09-06-2015, 01:06 AM
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Emma Shutter
"Terra"
Pre-Omniverse, Pre-Claw
The Past
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Emma stepped out of the stuffy strip joint that was already filled with smoke and the smell of sweaty liquor, and into the cold night air. In her tiny outfit, she'd probably normally freeze. But the twiggy, short girl was riding on something that felt like adrenaline and excitement. On one hand she wasn't too thrilled about her new job consisting of her dancing around in her panties and nothing much else. But the friend who had recommended the job was right, she had no trouble at all with the amount of eyes that had been watching her for the past couple of hours. Which were strangely an odd number, as there had been that one guy with an eye patch that had made come over for a five. She later found out... That was the owner.
She learned later that he liked the unconventional vibe she was throwing out there. Where most of the other girls were curvy, perky things with long blond hair, curly ringlet brunettes, and sultry vixens with midnight colored hair, she had a platinum white mohawk and looked more boxy. She had curves, breast, they were there, but her body were almost non-existent compared to Cynthia's giant double D's, wide hips, and muscular butt. It was also full of metal, scars, and ink. Broken bones from her boxing matches had to be mended, she had 5 piercings in each ear, one in her nose, one in the left side of her lip and brow, a piercing in her navel that she keeps forgetting.. Emma has split her lip on the right side, had several reminders of her past fighting life decorating her body in the faintest but still visible way. There was a black bird on her right shoulder, tribal and in mid-flight. In pink, there was something inked up the left side of her stomach. It was in elven, and she claims its a stamina spell, but in reality it was only the words 'do or die'.
The cold air didn't bother her, the looks she was getting from almost every man as she passed on the sidewalk didn't faze her, nor did the whistles that pitched through the night. She was almost too occupied with her mission to make it home to be bothered by it. But what did catch her eye was the movement in the alley she passed about 5 blocks from her new place of work. She turned to face it as quickly as she'd seen it, expecting even Andy to be back for the bag that was in her hand. But there was no one.. At least no one she could see, and despite the lack of light, she think she'd be able to see a man standing in front of her face. And she was all ready to face him down, but instead of a gravelly voice, deep throated growls came from the dark. Like there was a pack of dire-wolves just beyond the threshold.
People she could fight, but animals were... Well, animals. Beastly, wild things. Unpredictable. Unlike people.
She backed away from the alley slowly, as to not provoke them any more than she might have getting a little too close to the space between buildings. But they only seemed to get agitated.. More hungry. Because she could hear the growling get louder, the echo of them making them seem demonic. She stepped back again, and this time when they followed they were forced to be reveled. And Emma felt something she hadn't felt in a really long time.. Fear. They were canine....esk. But large, brutal, frightening.. Her hazel colored eyes were wide, and that same adrenaline started kicking back in as her heart started to pound against her chest.
It was one at first, and then there were three, they stalked closer, and looked very focused. So much that Emma wondered if they had purposely singled her out, or if it was by chance she walked in their path. The leader came closer, and closer, pushing her back until her shoulders felt the cold stone of the building behind her, and then it came still. But she was a fighter. And when she found she no longer had room to back up with, clenched the handles of the bag she carried. It was a single credit reusable bag made of pink fabric that was stuffed full of game boxes. The boxes were full of games, too. She had gone through ever single one of them to make sure they were all counted for after they'd nearly been pawned off. Sadly, they were about to be a improvised weapon.
Emma waited for the beast to come close enough, then with a quick motion, through the bag at it. Not letting go until she felt it smack firmly against the side of its head. The games fell to the city's floor, making a clatter kind of noise as they were discarded so that she may live. It was the gun shot that signaled her marathon run. Which she started with a full sprint.
Emma was pounding away at the pavement, her lungs on fire, her thighs burning, sweat dripping down her already sweat covered body. From dancing to running.. She had had some slight fear of this at some point, but this was not what she had in mind. She had imagined fat ugly men trying to keep up with her as she left them in her dust. Instead, she was just a breath in front of whatever that had been she had smacked with her game collection. An improvised weapon that she wished she hadn't used.. If this nightmare did have an end to it, she doubt they would be there in the morning. She couldn't even be excited by the idea that Andy might have been stalking her that night and might be collecting them now. It would be to late to pawn them off, but none of that mattered because what she saw would have been enough to chase her ex away screaming.
As she instinctively ran the escape routes that only a street rat of this town would know of, jumping around obstacles that she's had to leap over before, she thought about what was chasing her. She could hear the growls, the intimidating glares were burning through her back, willing her to fall. They had a better chance of exhaustion taking her down than her tripping over something. She wondered where these beasts came from.. Isabella would know. She majored in stuff like this.
Thoughts of her sister made her wonder if she was safe. She hoped this attack, whoever or whatever was behind it, was isolated to just the shit hole part of town. She didn't think her older twin could handle this kind of thing, running down the streets of proverty towards the docks because she had a hide out there. She doubts Bella had anything like that.. She probably had a fortress to hide behind. A place where super natural creatures, monsters really they were, couldn't get to her withou-
She was in mid-climb, in mid-thought, and suddenly in the middle of everything, when a pillar of light exploded from the darkness. She was instantly drawn to look at it, but had to turn away to avoid being blinded. She was forced to finally look back. Or down. Down from her perch on a broken fire escape that hugged a building right beside the warehouse district. She had to go up from here, over this building, jump a gap in the other building, and then scale the side of THAT building, but as the light washed over the area, she could now make out the ugly beasts that were attempting to fed on her flesh. Or she did for a moment.. The light consumed them, washed them out of her view, as if to mock her. Emma clenched her jaw, turned from them both, and made her way to the roof top.
You are running from these? How silly of a girl you must be.
When the woman stood on the roof, she turned to face the light, looking a lot like she was ready to fight this thing, too. It was just as brilliant as before, but now it shown in a whole different kind of way.. It was alluring.. Not at all mocking or painful to look at. And then something inside of her was gripped, as if a hook had reached out over the mile between her and it, and wrapped around her, tugging her towards the light. Physically she didn't move, but mentally she felt herself being pulled towards it. So much that she actually stepped closer to the edge of the building without even thinking about it. And then almost over it completely.
Emma catches herself before her foot sought a surface that did not exist, she had to jump back to feel safe again, and with the trance of the light broken, she finally was brought back to where she was. Which wasn't out of the water yet. Nor out ON the water yet. But she no longer cared about the docks.. She had to reach this light. Her very soul demanded it. But she needed to get down without breaking her neck. She looked around, trying to remember what she was doing, where she was, and suddenly the sound of the ladder crashing down under the weight of something wakes her back up. She hissed locked her eyes on the old escape, heard more weighted sounds clashing against the old metal, and then turned her back to it. Emma sprinted off again, coming to the gap she was thinking of earlier, she leaped! Gracefully.. Like a swan, she flew across the gap.
She landed on the other side, but had to take a couple more steps before she could recover entirely. Then she found herself already on the side of the building. Feet on the building, hands on a cable, and her tiny body almost a feather drifting down to the ground below. She took another pause, to look back. the pillar of light was still there, which put her at peace, but the warehouse that it shot out of like a pushpin in a map, was surrounded by those same creatures. She'd have to get around those things, and she was thinking a vertical approach was needed. They weren't climbers, it could be deducted. She'd have to take stock later, she could only guess how good they were at jumping that gap. Or how they probably were not afraid of jumping off the building to get to their prey.
