The Furry Forums
Creative Arts and Media => Creative Writing => Topic started by: flames on May 10, 2008, 09:56:59 PM
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After looking through some of the RPs I go on and re-reading The Hero Eternal: Warrior, I realised that Flames has a complicated history which may confuse people (and myself). I like the character of HoKaze no Flames and decided to write a shortened backstory of sorts with varied entries from different points of view. (It can also be seen as a collection of Oneshot Stories)
Chapter 1: Reflection
Flames floated there, suspended in time and space, protected from the Apocalypse raining down on the planet below. But even here, where reality faded into dreams and pain did not exist, there was a sharp feeling...an agonizing thing that struck all the senses at once. He wept bitter tears as he tried to clutch his heart, only for his gloved hand to impact cracked metal; the cause of his pain.
He had destroyed them all...trillions of innocent beings around the entire galaxy were suffering, dying, all because of him. He had failed.
Part of him argued that it was the only way to erase a foe with such infinite power from existance. They had all been together, many souls united as one, flowing through Flames as they gave him the strength and faith needed to accomplish the impossible task of defeating the God-like being. It had been the only way to protect the rest of existance from a fate infinitely worse than death.
Flames still felt cold, like a monster being left out to freeze. He had won, sacrificing himself for the last time, ensuring freedom...But he was unable to help them as he fell from the edge of the atmosphere, his body burning up, being torn apart. So much pain. Everyone else had put too much effort into erasing their foe and had effectively sealed their fate...They were dying and it was Flames' fault for letting them give him too much energy.
He felt tears seep into the cracks of his armour as everyone in the galaxy died an angonizingly slow death. The lesser known worlds were the first to go, drowning in a sea of crimson fire and blood. One planet at a time, the galaxy died, leaving only Earth remaining as everyone the lone warrior cared about died, moving on to a place where he could never see them again.
Flames had died before. He had died an honourable death and had been brought back for his sacrifice. This time there was no return, no second chance. There was only turmoil and anguish as the warrior cursed at himself, engulfed by the darkness.
He had been to other worlds before, he had experienced loss and he had floated here, suspened in time and space, many times before. Now everything had changed. Flames accepted his fate, accepted his soul being tortured for an eternity, before being released once more to fight for freedom and for friends on other worlds, in other dimensions...
He knew only one thing: This would never happen again. He would train for all time if he had to, eliminating his weaknesses in battle. No matter how many times the Gods restricted his abilities or erased his memory or laid curses upon his heart and soul, he would not give up. It would never happen again.
Flames' face was hidden by shadow as gashes appeared in his armour and fluid oozed out, the blood dripping everwhere. Flames sheathed his blade and smiled sadistically as the shadows swallowed him whole...
(Phew! Typing that with a Wii remote is painful. This is probably one of the darkest things I've ever written. As a note, it is set several years after The Hero Eternal: Warrior and an unknown length of time before the RPs on this forum. Tell me what you think of this madness I call Chapter One...)
[Edit: As a general note, FireWind Chronicles, The Hero Eternal: Warrior, The Hero Eternal: Resurrection, The Hero Eternal: Apocalypse and all related concepts, themes and characters are © to me. I don't mind the copying/printing of these works as long as you don't claim credit. Theft of Intellectual Property is punishable by law and can lead to large fines...So don't steal this work!]
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Strangely enough I enjoy dark stuff like this. It was a interesting read. I think you gave just enough detail to get the point across but not so much to bog people down in it. Well done. I look forward to the next
And yes, it does suck to type with a Wiimote.
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Thanks. It's highly reccomended that you read The Hero Eternal: Warrior...and leave reviews, hundreds of reviews! Seriously though, it isn't needed for this tale, but it helps.
Chapter 2: Lost Memories...
I never knew my family. I never knew any family at all, I knew not of friendship, I knew not of kindness; I knew only of a freezing void others called a heart, the only warmth being brought to me as I was tortured, beaten within an inch of death and force-fed oozing slime. It was a dark, dirty and despicable warmth, but warmth nonetheless.
I never knew of what love truly was, and even now, in this void I drift aimlessly through, I still don't know. I came close to what I believed to be love; I had even referred to it as love once, but it was a lie. It was affection, but not love.
As I grew I was further abused, my species being seen as vermin to be eradicated. I don't know when it happened, but I suddenly snapped. I was sick beyond death of what I had to put up with, the alleyways I couldn't call my own anymore, the numb rift where my emotions should have been and the agonizing existance that was life. If I couldn't be left to slowly die in peace, they would suffer, all of them! Every human, no...every living being I met would drown in a flood of sorrow, crimson with their own precious blood...
Before I knew what had happened, there was red everywhere, drenching the very air with death. There weren't any bodies. They were just bits and pieces of matter, which could have been rubbish or flesh. It was impossible to tell. I, being only a young child, became disgusted and terrified with the chaos I had unleashed. The organ I laughingly called a heart beat faster and faster as I fled, my last shard of innocence and peace incinerated.
It wasn't until several years later that I was seen again. I had lived in the shadows far away, afraid of others, afraid of the world and afraid of myself. I had purged myself as best I could of the horrific demons within and dedicated myself to my own morals, my own code of honour, my own way of life.
Upon studying the Way of the Warrior and hearing of attempts to overthrow the ruler of the land, my goal grew that little bit clearer. I poured all of my broken soul into fighting for my people, for fairness, for equality and for freedom.
I lashed out at all who got in my way, determined that no being, no matter how powerful, would ever control my life again like it had been when I was a child. I became pure, regained my spirit and started to regain my sanity and my soul; although my heart was still dead to me. A resistance was formed and I became known as a 'hero'. Funny that, seeing how much I killed, how many people suffered because of me and how twisted I really was inside...My concious mind denied the truth and tried to live this 'pure' existance I could never have. What a joke I was back then.
Now I know better: I should have never seeked out my heart, I should have remained cold, I should of froze my soul to protect it and I never should have trusted anyone, least of all myself.
More blood trickles down my arm as what few memories I still have are blotted out by this wonderous red liquid. I cut down deeper...
(Another dark one, this time in 1st person from Flames. Tell me what you think whilst I stare in shock at what I wrote.)
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It's really good! :)
I'm waiting exited for more, because it's really interesting to read this.
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Good stuff once again. Keep it up.
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Blood and violence: check
Mindless rambling: check
Horror at what you've done: check
Sound details: check
and
Good structure: check
I'd say you've done smashingly, Flames my dear. A lovely story. Did you add onto The Hero Eternal?
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Blood and violence: check
Mindless rambling: check
Horror at what you've done: check
Sound details: check
and
Good structure: check
I'd say you've done smashingly, Flames my dear. A lovely story. Did you add onto The Hero Eternal?
I've been meaning to work on the sequel(s) to The Hero Eternal: Warrior, but I got writer's block and suddenly ended up writing this, which actually takes place after the last (unwritten) 'book' in the series. *shrugs* Oh well, I'll just continue writing this for a bit...
