08-23-2016, 03:51 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-28-2016, 09:37 PM by Creatia.
Edit Reason: Major clarifications during the actual flashback, one word change during the final scene.
)
“...You know, kiddo. One day I’m not gonna be around this joint…. Y’know? There's, uh… A good chance you ain't gonna die with me like you wanna. That bond of ours? May not fuckin’ come through fer ya last minute. You know how phoenix shit is, always more focused on killin’ my ass for good than anythin’ else that's attached t’ me.”
“Hmm? Y-you’re not usually this, uh... In... Insightful, Lexi…”
“Heh, yeah I know..." A harsh, grizzly chuckle. "Ya ol’ pal Lexi’s thinkin’ for once, huh? Hah!”
Then, a soft moment of silence set in.
“But uh… Do ya know what you plan to do if that happens, Cre?”
“Hm…. ...N-nope!”
A tilted black eyebrow. “‘Nope?’”
“Yep! No clue! B-because I'll always be with Lexi, even in death. I-I promised you this when we m-met, remember…?”
A chuckle, before a dark brown hand rose to flip down Creatia's hat in a playful manner. “Yeah, yeah, yeah…. But you ain't that stupid, that's for damn sure. Just think about it, okay?”
“Mm-hmm!”
A stern, brown-tinted glance from an uncovered eye, the other blocked by a mass of jet black hair. “Promise me, Creatia.”
“I-I promise! If it happens, I’ll, uh…. I’ll think about it! B-but not before. ...O-okay?”
“Mm, okay then, Cre. Just sayin’, man…”
------
It was that conversation that never came to mind for Creatia as she maneuvered down the bannered hallways. Stone bricks upon stone bricks were piled and mortered neatly underneath large and crimson tapestries, all with the same insignia: a black raven in flight over a bone covered hilltop with a blood-stained and sharp bone in its beak. This was the symbol of the mighty Korsen Empire. And right now, she was in its depths. As she rushed past the arched windows spaced along the walls, every so often she would glimpse at the brutal and bizarrely civilized backdrop below her feet.
Black iron gates stood tall and proud around the perimeter of the Gothic stone fortress. A few leftover and dripping remains of their kills were caught in the spikes of barbed wire that twined in the spaces between the posts. Some of the flesh was already beginning to fester and green with age. Inside the fences, piles of dead carcasses scattered the black grasses; however they were uniform and in line. Orderly, even. Signs were pitched in front of each rotting mound with various symbols in the same alien language. They all translated to names of different and unknown races.
Clad in black steel and emblazoned with raven feathers around their necks and wrists, the guards kept silent watch over each pile. Every once in a while, a few others walked through the grotesque scene and spoke to the guards. As the guards raised their weapons to allow entry, they chuckled to themselves; night black finery adorned with raven’s down passed through the gates and began to pick at the piles. Downing wine goblets full of red liquid and toasting with their sharply clawed hands in front of the foul smelling corpses, they were clearly nobility and high levels of office.
The annual Raven's Ball was being held in celebration of the Korsen Armada's countless rampages throughout the multiverses. More and more of the Korsen nobles were starting to arrive and socialize while waiting for the main event. The annual chosen slaughter of one of their Lord's prized prisoners was always held in high regard by many of the elite; to be invited to witness the fresh kill ensured a lucrative social life in the following year. This year was to be a very... Special sacrifice.
Chattering amongst each other, they saw the gathered flesh and bones as a fine banquet. They danced around the grounds of the black stone fortress, walls adorned with muted regalia illuminates under flaming torches. They munched into a few limbs of a corpse, holding them like turkey legs. They appeared civilized and carefree amongst each other; nothing seemed wrong to them at all, as if this was how they’ve always spent their lives...
They sickened Creatia.
“Yo, Cre! Quit hatin’ the view up here and focus!”
She snapped to attention.
“Yeah. We're almost there. I can't wait to see his face when we greet him in our own “special” way.”
“Plan ta flirt with ‘em again, Lek?”
“As if!”
She faced her two waiting comrades, talking up ahead as if they were invited to the palace along with the rest of the nobility. The memory of slicing the throats of a few guards before slipping through the underground tunnels to get to this point seemed to have been pushed back into their minds. The white-haired male that spoke last split his focus to Creatia, his cocky yellow eyes gaining a sense of bewilderment as they met with hers.
“What's that look for?” he quipped.
“You.. You f-flirted with the, with the Lord of the Korsen?! L-Lek, w-what is wrong with you?” she snapped, her voice lowered. If they can't keep quiet, I might as well have to…
The male held up his hands defensively as he explained himself with a nonchalant tone, “Hey, I thought it would piss him off! Didn’t think he’d actually go for a shit like me.”
