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+--- Thread: Chaotic Dispairity (/showthread.php?tid=5359)
Chaotic Dispairity - Amber Veritz - 10-21-2016
The young faunus awoke from the second half of her quiet nap. She sat up stretched out her back and arms with a loud yawn, making her way out of bed to stretch the rest of her muscles. While a teenage could sit around and be lazy for the rest of her life in a world like this, Amber was just too energetic and attention deficit for that. She slipped on some new clothes and her armor, along with her sword Razorback and head back down the hall to see Murasaki. The steel door slid open before she made it there and the young man met her at the door.
“I was just coming to get you,” he said with urgency in his voice. “I think we might have located something of interest.”
“Of interest? What does that mean?” Amber replied, confused at Murasaki's statement. The distance closed between them until the faunus made it to the room, where they shut the door and sat down at the big computer.
“We can't tell what it is, and there is no way to identify it, but something with a strong density of power is coming from a world called The Endless Dunes. This could be some amazingly strong item for us to use. Not to mention you could gain some recognition for collecting an item like this.”
“I see where you're going with this.” The faunus replied folding her arms and crossing her legs. “Do we have any idea on what this item can do? What it's capable of?”
“No, but why take the chance of it being collected by someone else?” Murasaki asked passing her a glance before looking back at the screen. Amber struck her hand on the table and stood back up to leave.
“Reason enough for me. Track any more items like this, if there is one, there is possible more than one. Keep me posted on any changes.” She said turning to leave the room.
“Aye Miss Boss.” Said mockingly and waved her goodbye without turning away from the screen. Amber quickly ran down the hall, stopping to grab a drink before she left and telling her other friends goodbye, and made her way out of the Fort.
Quickly travelling across the Fields and past the Nexus, Amber found herself in a grassy pick where some trees and tall grass stood. Not much past this though, the land began to grow less pleasant. The trees and grass became more sparse and the soil was starting to crack slightly.
'This was going to be fun.' The sarcasm was too true in this phrase that passed through Amber’s mind.
Quote:449/5000
RE: Chaotic Despairity - Amber Veritz - 10-21-2016
Broken soil and sadness. That’s all this verse was as far as Amber could see. It looks like someone had bled the land dry of all life. Besides the greenery behind her most of the world she could see from the gate looked dead.
The faunus decided there was not much time for sightseeing and hurried along the broken trail, or what was left of it.
The road was long, but Amber persevered. This mission was important. She was not after oak seeds this time. The path wound into a rocky surrounding. Tiny hills of stone crumbled together making a proportional valley to an ant. Bad vibes shuddered through Amber’s neck and down her back. Something was not right. This area reeked of ambush and her nose was too damn good to miss it. She drew Razorback and watched the rocks carefully while she walked, ready for anything.
Or, so she thought. A man dressed like a lunatic reached over the rock with a bazooka and fired it at Amber. Well aware to the danger, she quickly moved out of the way. The explosion caused a landslide, making rocks fall behind the faunus while propelling her away. She landed on her back struggling in pain from the explosion.
“Fuck!” She yelled out standing back up slowly. The bandits slid down the rocks and starting to fire at Amber with different guns. She quickly took cover after recollecting herself, bullets flew by as the bandits closed in. She had to get some suppressing fire on them or she was toast. Razorback's gears hummed loudly as the steel spun to the gun mode. Bullets flew in the opposite direction and the other bandits took cover. One unfortunate fellow met his doom to Razorback’s bullets. There was still a whole group though.
This was not a good place for a firefight. Amber is much better in melee, she had to reevaluated the situation. Replacing Razorback to her back, she readied her hands. Pink light claws formed across her nails and shield of aura formed on her right arm. Time to charge. She ran out from cover, shield raised and speed along the path deflecting bullets. As she got closer to her opponents most attempted to back off, but they met their fates. Clawed down by vicious cat girl. It wasn't long before they lay dead at her feet.
“Great. Now I'm dealing with psychopaths.” She mumbled to herself and released her aura forms and continued to walk. Outside the small rock outlet was a clearing. Barren soil and rocky scenery stretched farther than she had originally imagined.
A beeping sounded in Amber’s ear. Murasaki was calling. She had hooked up her communicator to the microphone in her helmet. A click sounded as she pushed the button on it to accept the call.
“Hey, Amber. Your destination is about four miles north. I'm not sure exactly where it is, but you should be able to find it within a fifty yard radius.” His voice sounded through the speaker on her ear.