Chapter 3: Escape...
No matter how how many times I thrust my energy-blade, the X-Sabre, into my vital organs, my existance continues, the pain and fluids oozing from within me the only company, my only comfort.
No matter how hard I try, I cannot take what I don't have: A Life. I cannot live, I cannot die, I'm just encased in this foul darkness, the silence deafening me, the lack of light blinding me and the nothingness of the void almost entirely stripping away my sense of touch. I show my sharp teeth as I hack my way through once more, relishing in the feeling of agony that gripped my body.
When the only things you could sense were either a soul-draining emptiness or intolerable anguish, pain was always infinitely more enjoyable. There was an oddly calming effect created by abusing your existance this way. It was not unlike the Soul of Ice: where emotion was banished, leaving room for clear, calm and precise thoughts, solidifying and hardening your soul as frozen fluid repaired the flaws...
There was a dot of light shining in the distance, not unlike a star. I was alive again, still trapped in the void, but I was alive. The Gods droned on about my fate and purpose, but I was hearing none of it. My teeth ground together as I clenched my fists and felt the darkness around me quiver. They were trying to control me, tell me what to do, change who I was and take over my life...Not if I had anything to with it!
I would take control of my life anyway I could, I would escape, I.....I wrenched out the organ that was supposedly my heart and shut my eyes, in control once more. A breeze was felt on my forehead and I smiled...
Chapter 4: Second Chance...
Two figures stood there quietly on a path of stone overlooking the sea. Waves crashed to and fro, their darkness mimicing the storm-ridden sky above. The wind howled in the distance as rain fell on the two people looking out to the vast waters, one with a hopeful look on her face, the other with doubt etched into his.
"Are ya sure someone's really comin'? Ya dreams have lied before, Ranko." The speaker was slightly short and squat, his fur oddly shiny and short, generally unlike any known animal. He looked up at the tigeress by his side, his large and floppy arms easily touching the ground.
"Have faith, Bakkun, the Gods shall surely-" The tigeress was interrupted by thunder in the distance and an angry outcry from Bakkun.
"The Gods!? Ya really think they'll help us now after what they've already unleashed upon the world!?" He calmed down for a moment and turned to leave, glancing back at Ranko. "Ya should hurry up before somethin' bad turns up, ya dummy!"
A sudden roar of wind and large, ever rolling waves only helped emphasize his point as eerie sounds were heard in the far distance. Ranko was silent and hung her head slightly as she walked towards Bakkun, ready to leave. They both turned back one last time to gaze at the raging sea, eyes dark with sorrow and remorse for the world.
Something wasn't right though. The waters had suddenly changed, a new shade being added to the spectrum as the waves fled from a single point in the sea, rippling outwards in a flurry of circles as an ominous combination of light and dark appeared in the depths. It rose and the waters nearby became more and more violent until something was finally blasted out of the depths, flung high into the sky, orange hair whipping around his face. It was a person.
Said figure was currently falling, almost in slow-motion, towards the worn path of weathered stone that Ranko and Bakkun were on. They remained still, their eyes transfixed by this strange occurance, noting every detail they could about the Anthro as he fell; their minds not responding.
He wore a faded crimson armour with an abundance of gashes and cracks, looking as if it could easily fall apart in the wind. His orange hair was flying around energetically as he moved through the air, his eyelids shut tight. His fox-like tail bent as his body came closer to the ground, gaining speed. The sea continued its assault on itself as the figure finally impacted the path...
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Some more good stuff, ya really get the sense of emotion he must be feeling to do such things to himself. I was a bit confused at the beggining of chapter 4 however. I'm not really familiar with the characters talking there.
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Some more good stuff, ya really get the sense of emotion he must be feeling to do such things to himself. I was a bit confused at the beggining of chapter 4 however. I'm not really familiar with the characters talking there.
Thanks. You should have been confused about chapter 4 as they are new characters who I'm using solely for this piece...That and I wanted to abruptly change both scene and viewpoint.
I'll add the next chapter when I get round to writing it, hopefully it'll be done sometime soon...
Chapter 5: Awakening...
When the dust finally cleared, Ranko hurried towards the newly made crater in front of her, not noticing that Bakkun was no longer beside her. The Anthro seemed relatively unharmed by the fall, although small remains of his armour were scattered around everywhere. Ranko aproached him slightly slower as her eyes were attracted to the numerous scars clearly visible despite his fur.
Everything seemed to go silent as she knelt down next to the body, checking for signs of life. Her dream had been true after all, it seemed...
Bakkun was a lot more cautious, not following Ranko into the small crater dug into the dark stone. If Ranko's little prediction was correct, which he didn't admit to believe, then this...thing...was from another world. Sure 'he' looked normal, but you couldn't be too careful these days, especially with all the foul monsters that plagued the world, ready to drop their prey into the shadows, tearing their souls apart as they warped their memories and...
Bakkun shuddered and left his train of thought at that, not wanting to even consider what would happen next. Instead he simply growled lowly at nothing in particular before hopping towards Ranko, ready to drag her away should anything happen.
Ranko had noticed that some of the otherworlder's wounds had been quite fresh and she had took it upon herself to wrap them up the best she could, using the roll of bandages she always carried around, ever since 'it' had happened. But she suddenly froze when she felt for a pulse. That couldn't be right, she swore she had seen him breathing slowly a moment ago...
She quickly put her head on his chest, feeling his lungs expand as he calmly breathed in the sea air. Fear and confusion shone briefly in her eyes as she listened harder for another ten seconds, hearing nothing but the violent sea and ever raging winds, before she lifted her head and admitted the truth: he didn't have a heartbeat...
As Ranko struggled with the notion of the Anthro being warm and breathing normally, yet not having a heartbeat, Bakkun suddenly turned round, a mixture of uncertainty and nervousness evident in his features. It could have just been his imagination, but he was sure he sensed-
A loud screeching pierced his eardrum as disgusting talons gripped into his sides, adding the sound of steadily dripping blood to nature's own anguished cries. The creature's talons emitted a depressingly grey vapour, the air already becoming foul and foggy with its loathsome presence as Ranko stared with impossibly wide eyes at Bakkun, only hearing the dripping of his blood, only smelling the scent of impending death, seeing naught but her friends face, forever frozen in a look of pleading agony.
The wind and sea became deathly silent as Flames' eyes finally opened, his body still without a heartbeat...
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Another great chapter. (I know at this point it must seem like I'm just being kind because I keep saying the same thing but truly it is a interesting read)
I must admit I'm confused once again, did they just get attacked? Or is it something in the one's mind sorta like a overshadowing premonition? I'm horrible at over reading the details but I just want to be sure.
I must admit Flame's particular ailment is fascinating. I can't help but wonder if he will find solice and peace
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I love it!! Flames, you've outdone yourself. But there are some things that could be cleaned up a bit.
