and grasped her hand. She stiffened and turned to stare at him. Visibly she relaxed and laid her head on his shoulder and together they and the airship rose above the Metropolis, to fly over the dark waters of the Murk.

Suddenly Bane awoke. His heart was hammering in his ears, as he sat up knocking Elina into the window in the process. She awoke with a shout, and glared at him. But he ignored her. Instead he was looking out the window of the airship. The sky had darkened as dark clouds covered the sun. A storm was coming, or so it seemed. Could that be what he felt, the power of the storm?
Elina taking notice of his manner asked, “What is it, what’s happening?”

Bane looked at her, his eyes aglow. “Do you feel that?”

Confused she shook her head. “Feel what? I don’t feel anything.”
Bane again looked out the window of the airship searching desperately for anything. He was beginning to worry her. For a second she had thought she saw fear in his eyes.

“Maybe it’s just the storm. Yeah, it’s nothing don’t worry.” He sounded as if he were trying to reassure himself. When he sat back Elina could see the tension in his face. What was it that worried him so? A while passed, and Elina had drifted off again when suddenly she heard Bane shout. She awoke instantly, and turned to look at him. He was standing up this time and he was again looking out the window. The sky was nearly completely black and accompanied with the dark waters of the Murk it made it seem as if they were floating in the Pit itself. Bane said something that she didn’t quite hear.

“What-what did you say? I didn’t hear you?”

“I said get back, get back from the window.” His eyes never left the darkness outside.

“What? Why? Dammit tell me what’s happening!”

Without looking at her he pointed out the window. She followed his finger. “That’s why.”

At first glance she couldn’t make out anything amongst the surrounding darkness, but as lightning flashed in the distance she could see a small figure floating, keeping pace with the airship. “Oh,” she gasped. “What is that?”

His eyes intense Bane said, “I don’t know, but it feels like it’s huge. I don’t know how to explain how I can feel it. At first I thought it was the storm, but…well now I know different. It’s unnatural it and feels unwholesome. And, I think it’s following us.”

This shocked Elina. “Following us, for how long? Do you think the Watcher sent him?”

“I don’t think the Watcher would send something like that after us, he may be a murderer but I don’t think even he could control that thing.” He looked down at Elina. Her eyes had gone emotionless as waves of energy began to gather around her. Cautiously Bane placed his hand on her shoulder. The power that he felt run through his body was numbing. “Don’t,” he said, “this isn’t the place to fight it. I mean, whatever it is, I doubt it would attempt to fight us on an airship.” But Elina did not relax. Instead the energy that he felt continued to mount and he withdrew his hand.

When she spoke her voice was flat and emotionless, “You should prepare yourself Bane, it’s moving and it’s moving fast.” He looked up. Outside the winds had begun to howl, and the dark water moved and swished about like liquid night. Betwixt sky and water the dark figure moved, and as she had said it moved with alacrity, far more than should have been possible.

“Shit, it’s headed this way.” It had turned and pointed itself directly towards the airship. He could see the figure nearing their part of the airship, moving and not stopping, it wasn’t going to slow down. Realization crept over Bane’s mind. “It’s going to hit the airship!” Just as Elina threw up a shield of magic to protect them both, it collided or should have collided, but there was nothing. No sound, no explosion, not even a slight sign of turbulence.

Bane looked around their cabin, the lights were still working, and the windows were intact, and he checked out in the hallway and noted that it looked no different. He and Elina looked at one another confusion etched across their features. “What just hap”-before he could finish his sentence their cabin began to collapse. Metal began disengaging from metal, shrieking in the process and floating away, glass didn’t break but began separating from itself. The floor began to fall apart in pieces. Bane looked in the hallway. The walls in the hallway were drifting apart. The few people that were on the airship were running out in the halls screaming, completely ignorant of what was causing the ship to tear into shreds.