“Are you k-kidding me….?”
"Hey!" The first voice in this conversation abruptly silenced them both, a commanding and impatient tenor in her tone. Seeing that they were paying attention now, it continued.
“If you two lovebirds are done shootin’ the breeze... I’d like ta bust into that damn throne room, break that Kor's face in, and retrieve Lucree before the ceremony starts! Preferably any fuckin' day now!” It belonged to a rather short woman compared to Creatia and their male comrade. Her wild black hair covered her left brown eye and hid the rest of her angular face. Her right eye narrowed at the two of them as she barked another order.
“We got a good bit of ground t' cover 'fore we be hittin' th' throne room, so shut ya damn claptraps and keep movin’! Shank any Korsen that spot our asses before they sound the full alarm! Got that shit down?! I ain't repeatin' m'self again!”
Creatia bowed her head, then nodded. “Y-yes, Lexi… O-of course.” We need to stay focused from here. We can't afford to lose Lucree...
With that agreement in place, they set on their pace again. The large wooden doors of the throne room in the background grew larger with every step, every pant, every second passed of mental preparation… They were ready to do this. They were ready to do their job as agents and rescue their mentor from the clutches of the Korsen Lord...
They weren't ready to see Creatia fall through a trap pit, spiraling downward as her sight fell to pitch darkness. Still in shock by the appearance of the pit that opened underneath her feet, she barely caught the rapidly fading echo calling out to her.
“Creatia!!!” It was the broken call of her commander. As the blackness transitioned to grey, then white, another tone replaced Lexi's familiar voice. It sounded very amused as her speed descended to a mere float. Or was she standing now? She couldn't tell, like she couldn't tell if the figure before her was male or female.
My name is Omni. This is not the world you know…
‘It’s not?’ Or at least, that's what she wanted to say. Instead, silence came when she opened her mouth.
You interest me, so I’ve made you a part of it.
She blinked at him, utterly unamused. So. You… You brought me here... B-because I’m... I’m interesting? ...Such a strange man…
At this time, she would’ve been angry. She would’ve tried with all her might to make her voice heard to take her back home right now. Her tantrum would have gone unheard. Then she would only kick and fight the strange being, making sure he knew she wasn't supposed to be here. Even if her efforts were futile... She would’ve been so much more than obedient.
However…
“...You know, kiddo. One day I’m not gonna be around this joint…. Y’know?”
That conversation. Yes, the one Creatia had pushed aside long ago. Bits of it spoke to her as Omni told her everything she needed to know.
Creatia's responses this time were very different.
There's, uh… A good chance you ain't gonna die with me like you wanna.
But Lexi, I promised you! I promised I would be with you! I can't leave now! You can't just leave me here by myself!!
Heh, yeah I know… But uh… Do ya know what you plan to do if that happens, Cre?
A tear fell from her eye. I don't know! I don't… I didn't think this would happen to me! I still need you! I…. I can't do this by myself!
'Nope?'
Two more tears followed the first, then more. If sounds could be heard, a hiccup would come right after. Please don't go, Lexi… I still need you! This isn't fair! I can't… I can't…!
Yeah… But you ain't stupid, that's for damn sure. Just think about it, okay?
I don't want to think about it! I don't want to be here without you, Lexi!
Promise me, Creatia.
…
By this time, Omni was finished with his explanation, and Creatia’s face was lined with tears. What else could she do? How can I…. Say no to that stern voice of hers?
...I promise, Lexi.
Mm, okay then. ...I love ya, Cre.
A small, unheard sniffle. ...I… I love you too...
------
“Do you have any other questions, Creatia?”
Creatia blinked at Jupiter. He had finished answering the questions presented to her earlier... But she really wasn’t paying attention to what he had to say. Various distractions had presented itself during their talk in the Nexus, including a strange horse in regal wear, more people showing up, and a few other points of note. But the main issue that took her attention was recalling what had happened earlier.
I… I promised her… That I would think about it, huh? ...I'm alone now…
She flushed as she admitted her lack of focus, "Uh... I... I uhm... I didn't.... I didn't catch all of that.... C-could you explain that to me one more time?"
“Still as attentive as ever.”
But Jupiter's here, right? I… I know him. So… I guess this won't be so bad. Maybe… I can do this. Maybe. Wait. I need to apologize to him.
In a way, it was a plea to the person she left behind as well. Not a cry to bring her back, but more of a promise… To try.