“Let me know when I'm close. I just got jumped so I need to stay alert.” The compass on her HUD directed her north and she began to walk, hanging up her call with Murasaki. Walking was starting to get old, it was tiring and slow. As much as Amber loved her exercise, this was a bit much for her. That's when she wondered if summoning a vehicle was possible. She took a break from walking to sit down and try and summon a cycle like Yang’s. That would move things along nicely. It did take about 20 minutes, but finally a black motorbike form in front of her. She sat down, turned the ignition and the engine came to life.
“This more like it.” Amber smirked devilishly. She had rode one of these bikes before but never owned one. The bike revved loudly as she pulled the throttle while holding the break, having her fun. Finally, she let go of the break speeding off north where her destination awaited.
It only took ten minutes, and luckily there was no interruption. Another beep sounded in her helmet, Murasaki again. She didn't even answer because she knew what it was about. Fifty yards was pretty small so she decided to just keep going for a minute until she noticed something, and she did. An oasis. A small pool of water stuck out like a sore thumb in the world. She approached it and slid to a halt.
Was this what she was looking for? It did not look like much. The water was calm and looked refreshing but closer inspection revealed that nothing was in the water itself. Frustrated, Amber called Murasaki.
“Hey, I've got nothing out here, are you sure this is it?” She said pacing back and forth.
”Yeah, my scans show you're standing right on top of it.” He replied, soft clicks of the keyboard could be heard through the microphone.
“Well that’s just great. I think it might be underground. All that’s here is an empty oasis.” She said sighing into the mic. “I'll see what I can find and keep you updated.” The phone clicked again, hanging up the call.
The water in the oasis was refreshing. Just looking at it calmed her tense muscles and mind. It made her thirsty, even. Which was odd considering basic necessities were not so necessary for primes. It definitely could not hurt to take a drink though. The faunus cupped her hands into the water and pulled a drink of it out, taking a sip of the cool liquid.
“Hunh, that was pretty refreshing. I forgot what taking nutrients was like since I came here.” The faunus paced around again, wondering how she was going to to get under this oasis. Her head started feeling heavy though. How could she be tired? She just had a nap, and primes don't get tired. Either way, it was too difficult to keep her eyes open. She soon passed out standing up next to the water. What would happen next would be one of the hardest things Amber has ever dealt with her entire life.
Quote:1501/5000
RE: Chaotic Despairity - Amber Veritz - 10-22-2016
Blackness.
Everything was dark. Covered in shadow and wrapped into black nothing. Was that water poisoned? No, if it was poisoned, Amber would have woken up falling from the sky again. No, this was different. This was what she was looking for, but she must have triggered a trap. Something was here with her, though it had refused to show itself.
Amber closed her eyes tight, straining herself by tensing her muscles. Maybe if she focused hard enough she could get out?
Cold
It was freezing. When she opened her eyes she was laying in a world of snow. No wait. It was familiar. She was home in Remnant! But this, it can’t be right. It was her home in Atlas. That had burned years back, when the humans followed her home that day. Her heart nearly stopped when a young Amber ran past her, short on breath. The kid looked back like someone was chasing her then took refuge in the small wooden house.
”No..No! Don't do this to me! I can't!” Amber’s distorted voice called to seemingly no one. Perhaps she was yelling at the illusion itself. Either way, they finally came. Torches blazed through the snowy night, illuminating the dark sky. The teenager couldn't stand to watch this, she had to do something. She reached for Razorback, drawing it from it’s holster. Aiming to cut down the humans, as she'd wished to that day, she simply passed through them like a spirit. The girl sat and watched as humans set her house on fire years ago.
This was meant to tease her, to make her weak. Well it was working. Amber had so many regrets she couldn't begin to count them. This night, Amber had not eaten in days. She lost control and ran into a restaurant, attacking people for their food. The customers and workers were not too happy about this. They formed a mob and hunted her down, burning her house to the ground and killing her parents. She got out quick enough, before they even lit the house on fire. The flames drew heat to Amber’s face while tears drove down her cheek.
”What do you want from me dammit?! I know my mistakes!” She yelled again. She close her eyes wiping the tears off her cheeks.