Elina screamed and Bane turned back to her. She was floating away while in her chair, still carried by the momentum of the ship. She was lost in the darkness. Bane shouted after her as the floor beneath him fell away and as he floated amongst the now wrecked ship. Lightning flashed in the clouds, momentarily blinding him as he began to fall. Thunder clapped and was deafening due to his proximity. The vibrations shook his body about, sending him into a spiraling tumble ever faster towards the black waters of the Murk. Wind ripped against his clothing and tore the air from his lungs, and rain saturated his clothing, dousing him in an icy sheen.

In the darkness he could make out other shapes falling about him, the monstrous hull of the airship which still seemed to be pulling itself apart as it fell disgracefully into the Murk, he could make out other people as they fell probably screaming to their lovers and friends. Yet among them he saw not a trace of Elina, who had been swallowed by the dark clouds.

It would be but another few seconds before he plummeted into the lake, and it would be yet another few seconds before he was devoured by some hungry creature. Fighting with the wind as it yanked him back and forth, he managed to turn his body about and look up.

What he saw amazed him. The being that had somehow destroyed the airship floated above him and seemed to gather lightning from the clouds. Electricity wreathed around it in bluish-purple tones, crackling and screaming in protest. The brilliance of it was astonishing. Fear and anger gripped Bane as one. What was this creature doing?
Then as if to answer his question, it began to rotate. The clouds began to collect about it, and the lightning blazed ever brighter.
Its spiraling picked up speed to a blur of crackling power, and then in a brutal flash of chain lightning, the vortex of energy descended towards Bane. He opened his power allowing it flow outward from him in waves of death. His eyes opened wide in anger.

“Fight me then you bastard!” The words left his mouth just as he was struck. His body rattled and his teeth jarred in his mouth, were it not for his power he would have lost consciousness. The air about him burned, as the creature wrapped him up tight in a terrible hold. Bane was blinded, and in severe pain, but so was the creature. It let out a horrible scream as it felt Bane’s power kiss its own.

Such awesome power ran through his body, he felt as if he would explode. His nose began to bleed from the sheer intensity of it. The heat from the electricity around the creature scorched his clothing and blistered and burned his skin. He screamed as his body caught fire. Twisting in its embrace so as to get his hands free, Bane began to strike it with his fists. Another shrill shriek from the creature sounded as Bane struck it on its head, and began bludgeoning it with his elbow.

Screaming the creature fought back, gripping Bane’s head with one huge hand and beating him across the face. The wounds inflicted healed instantly as Bane drew from the creature, but in turn the being seemed to draw from him, he could feel its tug on something within. Looking into its dark eyes, he saw nothing but emptiness, the very same that would be found in the Pit, and then it hit him. He was not fighting something of the world of men, he was fighting a demon.

The pair continued to battle in an electric spiral, even as they fell from the black skies and pierced the black waters of the Murk. Cold water rushed over Bane, and there was nothing but darkness and the pain of his still burning skin. Fortunately he no longer had need of oxygen as most humans would. The demon atop him struck him incessantly, each blow weakening him, as it continued to draw from something within. Bones broke under the force of each blow.
But still Bane fought back, he savagely punched and struck him with his head and elbows. Yet somehow it was not enough. The demon was winning. Warm blood oozed from his mouth to coalesce with the water. His wounds were healing but not fast enough, new and old ones were being torn open faster than one could heal.

The cold water still had not dulled the heat of the demon, as steam trailed after them. Desperate now, Bane tried a new tactic. Reaching further within, he began to draw energy from everything that he could feel, even the water. He stopped fighting as he concentrated, allowing his power to truly take control. Closing his eyes and ignoring the searing pain, he did something he had never done; he opened the void within him completely.