A sword from the past, a crossbow, a battle ax, a bow. Even the scythe, though in an anime kind of way, fit in this strange armory of the heavens. Except two very strange additions. A mask laid there, as normal as could be, and not but two feet from it stood a grapple-hook. Given the previously revealed weapons in this magical pillar of light, the mask should have been - and probably still is - the strangest thing. But a good contender was the hook. It was made of crimson metal, and the light that guided the humans into the vault beamed off the hook, making it appear to be glowing red. Normally a grapple hook was shaped like a flower that blossomed out, and wilted over itself. This one was no different, except the stigma of this flower came to a sharp serrated point, like the spine of a sting ray. The curves of the five arms that came to a fish hook point, were flat and sharp. Though it wouldn't seem so while so far away. And since this weapon was not for those around it, no one was drawn towards it.
The grapple-hook was nothing without a rope, but this one had... Something. It was slick, black, and light shone off of it. It was smoother than rope, and looked like rope, but there was a slight morbid feel to it which was later explained when you realized that it was hair. Not fur, but actual hair. Long, black, healthy, and most likely, human hair. What Rapunzel knock off produced this much was probably a question that may never be answered, but whoever she was, had lovely locks for it to withstand the time.
If there were any future historians familiar with The Red Devil, they would recognize his Claw. Other than that, however, there was no way to date this item. It looked like a mix between old and new, modern and classic..
But that was enough staring. Don't you think? The Red Devil was about action! He was an impatient man.. And none of these people in the room were of interest. As if his spirit still lurked nearby, the rope of the hook was lifted. The metal scraped against the cement floor. And the hook nonchalantly started to swing. The Claw and Quill, which was a feather shaped dagger that still lay in place, were notorious for possession attempts, to those who know about the legend that is. But the young audience might be oblivious to such boring things of the old History books.
Like a pendulum, the hook swung. Left to right, to left, to right.. Getting higher with each passing. Then before it could fall back again, it lifted over itself. And again in a full 360 degrees, around and around. Until the hook was now a blurry black and red circle. Then suddenly it was let go! Or acted like it had just been let go. As it soars high through the air, higher and higher, through a window above the group, and higher still. Trailing behind was the rope of hair, which followed it like the tail of a comet. Leaving only behind a satisfied grin that hung in the air, you could feel it, implying that perhaps the Red Devil was among them, if only long enough to will something to happen. Then like the Wonderland Cheshire Cat, the grin faded from the air around them.
Outside, Emma was running towards the light. Her legs working as hard as they could to keep her afloat while she thoughtlessly ran towards the unmarked building. Unaware of what it was, why it drew her toward it, and of what was happening inside the building. She still raced towards it, even now. Even as her lungs struggled with the air she needed to live, as her legs began to act like lead as they pounded forcefully against concrete and pavement, even as she approached the very clear, and very obvious danger that was those creatures.
She was close when there was a loud shattering of glass. Froze, skidding to a stop. Her attention was no longer on the pillar of magical light. As if the trance that kept her so enthralled with it was broken, and now a new object of fascination held her. It was so impossible.. Impossible to see, impossible to know, but her intuition told her that she had seen something shoot for the moon, only to arch over and fall back towards earth. Again.. She couldn't see a damn thing, but Emma knew something was there. Then suddenly she heard rather than saw, something metal hitting the stone below her.
Emma's eyes shot straight down at it. Like she could some how calculate that fast and at that complex level of math, to know exactly where the item had landed, but really she just looked down and saw it. Just before the rope tail fell in ribbons on top and around it.
For a long moment, she just stood there, her shoulders down and her arms hanging from the sockets as her sweat glistened chest heaved! Gasping for air. "A.. ..Grapple hook..?" She was so confused, and maybe if this had been a normal, everyday, ordinary grappling hook she might have left it at that and kept running. But as she stood there, staring at this thing with banging and growling just 10 feet in front of her, she just knew this was what had been calling her. Even now it whispered her name, and beckoned her closer. But her legs felt like jelly, her chest burned, her lungs ached, and she was sure that if she moved an inch in any direction, she'd collapse. So she stared at it.. Doing nothing but attempting not to pass out.
Grrrrr...
The sound was deep, familiar, and behind her. With a twist at her hip, she slowly turns to look behind her, panting a little easier now that she had time to catch her breath. And to her surprise, the monster she laid eyes on was the same one from the alley.. She recognized it only because of the same scar that cut through its face. "You got to be kidding me.." She said, pausing her breaths to speak. It growled even harder, warning her not to move. Which she wasn't sure she could do, but then another growl came from the opposite direction, and decided to turn. Another creature, of same build and basic form, stood on the other side of the hook, approaching with its head down and its eyes on her. But her eyes only linger on it for a pant or two before she brings them back to the hook. Again.. It invited her closer. "Hell.."
Emma was stone still for a mere moment, and the next she dove for the hook, and both beasts pounced!
"Ah.. There she is.." A thick... Gravely voice spoke to Emma. It was like time stopped, her eyes had been closed tightly, but they shot open now. However they were blank. Not in the way that there was no emotion, no thought behind them. Emma was terrified, confused, astonished, memorized, and curious.. But the pupils and the iris of her eyes washed away in an instant, and while she looked blind, she could see. She could see the fine details of the drool from the dangerous and hungry maws of the creatures above her. It hung in the moment, like dried hot glue that stuck out in the air. Inches from her face was another angry.. thing. She shuddered. She didn't want to die.
The voice let out a cackle, a hardy laugh of pleasure and amusement. It gave her an uneasy kind of hope. And even though she didn't want to, it compelled her to turn to see something standing near enough to make out the crimson color of his skin, but far enough to know he could not help. Actually he felt even further away than he looked, he felt years and years away from her, like the stars in the sky. Which were also gone.. All around her and him, and the creatures that hovered on top of her, was a white light. Much like the one she'd seen before, the one that beckoned her to come to this place. "'Ello there lass. Don't be alarmed.. I know you aren't, but my appearance has startled many." He paused. "Now poppet, I've been looking for a lass like you, one who won't run and one with lots of fight. Unfortunately.. I'm dead! So.. We can't 'ave a go in the bed." He seemed to run his eyes over her exposed legs and the curves of her smaller than average breasts. "Pity.. But enough flirting. Do me a favor, don't die tonight. I need you for my own use.. And in return I shall aid you, and reward you. Unfortunately that's all the time I 'ave. You will know what to do next, just breath." As the word 'breath' echoed, everything came back to reality.
At that moment, Emma couldn't breath! She felt like she was at the bottom of the ocean and the weight of it all was crushing her lungs. She choked on it.. A burning sensation exploded over her body, and she visioned her body being ripped apart by small explosion, but it was more likely that the things that were on top of her were finally free of the barrier of time, and were consuming her, perhaps the one she'd came face to face with even had her throat. She looked up, but they were still hovering over her. Slowly however, she could make out that details of facial movement showing. It did not yet have its dangerous teeth around her neck, but it would if she didn't react!
She was sure she was paralyzed too, but when she attempted to move, she felt feather light. Or.. Normal. Since she was light as a feather already. She decided not to waste her time wondering how this was happening and made a move. Just as she brought the hook up, ready to take them on even as she was laying on her back, what spell had them suspended came to a rushing end. She jabbed up, impaling the creature through the bottom of its jaw, jutting up its head to make full contact with its pack member. She heard them collide in a hollowed out thump and knew she had bought herself a few seconds. Only then did she feel a horrible thrust that flung both beasts to the side, instead of them falling limp on her. It knocked her whole arm to the ground with it, as she refused to let go of the man's hook. She stared up at the sky, eyes wide, and her mouth gaping as fresh air was engulfed, then huffed out. When the rest of the creatures seemed to not come for her, she finally looked over.
Out of both heads, an arrow stuck out. It was shiny, blue-ish white, and long. More importantly, she could feel it. It had missed her completely, no worries. But she could feel it a mere inch from her own weapon. It felt like heaven.. And it was not pleasant. She dared not to touch it, she just rolled over, grabbed the base of the creatures's jaw, and pushed it off her own hook. It came out in a clean way, but a sick, wet, sound came with it. She wasn't bothered by that, she was bothered mostly by the arrow that looked brilliant and bright, and hurt her eyes to look at, but she could only stare at this strange dangerous thing, though beautiful it may seem. It also felt.. Familiar.
Familiar in a similar way like the hook did.. But also like it had always been there beside her. It felt like.. Her sister. Of all things. But wasn't that strange? To compare it to her twin. Like she was the angel on her shoulder, and this strange man was the devil. Before she could compare it to anything else, she saw it shatter like glass, and become specks of light. The lights danced and hovered to the tune of the nutcracker, before they flew past Emma's face. They frightened her, she cringed tightly, and felt a very real burn to her cheek where one speck brushed against her. But they were gone, and she twisted in her seat until she had to brace herself with her hands to keep from fallin on her chin to watch where they went.
Emma's face slacked into shock when she saw the lights gather around an almost mirror image of herself. Not because she was shocked to see she had a twin, but because she was utterly surprised to find Bella here. Of all places! "Bella! What the hell are you doing here?" She asked first, then stood up second. She watched the lights gather behind her sister and then form into something out of her view before the lights faded. Unlike Emma, Bella had a full head of hair, in her opinion a better built body, and.. wore glasses? Since when? It really had been a long time.. However, their reunion was cut off by the slamming noise of creatures against a metal door of the warehouse she had been headed towards in the first place.
The younger twin was tired... And dreaded the idea of more movement.. Had she had more sleep, more exercise, more energy.. She might not be so unwilling to continue tonight. But inside she knew she couldn't just walk away. Not only were these things running madly though the city by now, despite having the ability to bail, she had a mission. She had the Claw, but she felt incomplete still, and knew she needed to get inside the building. More than likely... There were people in there. Or else why would the monsters be relentlessly banging on the over sided garage door? To destroy these weapons? If that were the case.. There would be more attention on her and Bella.
"N-Never mind. We can catch up later." She said, forcing herself to stand. Of all nights... She didn't even know what cardio was anymore. "We have to get into that building.. I'm missing something, and I bet its in there." She gathered the rope in her right hand, and held the hook in her left. She had no idea how to use this thing prior to tonight, never even thought to use one, but she was already calculating on how to use it to get inside. "I vote the roof." She said, wanting to avoid more of the beasts. "Unless you think that fancy bow of yours can handle these things." She said with a brow ring raised and her hand already swinging the hook.
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Ash, The Storm Demon
"Terra"
Pre-Omniverse
The Past
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Ash couldn't help but think about that day.. The day she met Captain "Red Devil" Osa Rizuki. That was a month and a half ago, and frankly.. A lots happened since that one night. In that old warehouse they had met a bunch of people, and they all had weapons that had called out to them. All except one person in particular. A girl that Ash couldn't stop glaring at. She probably understood why, Ash new she had the other half to Osa's 'collection'. The Red Devil's Quill. She gave it up without a fight, and made a comment that it was warm to touch, but Ash felt just ice cold metal.
The Quill was a feather shaped dagger, that seemingly had no other use. Until she read up on the two a bit more in detail. While The Claw was the main 'exhibit' where ever the pieces landed, someone did take the time to examine The Quill. Finding out that it actually writes like a pen and even has its own ink when turned upside down to use as a writing tool. When analyzed, they later found out that the ink was blood. The species of blood varied, but the samples they took were Elf, Human, Worg, and Orc. Further tests weren't necessary, and the idea of writing a novel in someone's blood was a bit morbid to say the least.
In short. Osa was pretty sick. Or said the historians. Ash thought it was all fascinating and had to test it out herself. She didn't have anything to write, so she just used it to sign her new name on a piece of paper. -Ash.
After the research everyone was ready to take down the evil that plagued the town, or the unknown wizard that summoned the Shadow Hounds, but Ash didn't want anything to do with that. Particularly because she didn't feel any responsibility to do so. The only thing that might have persuaded her was her twin, Bella. But that ended in a big fight, one that got her kicked out of the library. So be it. She didn't want to be a part of their band of merry men.
Perhaps it wasn't just her decision.. Perhaps someone else had some influence on her. Maybe Osa's promises sounded more her style. That would explain why she was on a ship. A ship which was currently riding a wave of teen feet to the peak, only to come crashing back down into the sea. Waves came at them in walls, rain sliced through her skin, and she held on tightly to anything nailed down on the deck. "This better be worth it!" She screamed over the sound of the storm. Not at anyone who stood on the deck, not any anyone who was there to hear her. She was yelling it at the thing on her arm.
The Red Devil of the Sea, Osa, was spiritually there in his weapon. He was able to communicate with her, but only in pockets of time manipulation. And never for really long. Just long enough to flirt with her, and give her what information she needed for the next step. The end goal of all these steps were to get his ship. That was the very first step she needed to take. The first goal to achieve, and every odd tasks she done has been for this last moment. Now she just had to get there!
Preferably in one piece.
It was another hour of this, being shaken around by the sea, punished by the storm, slammed against her metal safety net, and thunder warning her and the crew to turn back, the whole world against her! She even thought she heard the cry of whales.. Which is why she looked up. They had dipped down into a valley created by the crazy high waves, and lightening crashed in the background, to light up the wall that was in front of her. There in the wave was a massive creature, with 4 glowing eyes. It glared at her, then the light source was gone, and it was time to crawl up the side of that same wave.
There hasn't been any crazy sea creature stories in a very long while. But something told her they were about to experience one hell of a ride. Sure enough, on the peak of two story high wave, lightning stuck again. This time it coursed straight down, and dug a hole into the tower that held both the Captain and every instrument and device they needed to keep going.
The electricity flowed down the tower, and back up, and maybe even once more again, Ash couldn't tell. All she knew is the next moment later, there was a deadly explosion and half the tower was gone. While the other half rained down on the deck along with the rest of the storm. Next sounded an emergency horn, starting out higher in pitch, and dipping low just as they slowly started to roll forward to slide down the back of this massive wave.
Ash watched all of this from some corner in the nose of the boat, clinging to the wires and fencing rods that was to keep people from falling in. She scrunched up her long tail to stop it from being cut off by the shrapnel that fell from the sky. Though there was an usual amount for just one explosion so she looked up into the sky, to see that the mechanical arms that had sails with solar panels sewn into them to harness the sunlight for power were also coming down. And if that wasn't bad enough, it was at this point that creature in the sea was ready to make himself known by slamming up against the boat's back. The whole ship shuddered, and groaned, and tipped too far the one way..
Ash's grip on everything around her intensified as she realized the ship was slowly taking a tumble, and the weakened teifling was about to take another beating.. It slowed down for her, the whole thing, as the ship's bottom left the wave, pushed by the creature, or Poseidon himself. It rolled over so that the rain no longer slammed against the deck because the ship was now the umbrella. Though no one could enjoy it, because Ash looked down in horror as rocky ocean surface came towards her.
Nothing in her life so far gave her any knowledge what to do at this point.. Does one grip the boat and let it pull you under? Or should she try to jump? She couldn't possibly know what was about to happen, all she knew was she might die tonight. If this fall wasn't going to kill her.. That monster most likely would. She had only seconds to decide what to do next, so she wrapped her tail around something, and prepared to take on the force of falling ship..