Warmth
She shielded her eyes from the beating sun. A new memory, on a beach in Vale. This is where she fought Dusk last. The time she nearly had finished her for good. The teenager watched herself from months ago, battling that accursed girl. The two were polar opposites in fighting style, and like trying to stick magnets together, it never worked. Dusk is too fast for Amber, but Amber is too strong, keeping the wolf girl well under control and on the run. This time Dusk was getting cocky, flinging fire close to Amber, risking her life to finish it this time. Amber broke her arm in the process. The girl had started bleeding to death. Amber was a good person, even if her rival was bleeding out and wanted to slit her throat, she should have saved her that day. Instead, she ran. Like a coward, she fucking ran. She collapsed in the sand. This needed to end. Anything else might cause her to commit suicide. These repressed memories were repressed for a reason. She killed people she never intended to kill. Her parents died because of her stupidity. Dusk had died because of a stupid feud between them, it was not what she deserved. What was next? What could be next?
Shadows
A shadow cast over the body of the cat girl. A tall figure, male totally blackened from lack of light in front of him. His voice pierced through the darkness cleaner than a blade through skin.
“Why are you lying on the floor?” He asked reaching his hands out to help her up. The girl slowly reached out to him but again her hand passed through his like in the first memory. This time, however, a hand did stick out from her arm. It was at this moment she remembered what this was. It was her depression period. She was laying in the illusion of herself and had copied the movements in the memory. Quickly backing away from the illusion, she watched and nearly had a mental break down.
“You never give up Amber, that’s not like you.” He said, light finally reaching his face. It was Murasaki. This is when Amber thought she was powerless without a semblance.
“I don't have a semblance ‘Saki, I won't ever be strong like you.” She responded in a low tone rubbing her arm nervously. Amber had been a late bloomer for her semblance and was convinced she would never unlock it.
“You're strong without a semblance. You have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. Strength is in the will, not the muscle.”
“This blade is too light. How much does this weigh, sixteen ounces?”
“Something like that. Why?” The boy crossed his arms, watching the faunus train with his sword.
“It’s too small and light. I need something with some weight. Something with reach.” She said, over stepping swings and exaggerating everything.
“We'll unlock your semblance yet Amber, don't worry.”
The two faded.
Blackness Again
Amber was curled up in the darkness, lying in the fetal position. If another image of Murasaki comes, she'll kill herself. But, the last thing she expected came after that show. It was Herself.
”It’s so cute how you live with such regret. Why did you never live with determination and heart?” It said to her. Razorback was slung over her shoulder, but it looked different, slightly serrated and a toothed tip. That was her original construction of her sword, she had planned to upgrade Razorback with that appearance but never got to in the end. ”You're so cute. Your mental state is so insanely drained you look like you could hardly stand.”
“Well I can stand, thank you.” She said, slowly wobbling up onto her feet. Razorback hung against the floor as she held it in her left hand. “I don't know what you are, but you let me out now.”
”Or, you'll kill me right? So like you Amber. Just slaughter everything then you search for some way to justify it. You killed mom and dad, Dusk bled out on that beach because you panicked and got scared. You left her to die because you were too chicken to decide if she should live. And, Murasaki. How much long does he have to wait?”
“Shut it!” The real Amber screamed, “You are not me! You're just a reflection, and I don't like mirrors!” The angry faunus rose Razorback at the fake illusion.
”Oh but I am you. I'm everything you've ever wanted to be. Consider me your aspirations. If you want out, either i can kill you, or you can try to kill me.” It said raising her copy back at Amber. The Razorback she owned looked ready to kill.
“That can be arranged!” The faunus yelled as she charged into battle, anger in her eyes and depression in her heart.
Quote:2748/5000
RE: Chaotic Despairity - Amber Veritz - 10-23-2016
The youth charged her inner pride. It wanted to toy with her: Wanted her to believe she was nothing because of all her failures, but she would sooner believe she had eleven fingers.
The two Ambers clashed steel back and forth. Beyond their mental state, the two seemed mostly equal in combat. The illusion had a stronger arm, that is something Amber noticed instantly. Not many people can overpower the strongest teenager Remnant ever knew. Not to say there were people who could not. Yang Xiao Long was much more fierce than her. She knew that just by watching Yang.
After many tries of breaking the other’s guard, the illusion finally got a swing in. A wide swing to Amber’s right after a quick fakeout cracked her pauldron and sent her rolling away to the side. Making a quick recovery, the faunus eagerly got back into the fight. Amber gripped Razorback tightly. The giant weapon she could wield in a single hand, and was her original technique, but there was no doubt that a blade was much more versatile in two hands. It was not only easier to swing, making it faster, but the force of the whole body was thrown into each swing. This caused devastating damage in the right hands, like Amber's.