Their descent into the depths slowed, as the water around them began to grow colder. From every particle Bane drew life, and he could feel new strength growing within. The demon paused in surprise as ice began to form around it, freezing its limbs, and even the pockets of steam that had trailed its descent. Water could be heard freezing as the power invested in Bane took hold and spread outward, seeking to fill the vast emptiness within. Death had taken the form of ice.
He had captured his assailant, and he would devour his life force bit by bit until there was nothing left. Suddenly the demon began to shatter the ice around them as if sensing Bane’s plan. He couldn’t see how it was breaking the ice, in the darkness but he could hear and feel it. It was trying to escape! It was trying to escape the one thing that all demons feared: captivity.

With new found strength surging inside of him Bane grabbed the demon, and held him, as his power continued to tear the life force from the monster. It screamed in fear and fury and struck out at Bane, beating him across the head and shoulders, breaking bone and flesh in the process.
But the wounds healed quickly as Bane continued to hold onto the demon and drain it of its life energies. Gradually the blows became weaker. He cried out in triumph when the demon let out a feeble rasping sound and went limp.

The power that coursed through his veins was dizzying, though internally he felt completely weak, as if his soul had been shredded. His head reeled and he could feel himself slipping into unconsciousness. Somewhere off into the distance he thought he saw a light illuminating the darkness. But he paid it no heed. Closing eyes, he felt himself slip into a place dark and warm with his arms still entwined around the demon in a dead embrace.

TevenB

Wow, that was an amazing addition indeed. And the description you have for the fight with the demon is awesome. This story is a long one, and exciting, cant wait until you add more!

By the way, I have a new story posted here A-L, check it out.

A-L

Here is Chapter 8. Haven't posted in a bit, hope you all enjoy.



Irane leaned against the railing, looking out over the dark waters. The storm he had seen earlier had passed and the two moons shone brightly in the night sky. It had been a vicious storm though, and the lighting had been awesome

Reports had gone out that an airship had gone down, and ships had been dispatched to find the survivors. Irane now rode one of those ships. His powers over the elements had given him a sort of sense in the flux of nature. With that sense in mind, he felt that something within Murk was wrong, horribly wrong. Even the lightning storm had felt unnatural. It had been the key reason why he joined the rescue crew; he needed to know what it was that felt so wrong.

Closing his eyes for a second, there was a brutal flash that seared his eyes even behind his eye lids. Opening them slowly he looked out over the water. A roar of energy leapt from the waters erupting in a green-purple hue. A wave born of the blast knocked non to gently against the ship, forcing him to hold onto the railing.
Horn blasts from the ship echoed across the Murk, and other ships returned the call. Irane could feel the ship pick up speed. What could that have been? Could it have been what I felt earlier? Apprehension rose within him. He hoped that whatever it was that had generated the blast was benign in nature.
Something bumped up against the ship, and Iran looked down. Something large and solid floated near the ship, periodically bumping into the ships port side. Gradually as the ship progressed, more and more floating objects became visible. These are pieces of something, but pieces of what? I hope those aren’t the remains of the airship.

Other men aboard the ship shouted as they too took notice of the floating wreckage. Search lights were aimed at the waters by the crew in a desperate attempt to locate any survivors. It didn’t take long for them to find a bloated body already half eaten by a blood shark. Irane shuddered as the light revealed several other bloated bodies mutilated by the creatures of the Murk. Suddenly a red fin rose from the water and a large conical shaped head struck a corpse near the ship. The body and the shark disappeared within moments. So much for survivors.

More and more wreckage became apparent as the ship neared the initial crash site. What could have done this? Atop the water flames burned in odd hues of green and purple. The hairs on the back of Irane’s neck rose up. There was something uncanny about the site, something very disturbing, but he quite couldn’t put his finger on it. After staring out into the water for so long, the moving water and the floating objects coalesced, blurring and confusing Irane’s vision. So much so that he didn’t notice the two lone figures floating on the surface until they bumped against the ship’s hull. The sound made Irane look down; his shout brought the entire crew to the port side.

“Pull them in, quickly!” Someone shouted, and soon ropes and nets were thrown overboard. Using a pulley built into the ship, the crew hauled the pair sopping wet onto the deck. Quickly the ropes and nets were severed and the crew gathered about the ship healer who had come forth from below deck. Kneeling before the pair, a woman and a man, the woman ran her hands over the woman’s body first, searching for any vital signs of life.

“She’s alive,” the healer announced, “get her below deck into warm clothing now!” Then she touched the man. With a gasp she reeled back, cringing.
Irane stepped forward.

“What’s wrong?” The healer looked up at him.

“He’s cold, so cold this man should be dead right now.” She hesitantly brought her hand to his temple. “But his heart rate is normal, I don’t understand.” Irane stepped closer to the naked man, and almost immediately he took several steps back. Could this man be what he had felt earlier? Irane’s power over the elements gave him another gift, a sort of acuity to all things that were natural in nature, and this man wasn’t natural, to Irane he felt out of place, as if he didn’t quite belong in the world of the living.

The sheer force of his power was nauseating. He looked about at the crew, and counted them lucky that they couldn’t feel it as he did, though he was sure that the man’s presence caused some slight discomfort amongst them.
“Get him below deck.” The healer said quietly. The crew lifted the man and carried him down the steps. The captain blew the horn and the ship began to turn back the way it came. Irane hoped that it would be a quick trip back.





Victor’s rage was immense. It coiled within him threatening to be released. His chest heaved with the effort of keeping his fearsome temper in check, but the more he contemplated the rapid turn of events it became more and more difficult to control his rising fury. The shadows around him whispered soothingly into his ears, hoping to quell the rising tide of his anger. Looking into the orb upon the table, his gaze followed Bane hatefully as he made his way across the Murk, headed to safety, for now.

Suddenly the door to his left exploded sending wood shards careening into the darkness. A massive figure stood at the threshold, huge arms folded over its chest. Victor didn’t look away from the orb, he knew who it was.
“You interrupt me at your own peril Watcher; you have caught me at a very bad time.” The Watcher tilted his head.

Have I really? Did I catch you at a bad time?” He strode gracefully across the room to stand next to Victor. He brought his lips close to Victor’s ear. “You know I am having a very hard time not killing you right now. Every person who is even remotely sensitive just woke from their slumber with bloody noses. And do you know what this means, hmm? You my friend have just become a liability. Do you know what I do to liabilities Victor?” The Watcher’s voice was still calm, it was sugary almost.

Flames danced along the table as Victor’s fury began to manifest. “I warn you Watcher, you step too far.”

“Do I?” He grabbed Victor by the collar and lifted him until his feet left the ground. White hot flames erupted around him, searing his eyes and blinding him. But still he held on to Victor throttling him with his powerful arms. Victor struck him across the head, and the heat intensified. Suddenly snarling dogs could be heard, and the Watcher was thrown away from Victor. Landing gracefully on his feet as he snuffed out flames, the Watcher snarled at Victor his eyes alight with anger.

“Hell hounds, I should have known.” Around Victor huge dogs prowled their limbs barely discernible from the shadows around them. Green and white flames blazed in and out periodically as the Hounds prowled protectively around Victor.

“Leave now Watcher and I will spare you your life.” Victor’s eyes had taken on a dark golden hue.

“Spare my life? No, I don’t think so Victor. You and I aren’t finished quite yet, you still owe me, and if you think that those damn pets of yours will protect you from me the next time I come than you are mistaken.” The Watcher turned to leave, his suit repairing itself with each step he took. He stopped and turned around slowly. “You are now on a short leash Victor remember that.”

Stepping out into the hallway, the door repaired itself after the Watcher’s retreat. Victor smiled and laid hand on one of the Hound’s heads. “Apparently he can’t see everything now can he?”

TevenB

Very cool, as usual the dialog is very well typed out. I wish I could write my dialog as you do. And the confrontation with Victor towards the end was very nice. Reminded me of Power Rangers. Like when the main enemies talk amongst themselves. I dont mean that as an insult though, I love Power Rangers. As well as your story

A-L

Thanks! Some more will be up.