Ash was slammed hard against the ocean, and if she hadn't been preparing for a great pain, she'd have lost her breath. The water acted like a cushion and once they hit the water. It was a slow process.. Sinking was. Even with a ship upside down and wave after wave throwing itself at it, trying to push it down! But somewhere there was air, keeping it afloat. On the other side of things, Ash felt the swirling swells of the moons pull fight her for her grip. The water ran over her and slapped her against the deck! At one point it even felt like it grabbed her by the horns and shook her head. But she waited it out just long enough, and slowly.. The deeper they went, the less fight the sea had.
The tiefling was finally brave enough to open her eyes, and with her darkvision, she could see. She couldn't see a lot. But she could see something moving a few feet in front of her. It looked like a dragon's tail. She looked around in other directions, and saw the debris of the tower sinking faster into the depths of the ocean. She saw the bodies of the sailors floating against the sinking ship, caught where there was no air. That would be her soon.. She had to get out, she had to get back to the surface!
She was not the strongest swimmer, but she knew desperation. She knew what it was like to fight for your life. She hoped that drive would get her there.
Ash turned around, planted her feet on the deck, and then shoved herself down. Only to twist her body to change directions in mid launch. She curved around the side of the ship and then began kicking and propelling herself to what looked like the surface. Honestly though, it could have been any direction. She did not know if she could actually tell considering the dark storm clouds above them, cutting off what light the full moon might have given her.
She didn't even think while she raced to the top, already her lungs were straining and she felt the feeling of light headedness creeping in on her. But she didn't give up. She could also feel a difference in her right hand, where The Claw sat, it sliced through the water like a knife, and she wondered if she shot up, would she catch something? She didn't risk it, she just kept kicking, and kicking until she felt the fresh air on her hand. It was another thrust of her legs and a slap of her tail before her head reached the surface and the expired breath burst from her blue lips. She gasped again, taking mouth fulls of air as the rain continued to pelt her face. Until she remembered the very real danger of an unknown sea creature lurking around.
Not only that, but the storm didn't stop just because there was no one to see it. Already a wave was picking her up, taking her higher and higher. She fought to stay above the water, until she thought it was about to crash down, then she ducked under and looked around. But everything was black, dark.. Nothing. Then she was pulled by the water down!
Hitting the rest of the water wasn't so bad, and if she didn't fight this process, she was okay, but the ride knocked her all around, and she was afraid to let it disorientate her. So once she was able, she made for the surface again. Salty air filled her lungs once more, and she she ducked back under again to look for the monster. She could still see the ship's haul fading as it headed for its final destination, but nothing else. Surely the sea monster hadn't done the damage and just vanished?
It was at this thought that lightening lite up the sky again, and in turn, her view. And what she saw, scared the heck out of her. Ash saw the creature she had before. it was dragonic in appearance, and very, VERY close.
![[Image: latest?cb=20131114202923]](http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/powerlisting/images/2/27/Leviathan_by_beloved_creature-d39y19b.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20131114202923)
The tiefling flung herself back into the storm to scream in her fright, and not wasting a second longer she made a run for it. It had been massive. It's head had been feet from her. How had she not seen it! It would swallow her in one gulp. Without chewing!
Ash raced in any direction she felt like, striving to get away, fearing what was under her, doubting she was getting anywhere.. That's when she heard a very eerie noise. It sounded like a growl. A deep throated growl. And her desperate kicks calmed until she barely was treading water.. What else was in the ocean with her? Nothing.. Nothing but that.. Thing. So she knew very well what made such a noise. And something told her she wasn't going to get away with a breast stroke.
What ever it was brought its head out to show that it was now in front of the tiefling, its four eyes dug into her, and a ominous feeling hung thickly in the air. With its hole head out, its jaw gaped open, and rows of dagger length teeth came to view as that same growl came forth, much more clearly than before. Which made Ash swallow hard. And still, the mouth opened, wider and wider. Until she could she the uvula shaking. It took a breath, and then roared at her, which made thunder sound quiet.
Ash wasn't ready to go without a fight, and so she lifted her arm and shot at the creature, only for her sloppy aim not to matter. Like it was waiting for her to do so, it grabbed onto the hook and then lunged. But Ash didn't see this, she saw that the hook hit it, and now her line was getting shorter by the second. So she grabbed onto the hair of her hook, and a second later was forced into the ocean again.
There, the creature vanished from her view again, but it continued to pull her along. At any point she could have just let go, but she started this battle, she might as well finish it!
Ash grabbed The Quill and stuck it between her polished white teeth, her own pair of canines long and sharp. Then her hand reached up, grabbing on to the silky soft hair only to pull herself forward, then the other hand, then another. And soon she was climbing closer and closer to her foe as it carried her deeper and deeper into the water. She could feel the pressure of the ocean start to choke her, but she continued to climb the rope. She wouldn't die without giving this thing one good stab!
Climbing 15 feet of rope wasn't that big of a deal on dry land, but hear as she was being whipped around and dragged to Davy Jones Locker, she was having some difficulty. The trashing and the deeper she went must have really been doing something to her, because she felt like they weren't moving at all at one point.. But she decided it was a mind trick and hung on tighter. A continuation for this mind trick included the feeling that she wasn't hundreds or thousands of feet below sea level. As well.. As.. She could breath?
Suddenly Ash was very aware of the ability to breath, and apparently has been doing so for some time. Though her view was still nothing she was aware that she was no longer moving, or even being dragged by the dragon like creature. Was.. Was this a trick? Or was she dead? She got a determined look on her face and began to race up the last 10 feet of her rope, and unintentionally slamming her fist into something metal.
Confused, she looked up, and sure enough it was a solid metal plate, several of them lined something very large.. She found her hook was wedged into the mouth of a carving that looked just like the creature she'd seen in the ocean, except this one was wooden and much smaller. It was also attached to the bowsprit of a ship. Ash pulled The Claw free, put it on its hook on her hip, and then stuffed The Quill back into place before climbing up and onto the ship's deck.
The moment her feet touched the hardwood deck, she felt De Je Vu for it. Like she'd been here before, though she was sure she had never set foot on a ship at the bottom of the ocean.. But it did put more merit into the theory of her being dead. Her heaven surely would feel familiar, right? Possibly even her hell. Sure that she was in fact, dead, she thought she should continue to explore the mysterious ship. There was a lot to explore, however, before she reached the doors of the Captain's Quarters. As if drawn to it. She looked up, and over the door read the ship's name. "Leviathan.." Ash read it out loud.
"Maaaaaaaaaaaaster.. The creature growled once more.
That's whent he ship moved. It reminded her of when the creature had tipped over the ship. At that moment, she was sure she was in hell, forced to relive the nightmare of her death. But she was proven wrong as the ship lite up, and began to surface. Slowly for the first few thousand feet, then it quickly picked up speed until it suddenly rushed past the surface of the water and then landed back into the calm morning ocean, bobbing up and down like nothing special had happened at all. Like hundreds hadn't died a few hours ago.
She suspected it was all because Leviathan felt its master's return, and was in a hurry to have her return. She didn't say anything else after that, she just grabbed the fancy gold handle and twisted it open, expecting Osa Rizuki to be setting there on the bed, ready to congratulate her. But he wasn't. The grand bed with the canopy and four posts laid there as it had probably been left. With the blankets thrown around and one pillow plopped on the floor like the owner had been in a hurry to get out of bed. She might have preferred to dry off, remake the bed, and eat something before sleeping, but she was so exhausted that she was sure it could all wait as she stepped up to the bed and fell onto it. Falling asleep shortly after thinking it smelt heavily of spice and rum..