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Chapter 6: Aisu no Reikon...Soul of Ice
The figure stood on the cliff, darkness clinging to their form as they watched the chaos down below, amusement forming as Bakkun's blood stained the rocks red. A rustle was heard behind them as a more dimunitive shadow crept towards the edge of the cliff, briefly glancing at the infidels down below. "You have it?" The first one said in a inhuman voice, the sounds disorted and eerily similar to the anguished sea before them. The figure was not seen by anyone below and radiated an unusual form of power: energetic, yet depressing, bold, yet subtley kept in the shadows. Light seemed to almost run away from the figure, which was neither male nor female.
The smaller one, clearly an inferior, bowed lowly and held what resembled a piece of paper in their hands. "The otherworlder is number 2437AX57ZERO. He has no connections to any of the target bloodlines or any knowledge of this world." The servant was more like a flat shadow and had a similarily disorted voice, although this one was slightly higher pitched and seemed almost mouselike. The master simply gazed at the otherworlder down below, who had awoken and was displaying very...unusual...behaviour. The servant glanced at the sea nervously before continuing: "It should be mentioned though that our sources believe that he can ascend to higher planes and-"
A massive wave sudden crashed into the rockface as thunder roared directly above, interrupting the servant's words. Things didn't get much quieter, as it wasn't long before cries of pain were also heard. The shadow cleared their throat once more and said calmly to the master: "He has been flung through existance randomly like many others...with a few exceptions. This one appears to have undergone at least 9999 Ceroxes of sorrow, pain, anguish and hate during his time in the Void." There was a slight pause as they coughed and a sudden spurt of crimson liquid shot up to the heavens for a few seconds. "This one has been able to utilize Ki with ease and, despite being of a lower plane of existance...He has been able to draw upon the energies of Soul and has captured the Kami's attention..."
The master nodded their head and gestured towards the Anthro below them, who was certainly...intruiging. "It appears that he has attained the Aisu no Reikon. We must keep an eye on him, as one such as him in a state like this could easily lean either way. The Aisu no Reikon may allow him to think clearly without a heart to cloud his judgement, but such a cold and harsh state being used by someone so warm and determined...This could end in disaster. We definately will have to keep track of him..." The master paused as the individual he was mentioning noticed them, a dark inferno lying hidden in those icy, unblinking eyes. He simply stared at them, an utterly and completely neutral expression forever engraved into his face. "...This HoKaze no Flames..."
Both master and shadow vanished as Flames turned back to 'admire his handiwork': The tattered remains of what had been a monster bird and what equated to a lake in blood, coating the rocks, staining the surrondings, merging with the sea. He didn't spare a glance for the remains of what had been Bakkun, or at the female who had aided him, who was currently frozen in shock on the ground, barely breathing. They didn't matter. Nothing mattered.
In her last moments of sanity, Ranko watched him retreat away and clutched herself, eyes wider then the moon, taking it all in as she muttered insane ramblings under her breath, fear gripping her heart. In those last moments her mind noted one last thing: There was suddenly a lot of ice where the otherworlder had been a moment ago...
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Good chapter, I like the setup for these new characters even more specifically after Flames did what he did. You don't really know which way he is gonna go. As always I look forward to the next one
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Chapter 7: Mind of the Machine
I don't know much. I don't know why I am here, what this place is, why I did what I did. I don't know why I slaughtered the creature or waited for it to kill its prey before making a move. I don't know who I am, scratch that, I don't know what I am. What am I, who am I, where is this place, how did this happen, why can't I remember...
An endless hurricane of questions lies in my mind, but what is the point of answering them or even accepting their existance? They cloud my mind, as do these pathetic emotions that threaten to take over, drowning me in a sea of dark fire. All I need is this coldness, the numbness that lets me survive. It helps me bear the heat, block out the  noise. People are garbage, they will never understand. If I can't understand what's happened to me, how can I expect anyone else to be of use? Emotions, memories, pain, love, friends, allies, foes, a past, a present, a future...Such things are meaningless to me now.
I lie to myself constantly as I wander aimlessly, without goal or home. I still remember little things, but they make no sense to me as I am now. The only thing that makes sense to my deranged mind  is something not unlike a series of commands for a machine: /......found//......requires......//Must bring......to......through fighting//......is all//Fighting is all//Must fight to bring......to....../
It is fragmented, but is far clearer then any of these so-called 'memories' of mine. It is all I have to lead me. The only path available to me now is to fight...Only then can I understand the Mind of the Machine that is me...
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This one is good, it gives insight more into his mentality. Gives me more of a feeling of where things might go from here.
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Lovely Flames. Or should I say James?
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Chapter 8: Maze of Memories
That world, those sights, those people...That was all a long time ago now. It was but the first of an endless stream of new beginnings for me, each one like another nail in my coffin, yet another shattering of my heart, which lies there in The Void still, never beating, colder than the harshest glaciers and cruel, blistering blizzards. It's all quiet now...
Those who know of my constant re-incarnating, my jumping from world to world, don't understand. Nobody ever has and nobody ever will. No one else can even begin to imagine having their very soul broken down over the course of millennia in The Void, wanting nothing more than to be finally erased from existence, for the torture to end...But it continues time and time again as your fragments are forcefully joined once more, helplessness drowning, engulfing and consuming your very being...If I can't free myself, how can I ever save those important to me?
People describe my 'condition' as a form of immortality, basing their conclusion on my ability to resist death and fight on before being 'resurrected' once more, returning to the world of the living. They don't get it, they don't know anything; not about me, not about life, not a thing. They never have to feel each and every emotion flooding your consciousness at once, bringing a sensation far beyond what we know as 'pain' or even 'anguish'. They'll never return to see their loved ones with eyes of hate, memories removed, only realising who they were when you die again, only then realising that you killed the people most important to you in your last incarnation. The guilt, the sorrow, the regret and self-loathing...there is nothing like it in the entire Multiverse...
There is nothing like having memories of a seemingly infinite amount of lifetimes suddenly flood your mind, too many images flashing before your eyes to make sense, simply filling your blood with a burning insanity, poisoning your heart...This is why I'm glad when I don't remember, when I only have a few positive memories from my more significant lives to guide me through the dark, gloomy forest called Life. Whether I remain in the forest, charge confidently through or let crimson fires consume it all depends on my memories and my state of being in whatever world I've been roughly tossed into. My wishes don't matter, nor do my morals, way of life or dreams...Such things hold no importance in the Universes anymore, let alone the vast Multiverse.
But...despite all of this, despite having to bear the shame of killing so many, of ruining my chances for peace...As long as I manage to continue helping people with my own sacrifices, I shall hold the Multiverse in my hand, carry its weight on my shoulders and climb up the mountain of life time and time again, refusing to give in, refusing for my pains to end, refusing to let my special people down...As long as there is darkness, there shall be light. Every time one of The Powers That Be decides to screw around with a Universe, I'll be there, shielding everyone from the storm...
Several millennia may have passed since 24XX and my life with the resistance back home, but my answer hasn't changed:
"I won't hesitate...If an enemy appears before me, I'll destroy it, even if it costs me my life!"
And with that I run on through this maze of memories...
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Another good one, again more insight into the feelings and thoughts of Flames, gives you a better understanding of where he is comming from emotion wise
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Woah, it's been forever since I added to this. Darn writer's block...
Chapter 9: Rakkashi's Report
<Login successful. Please enter your search query>
HoKaze no Flames
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If you are reading this report, then either I can no longer pass on information to you due to having died, or this was document was seperated from me. I am willing to bet however, that the first is more likely and I have long since passed away. If you desire to seal your fate, and forever be cursed with chaos by involving yourself with the "subject", then read on.
I, Rakkashi Xiamoto, was given the task of simply observing a certain otherworlder as he entered this world from a great sea. I was a well-feared master of many things, akin in many ways to the Darkness itself. The "subject" entered this plane of existance and inflicted incredible trauma upon an individual known as Ranko before unleashing a frozen Hell upon the planet. I take it that if you are researching the "subject", you have no doubt read about this event, of how two ominous beings watched from above and you may even know about the Aisu no Reikon. I was one of those two beings who continued to observe him as his very core split and fragmented, his soul fighting itself, his mind an impossible jigsaw weaving through a 5D landscape, his spirit a darkened flame in a saltly breeze, forever flickering.
It was not until the Kami intervened that he reverted to something closer to his original state in his world. He ceased to be the cold, conflicted vessel of destruction and transformed before my very eyes into something...very different. All the chaos, the turmoil, the agony, the mighty "9 Unifying Emotions" and eternal emptiness was still there...but it was somehow contained and the "subject" became a warm, honourable, kind and truly incredible person. I saw his entire past in his eyes, the memory of what he had unleashed upon this universe, the death he had brought to the planet, the endless torture of the Void and all the negativity from his original life in his home universe as he watched it perish...
For the first time in the 3000 years I had spent in existence, I was truly afraid. No, I was terrified, immobilised by fear, my spirit fading away in his presence. If all that energy escaped...If he unleashed the ultimate power of the "9 Unifying Emotions" like he had done before his death in his home universe...If he drew upon the vast energy before him, the lifeforce of all things...Not even the Gods themselves could stop him easily and the entire Multiverse would be in grave peril.
As you read this, you may wonder why the Multiverse is not this way and why most universes haven't been tragically changed in any truly significant way. I still, to this day, don't know exactly what happened or why he did it. With all that he had killing him from the inside and the power at his fingertips, obliteration seemed certain. Even had been in a more pure state, free of all that chaos; he should have acted differently. Instead of obtaining ultimate power or ending his agonising existence, he absorbed all that he had unleashed into his being, directly into the core of his existence, viewable only in the 10th Dimension of Space-Time. Such a sacrifice meant effectively cursing each and every existence he would ever have, ensuring that every life he lived, every universe he entered, every eternity in the Void; would become all so much worse for him. Using his Ki and Spirit together as an instrument of his will, he placed a series of locks upon himself, ensuring that as little of the power he could tap into as possible could be used.
The locks were not helpful in aiding the "subject's" declining mental, emotional and spiritual states. The locks have agitated all 3 and no doubt only add further to his suffering. Whilst the locks usually prevent him from using power he shouldn't, they also block several sources of power that on their own are not dangerous and he has every right to use. The condition of his ever-changing abilities has been most intruiging and is something nobody has been able to fathom. There are times when he can exert such great Ki, Spirit and general ability that I almost feel the same presence I felt all that time ago, and yet there are times that even when unleashing everything he has and pushing himself beyond his limits, his power rises only slightly above the norm for anthros of his specific species, ancestry and history...although there isn't exactly a clearly defined norm for such variables, of course...
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Sorry about the massive delay. I was struggling to write Rakkashi's Report Part 2, so this may not turn out as good as it could have done. Darn writer's block.
Chapter 10: Rakkashi's Report-Part 2
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<Now booting Eternal Linux 3.0...Boot complete. Analysing files...Viruses neutralised>
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<Repairing...File ready for use. Please note that Linux could not find the subfiles "Flames' Plan.sub", "Eternity's End.txt" or "Rakkashi's Report_personal_log.html". Without these files the following document shall remain incomplete...Read anyway? Y/N>
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If you have read this far, I can only assume that you are one who wishes to know a great deal about the “subject†and if you have been studying his history well you may be confused right now as to why I of all people, a feared master of the dark ways, one of a higher plane; has been reduced to a mere shadow of myself. In truth, the analysis of the “subject†is not the most vital part of this report. No…data and observations alone shall never be able to define such a being. He is beyond such limitations. I once was arrogant, a fool really, one who saw those of the lower plane as worthless and insignificant. But after spending all these thousands of years following him, and occasionally her, I realised the true value of all life and my existence gained a purpose. I continued observing him, a new drive pushing me on, I wished to understand this walking contradiction, this being who was light and dark, hero and villain, saviour and destroyer…
He is unique. The “subject†spoke to me from afar not with words or even actions, but through the mind. What I learnt from him as a living being is far more significant than anything I could have learned from him by simply observing him in an analytical manner. What I learnt cannot be expressed in any language, nor pictures, nor even art forms. No, such things are expressed on the deepest level, in the form of thoughts and ideals. Involving yourself with the “subject†may curse you for your entire existence, but if you gain from it what I have: Something that makes any epiphany or any moments of Zen seem like mere basics…well, there are very few pieces of knowledge more valuable then what he has taught me. If you desire to seek him out, either to unleash rebellion or to protect those you love, I beg you to tread carefully and take a while to decide if this is the right thing to do.
A single false move could result in the destruction of a universe and more pain than even most deities can comprehend.
I am uncertain as to what he is planning, but I know that this cycle of him dying, being tortured in the void and then returning to fight again cannot go on much longer. Each time he returns, his skill and memories return to him swifter and are more complete. I fear that it won’t be long until he has access to all of the abilities he has gained throughout all of his lifetimes. I am certain that I shall not live to see it, but I know that it is destined to occur. And when it does nobody, not even Kami-sama, can predict what will happen.
My time is near.
Even I cannot live forever. We of the Higher Planes of Existence are not Gods, despite what many thought in the past. No, we are not even demi-Gods. We live far longer, have far greater powers, but we too are naught but mere mortals. We are ruled over by those of an even higher plane, and they are also ruled by even higher beings. This pattern continues until it boggles the mind and finally reaches the true Gods themselves, who answer only to the Kami; whose existence ensures that the entire Multiverse continues to run and that eternity remains in balance. If this balance was disrupted chaos would consume us all.
One thing that appears to have evaded most about the "subject" is his unusual mental/spiritual gender makeup. Whilst he has spent at least 99% of his many lives as a male, it appears that he has undertook female form on several occasions, often in the form of a curse. And whilst "curse" is the right word at first, over time the odd gender makeup he has comes into action and it is no longer a curse, but a blessing. Why? His mind and spirit both appear to be dual-gendered. In other words: The "subject" is happy as either a male or a female because he is both and neither. "He" may be male most of the time, but "she" has chosen to be reincarnated a few times as a female. This may not seem that important, but it is certainly a topic of interest because...
<Linux has detected that there is data missing here...Now moving to next readable segment>
...and this is what I believe the one people across time and space call "The Hero Eternal" shall do next. I know that I am on my deathbed now. Perhaps not due to the fact that I am dying, but possibly because I shall be erased from existence soon. It doesn't matter anymore who ends my admittedly quite pathetic existence: The Gods, Kami-sama, The Hero Eternal, a shingami, or even one of my so-called "allies". It is almost amusing how I've changed. I once saw myself as a dark, powerful being who was in control...but I don't miss that life, not one bit. I have faith in the "subject", I have more faith in him than I could have ever imagined. Why would I have faith in the one who may end existence? I honestly don't know, but I believe in him. He'll make the right decision in the end, whatever he may choose to do when he performs his final duty for us all...
<File end: Unable to continue translation of data. Shutting down system now...Enable hibernation mode? Y/N?>
Y
<Please enter time span>
Forever.
<Are you sure? All data will be inaccessible. Enter root account to confirm action>
Username: root
Password: Leviathan
<System shutting down...>
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Very interesting chapter nii-san. I can't wait to read more.
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Here I am again, eh? Well this chapter is the first of several for a sub-story which adds depth and a bit of explanation behind a few things that I won't mention yet, as that would spoil it. I highly advise you read The Hero Eternal: Warrior, otherwise these next few chapters may make little sense to you.
Chapter 11: Untold Tale
What you are about to hear was never meant to be heard, never meant to exist. I’m not even supposed to exist…but the Multiverse is very unpredictable like that.
What I need you to understand is that I never meant for this to happen, I never meant for things to go this far. I did what I thought would best save my people, those that I care for and ultimately, save the future. What a fool I was; time travel is no minor thing to be tampered with. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Please do sit down and get comfortable, this is a long story, set in a world that doesn’t exist, in a timeline I destroyed. This is my story…
The Year is 24XX and an evil tyrant known as Xan has enslaved us all. Sound familiar? I thought it would. Everything you know about that world, that time and that particular hero is more or less correct, at least until one certain mission. HoKaze no Flames, Sakura and Yoh were sent out to investigate some ruins where a fragment of Project X remained. However…
Upon downloading the data on X into Yoh, things went very differently. Although Yoh transformed and attacked the remaining pair and they defeated him, the flash of light was tinged with an ominous, dark aura and the X-Sabre was never formed. Flames and Sakura returned to the base, feeling oddly drained as if afflicted by some disease. It turned out that had both been infected by a special strain of the infamous “X Virus†that doesn’t exist in the standard timeline. This was perhaps the most fearsome variation of Project X: A virus that cannot be cured, that feeds on and corrupts all the body’s cells, easily transferable despite quarantine efforts, resistan to all our methods…truly a fearsome virus, easily capable of killing the entire remaining population. Although Sakura had minimal exposure to the X Virus and thus was able to mostly continue her life normally as soon as we did develop something to restrain the virus, Flames was not so lucky. Whilst eventually all Resistance members had some level of infection, nobody had quite as bad an infection as Flames. His fur quickly became dark grey and his body became damaged beyond repair.
But the fire in his eyes didn’t change. Despite having a fatal level of the virus in his bloodstream, despite the virus specifically damaging Anthros the most, he did not surrender to death.
Ah, I see I now have your interest. Yes, these became dak times for us, and time took a very different path to the one you know. Due to this grave tragedy the Resistance’s efforts were of course concentrated on different things and different missions were issued, which whilst being of utmost importance at the time, bear no real significance today. Hmm, but I’m getting ahead of myself a little. You wish to no more, yes? You wish to no of what became of Flames and Omega, of Xan and Phantom, Leviathan and the Resistance? Buy me another drink and I’ll tell you more stranger…
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Nice story, I particularly like how he tells the story like its a tall tale or myth.
Poor flames he just never catches a break
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Poor flames.... No break, no help, no safe haven from the destruction inside.... Makes me want to cry... :'(
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Sorry about the wait, I've not felt like writing this lately and I've had the urge to write lots of poetry.
Chapter 12: Untold Tale II - Suffering
Well, I did promise that I would tell you more...Very well, I shall tell you more.
You no doubt recall Omega Zero, Flames' closest friend and partner? And how he died on a mission involving a new droid factory and a confrontation with Phantom, of how he bravely sacrificed himself? Hmph, things were very different back then...I'm going to have to tell you what happened based on what Flames himself reported to have seen in that timeline:
It was a dark day, with clouds as black as Xan's heart engulfing the sky, the air cold and rippling with tension. The droids attacked without warning, with speed and power like we had never seen before. Granted, most of the resistance had been weakened by the X Virus, but the sheer rate at which these new droids tore through our defenses was incredible and brought an intense fear to the normally relaxed humans of the base who almost never ventured onto the front lines. A group of ten a mere half mile away from the base was the first to report these fiends. They were all brave soldiers and could take out groups of droids normally twice that size without breaking a sweat. But these droids...no, they were entirely different. The group had enough time to send a distress signal and take out a few of their foes before they were decimated completely.
Naturally, it fell to Flames and Omega (just like in the timeline you are used to, stranger) to deal with this threat before they reached the base. Flames was suffering badly from the virus and Omega wasn't up to his best either. The fiery Anthro decided to go with Omega to deal with this threat despite the doctor's and Levi's insisting not too. His armour had been corrupted and had been surgically removed after he had first returned to the base infected. The Sabre was hopelessly broken and his entire body was, for lack of a better term, screwed up. His fur and skin was horribly scarred and the humans had to create a skintight suit to be fused with his body in order for him to remain conscious. With only light armour here and there on for various technical reasons, this armour was incredibly lightweight and didn't offer much protection. Forced to wield the badly damaged Crimson Shinigami that had been recently recovered from some ruins, he and Omega ventured out to confront these new super-powered foes. The battle was long and harsh, resulting in much agony for the pair. They persevered despite the sheer impossibility of their task and the last shot from Omega's trusty blaster was fired. Finally sighing in relief, Omega let his guard down and failed to notice the last droid sniping him from behind some debris. Flames noticed and reacted just in time to knock his friend out of the line of fire and, just like in the "normal" timeline, Flames took the shot instead. However...
Flames was in too weak a condition from the virus and the increased difficulty fighting to withstand a direct hit in his chest. Knocked unconscious, he fell to the ground as Omega turned around unleashed a hellish revenge on the sniper who dared harm his friend, releasing a large blast that turned the droid and the debris it had hid behind into dust. Now exhausted from such a large release of energy, the human gunman double-checked that Flames would be okay, concern shining in his war-torn eyes.
However, when Flames awoke, he found himself alone...
Slowly getting up, he walked towards his target destination slowly: The factory at which these new droids were being produced. His mission had been to confront the droids and destroy their source with his partner. But now...
It had begun to rain, the heavens roaring with deep thunder both far and near, lightning flashing far in the distance. Speeding up his pace, the fox-hybrid strengthened his hold on the large katana, his concern growing. The rain began to fall slightly heavier, the pitter-pattering of it impacting the ground gradually increasing in tempo and intensity, like some ominous natural suspense music. Finally clenching his teeth and wincing, he ran towards the factory looming ahead, getting closer and closer until...
He skidded to a halt, the rain suddenly halting as the lightning suddenly illuminated the scene in a blinding flash as his eyes gazed in horror at what lay before him: Omega collapsed on the ground, barely conscious, a small pool of blood before him. A sudden noise made Flames glance up to see none other than Phantom cackling whilst hovering, barely a scratch on him. "Foolish human...Omega Zero. You are no match for me and never will be, especially now that Lord Xan...no, Xan...has completed this new droid technology. Did you really think I wouldn't use it myself!?"
As Flames started growling, the flying foe decided to take notice of him, a brief flash of anger evident on his evil features. "So, you've come to interfere have you!? Hmph...You're lucky I'm too busy right now or I'd crush you, little Anthro." With that he rose up slightly more and relaxed. "With this technology, the resistance overcome by that accursed virus and Xan oblivious...heh heh heh heh ha! Flames...'The hope of the resistance'..." At this he snorted, continuing in a mocking tone. "If you want to try and put a dent in this factory, you had better do it soon, before the self-defense systems mysteriously come back online and vaporize you."
And with that he vanished away in a beam of light.
Flames hastily attempted to do as much as damage as possible to the factory as possible with the explosives they'd been given, but he didn't have enough time to go very deep into the factory, Omega's status and the defense systems cutting sharply into his time. The factory may have remained standing as he carried Omega away, but enough damage had been done to ensure no more attacks from the new droids for a while...
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Very interesting nii-san. This alternate timeline makes a very interesting twist to the story.
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Ouch.. No break still, that's gotta suck.
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Sorry about the really long wait guys. I'll try not to take quite as long with the next one:
Chapter 13: Untold Tale III - Shock
Ah, back again I see. Ah please do sit down, I assume you're paying again? Good. Now where was I?
Flames had successfully managed to cause some damage on the droid factory and safely return with Omega still barely breathing to the base. Upon seeing several of the doctors take Omega away for heavy treatment, Flames collapsed and was too carried away. As both of our heroes were recovering, trying desperately to bat away the X Virus and heal so that they could return to consciousness, the resistance was suffering heavily. The droid factory may have been damaged and for now might be down for the count but it would be only a matter of time before it was back to being fully functional and everyone was currently struggling enough against Xan's normal minions without having to worry about super-powered droids.
Soon all of the resistance's most elite, the Warriors, had fallen in battle. Some died bitter, bloodstained deaths and others, much like Flames and Omega, were in no state to fight. Si, a powerful Anthro and one of the earliest resistance members as well as being an old friend of Omega's, died but a week afterward, taking a massive chunk of Xan's forces and part of his fortress with him. Needless to say, morale was at an all time low and even Levi, who had remained hopeful for so long, was starting to lose her resolve.
But it was at this point that both the humans in Neo Babylon and the resistance would receive the greatest shock to their systems so far. It was an ordinary morning like any other when the video message was broadcast, showing oddly enough not Xan but Phantom with a maniacal grin on his face. "Attention dear citizens of Neo Babylon! Attention resistance dogs!" He called out, strangely addressing both groups in the same disgusted tone. "I am happy to announce that Xan's reign of tyranny is finally...OVER!" At this everyone was speechless. Had Phantom really...?
"Yes...Xan shall rule no more. I, Phantom, have erased this threat to Reploids and Anthros through my careful planning and research. By getting partially mechanized and stealing some secret data on Project X and the space station Eternal, I gained the power to defeat my former master. A new era has begun!" At this he raised his fist upwards, a dark inferno burning in his eyes. "A new era...of DESTRUCTION!" And with that last note cold laughter echoed over the planet as the broadcast ended and a new, far greater threat emerged from the chaos...
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Talk about mixing things up and then coming out with a completely different result.
Very good nii-san! :)
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Chapter 14: Untold Tale IV - Saviours
These were...hellish, terrible, almost unreal times for us. With the Anthro race dwindled down to practically nothing and all of the Warriors out of action, the resistance appeared to be doomed. With Phantom as the new foe and more powerful droids now the norm, the brave reploids and yes, even humans, who went out to face them knew all too well that they would die. Although the humans of Neo Babylon didn't support their new ruler, they dared not go against him or aid the "non-human scum" that made up most of the resistance. Flames and Omega showed no sign of recovery and the measures put into place that halted the X virus' multiplication and spreading were beggining to fail.
But it was then that our hope was rekindled once more. A small group of humans from Neo Babylon, who had been biding their time, managed to escape the city unscathed and somehow bring some of Xan's latest technology with them. Working alongside them, Levi and the other humans at the resistance did the impossible and turned the disaster of the virus incarnation of Project X into their most forbiddable weapon!
Those with very little exposure to X were soon completely cured, having the destructive virus removed from them and used as a source for new weaponry. Eveb those with moderate infections who were stuck in infirmaries (like Omega) had most of the virus removed. Soon defence systems were firing shells containing a modified strain of X that greatly damaged droida and plasma bursts altered by large colonies of the ominous X stored within the turrets. Kelia, Jensu, Samus and Mattoh...they brought us hope and were our saviours...saviours that time has seemed to have forgotten.
I shall never forget the miracles they did for us using Xan's data on Project X. I shall always be eternally grateful to them, despite the timeline changing and their actions never happening. Although we were unable to do anything for those with higher concentrations of X in their bodies, that no longer mattered. Only a few Anthros had caught such large amounts of that dreaded virus, and all had died, leaving behind but two or three who still lived due to only moderate exposure. Of course Flames still somehow clung onto life against all odds, refusing to die, forever fighting despite his condition. I can rememeber it all...the pain and sadness I felt as I sat with him, glancing over at Omega every so often, whenever I had a spare moment, which was almost never sadly. As Omega started to recover, HoKaze no Flames, for so long an inspiration to us all, our beacon, our greatest hope......he remained silent and unmoving in his living death, unable to live but unable to die. Not even our saviours from Neo Babylon could do a thing and as we became all so more busy, preparing to advance towards what was once Xan's fortress; everyone forgot about Flames and Omega, our finest warriors without whom we would have been wiped out so long ago.......
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Awwh... :th_PyongLlora: Bro...
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I caught it. That's funny! :)
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Here we go, prepare for the beginning of the end...again. (I'll add to this little by little as time goes on)
Chapter 15: Untold Tale V - Suspense
Greetings again...stranger. No need to get your money out this time, I'm payin'. No need to look so shocked, I've grown to enjoy your company. Besides, you're eager to hear the end of my tale, eh? Very well then.
And so thanks to recent developments the resistance began to fight back, far fiercer and stronger than ever before. It wasn't just the new technology or the removal of the threat that was the X virus...no, they had regained their fighting spirit and their fires were burning like never before; that it was truly pushed them forwards until they were finally ready to assault Phantom and end this war once and for all.
It was almost too easy by this point. But the resistance members had become blind, not realising the true threat that this seemingly final obstacle would give them. But even so, it looked like Omega would probably recover at some point today or tomorrow. If things were slightly more difficult or Phantom escaped the assault, with the current strength of the resistance and having Omega re-join their ranks, surely there would be nothing to worry about, right?
Leviathan executed a perfect battle-strategy, fully utilizing the soldiers, vehicles and weapons available. The resistance slowly but surely swept out the area outside Neo Babylon with virtually no casualties. An ominous wind began to blow as they entered Neo Babylon, dark clouds unlike anything ever witnessed rolling in, the sky alive with energy as sand was swept into the air from the deserts. Thunder boomed in the sky, lightning struck down from the heavens as darkness engulfed the planet. People could only stare agape at this incredible occurrence, this sudden sign from above, an omen of things to come.
The soldiers inhaled heavily and entered the city in small groups, constantly wary for signs of droids.
Something was not right...where were all the humans? Where were the security droids? The anti-air defenses? The patrols? As the leader of one group was relaying this truly unnerving information back to the base, a roar erupted outwards with all the fury of a an enraged tornado. This time it came not from the sky, but the surroundings. Levi and the mission controllers at the base barely had time to look at one another in confusion before screams of pain and the sounds of bones breaking met their ears. Several more horrible, blood-curdling sounds so gruesome that it was best not to even ponder as to what was happening came though before a brief silence and the hiss of static...
What must have felt like a brief eternity of silence later for the pair and a frantic researcher burst in, eyes nearly popping out of his head. "Miss Leviathan!" He exclaimed, trying to get his breath back. Levi raised an eyebrow and frowned slightly at how he addressed her.
"Dan, you know full well I hate being placed above others or given titles...but that's not important, why are you here, we're in a critical situation here and we requested not to be interrupted." She said with a slight bite in her voice before she re-collected herself, wondering what was so important for him to hurry here.
"My apologies Levi, but this is an emergency! The Prototype Virus Armour we've been working on has disappeared, along with the recently recovered, reconstructed and modified Crimson Shinigami! What's more is that the terminals we've been working on had been logged into, with the information on the project on display..."
Levi briefly cursed mentally before addressing the researcher, bewildered and stressed out by all that had happened in the last few minutes. "...But if whoever took it accessed all the data on it, than why on earth would they take such a risk with it? They can't use it in its current state, it's too unstable. Besides, it hasn't even been infused with enough X Viruses to fully power it anyway...Whoever did this surely has a death wish!" After a moment of thought she added: "...and perhaps they have a thriving supply of the virus?"
As the three of them silently pondered on this for a moment a beep came from the command console and a voice rang through of one of the doctors on a lower level of the base. "Levi? Are you there? I've got to tell you some-"
Levi turned to face the console and activated the monitor to see the kindly face of a certain doctor who had been with the resistance since the beginning. Even Levi had long since forgotten his name, choosing instead to refer to the old man by his nickname as everyone else did: Good Doctor. "Ah, doctor, I've been hoping to hear from you...I can only hope that your news about our recovering men and women will be more positive than the recent disasters?"
The rather pale man coughed, wheezing a little before replying. Levi's expression softened at this sight, recalling all he had done for them. The poor man had been working non-stop as of late, working even more tirelessly than usual with the urgency of the attack against Phantom and extracting the virus from people. "Most of our injured reploids and humans will be fine and Omega should be up in less than an hour. Knowing that active youth he'll demand to leap out into the battlefield the moment he's awake." This comment eased the tension somewhat as he even the solemn mission commander smiled a little at those words. "However...Little Celestia appears to be on her deathbed and her children have are dying by her side. It Xan succeeded in his wretched desire to rid the world of Anthros at last...I had hoped that the relatively low level of infection in that family would have allowed them to survive, but it seems fate has dealt us an ill hand."
At this Dan bowed his head in respect to the poor mother and her children. Levi felt a tear run down her cheek as she realised that their attempts at preserving the species had been for naught. The mission commander was silent and unmoving, back turned to the others. They all showed their sorrow in their own way. "So...only Flames is still alive..." Levi muttered to herself a little louder than she intended.
At this the Good Doctor snapped out of his mournful trance and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "And that reminds me of what I contacted you for. I was checking through the recovery rooms and noticed that...I don't understand how it could have happened, he had no way of recovering to live as a cripple, let alone get up..." By this point he was just muttering in a bewildered fashion to himself but Levi was quick to interrupt and steer him back on track. "What is is doctor?"
"I don't quite know how to put this but...HoKaze no Flames has left the building!"
The sky growled and the earth shook as if in fear as the world darkened, but one fiery Anthro, seemingly the last of his kind, was not shaken by this nor the disaster laid out before him, the disaster he was running straight towards. He had took the “Protovirus†Armour and the modified Crimson Shinigami knowing full well the dangers of using such equipment and he had established a communications channel with the resistance when he started his journey, so he had also by now overheard the various conversations in the mission control area between Levi and the other resistance members. Now that all the pieces of the puzzle had falln into place and he was but a few minutes away from the entrance to Neo Babylon, he simply had to wait for Levi to realise that a communication channel was open between them and give him more Intel. As expected he didn’t wait long.
“Flames, do you read me?†Levi’s strained voice came through in his earpiece.
“Loud and clear. Currently en route to last known location of our soldiers before the signal was last. Awaiting further orders and Intel.†Flames replied calmly and professionally, although not without a rather quiet but noticeable gasp of pain.
“What on earth where you thinking!? You knew what happened to our army, are barely alive right now and are using an armour that isn’t likely to stand more than one hit! Flames…†Levi began, before hesitiating.
“Levi. You know full well that nothing you say will change my mind, I know full well that even a glancing blow from one of the weaker droids will kill me at this point, but I also know that I only have a few hours left in this world anyway…This is my last chance to make a difference, our last chance to stop this threat to decent life. I’m going to die at the end of the end of the day regardless of what happens; you know as well as I do that with all the risks and impossible objectives I took out I should have died years ago, but I refused to.â€
At this Levi approached her monitor currently showing Flames’ location and briefly shut her eyes, deep in thought and wrestling with her inner struggles.