The illusion of the faunus smirked at her attempts to overpower her. She readied herself to defend. An overhead swing came to halt as the blade met it’s copy. The extreme force behind the blow hurt her wrist though, and made her recoil. Razorback's copy was set downward, slamming into the invisible floor the two stood on. Opportunity could not have been much more inviting. Wasting no time, the faunus spun quickly like a tornado, smashing Razorback into her illusion’s armor. The left pauldron smashed instantly, and the connecting gauntlet began to break. As a repeat of the last hit, the fake Amber went rolling to the ground, as she had. She coughed up some eerie blood that disappeared the moment it hit the ground.
”Damn, I'm one hell of a swing aren't i?” She said, wiping her mouth as she stood up. The blow had her staggered and a bit wobbly. The cobwebs came loose as she shook her head to regain her senses. ”So tell me, Amber, do you really think you're strong?”
“I sent you flying and crushed iron plating in a single blow.” She replied resting Razorback on her shoulder. Her free hand rested on her hip. After that heavy blow, she seemed confident in herself again.
”Heh. Sure. If that’s how you measure strength. What about your weak mind? So easily you fall apart to the memories you can't forget. I ask myself, ‘Why does she keep such repressed memories. It only makes her weak.’ You're nothing but filth Amber. You wallow in self regret and try to stuff it away by killing people.” Her voice took a tone of anger and frustration. It was like she had been suffering from the pain herself.
“On the contrary, those memories make me stronger.” Amber argued.
”Enlighten me then. Weaknesses don't exactly make you stronger you idiot.” The illusion barked.
“My mistakes weaken me. You pulled into my inner regret and are trying to use it to make think I'm worthless. Unfortunately for you, I understand the reasons I keep these memories.” She said pacing back and forth as she explained. Amber was unnaturally calm for the situation.
”Get on with it.”
“My memories help me remember what is important. I remember my mistakes and I will not dare to relive them, and thus I will not forget them.” She said raising her blade to the copy. “My mistakes are simply bricks in my wall. Once I set it, it stays. It hardens me and makes me a better person.”
”Lies!” Screamed the illusion. ”You're nothing but a coward! A thief and lier!” Her rage was starting to leak now. Her face scrunched up in fury, anger beset. An odd aura surrounded the illusion. Amber knew exactly what this was so she kept her guard up. ”And now, you die!” The angry demon furiously charged at her opponent, hatred in her eyes.
Amber readied her aura shield, making a thin bracer-like block across her arm. She dodged the first few attacks but when the next came, it did not hit like bricks. It hit like a wrecking ball. Amber’s shield shattered like glass, pieces of pink aura broke upon the empty floor and the poor girl was sent flying. She tumbled across the ground for yards before landing on her stomach. The now angry Amber obliged with similar tactics. Letting out her inner berserker, Amber stood, spewing red energy and anger. The two girls exchanged blows that could level a small home. One with fire in her veins, the other with grief in her heart.
If there had been a spectator, he or she would not have the words to describe the brawl. The equally matched combatants nearly broke each others swords with each swing. The illusions toothed Razorback caught hold of the original one, tearing it away from Amber’s hands. Quickly she readied her claws, as the blade was well out of her reach. Dodging as many attacks as possible the faunus got as close as she could. If there was one thing she knew about her fighting style, it was that someone who was too close was more dangerous than anything else. It made her swings of center and hard to hit due to the awkward fashion you had to bend your arms. The faunus clawed away at her copy, leaving gashes through the iron armor where blood bled through. Shear speed was winning her this battle. It would not be long before the illusion had to stop.
“Are you ready to give up?” Amber asked she clawed at herself, some what too literally.
”I'll give up when I'm a corpse!” She screamed back. For a mere illusion, she shared the same determination that fueled Amber. If not for the same goal, then with the same heart. Like her original, she was ready to show Amber what she believed in mattered. That anything is worth dying for if you cherish it enough. Even if her own aspiration did not find her worthy to live.
The faunus was ready to end this fight. She ducked under a horizontal swing then rolled out of the way of a vertical one. In a quick movement as the copy started her next swing, her opponent jammed her fist into her stomach, punching clean into her flesh. Just then, Amber’s light claws had vanished in need of recharge. Perfect timing. The Illusion spit blood all over Amber’s arm and the floor, and when her hand was ejected from the abdomen, blood spilled out like a waterfall.
”H-How could you...Kill me...I'm everything you wish to be and more.” She muttered, finding it difficult to speak what with all the blood she was puking up.
“Because you made a mistake. You let yourself be blinded by my mistakes.”
”But those things never happened to me! I didn't kill my parents, or Dusk! I gave Murasaki the affection he deserves!”” She yelled out, followed by a coughing fit.
“Yes, but you were too afraid to understand the mistakes could have happened to you. Too scared leave your perfect life.” Amber replied, kneeling next to her opponent's body.
“You-! ...You're right...The horror of knowing that my life could have been so much different left me blind to what truly matters. Our own mistakes are what fuels us Amber. Let’s never forget why we fight.” The illusion struggled to say. She reached out, arms shaking, and grabbed hold of Amber who responded by putting her hand on the girl’s shoulder.
“Our friends need us. We have to protect them.” The two spoke simultaneously in sync. “Especially Murasaki.”
”I'm not the only thing barring your way out Amber. You defeating me was only half the battle. Now you have to go.”
“Go where? I thought you were all that’s here.”
“No. When I die, a door will appear. Behind this door is our greatest fear. You have to face Murasaki.”
“No...are you serious?” The illusion only replied with a simple nod. Amber remained still and quiet for a second, not understanding her own feelings. “Fuck. This is not going to be fun.”
”Don't worry. You can do it, Amber. I know. Now go, and don't ever forget...don't forget…” The blood loss had finally caught up, and the illusion disappeared, along with her blood.
Moments later a door appeared a few meters from Amber. She slowly stood and stared at this door. If she could get out without going through there she would. Albeit she did not have much choice. The faunus approach the door and hesitantly opened it, being blinded by a horribly bright light as she walked through. This would be the only enemy she could not engage with her blade.
Quote:4317/5000
RE: Chaotic Despairity - Amber Veritz - 10-26-2016
The dark void of nothingness vanished behind the wooden door frame. Moments later, said door completely imploded, being sucked in as if by a black hole. Surprisingly, Amber was not as shocked about where they were: Beacon. Inside their formerly shared bedroom. The bright moon crept through the shadows of the room, coming in from the singular window on bedside wall. The faunus looked around room, her animal grey-vision helping her see through the darkness. Beyond the furniture, nothing was in the room.
Murasaki had to be somewhere, or perhaps Omni had decided to let Amber go and her companions were still in his world, to forever be pawns of his game chess. She fumbled around her hoodie pocket and felt the Omnilium orb shuffle around in the fabric. A sigh of relief fell over her breath but a feeling subtle dispar crosses her heart. Glad to be with her friends still, not glad they’re still in this world.
Putting her thoughts behind her, the faunus continued her search for the one she loved. Walking past the beds in the room, towards the door, something caught her foot. What they said about cats landing on their feet, this did not apply to faunus. She collapsed onto her shoulder, hitting the wood with a loud thump.
“Are you alright Amber?” The familiar voice split through the dark room. Murasaki had been laying on the floor like he did back in her pre-Omniverse career. He did this so there was enough space for them in the room, and left the beds open to the three ladies he worked with. “Sorry, I really should lay closer to the wall so that doesn't happen. Are you hurt?” He whispered, as if Bianca and Rose were there, but a quick inspection saw that they were not.
“I'm fine,” the catgirl said rubbing her shoulder and sitting up to face her friend.”I didn't see you laying there, I should've been more careful.” The faunus eyed the wooden floor with discontent. She wanted to throw herself on him and let herself be happy, but her anxious mind ceaselessly debated against it. She wanted her relationship with Murasaki to stay good, and it is good as friends. The thought of seeing her lose her best friend made it difficult to try and take a step in advancing that relationship.
Murasaki gave her a questioning glance, although she did not see it staring into the floor. “Is everything alright Amber? Something is on your mind. I can tell. So talk to me about it.” The young man reached in and hugged her. The fuanus, at first denied returning the gesture until her emotions nearly had her puking up her guts. She threw her arms around the dark haired boy and began to cry.
“Please help me.” She said, tears dripping into his shoulder. Her face was too dark to see but Murasaki could hear Amber sniveling over his shoulder. “I'm so emotionally strung up that I can't even function properly. Every time I think of you I want to cry. I want to be more to you but I don't want to risk losing my best friend over a relationship if things go south. I'm so confused right now ‘Saki!”
Rubbing the girl’s back to comfort her, he sighed. “Just calm down Amber. I know you have feelings for me. I couldn't force you to tell me, so I waited. I want you to know that I have the same feelings for you.”
The young woman wanted to cry more, but instead she pulled herself off her friend’s shoulder. She wiped away the falling tears from her cheek and took a deep breath to control her breathing again. The teenagers awkwardly sat in front of each other for a moment, glancing to the sides like they were trying to hide flushed cheeks. Finally, Amber gave up trying to hide it.
“Murasaki.” She said quietly in the dark, still glancing away.
“Yeah?”
The faunus turned her fiery red eyes to the calm green eyes of her friend. Choking and stuttering on words at first, she finally coughed up the three words she had wanted to tell him for over a decade. “I love you.”
The two naturally leaned into each other, moving in to kiss. Amber was so happy she was about to cry. Just before they had met lips, however, Amber awoke on the dusty ground, with a massive migraine. She sat and rubbed her head, clanging something against her skull. Was something in her hand?
Quote:5091/5000 Quest Complete!
RE: Chaotic Despairity - Amber Veritz - 10-28-2016
Quote:Due to MY INCOMPETENT WRITING SKILL some unobserved points, my quest will have to be stretched to a minimum of 7500 words. Since my first post doesn't involve the Dunes at all, it has been voided from the quest. That puts my total word count at 4642 words. I'll need to write 2858 words at least to finish my quest. This is a note to myself and the staff grading my quest.
Amber opened her eyes, her Omnilium orb in her hand. She looked around to find out she was back in Atlas and what she thought was ‘dust’ was snow. The thick snow danced through the air, creating a thick blanket of sparkling white on the streets. The concrete building stretched to the sky. Their roofs occasionally slid snow down into the streets.
“You slimy fucking bastards! You couldn't have let us finish?!” She screamed to the sky, yelling at whatever the hell pulled her away from the kiss she'd waited for since she was 8. On the other hand, it was probably best. She needed to save that kiss for the real Murasaki, not a fake illusion.
If she was still in these illusions, then just like with her copy, the bad memories and the night with Murasaki she had to do something to leave. Facing fear and overcoming her self-pride. Observing the scenery while standing up, she was certain it was Atlas, but the matter was ‘when’ not ‘where’. This has to be another repressed memory, or it could be another trap.
The young woman stood in deep thought, wondering when this was. She nearly fell over when a young girl slammed into her.
“S-Sorry ma’am!” She called back to her as she continued to run away. That voice was familiar but she could not place it. Someone she knew as a kid. Looking at her as she ran away made it hard to identify her. That is until the people chasing her appeared.
“Come on, Murasaki! She's getting away!” Yelled the underaged Amber. Two more children came running behind her, hot on her trail. This was way too familiar to forget. It was the first time Amber and her rival met. Dusk had stolen a treasure Amber had found. It turned out this jewel that she had found in an abandoned house belonged to another faunus, Dusk Carem. The wolf girl had pried it from Amber’s hands. As a child, she was so angered and needy that Dusk had really stolen her lunch for the next week. Seeing it now, she was a hot head, not realizing that gem she had found actually belonged to Dusk. It was a gift from her parents before they had died from a disease. Of course, she had not realized this till they were 16.
Quickly running after the group of children, Amber assumed this would lead her to her next test. If she remembered correctly, they led Dusk into a cave, and they fought. Dusk ends up kicking her ass and running away at the first chance she got. The four went out of town and into the cave the was a half mile outside of Atlas. The three children ran into the opening, but when Amber turned into the rocky entrance, they had disappeared. She had a good guess of what was to come next.
The tunnels were fairly short. They led into an open space with a slightly high ceiling. This was where Amber and Murasaki cornered Dusk, who then beat both of them at once and ran off. When she walked in, a voice echoed through the stone room.
“You tried to steal my most prized possession Amber. The only thing I had of my parents.” Dusk stood at the other end of the room.
“I was desperate, Dusk. A child, a starving child.” Amber said as she stepped in and stood opposite of her rival.
“That is no excuse!” She blurted back. Holding her katana out as a challenge. “This time I’m going to kill you!” The wolf girl scream charging in and loading her dust. Amber readied Razorback. Amber knew this was just an illusion to test her on beating her regret. The sooner she beat Dusk, the sooner she could go back to the Omniverse. Dusk’s speed never ceased to amaze Amber. She could move in and out of Amber’s swings like it was her day job.
The two traded steel multiple times. Dusk got a few scratches on Amber's arms, but no more than that. She was hardly bleeding. As Dusk came in for another attack, dancing around Amber, her opponent quickly feinted. A trick Amber was horrible at but if she could get it, she’d have a clear shot at her rival. She faked a swing, which the wolf attempted to duck under. Dusk’s chin met Amber’s knee, just as planned. She landed harshly on her back, dropping her sword. Knowing that she should keep her mercy for a day it mattered, Amber approached her opponent and drove her zweihander through her chest.
Blood...No. No Blood. Her blade had passed through Dusk’s chest, but no blood. It seemed as though the sword did nothing as Dusk just rolled around and hadn't screamed from pain. It was like the wolf had become a ghost, except you could see she was still in full opacity. Translucent or not, Amber only wondered why she could knee, but not kill her.
Dusk’s foot met Amber’s stomach, sending her on her back. The wolf girl quickly got up, unphased by the blade and grabbed her sword. Amber stumbled to her feet, not having time to grab hers.
“Ha! You can't kill me this time Amber! What are you going to do, other than die by my blade!” Dusk laughed, slicing up Amber’s arms. Her aura shield and claws seemed to be failing in this world so she was blocking with her forearms. She had to think quick. If this continued, she would surely die.
It’s obvious Amber was not supposed to kill Dusk after all. How does she get through this then? Thinking back, Amber conquered her sorrow from her past by defeating herself in combat. She fought her fear confessing her love to Murasaki. So that means there was only one way she would get out of this challenge. A horizontal swing went over the cat girl’s head and she quickly dove forward, spearing Dusk to the ground again. The two fumbled around on the rocky floor. Amber evicted the blade from Dusk’s hand and pinned her arms to the floor.
“Get off me, you feline piece of shit!” She struggled trying to get free.
Amber kept her held in place. Choking on her words she said, “I'm sorry.”
The wolf stopped fumbling around when she heard those words. “What?” She said, completely confused.
“I, am, sorry.” Amber continued. “The whole reason we got off on a bad foot was my fault. I thought you were the worst person in the world, but the truth of the matter was on the other side. I'm the worst person who ever lived. I tried to steal the only memento you had of your family and then put the blame on you.” Amber let go of Dusk and sat on the floor in front of her bordering on crying. “I...I killed you. I was too much of coward to deal with the consequences so I just left you there to die.”
The other faunus was too shocked to respond. She stood up and grabbed her sword. “Amber, nothing you do can change what you've done.” She said gripping the hilt tightly with both hands.
Amber sighed and looked at the floor. “The make it quick if you please.” She said holding her arms out to show she was going to let Dusk kill her. Dusk stared at her with discontent.
“You can't right your wrongs, but..” She said pausing for a moment. “You can do your best to avoid the wrongs. Be vigilant, and don't repeat your mistakes Amber. And, lastly, thank you.” The katana pierced Amber’s heart, but there was no pain. When Amber blinked again, Dusk was gone and she was in front of bakery in Atlas. What now?
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RE: Chaotic Dispairity - Amber Veritz - 10-29-2016
The faunus quickly patted down her chest. There was no wound and no blood thankfully. That was some crazy wizard shit and she no long wants anything to do with it.
“Haven't I proven myself against myself enough today? Fuck.” She said with a sigh while she got back up on her feet. Snow clinged to her shins but she dusted it off. Distracted by how extremely pissed she was at still being in her own mind, she did not notice the younger her enter the bakery. Only when the smell of freshly baked breads crossed her feline nose did she realize when this was. This was where she first met Murasaki. She looked through the display window. It seemed no one could see her though, as many people the walked by her without giving her a glance. The young faunus browsed the bakery. She remembers having found some decent money that day that she had collected off the ground.
Now for the sad stuff, because this ‘exercise’ definitely was not a trip down memory lane. Only the worst moments of her life. This one was an exception though. It was a horrible moment when Amber was finally old enough to understand what it was like to be under someone's boot and how much humans truly hated her for her ears. Even though it was said, though, it was where she committed herself to becoming strong and proving her worth.
The suspicious shopkeep did not welcome Amber in his store. The little riff-raff child was probably a thief look for the first moment he turned his back to take the fresh cupcakes off the counter and bolt. He would not have that in his shop. The man grabbed the brook in the corner behind his counter and came around, angrily swinging it at Amber, but only as a warning at first. The young girl, and her naïveté, attempted to reason with him. She held out the money she could pay him for whatever she wanted to buy. He cared not for her money.