Emma Shutter
"Terra"
Pre-Omniverse, Pre-Claw
The Past
---
Emma stepped out of the stuffy strip joint that was already filled with smoke and the smell of sweaty liquor, and into the cold night air. In her tiny outfit, she'd probably normally freeze. But the twiggy, short girl was riding on something that felt like adrenaline and excitement. On one hand she wasn't too thrilled about her new job consisting of her dancing around in her panties and nothing much else. But the friend who had recommended the job was right, she had no trouble at all with the amount of eyes that had been watching her for the past couple of hours. Which were strangely an odd number, as there had been that one guy with an eye patch that had made come over for a five. She later found out... That was the owner.
She learned later that he liked the unconventional vibe she was throwing out there. Where most of the other girls were curvy, perky things with long blond hair, curly ringlet brunettes, and sultry vixens with midnight colored hair, she had a platinum white mohawk and looked more boxy. She had curves, breast, they were there, but her body were almost non-existent compared to Cynthia's giant double D's, wide hips, and muscular butt. It was also full of metal, scars, and ink. Broken bones from her boxing matches had to be mended, she had 5 piercings in each ear, one in her nose, one in the left side of her lip and brow, a piercing in her navel that she keeps forgetting.. Emma has split her lip on the right side, had several reminders of her past fighting life decorating her body in the faintest but still visible way. There was a black bird on her right shoulder, tribal and in mid-flight. In pink, there was something inked up the left side of her stomach. It was in elven, and she claims its a stamina spell, but in reality it was only the words 'do or die'.
The cold air didn't bother her, the looks she was getting from almost every man as she passed on the sidewalk didn't faze her, nor did the whistles that pitched through the night. She was almost too occupied with her mission to make it home to be bothered by it. But what did catch her eye was the movement in the alley she passed about 5 blocks from her new place of work. She turned to face it as quickly as she'd seen it, expecting even Andy to be back for the bag that was in her hand. But there was no one.. At least no one she could see, and despite the lack of light, she think she'd be able to see a man standing in front of her face. And she was all ready to face him down, but instead of a gravelly voice, deep throated growls came from the dark. Like there was a pack of dire-wolves just beyond the threshold.
People she could fight, but animals were... Well, animals. Beastly, wild things. Unpredictable. Unlike people.
She backed away from the alley slowly, as to not provoke them any more than she might have getting a little too close to the space between buildings. But they only seemed to get agitated.. More hungry. Because she could hear the growling get louder, the echo of them making them seem demonic. She stepped back again, and this time when they followed they were forced to be reveled. And Emma felt something she hadn't felt in a really long time.. Fear. They were canine....esk. But large, brutal, frightening.. Her hazel colored eyes were wide, and that same adrenaline started kicking back in as her heart started to pound against her chest.
It was one at first, and then there were three, they stalked closer, and looked very focused. So much that Emma wondered if they had purposely singled her out, or if it was by chance she walked in their path. The leader came closer, and closer, pushing her back until her shoulders felt the cold stone of the building behind her, and then it came still. But she was a fighter. And when she found she no longer had room to back up with, clenched the handles of the bag she carried. It was a single credit reusable bag made of pink fabric that was stuffed full of game boxes. The boxes were full of games, too. She had gone through ever single one of them to make sure they were all counted for after they'd nearly been pawned off. Sadly, they were about to be a improvised weapon.
Emma waited for the beast to come close enough, then with a quick motion, through the bag at it. Not letting go until she felt it smack firmly against the side of its head. The games fell to the city's floor, making a clatter kind of noise as they were discarded so that she may live. It was the gun shot that signaled her marathon run. Which she started with a full sprint.
Emma was pounding away at the pavement, her lungs on fire, her thighs burning, sweat dripping down her already sweat covered body. From dancing to running.. She had had some slight fear of this at some point, but this was not what she had in mind. She had imagined fat ugly men trying to keep up with her as she left them in her dust. Instead, she was just a breath in front of whatever that had been she had smacked with her game collection. An improvised weapon that she wished she hadn't used.. If this nightmare did have an end to it, she doubt they would be there in the morning. She couldn't even be excited by the idea that Andy might have been stalking her that night and might be collecting them now. It would be to late to pawn them off, but none of that mattered because what she saw would have been enough to chase her ex away screaming.
As she instinctively ran the escape routes that only a street rat of this town would know of, jumping around obstacles that she's had to leap over before, she thought about what was chasing her. She could hear the growls, the intimidating glares were burning through her back, willing her to fall. They had a better chance of exhaustion taking her down than her tripping over something. She wondered where these beasts came from.. Isabella would know. She majored in stuff like this.
Thoughts of her sister made her wonder if she was safe. She hoped this attack, whoever or whatever was behind it, was isolated to just the shit hole part of town. She didn't think her older twin could handle this kind of thing, running down the streets of proverty towards the docks because she had a hide out there. She doubts Bella had anything like that.. She probably had a fortress to hide behind. A place where super natural creatures, monsters really they were, couldn't get to her withou-
She was in mid-climb, in mid-thought, and suddenly in the middle of everything, when a pillar of light exploded from the darkness. She was instantly drawn to look at it, but had to turn away to avoid being blinded. She was forced to finally look back. Or down. Down from her perch on a broken fire escape that hugged a building right beside the warehouse district. She had to go up from here, over this building, jump a gap in the other building, and then scale the side of THAT building, but as the light washed over the area, she could now make out the ugly beasts that were attempting to fed on her flesh. Or she did for a moment.. The light consumed them, washed them out of her view, as if to mock her. Emma clenched her jaw, turned from them both, and made her way to the roof top.
You are running from these? How silly of a girl you must be.
When the woman stood on the roof, she turned to face the light, looking a lot like she was ready to fight this thing, too. It was just as brilliant as before, but now it shown in a whole different kind of way.. It was alluring.. Not at all mocking or painful to look at. And then something inside of her was gripped, as if a hook had reached out over the mile between her and it, and wrapped around her, tugging her towards the light. Physically she didn't move, but mentally she felt herself being pulled towards it. So much that she actually stepped closer to the edge of the building without even thinking about it. And then almost over it completely.
Emma catches herself before her foot sought a surface that did not exist, she had to jump back to feel safe again, and with the trance of the light broken, she finally was brought back to where she was. Which wasn't out of the water yet. Nor out ON the water yet. But she no longer cared about the docks.. She had to reach this light. Her very soul demanded it. But she needed to get down without breaking her neck. She looked around, trying to remember what she was doing, where she was, and suddenly the sound of the ladder crashing down under the weight of something wakes her back up. She hissed locked her eyes on the old escape, heard more weighted sounds clashing against the old metal, and then turned her back to it. Emma sprinted off again, coming to the gap she was thinking of earlier, she leaped! Gracefully.. Like a swan, she flew across the gap.
She landed on the other side, but had to take a couple more steps before she could recover entirely. Then she found herself already on the side of the building. Feet on the building, hands on a cable, and her tiny body almost a feather drifting down to the ground below. She took another pause, to look back. the pillar of light was still there, which put her at peace, but the warehouse that it shot out of like a pushpin in a map, was surrounded by those same creatures. She'd have to get around those things, and she was thinking a vertical approach was needed. They weren't climbers, it could be deducted. She'd have to take stock later, she could only guess how good they were at jumping that gap. Or how they probably were not afraid of jumping off the building to get to their prey.
A sword from the past, a crossbow, a battle ax, a bow. Even the scythe, though in an anime kind of way, fit in this strange armory of the heavens. Except two very strange additions. A mask laid there, as normal as could be, and not but two feet from it stood a grapple-hook. Given the previously revealed weapons in this magical pillar of light, the mask should have been - and probably still is - the strangest thing. But a good contender was the hook. It was made of crimson metal, and the light that guided the humans into the vault beamed off the hook, making it appear to be glowing red. Normally a grapple hook was shaped like a flower that blossomed out, and wilted over itself. This one was no different, except the stigma of this flower came to a sharp serrated point, like the spine of a sting ray. The curves of the five arms that came to a fish hook point, were flat and sharp. Though it wouldn't seem so while so far away. And since this weapon was not for those around it, no one was drawn towards it.
The grapple-hook was nothing without a rope, but this one had... Something. It was slick, black, and light shone off of it. It was smoother than rope, and looked like rope, but there was a slight morbid feel to it which was later explained when you realized that it was hair. Not fur, but actual hair. Long, black, healthy, and most likely, human hair. What Rapunzel knock off produced this much was probably a question that may never be answered, but whoever she was, had lovely locks for it to withstand the time.
If there were any future historians familiar with The Red Devil, they would recognize his Claw. Other than that, however, there was no way to date this item. It looked like a mix between old and new, modern and classic..
But that was enough staring. Don't you think? The Red Devil was about action! He was an impatient man.. And none of these people in the room were of interest. As if his spirit still lurked nearby, the rope of the hook was lifted. The metal scraped against the cement floor. And the hook nonchalantly started to swing. The Claw and Quill, which was a feather shaped dagger that still lay in place, were notorious for possession attempts, to those who know about the legend that is. But the young audience might be oblivious to such boring things of the old History books.
Like a pendulum, the hook swung. Left to right, to left, to right.. Getting higher with each passing. Then before it could fall back again, it lifted over itself. And again in a full 360 degrees, around and around. Until the hook was now a blurry black and red circle. Then suddenly it was let go! Or acted like it had just been let go. As it soars high through the air, higher and higher, through a window above the group, and higher still. Trailing behind was the rope of hair, which followed it like the tail of a comet. Leaving only behind a satisfied grin that hung in the air, you could feel it, implying that perhaps the Red Devil was among them, if only long enough to will something to happen. Then like the Wonderland Cheshire Cat, the grin faded from the air around them.
Outside, Emma was running towards the light. Her legs working as hard as they could to keep her afloat while she thoughtlessly ran towards the unmarked building. Unaware of what it was, why it drew her toward it, and of what was happening inside the building. She still raced towards it, even now. Even as her lungs struggled with the air she needed to live, as her legs began to act like lead as they pounded forcefully against concrete and pavement, even as she approached the very clear, and very obvious danger that was those creatures.
She was close when there was a loud shattering of glass. Froze, skidding to a stop. Her attention was no longer on the pillar of magical light. As if the trance that kept her so enthralled with it was broken, and now a new object of fascination held her. It was so impossible.. Impossible to see, impossible to know, but her intuition told her that she had seen something shoot for the moon, only to arch over and fall back towards earth. Again.. She couldn't see a damn thing, but Emma knew something was there. Then suddenly she heard rather than saw, something metal hitting the stone below her.
Emma's eyes shot straight down at it. Like she could some how calculate that fast and at that complex level of math, to know exactly where the item had landed, but really she just looked down and saw it. Just before the rope tail fell in ribbons on top and around it.
For a long moment, she just stood there, her shoulders down and her arms hanging from the sockets as her sweat glistened chest heaved! Gasping for air. "A.. ..Grapple hook..?" She was so confused, and maybe if this had been a normal, everyday, ordinary grappling hook she might have left it at that and kept running. But as she stood there, staring at this thing with banging and growling just 10 feet in front of her, she just knew this was what had been calling her. Even now it whispered her name, and beckoned her closer. But her legs felt like jelly, her chest burned, her lungs ached, and she was sure that if she moved an inch in any direction, she'd collapse. So she stared at it.. Doing nothing but attempting not to pass out.
Grrrrr...
The sound was deep, familiar, and behind her. With a twist at her hip, she slowly turns to look behind her, panting a little easier now that she had time to catch her breath. And to her surprise, the monster she laid eyes on was the same one from the alley.. She recognized it only because of the same scar that cut through its face. "You got to be kidding me.." She said, pausing her breaths to speak. It growled even harder, warning her not to move. Which she wasn't sure she could do, but then another growl came from the opposite direction, and decided to turn. Another creature, of same build and basic form, stood on the other side of the hook, approaching with its head down and its eyes on her. But her eyes only linger on it for a pant or two before she brings them back to the hook. Again.. It invited her closer. "Hell.."
Emma was stone still for a mere moment, and the next she dove for the hook, and both beasts pounced!
"Ah.. There she is.." A thick... Gravely voice spoke to Emma. It was like time stopped, her eyes had been closed tightly, but they shot open now. However they were blank. Not in the way that there was no emotion, no thought behind them. Emma was terrified, confused, astonished, memorized, and curious.. But the pupils and the iris of her eyes washed away in an instant, and while she looked blind, she could see. She could see the fine details of the drool from the dangerous and hungry maws of the creatures above her. It hung in the moment, like dried hot glue that stuck out in the air. Inches from her face was another angry.. thing. She shuddered. She didn't want to die.
The voice let out a cackle, a hardy laugh of pleasure and amusement. It gave her an uneasy kind of hope. And even though she didn't want to, it compelled her to turn to see something standing near enough to make out the crimson color of his skin, but far enough to know he could not help. Actually he felt even further away than he looked, he felt years and years away from her, like the stars in the sky. Which were also gone.. All around her and him, and the creatures that hovered on top of her, was a white light. Much like the one she'd seen before, the one that beckoned her to come to this place. "'Ello there lass. Don't be alarmed.. I know you aren't, but my appearance has startled many." He paused. "Now poppet, I've been looking for a lass like you, one who won't run and one with lots of fight. Unfortunately.. I'm dead! So.. We can't 'ave a go in the bed." He seemed to run his eyes over her exposed legs and the curves of her smaller than average breasts. "Pity.. But enough flirting. Do me a favor, don't die tonight. I need you for my own use.. And in return I shall aid you, and reward you. Unfortunately that's all the time I 'ave. You will know what to do next, just breath." As the word 'breath' echoed, everything came back to reality.
At that moment, Emma couldn't breath! She felt like she was at the bottom of the ocean and the weight of it all was crushing her lungs. She choked on it.. A burning sensation exploded over her body, and she visioned her body being ripped apart by small explosion, but it was more likely that the things that were on top of her were finally free of the barrier of time, and were consuming her, perhaps the one she'd came face to face with even had her throat. She looked up, but they were still hovering over her. Slowly however, she could make out that details of facial movement showing. It did not yet have its dangerous teeth around her neck, but it would if she didn't react!
She was sure she was paralyzed too, but when she attempted to move, she felt feather light. Or.. Normal. Since she was light as a feather already. She decided not to waste her time wondering how this was happening and made a move. Just as she brought the hook up, ready to take them on even as she was laying on her back, what spell had them suspended came to a rushing end. She jabbed up, impaling the creature through the bottom of its jaw, jutting up its head to make full contact with its pack member. She heard them collide in a hollowed out thump and knew she had bought herself a few seconds. Only then did she feel a horrible thrust that flung both beasts to the side, instead of them falling limp on her. It knocked her whole arm to the ground with it, as she refused to let go of the man's hook. She stared up at the sky, eyes wide, and her mouth gaping as fresh air was engulfed, then huffed out. When the rest of the creatures seemed to not come for her, she finally looked over.
Out of both heads, an arrow stuck out. It was shiny, blue-ish white, and long. More importantly, she could feel it. It had missed her completely, no worries. But she could feel it a mere inch from her own weapon. It felt like heaven.. And it was not pleasant. She dared not to touch it, she just rolled over, grabbed the base of the creatures's jaw, and pushed it off her own hook. It came out in a clean way, but a sick, wet, sound came with it. She wasn't bothered by that, she was bothered mostly by the arrow that looked brilliant and bright, and hurt her eyes to look at, but she could only stare at this strange dangerous thing, though beautiful it may seem. It also felt.. Familiar.
Familiar in a similar way like the hook did.. But also like it had always been there beside her. It felt like.. Her sister. Of all things. But wasn't that strange? To compare it to her twin. Like she was the angel on her shoulder, and this strange man was the devil. Before she could compare it to anything else, she saw it shatter like glass, and become specks of light. The lights danced and hovered to the tune of the nutcracker, before they flew past Emma's face. They frightened her, she cringed tightly, and felt a very real burn to her cheek where one speck brushed against her. But they were gone, and she twisted in her seat until she had to brace herself with her hands to keep from fallin on her chin to watch where they went.
Emma's face slacked into shock when she saw the lights gather around an almost mirror image of herself. Not because she was shocked to see she had a twin, but because she was utterly surprised to find Bella here. Of all places! "Bella! What the hell are you doing here?" She asked first, then stood up second. She watched the lights gather behind her sister and then form into something out of her view before the lights faded. Unlike Emma, Bella had a full head of hair, in her opinion a better built body, and.. wore glasses? Since when? It really had been a long time.. However, their reunion was cut off by the slamming noise of creatures against a metal door of the warehouse she had been headed towards in the first place.
The younger twin was tired... And dreaded the idea of more movement.. Had she had more sleep, more exercise, more energy.. She might not be so unwilling to continue tonight. But inside she knew she couldn't just walk away. Not only were these things running madly though the city by now, despite having the ability to bail, she had a mission. She had the Claw, but she felt incomplete still, and knew she needed to get inside the building. More than likely... There were people in there. Or else why would the monsters be relentlessly banging on the over sided garage door? To destroy these weapons? If that were the case.. There would be more attention on her and Bella.
"N-Never mind. We can catch up later." She said, forcing herself to stand. Of all nights... She didn't even know what cardio was anymore. "We have to get into that building.. I'm missing something, and I bet its in there." She gathered the rope in her right hand, and held the hook in her left. She had no idea how to use this thing prior to tonight, never even thought to use one, but she was already calculating on how to use it to get inside. "I vote the roof." She said, wanting to avoid more of the beasts. "Unless you think that fancy bow of yours can handle these things." She said with a brow ring raised and her hand already swinging the hook.
---
Ash, The Storm Demon
"Terra"
Pre-Omniverse
The Past
---
Ash couldn't help but think about that day.. The day she met Captain "Red Devil" Osa Rizuki. That was a month and a half ago, and frankly.. A lots happened since that one night. In that old warehouse they had met a bunch of people, and they all had weapons that had called out to them. All except one person in particular. A girl that Ash couldn't stop glaring at. She probably understood why, Ash new she had the other half to Osa's 'collection'. The Red Devil's Quill. She gave it up without a fight, and made a comment that it was warm to touch, but Ash felt just ice cold metal.
The Quill was a feather shaped dagger, that seemingly had no other use. Until she read up on the two a bit more in detail. While The Claw was the main 'exhibit' where ever the pieces landed, someone did take the time to examine The Quill. Finding out that it actually writes like a pen and even has its own ink when turned upside down to use as a writing tool. When analyzed, they later found out that the ink was blood. The species of blood varied, but the samples they took were Elf, Human, Worg, and Orc. Further tests weren't necessary, and the idea of writing a novel in someone's blood was a bit morbid to say the least.
In short. Osa was pretty sick. Or said the historians. Ash thought it was all fascinating and had to test it out herself. She didn't have anything to write, so she just used it to sign her new name on a piece of paper. -Ash.
After the research everyone was ready to take down the evil that plagued the town, or the unknown wizard that summoned the Shadow Hounds, but Ash didn't want anything to do with that. Particularly because she didn't feel any responsibility to do so. The only thing that might have persuaded her was her twin, Bella. But that ended in a big fight, one that got her kicked out of the library. So be it. She didn't want to be a part of their band of merry men.
Perhaps it wasn't just her decision.. Perhaps someone else had some influence on her. Maybe Osa's promises sounded more her style. That would explain why she was on a ship. A ship which was currently riding a wave of teen feet to the peak, only to come crashing back down into the sea. Waves came at them in walls, rain sliced through her skin, and she held on tightly to anything nailed down on the deck. "This better be worth it!" She screamed over the sound of the storm. Not at anyone who stood on the deck, not any anyone who was there to hear her. She was yelling it at the thing on her arm.
The Red Devil of the Sea, Osa, was spiritually there in his weapon. He was able to communicate with her, but only in pockets of time manipulation. And never for really long. Just long enough to flirt with her, and give her what information she needed for the next step. The end goal of all these steps were to get his ship. That was the very first step she needed to take. The first goal to achieve, and every odd tasks she done has been for this last moment. Now she just had to get there!
Preferably in one piece.
It was another hour of this, being shaken around by the sea, punished by the storm, slammed against her metal safety net, and thunder warning her and the crew to turn back, the whole world against her! She even thought she heard the cry of whales.. Which is why she looked up. They had dipped down into a valley created by the crazy high waves, and lightening crashed in the background, to light up the wall that was in front of her. There in the wave was a massive creature, with 4 glowing eyes. It glared at her, then the light source was gone, and it was time to crawl up the side of that same wave.
There hasn't been any crazy sea creature stories in a very long while. But something told her they were about to experience one hell of a ride. Sure enough, on the peak of two story high wave, lightning stuck again. This time it coursed straight down, and dug a hole into the tower that held both the Captain and every instrument and device they needed to keep going.
The electricity flowed down the tower, and back up, and maybe even once more again, Ash couldn't tell. All she knew is the next moment later, there was a deadly explosion and half the tower was gone. While the other half rained down on the deck along with the rest of the storm. Next sounded an emergency horn, starting out higher in pitch, and dipping low just as they slowly started to roll forward to slide down the back of this massive wave.
Ash watched all of this from some corner in the nose of the boat, clinging to the wires and fencing rods that was to keep people from falling in. She scrunched up her long tail to stop it from being cut off by the shrapnel that fell from the sky. Though there was an usual amount for just one explosion so she looked up into the sky, to see that the mechanical arms that had sails with solar panels sewn into them to harness the sunlight for power were also coming down. And if that wasn't bad enough, it was at this point that creature in the sea was ready to make himself known by slamming up against the boat's back. The whole ship shuddered, and groaned, and tipped too far the one way..
Ash's grip on everything around her intensified as she realized the ship was slowly taking a tumble, and the weakened teifling was about to take another beating.. It slowed down for her, the whole thing, as the ship's bottom left the wave, pushed by the creature, or Poseidon himself. It rolled over so that the rain no longer slammed against the deck because the ship was now the umbrella. Though no one could enjoy it, because Ash looked down in horror as rocky ocean surface came towards her.
Nothing in her life so far gave her any knowledge what to do at this point.. Does one grip the boat and let it pull you under? Or should she try to jump? She couldn't possibly know what was about to happen, all she knew was she might die tonight. If this fall wasn't going to kill her.. That monster most likely would. She had only seconds to decide what to do next, so she wrapped her tail around something, and prepared to take on the force of falling ship..