“Very well. HoKaze no Flames…Last Hope of the Resistance…Warrior of FireWind, lend us your strength one last time!†Levi commanded, eyes full of the same burning passion to save the world as she had seemingly lost not too long ago. “Your mission objectives: Investigate the cause of the disappaearance of our soldiers and eliminate it before launching the main assault on Phantom’s fortress. Eliminate all threats and…try not to get yourself killed too soon; avoid all enemy fire and use stealth tactics where necessary. This will be your last mission…Any objections?â€
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Very interesting bro. It'll be very interesting to see what actually happened to all the soldiers when they entered Neo Babylon. Keep it up. ^.=.^
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Chapter 15: Untold Tale VI – Showdown
And so it began…the final mission of HoKaze no Flames, an impossible mission like none other which no mortal could possibly accomplish alone. With the realisation of this, the fate of the planet on his shoulders and the grinding pain of his imminent demise cutting him apart, he stood alone in the darkness before it all; even now refusing to give in, refusing to break his promises, refusing to let everybody down.
The last true Anthro left, a warrior more dead than alive, someone whose fate had been sealed in stone so many times only for said to be shattered, opening up a new path in the destiny of his own life and the lives of those around him. With Death waiting eagerly by his shoulder, the lone warrior entered the deserted city, utilizing the light weight of the Protovirus Armour to move swiftly and ilently through the shadows, avoiding detection by any of the security systems still intact.
What met his eyes was enough to make even the most seasoned and hard-boiled soldier want to throw up. There was naught but mutiliated bodies, ripped muscle tissue, snapped bones and various organs splattered around the place, with a dark river of blood painting the buildings and streets a morbid crimson. The sheer stench of the torn bodies and various decaying matter alone was enough to knock you unconscious with but one whiff of it all. Flames’ sensitive nose felt this foul incarnation of death like a hammer to the head; the scents bringing bitter tastes and making him once more wish to throw up. It almost felt as if the stench was attached to his actual body, sticking to his fur and seeping into his mind. This bowel-churning massacre assaulted all of his senses, leaving him struggling for breath.
“Levi…I think it’s safe to say that our soldiers are well and truly dead…†He just barely managed to splutter out, gasping for clean air.
Slowly pulling himself together and focusing on his objective, he stealthily infiltrated deeper into the city, on the look out both for what could have caused such brutal murders and for any of the inhabitents of the city, who seemed to have vanished. Could Phantom have killed the humans of Neo Babylon too?
The moment Flames thought this a great screeching cry met his ears and the ground trembled, shaking some of the splattered organs of the buildings along with small chunks of rubble. A single crash of lightning lit up the city, outlining a dark shape standing tall on a huge pile of scrap metal. With a single swift moment born from a lifetime of pain and fighting, the young, doomed Anthro drew himself into an appropriate battle stance; his small figure an almost laughable contrast to the towering beast above. The flashes of lightning and distance between the two made seeing details of this ominous creature near impossible. Staring in the face of the unknown with death on his shoulder, Flames was indeed afraid. He was a normal living being after all and even he was not fearless…but the way he easily overcame his fears of the unknown and of death; that is what allows him to stare bravely in the face of his demise and often emerge victorious.
With a gradually loudening rumble of thunder the dark shape cried out to the angry heavens once more, this time leaping forward from its perch on top off the heap, impacting the ground much like a meteor, an explosion of dirt and rubble rushing outwards from the impact area. The shape was no longer a dark outline high above a good distance away. It now looked up from within the deep crater it had made, staring at the suddenly silently sky. Buildings toppled as the very visible shockwave of the landing reached them and the great deafening sound said explosion had made seemed to have silenced the very heavens, so ashamed were they at being beaten. The figure simply looked upwards, as the clouds dispersed away from the figure, as if afraid of its presence. A brief beam of sunlight illuminated the beast as Flames could only look on with blade gripped tensely in his gloved hand, still shook up by the impact…
It was truly a fearsome creature, as I’m sure you have gathered. When I myself heard of this encounter I was simply told that mere words could not describe the truly revolting form of this massive foe. An organic mess, of various tissues and pieces of scrap machinery littered throughout the body, sticking out here and there; with several larger structures of metal and blackened bone holding up a large, imposing looking weapon on what was assumed to be its back.
But it was not this sickening mashup of organic flesh and machinery that brought vile vomit to the young Anthro’s mouth. No…Phantom had done the ultimate abomination against nature and against humanity. Flames now knew where most of the humans of Neo Babylon had now vanished to. For within that complex mesh of flesh bone and scattered bits of machine the limbs, heads and torsos of fresh, human corpses were clearly visible. A truly stomach-churning and repulsive beast this was, an artificial life-form born of gelantenous, genetically-engineered beings, the most advanced technology left in the world and through the monstrous murders and absorbtion of innocent humans…and possibly a few captive Reploids held prisoner by Xan and then Phantom in the fortress, used as naught but test subjects for their latest maniacal experiments.
Flames had the deep inferno burning in those blazing crimson orbs otherwise known as eyes; eyes that had seen the world and could pierce through any enemy. But it was now that they shone with such determination never seen before. Waves of heat and gusts of wind could almost be felt just by knowing that those unblinking eyes were open. His heart was beating fast yes, but not as much as one would expect, for in the face of such danger he still kept his calm, cool collected manner. Blazing hot yet coldly calm...A tornado of whirling contrasts he was and his body mimicked this whirlwind with a flurry of impossibly fast slashes. The Protovirus Armour fed off the X Virus cells within the Anthro and when combined with the warrior's Spirit of FireWind technique his barrage of attacks gained devastating power and speed.
Each slash left afterimages in its wake, each slight movement summoning great rushes of air to be blasted outwards and every last impact against the foul creature's body shook the ground ever so slightly. Gashes appeared in the wretched creature's tissue, causing sludge-like goo to ooze out slowly whilst the metal parts simply clanged and were scratched.
Flames stooped his assault and flipped backwards just in time to dodge an attack from the beast's weapon mounted on its back. The moment he landed more attacks darted into his path as the beast hit the ground, sending shockwave after shockwave after the young warrior. If but one hit him or possibly even scratched him, he would be done for. Thankfully the armour was light and Flames was brimming with more energy than he had ever felt coursing through his veins before. He dodged the relentless and brutal attempts to murder him with swift skill and grace, his body moving perhaps even faster than it had done for his own attack against the creature.
Flames landed from an impressive set of somersaults and skidded backwards a little, looking up at his foe, noticing that it had stopped. It seems the beast was temporarily worn out by its efforts but as he prepared for another assault on the creature, he noticed that the ooze created from the earlier wounds had seeped back in and the wounds had healed, albeit with some scarring and damaged metal pieces.
(Still more to come)
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..... anything else you going to hit me with? Nice addition. =]