When Amber had shown that she was not leaving without dinner, the man saw no other way, even though there was one. He swung the broom over Amber’s head, attempting to knock her unconscious, and probably would not have cared if he had killed her. The girl cringed in fear of the pain she was about to feel, but it never came.
When the young catgirl had opened her eyes, a boy with jet black hair stood in front of her. He had taken the hit for her with his arms. He did not stop there though. The boy grabbed hold of the man’s broom and tore it from his hands, shoving the wood into his stomach and knocking him on his ass. He held the broom in the man’s face and spoke up.
“Everyone deserves fair treatment old man.” He turned around and snatched the money from Amber’s hand.
“Hey! That’s mine!” The girl yelled at him as he turned around and walked away from her. She wanted to take her money back, but after that display she was internally scared to even look at him. He was not stealing her money though. The boy had taken her money and grabbed walked up to the counter, taking the cupcakes that lie there. He handed the cupcakes to Amber and tossed the coins in the shopkeeper's face, who was still reeling from the fall.
“Treat people with respect and they'll treat you with it.” He said before escorting Amber out of the store. The girl was speechless. “You alright?” He asked the faunus who was still attempting to form some dialogue.
“Why did you...why would you help me?” She asked, and instantly regretted the stupid question.
“Hunh? That’s a dumb question.” He snorted, chuckling a bit to himself. Amber only blushed, feeling a total idiot. Murasaki quieted down, realizing he may have just her feelings a bit. “I helped you because you deserved it.”
That one sentence made the child's heart skip a beat. She...deserved it? No one had tood her anything like that. It made her feel weird but happy. She felt like she had meant something to someone, not just a bug that gets stepped simply because you cannot see it.
“Well, are you going to eat your cupcakes?” He asked pointing to the food in her hands. The faunus’s ears perked up as she glanced down at her dinner. She awkwardly nodded and reached into the packaging, about to eat the first one. Just before she bit into it, however, she stopped. Looking at Murasaki and back to the cupcake a few times.
“What’s the matter? Did you lose your appetite?” He asked scratching the back of his head a bit awkwardly. He may have thought she was a total weirdo, until she handed him the cupcake. “Why are you giving me this? They're yours.” He said trying to return the food but the cat girl refused to take it back.
“I'm giving it to you because you deserve it.” She said nervously reaching in to get her own. Murasaki was, for lack of a better word, shocked. He did not expect Amber to be like that about his daring rescue. He knew right there that this girl admired him. His heroic action set something in motion that changed her future.
The boy smiled as the faunus ate her cupcake and took a bite of his. “Would you like me to walk you home?” He asked the girl. She took a second to ponder it, but replied with a nod. They began to walk towards her house.
“My name is Amber, by the way. Amber Veritz.” She said munching on the food.
“I'm Murasaki, but you can call me ‘Saki.” He introduced himself casually, as though they were already friends.
The real Amber stood and watched the whole display. Perhaps this memory was to remind her of her resolve to prove that she meant something. Human or faunus, everyone deserved equal treatment. Amber would see to that.
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RE: Chaotic Dispairity - Amber Veritz - 11-06-2016
Quote:Through sheer luck of awesome writing, I passed my quest before getting to the recommended word count after requesting it be looked at again. So I passed! :3
The memory faded to black. Darkness engulfed the faunus, once again she hovered in black nothing. If there was any more tests, Amber was probably going to break her own mind. She could not take any more of these hurtful times. As a child, it hardly bothered her. Now as she has grown up, she is finding harder to cope with.
The dusty ground appeared below Amber. Thankfully, it was dust this time, not snow. She sat up slowly, with a massive migraine to boot. Her brain felt like it was being crushed under a wrecking ball. A red diamond shaped crystal was in her hand. This must be whatever Murasaki’s monitors had picked up. The mental challenge must have been a prerequisite to obtain this thing, whatever it was. She stood up slowly and called Murasaki.
“Yo, I think I found it. It some kind of crystal, and it’s emitting some weird power.” She said, looking for the motorcycle she had spawned. It seems to have disappeared. She decided to just walk from here.
”That has to be it then. Bring it back and we’ll take a look at it.” His voice echoed through the speaker on Amber’s headset. She hung up the call and continued on the path back home.