Ash was slammed hard against the ocean, and if she hadn't been preparing for a great pain, she'd have lost her breath. The water acted like a cushion and once they hit the water. It was a slow process.. Sinking was. Even with a ship upside down and wave after wave throwing itself at it, trying to push it down! But somewhere there was air, keeping it afloat. On the other side of things, Ash felt the swirling swells of the moons pull fight her for her grip. The water ran over her and slapped her against the deck! At one point it even felt like it grabbed her by the horns and shook her head. But she waited it out just long enough, and slowly.. The deeper they went, the less fight the sea had.
The tiefling was finally brave enough to open her eyes, and with her darkvision, she could see. She couldn't see a lot. But she could see something moving a few feet in front of her. It looked like a dragon's tail. She looked around in other directions, and saw the debris of the tower sinking faster into the depths of the ocean. She saw the bodies of the sailors floating against the sinking ship, caught where there was no air. That would be her soon.. She had to get out, she had to get back to the surface!
She was not the strongest swimmer, but she knew desperation. She knew what it was like to fight for your life. She hoped that drive would get her there.
Ash turned around, planted her feet on the deck, and then shoved herself down. Only to twist her body to change directions in mid launch. She curved around the side of the ship and then began kicking and propelling herself to what looked like the surface. Honestly though, it could have been any direction. She did not know if she could actually tell considering the dark storm clouds above them, cutting off what light the full moon might have given her.
She didn't even think while she raced to the top, already her lungs were straining and she felt the feeling of light headedness creeping in on her. But she didn't give up. She could also feel a difference in her right hand, where The Claw sat, it sliced through the water like a knife, and she wondered if she shot up, would she catch something? She didn't risk it, she just kept kicking, and kicking until she felt the fresh air on her hand. It was another thrust of her legs and a slap of her tail before her head reached the surface and the expired breath burst from her blue lips. She gasped again, taking mouth fulls of air as the rain continued to pelt her face. Until she remembered the very real danger of an unknown sea creature lurking around.
Not only that, but the storm didn't stop just because there was no one to see it. Already a wave was picking her up, taking her higher and higher. She fought to stay above the water, until she thought it was about to crash down, then she ducked under and looked around. But everything was black, dark.. Nothing. Then she was pulled by the water down!
Hitting the rest of the water wasn't so bad, and if she didn't fight this process, she was okay, but the ride knocked her all around, and she was afraid to let it disorientate her. So once she was able, she made for the surface again. Salty air filled her lungs once more, and she she ducked back under again to look for the monster. She could still see the ship's haul fading as it headed for its final destination, but nothing else. Surely the sea monster hadn't done the damage and just vanished?
It was at this thought that lightening lite up the sky again, and in turn, her view. And what she saw, scared the heck out of her. Ash saw the creature she had before. it was dragonic in appearance, and very, VERY close.
The tiefling flung herself back into the storm to scream in her fright, and not wasting a second longer she made a run for it. It had been massive. It's head had been feet from her. How had she not seen it! It would swallow her in one gulp. Without chewing!
Ash raced in any direction she felt like, striving to get away, fearing what was under her, doubting she was getting anywhere.. That's when she heard a very eerie noise. It sounded like a growl. A deep throated growl. And her desperate kicks calmed until she barely was treading water.. What else was in the ocean with her? Nothing.. Nothing but that.. Thing. So she knew very well what made such a noise. And something told her she wasn't going to get away with a breast stroke.
What ever it was brought its head out to show that it was now in front of the tiefling, its four eyes dug into her, and a ominous feeling hung thickly in the air. With its hole head out, its jaw gaped open, and rows of dagger length teeth came to view as that same growl came forth, much more clearly than before. Which made Ash swallow hard. And still, the mouth opened, wider and wider. Until she could she the uvula shaking. It took a breath, and then roared at her, which made thunder sound quiet.
Ash wasn't ready to go without a fight, and so she lifted her arm and shot at the creature, only for her sloppy aim not to matter. Like it was waiting for her to do so, it grabbed onto the hook and then lunged. But Ash didn't see this, she saw that the hook hit it, and now her line was getting shorter by the second. So she grabbed onto the hair of her hook, and a second later was forced into the ocean again.
There, the creature vanished from her view again, but it continued to pull her along. At any point she could have just let go, but she started this battle, she might as well finish it!
Ash grabbed The Quill and stuck it between her polished white teeth, her own pair of canines long and sharp. Then her hand reached up, grabbing on to the silky soft hair only to pull herself forward, then the other hand, then another. And soon she was climbing closer and closer to her foe as it carried her deeper and deeper into the water. She could feel the pressure of the ocean start to choke her, but she continued to climb the rope. She wouldn't die without giving this thing one good stab!
Climbing 15 feet of rope wasn't that big of a deal on dry land, but hear as she was being whipped around and dragged to Davy Jones Locker, she was having some difficulty. The trashing and the deeper she went must have really been doing something to her, because she felt like they weren't moving at all at one point.. But she decided it was a mind trick and hung on tighter. A continuation for this mind trick included the feeling that she wasn't hundreds or thousands of feet below sea level. As well.. As.. She could breath?
Suddenly Ash was very aware of the ability to breath, and apparently has been doing so for some time. Though her view was still nothing she was aware that she was no longer moving, or even being dragged by the dragon like creature. Was.. Was this a trick? Or was she dead? She got a determined look on her face and began to race up the last 10 feet of her rope, and unintentionally slamming her fist into something metal.
Confused, she looked up, and sure enough it was a solid metal plate, several of them lined something very large.. She found her hook was wedged into the mouth of a carving that looked just like the creature she'd seen in the ocean, except this one was wooden and much smaller. It was also attached to the bowsprit of a ship. Ash pulled The Claw free, put it on its hook on her hip, and then stuffed The Quill back into place before climbing up and onto the ship's deck.
The moment her feet touched the hardwood deck, she felt De Je Vu for it. Like she'd been here before, though she was sure she had never set foot on a ship at the bottom of the ocean.. But it did put more merit into the theory of her being dead. Her heaven surely would feel familiar, right? Possibly even her hell. Sure that she was in fact, dead, she thought she should continue to explore the mysterious ship. There was a lot to explore, however, before she reached the doors of the Captain's Quarters. As if drawn to it. She looked up, and over the door read the ship's name. "Leviathan.." Ash read it out loud.
"Maaaaaaaaaaaaster.. The creature growled once more.
That's whent he ship moved. It reminded her of when the creature had tipped over the ship. At that moment, she was sure she was in hell, forced to relive the nightmare of her death. But she was proven wrong as the ship lite up, and began to surface. Slowly for the first few thousand feet, then it quickly picked up speed until it suddenly rushed past the surface of the water and then landed back into the calm morning ocean, bobbing up and down like nothing special had happened at all. Like hundreds hadn't died a few hours ago.
She suspected it was all because Leviathan felt its master's return, and was in a hurry to have her return. She didn't say anything else after that, she just grabbed the fancy gold handle and twisted it open, expecting Osa Rizuki to be setting there on the bed, ready to congratulate her. But he wasn't. The grand bed with the canopy and four posts laid there as it had probably been left. With the blankets thrown around and one pillow plopped on the floor like the owner had been in a hurry to get out of bed. She might have preferred to dry off, remake the bed, and eat something before sleeping, but she was so exhausted that she was sure it could all wait as she stepped up to the bed and fell onto it. Falling asleep shortly after thinking it smelt heavily of spice and rum..
![[Image: tumblr_maolcpnQS61qakj1do1_500.gif]](https://78.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_maolcpnQS61qakj1do1_500.gif)
Warning: Anything that involves Ash should be rated M. Possibly higher.
Erik Vrell : Ash has a 'love' fourth dimensional shape
Erik Vrell : As in its wide and unfathomable for us mere mortals