“I-I'm sorry… I-I'll be sure to pay attention this time...!"
And… Maybe I can give you an answer through my actions.
“Hmm? Y-you’re not usually this, uh... In... Insightful, Lexi…”
“Heh, yeah I know..." A harsh, grizzly chuckle. "Ya ol’ pal Lexi’s thinkin’ for once, huh? Hah!”
Then, a soft moment of silence set in.
“But uh… Do ya know what you plan to do if that happens, Cre?”
“Hm…. ...N-nope!”
A tilted black eyebrow. “‘Nope?’”
“Yep! No clue! B-because I'll always be with Lexi, even in death. I-I promised you this when we m-met, remember…?”
A chuckle, before a dark brown hand rose to flip down Creatia's hat in a playful manner. “Yeah, yeah, yeah…. But you ain't that stupid, that's for damn sure. Just think about it, okay?”
“Mm-hmm!”
A stern, brown-tinted glance from an uncovered eye, the other blocked by a mass of jet black hair. “Promise me, Creatia.”
“I-I promise! If it happens, I’ll, uh…. I’ll think about it! B-but not before. ...O-okay?”
“Mm, okay then, Cre. Just sayin’, man…”
------
It was that conversation that never came to mind for Creatia as she maneuvered down the bannered hallways. Stone bricks upon stone bricks were piled and mortered neatly underneath large and crimson tapestries, all with the same insignia: a black raven in flight over a bone covered hilltop with a blood-stained and sharp bone in its beak. This was the symbol of the mighty Korsen Empire. And right now, she was in its depths. As she rushed past the arched windows spaced along the walls, every so often she would glimpse at the brutal and bizarrely civilized backdrop below her feet.
Black iron gates stood tall and proud around the perimeter of the Gothic stone fortress. A few leftover and dripping remains of their kills were caught in the spikes of barbed wire that twined in the spaces between the posts. Some of the flesh was already beginning to fester and green with age. Inside the fences, piles of dead carcasses scattered the black grasses; however they were uniform and in line. Orderly, even. Signs were pitched in front of each rotting mound with various symbols in the same alien language. They all translated to names of different and unknown races.
Clad in black steel and emblazoned with raven feathers around their necks and wrists, the guards kept silent watch over each pile. Every once in a while, a few others walked through the grotesque scene and spoke to the guards. As the guards raised their weapons to allow entry, they chuckled to themselves; night black finery adorned with raven’s down passed through the gates and began to pick at the piles. Downing wine goblets full of red liquid and toasting with their sharply clawed hands in front of the foul smelling corpses, they were clearly nobility and high levels of office.
The annual Raven's Ball was being held in celebration of the Korsen Armada's countless rampages throughout the multiverses. More and more of the Korsen nobles were starting to arrive and socialize while waiting for the main event. The annual chosen slaughter of one of their Lord's prized prisoners was always held in high regard by many of the elite; to be invited to witness the fresh kill ensured a lucrative social life in the following year. This year was to be a very... Special sacrifice.
Chattering amongst each other, they saw the gathered flesh and bones as a fine banquet. They danced around the grounds of the black stone fortress, walls adorned with muted regalia illuminates under flaming torches. They munched into a few limbs of a corpse, holding them like turkey legs. They appeared civilized and carefree amongst each other; nothing seemed wrong to them at all, as if this was how they’ve always spent their lives...
They sickened Creatia.
“Yo, Cre! Quit hatin’ the view up here and focus!”
She snapped to attention.
“Yeah. We're almost there. I can't wait to see his face when we greet him in our own “special” way.”
“Plan ta flirt with ‘em again, Lek?”
“As if!”
She faced her two waiting comrades, talking up ahead as if they were invited to the palace along with the rest of the nobility. The memory of slicing the throats of a few guards before slipping through the underground tunnels to get to this point seemed to have been pushed back into their minds. The white-haired male that spoke last split his focus to Creatia, his cocky yellow eyes gaining a sense of bewilderment as they met with hers.
“What's that look for?” he quipped.
“You.. You f-flirted with the, with the Lord of the Korsen?! L-Lek, w-what is wrong with you?” she snapped, her voice lowered. If they can't keep quiet, I might as well have to…
The male held up his hands defensively as he explained himself with a nonchalant tone, “Hey, I thought it would piss him off! Didn’t think he’d actually go for a shit like me.”
“Are you k-kidding me….?”
"Hey!" The first voice in this conversation abruptly silenced them both, a commanding and impatient tenor in her tone. Seeing that they were paying attention now, it continued.
“If you two lovebirds are done shootin’ the breeze... I’d like ta bust into that damn throne room, break that Kor's face in, and retrieve Lucree before the ceremony starts! Preferably any fuckin' day now!” It belonged to a rather short woman compared to Creatia and their male comrade. Her wild black hair covered her left brown eye and hid the rest of her angular face. Her right eye narrowed at the two of them as she barked another order.
“We got a good bit of ground t' cover 'fore we be hittin' th' throne room, so shut ya damn claptraps and keep movin’! Shank any Korsen that spot our asses before they sound the full alarm! Got that shit down?! I ain't repeatin' m'self again!”
Creatia bowed her head, then nodded. “Y-yes, Lexi… O-of course.” We need to stay focused from here. We can't afford to lose Lucree...
With that agreement in place, they set on their pace again. The large wooden doors of the throne room in the background grew larger with every step, every pant, every second passed of mental preparation… They were ready to do this. They were ready to do their job as agents and rescue their mentor from the clutches of the Korsen Lord...
They weren't ready to see Creatia fall through a trap pit, spiraling downward as her sight fell to pitch darkness. Still in shock by the appearance of the pit that opened underneath her feet, she barely caught the rapidly fading echo calling out to her.
“Creatia!!!” It was the broken call of her commander. As the blackness transitioned to grey, then white, another tone replaced Lexi's familiar voice. It sounded very amused as her speed descended to a mere float. Or was she standing now? She couldn't tell, like she couldn't tell if the figure before her was male or female.
My name is Omni. This is not the world you know…
‘It’s not?’ Or at least, that's what she wanted to say. Instead, silence came when she opened her mouth.
You interest me, so I’ve made you a part of it.
She blinked at him, utterly unamused. So. You… You brought me here... B-because I’m... I’m interesting? ...Such a strange man…
At this time, she would’ve been angry. She would’ve tried with all her might to make her voice heard to take her back home right now. Her tantrum would have gone unheard. Then she would only kick and fight the strange being, making sure he knew she wasn't supposed to be here. Even if her efforts were futile... She would’ve been so much more than obedient.
However…
“...You know, kiddo. One day I’m not gonna be around this joint…. Y’know?”
That conversation. Yes, the one Creatia had pushed aside long ago. Bits of it spoke to her as Omni told her everything she needed to know.
Creatia's responses this time were very different.
There's, uh… A good chance you ain't gonna die with me like you wanna.
But Lexi, I promised you! I promised I would be with you! I can't leave now! You can't just leave me here by myself!!
Heh, yeah I know… But uh… Do ya know what you plan to do if that happens, Cre?
A tear fell from her eye. I don't know! I don't… I didn't think this would happen to me! I still need you! I…. I can't do this by myself!
'Nope?'
Two more tears followed the first, then more. If sounds could be heard, a hiccup would come right after. Please don't go, Lexi… I still need you! This isn't fair! I can't… I can't…!
Yeah… But you ain't stupid, that's for damn sure. Just think about it, okay?
I don't want to think about it! I don't want to be here without you, Lexi!
Promise me, Creatia.
…
By this time, Omni was finished with his explanation, and Creatia’s face was lined with tears. What else could she do? How can I…. Say no to that stern voice of hers?
...I promise, Lexi.
Mm, okay then. ...I love ya, Cre.
A small, unheard sniffle. ...I… I love you too...
------
“Do you have any other questions, Creatia?”
Creatia blinked at Jupiter. He had finished answering the questions presented to her earlier... But she really wasn’t paying attention to what he had to say. Various distractions had presented itself during their talk in the Nexus, including a strange horse in regal wear, more people showing up, and a few other points of note. But the main issue that took her attention was recalling what had happened earlier.
I… I promised her… That I would think about it, huh? ...I'm alone now…
She flushed as she admitted her lack of focus, "Uh... I... I uhm... I didn't.... I didn't catch all of that.... C-could you explain that to me one more time?"
“Still as attentive as ever.”
But Jupiter's here, right? I… I know him. So… I guess this won't be so bad. Maybe… I can do this. Maybe. Wait. I need to apologize to him.
In a way, it was a plea to the person she left behind as well. Not a cry to bring her back, but more of a promise… To try.
“I-I'm sorry… I-I'll be sure to pay attention this time...!"
And… Maybe I can give you an answer through my actions.
Quote:[Today 08:58 AM] Creatia Weatherly : That is all I want to see in my life: dinosaurs with sniper rifles.
[Today 08:58 AM] Kalli : Creatia knows whats up
Quote: