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1

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends

« on: April 08, 2008, 08:24:45 PM »

"Hey. Stop fiddling with that."

"Excuse me?"

"Your collar. Stop screwing with it, you might hurt yourself."

The prison guard scolded Midna as she struggled with her magic-suppressing amulet. It was the tightest shackle of them all, preventing her from even levitating. She sat up against one of the corners in her cell, pondering how to escape. For two years she lived in this stone room, inspecting every aspect of it she could use to her advantage.

But to no avail, the regiment's headquarters were built by some of the best architects in the world. Finding a flaw in the structure would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack, only to realize that after turning the entire stack upside down, there was no needle. It was pointless.

Midna gazed through the bars into the main training area of the regiment, which sat adjacent to the detention cells. For months she had watched new recruits become molded into some of the best magic-wielding soldiers in Kandarin's armed forces. This came as no surprise to her, seeing as the regiment was headed by Damien Roth, a masterful user of air magic.

Being imprisoned in this regiment had changed both of their egos considerably. Damien refused to cease insisting that he was superior to her in every way, shape or form, something which she learned to ignore after the first twenty times.

Her thoughts turned to Alex, and how they had not been together since their capture two years ago. She had never heard any word of where he was imprisoned, but she did hear from the guards that wherever he went, few survived the brutal punishments which they received. Regardless, she knew that Alex's will was nearly impossible to break, and the only thing that may have changed in him would be his facial hair (they did not allow personal hygiene during detention).

One downside of being held near the training grounds is that inevitable accidents would break out, especially when training rookies. More than once have nearby cellmates been burned (or even vaporized) by a fire blast, or frozen by an errant ice blast. Midna believed it to be some sadistic (but apparently effective) means of capital punishment, using the trainees' inexperience (of all things) as their executioner.

"Hit the deck!" one of the training instructors shouted as an air blast got loose and buffeted the cells with gale-force winds. Midna welcomed the blast, as the cell had become rather stuffy.

A large set of double doors opened on the other side of the training chamber. Passing through the threshold was none other than Damien Roth himself, wearing the black trenchcoat and thoridium staff of a Kandarinian Captain. Twice daily he would make rounds through the training chamber, carefully monitoring his future soldiers.

The instructor paused his exercise. "Captain is now present!" he barked to his recruits. As if it were a knee-jerk reflex, all of the recruits suddenly stood up straight, at rapt attention.

Damien approached the instructor. "Hello, Sergeant."

"Sir," the instructor saluted. "I am sure you will be pleased to see--"

"I shall make that judgment myself," Damien mused, stepping into the group of training recruits. Every soldier knew that Damien could cite them for anything, and be immediately removed from the chamber, so nothing else could be done than to stand as motionless as a statue while Damien scrutinized them. He wove through the rows of men, carefully examining each one. Much to his surprise, this was the first time he found nothing amiss.

"You do an impressive job, Sergeant," Damien said begrudgingly. "Maintain it, and do not disappoint me."

"Yes-SIR!" the Sergeant shouted. "Men, resume your exercises!"

Leaving the training men behind, he passed by the cells, examining all kinds of prisoners, from those who have lost their will to live, to those who clawed at the bars, screaming of their innocence. Then he passed Midna.

"Oh, it's YOU again," Midna sighed.

"This is a regular thing, dear," Damien said. "After two years I assumed you would have gotten used to it."

Damien adjusted his posture, making himself more comfortable. He had a feeling they would be talking for some time.

"Do you ever plan to do anything with me?" Midna finally broke the silence. "For the last two years you've locked me in this cell to waste away. You didn't bring me to this regiment for no reason."

"Look around," Damien explained. "This mighty installation is set on the stormy Redvik coastline. Alex is more than half a continent away. There is no hope of you two ever seeing each other again. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll be of use to me."

"Wishful thinking," Midna shot back. "I have faith that Alex will--"

"You keep telling yourself that." Damien hissed. "Faith is meaningless in the face of unadulterated power. Faith cannot kill. Faith cannot burn villages to the ground. Faith cannot change the face of the world!"

"You'd be surprised," Midna said.

"Alex can certainly try to fight his way out, but he will be quickly crushed. His is in the midst of some of the military's foremost assassins and killers. Captain Vasburg is ruthless, and she will not stand for fugitives. She will mobilize every last speargunner and stalker at her disposal to return his head to her. It is impossible."

Midna remained silent.

Damien, satisfied he had won, continued with his rounds.

Midna sighed. The deluded Captain knew nothing of Alex's potential. He would be here in no time.

Her attention turned back to the instructor, who was in the middle of using some rather colorful language to berate a recruit who had not checked his equipment. Frustrated, the instructor threw a punch at the recruit, who flinched. This resulted in a stray fire bolt headed straight for Midna's cell.

Seeing imminent death before her, she scrambled out of the way as the white-hot flame exploded across the metal bars. When the smoke cleared, the bars glowed a dull red.

Suddenly, Midna was struck with a burst of intuitive insight. Thermal shock! If I can get those dim bulbs to shoot an ice blast over here, the bars will shatter! But how do I do that?

She turned her gaze to an ice mage in training, who was laughing at the fire mage's expense.

She shouted to him. "Hey, you in the white robes! What are you, a druid?! I know hippies who can pick more of a fight than you!"

The instructor occupied with the fire mage, the ice mage turned toward Midna's cell. "What did you just say, you little bitch?!"

"You heard me!" Midna grinned. "Go back to cleaning herbs for a living you pacifist!"

Outraged, the ice mage's hands brought forth a massive blizzard, frosting the entire inside of Midna's cell. Although sufficiently chilled, she was pleased to see fractures forming in the bars, as well as the magic-blocking amulet around her neck. The trinket shattered.

"You just made a big mistake," Midna smiled devilishly. Bringing forth her massive hair-hand, she punched through the bars and promptly hurled the mage across the room with her telekinesis. Satisfied, she created a portal and made good her escape.

"DELLEGAR!" the instructor bellowed. "Leave the prisoners alone, do not let them rile you--" He looked in horror at the empty cell. "Do you realize what you have just done! This is treason!"

"Sergeant, I can explain--"

"GUARDS! Take this traitor away! Also, someone who is not afraid of dying needs to tell Captain Roth that the imp girl has escaped!"

2

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends

« on: April 06, 2008, 10:38:20 PM »

One thousand seven hundred and sixty four.

That was the number of bricks in the walls of Alex's cell at the headquarters of KAF's Regiment 6. He had checked the number many times -- he had spent two years counting and recounting the stone rectangles which constrained him to this chamber.

It had been a very long and difficult time for Alex. He had resisted the cruel, twisted methods the Kandarinians had used to force vital intelligence out of him, from simple interrogation to agonizing torture. He felt the tight amulet around his neck. He had been fitted with this to suppress his Twili powers, his latent pyrokinetic abilities, and the Shroud. In fact, he had not heard its soothingly sibilant voice for a very long time.

He could vaguely remember what happened those many months ago. His attempted attack on the Kandarinian capital had ended in failure -- Carmine and his goons beat him to the capital and warned them of his arrival. He was swiftly overwhelmed and captured. In the passing time, the KAF had undergone a massive reform, dividing itself into ten, well defined regiments. Regiment 6, where he was imprisoned, was in charge of assassinations, detention, and interrogation and torture.

Alex knew better than to try to escape. The Regiment's Lieutenant (second in command), was none other than Hannibal Roth, the notorious assassin who had cooperated with Carmine to capture Alex. He was not to be reckoned with, and Alex had the scars to prove it.

His thoughts turned to Midna, the young Twili princess who had joined him on his adventure so long ago. From what Alex had been able to piece together from the guards talking, she was taken to a separate regiment's headquarters. At one point, a guard said something about that regiment specializing in magic, with Damien Roth as its leader.

Alex winced at the thought of her all alone, without a protector. Since their meeting, it was believed that defeating the Sovereignty and restoring balance to Gaian would lift the curse that locked her in her imp form, but they were captured before headway could be made to that point. Alex felt terrible for her, and longed to see her again.

Alex looked up to the skylight he had been fortunate enough to have. It was the only view he had of the outside world for the last two years. From the view he could tell it was nighttime, the full moon directly overhead, its pale blue light filtering down into a ghostly circle on the stone floor.

He remembered when his Twili side awakened. It was on a moonlit night just like this. His life completely changed that day, and, given his circumstances, he wondered if it was for better or for worse.

Many times Alex had considered his options for escaping. Upon incarceration his P.C.S. combat suit and his energy rifle were immediately confiscated from him, and he had little hope that over the last two years they were still in one piece, if not gutted and used for some twisted KAF project. The amulet which suppressed his powers was fastened very tightly around his neck, making it nearly impossible for him to remove it without hurting himself. He tried using a brick to grind it down, but the amulet, made of a durable metal, would not comply. He knew the Lieutenant and Captain carried keys to unlock it, but how to procure one was a challenge in itself, considering he was monitored 24 hours a day.

He wondered if Midna had managed to escape somehow. Even if she had, she still may have no way of knowing where Alex was being kept. What if she had given in to the torture and interrogation? What if she was forced to fight in Regiment 8's magical ranks?

No. He knew she was stronger than that. He knew that she would try as hard as he would to find each other. It was time to take action. A thought occurred to him.

Their torture was some of the most agonizing I've ever endured. If I can handle that, I'm sure I can withstand a little missing  chest hair...

He gripped the amulet's gem-encrusted center, and pulled as hard as he could. Sharp pain shot through his chest and neck, almost as if the amulet had fused to his skin. Surging with adrenaline and gritting his teeth, he put everything he had into removing the infernal trinket. Finally, he was rewarded with a feeling of pain that felt like every hair being ripped from his body, only ten times worse. With an sharp scream he ripped the amulet from his neck, and threw it to the ground. Weakened from the struggle, he leaned back against the wall and felt the area where the amulet had been. The skin was worn smooth, and was red and irritated. He thought he saw bleeding from several areas.

As he inspected his wound, he felt it all come back to him.

The balanced insight of his Twili power. The powerful consuming nature of his pyrokinesis. The controlled devouring power of the Shroud. It all flooded back to him in a powerful deluge that brought him to his knees. He had never felt a more incredible feeling in his life.

The Shroud's hissing, throaty voice permeated his consciousness.
Yes... at long last, I am reborn... It is time to feed, to enact redemption on those who wronged us.

The Twilight Warrior's presence brightened his spirit.
The abomination of the dark is correct. It is time to reunite with those we love. We must fight for the greater good!

The guard, aware of the commotion from the cell, peered through the barred window, and dropped his speargun in terrifying realization of what was about to happen.

Before he could shout for additional help, a black, razor-laden tentacle shot through the metal door and impaled the hapless grunt, killing him instantly.

The tentacle withdrew, and Alex created a fireball in his hands. Firing the sphere of flame, he blew the door clean off of its hinges.

For the first time in years, Alex stepped from his cell, fueled by a combination of revenge, concern for those he loved, and the knowledge of what he had to do.

He had to destroy everyone who stood in his way. He had to find Midna. It was time they got back on track.

3

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends, Chapter 17 -- Sign Ups

« on: April 03, 2008, 03:44:16 PM »

Allow me to return from the dead.

Alex
Midna
Carmine

4

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends

« on: December 03, 2007, 06:21:51 PM »

//Here we go. I think I'm finally able to get back into the swing now.\

The wind howled outside, sending temperatures well below freezing.

“So much for going anywhere now,” Alex said. “We’re snowed in. To leave now isn’t smart. Once the blizzard lets up then we can move out.”

“Very well,” Midna said, reclining on thin air. “You know, we’ve always been so busy to really talk, with all the conflicts between the Kandarinians and the Twili. Why not tell me a little about yourself?”

“Probably because there’s so much to say,” Alex said. “Lemme start from the beginning. I don’t remember much about my childhood, but I do know I never met my parents. Caulus was the closest thing I had to a father.”

“He was a mage,” Midna responded. “I’m sure he wanted you to apprentice under him.”

“That’s pretty much the gist of it, but I never took too much of an interest in magic. I always wanted to fight for myself. I wanted to be a soldier.”

“And what did he think?”

“Despite respecting my decision, he insisted I learned at least a little about the magic arts. As the years passed, his physical condition worsened. He was edging close on being a hundred years old. He died when I was about seventeen.”

“That must’ve been hard,” Midna said.

“It was, for a while. Since Caulus had passed on, I didn’t know what to do with my life. I wandered around for a few years, trying out various things to get by, until one day, I was sitting in a bar, minding my own business. A big tough guy comes up to me and tells me he doesn’t like me. I told him I was sorry, and that there was nothing I could do about it.”

“So what did he say?”

“Nothing. He drew a pistol and told me I had three seconds to leave before he blew my brains out.”

“What did you do?”

“I did what I had to do. I drew my sword and cut his hand off. Then I took the pistol and shot him square between the eyes.”

“You killed him?”

“He was threatening me, I couldn’t do anything else.”

“What next?”

“Some of the other guys in the bar noticed what happened, and told me he was one of the most notorious bounty hunters on the continent. It took balls to do what I did. It was then and there that I knew what I wanted to do with life. I obviously wasn’t afraid of death, so I became a mercenary.”

“Judging from what I see around your house, it looks like you were good at your job.”

“You could say that. Full frontal assaults, recon and sabotage, assassinations, you name it, I’ve done it.”

“So you just hired yourself out? You didn’t support any faction?”

“Not really. At that point all I cared about was getting paid. Often times, as soon as I finished work for one group, I was hired by their enemy, and I destroyed what I had done for the other side. To keep from being found out by either side, I changed my identity a lot.”

“You’ve had an extensive run. Any jobs that stand out in particular?”

“There was one job, where I had been hired to protect a diplomat. What an ass.”

“You didn’t like him?”

“I tried to avoid him as much as I could while still doing my job, which wasn’t too often. He was paranoid as hell that someone was out to get him, probably someone I knew, and he would never leave his house without me escorting him.”

“What happened to him?”

“Some of the other mercs who were out of a job at the time saw this as an opportunity. Fortunately for me, this guy paid in advance for my protection, and I decided to turn a blind eye to his untimely demise. As soon as questions of his death came up, I disappeared.”

“You deliberately let him die?”

“If you had seen this guy, you would too. He wouldn’t get out of bed without knowing I was there to protect him.”

“Whatever works, I suppose.”

“Hey, I didn’t say it was the job I was most proud of.”

“So what made you decide to quit?”

“After a few years the war conflicts died down, and a lot of the other mercs were out of a job. I decided to settle down here in Glacia, safe from anyone who might have questions for me. This place is so remote, that nobody knew I lived here.”

“Truly a fascinating life story,” Midna said. She looked out the window. The snowstorm had died down from whiteout to flurries now. “We should get going. The capital’s not going to destroy itself.”

5

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends

« on: November 24, 2007, 04:30:52 PM »

//Blah. So much for the "awxxm post on wednesday." Oh well. This is better than nothing, I suppose.\

Carmine frowned, and looked at his map again. The route to Vandrin was supposed to be here. Instead, he saw it as five kilometers behind them.

“Damn maps are outdated,” Carmine complained, rolling it back up. “Estacado, did you see the sign to Vandrin?”

“Uh, nope.” Estacado said. “We should’ve by now.”

This was embarrassing. A group of elite soldiers who couldn’t even find their way back home.

“Let’s just ask someone for directions,” Grylls said, trying to be helpful.

“Probably not a bad idea,” Sig said. “What about you, old man?”

De Sade remained silent.

“How talkative,” Sig sighed.

“No,” Carmine said. “We find our own way home.”

“I dunno Cap,” Estacado said, worried. “The Colonel’s known for getting pissy about bad news. What if word gets out that Alex hasn’t been captured yet?”

“Estacado,” Carmine replied, “look at it this way. The worst he can do is yell and bitch and moan, and tell us to look harder, making some sort of empty threat. If we don’t catch him on the way home, we’ll sure as hell get him by the time we get there.”

“Whatever you say, boss,” Estacado uncertainly said. He heaved his two hundred-kilogram mortar and kept walking.


“So, how long did you live here?”

“About five years,” Alex replied. “I just decided I was tired of the merc life for a while, and settled down.”

Midna looked at the various items adorning Alex’s walls. Medals and honors from both sides cemented his past as one of the most influential mercenaries in Terian’s history.

“This place certainly isn’t opulent,” Midna said. “Didn’t they pay you well?”

“They did, but materialism was something I never really had time for. I did my job, they paid me, I moved on. I’m sure there’s tons of money in this house that I’ve never touched. Probably never will, either.”

Midna looked out the window, which overlooked a massive canyon. Asgarnia was at the very bottom, where snow met grass. “What made you decide to leave?”

Alex struck a flint, and a few logs inside the fireplace ignited, washing away the cold. “After a while I guess I got bored. I went out in search of an adventure.” He looked at the Twili medal around his neck. “Man, did I find one.”

The other side of Alex’s home was strewn with all sorts of smithing and forging tools, as well as a furnace. “You were a blacksmith?”

“Not quite,” Alex said. “The man I bought this house from was a blacksmith, and he didn’t like the fact that the native smithy in town was taking his business. I guess he just decided to leave his tools behind. The smithy in town, after promising I wouldn’t jeopardize his business, taught me a few things. Since then, all of my weapons, I made myself.”

Midna looked to the north. “How long should we stay here?”

“A day at the most,” Alex said. “The sooner we get moving, the sooner we get there.”

“Well, we still have some time,” Midna said, taking his shadow. “How about you show me around the area?”

6

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends

« on: November 20, 2007, 08:15:48 PM »

//ZUH?! HE'S BACK FROM THE DEAD?! Yep, it's me. I've finally managed to get enough time (I'm on Thanksgiving break right now) to get a short little post in. Tomorrow I'll write a much longer one, but for now, enjoy this little snippet. No Commission update, sorry.\

“Son of a bitch!”

The Colonel was incensed. As to why he was anybody could say, but it would be unwise to be the bearer of bad news when talking to him.

“Sir?” one of the Majors asked. “What is the problem?”

“What isn’t the problem, Mr. Gordon? That’s a better question. It’s taking too damn long to get this ice block battle-ready. Those damned commissioned officers are too green to know what they’re doing. And no word from Carmine about this Alex man. I feel like I’m being left in the dark, Gordon!”

“Sir, I have no doubt that the Commission is doing their utmost to defeat him…he IS a powerful man after all.”

“But he’s ONE MAN,” the Colonel bellowed. “One man against five? Do the math.”

“Sir, with all due respect, they may not succeed.”

“Well then, if they don’t, then hopefully Alex will save me the trouble of executing them myself.”

“It’s only been a day, Sir. Give them time.”

“Oh, Gordon. If only you knew the basics of warfare.”


Flurries scattered through the cold air as Alex followed the worn stone path to Glacia City.

“Here we are,” Alex said, brushing the accumulated snow off of his jacket. “And ahead of schedule, too.”

“Great,” Midna replied. “I’m freezing out here.”

As if sensing their arrival, Glacia’s double gates opened, revealing a totally different world beyond the rock walls. The town bustled with activity. Revelers caroused from pub to pub making their nightly runs. Merchants stood at apt attention at their stalls, peddling the goods and services that Glacia used. Horses drew large carts carrying cords upon cords of firewood, ensuring every fireplace in Glacia would burn with warmth. Everyone was busy with one task or another.

Alex had a feeling of nostalgia returning here. This place was his home. So remote and serene from the rest of the world, happily living and working in isolation.

“We can rest here for a while,” Alex said. “We can lay low here as well. Kandarinian forces very seldom sweep past here.”

“That’s good news for us,” Midna sighed, taking his shadow.

Alex continued through the town, into the outskirts, and toward what looked like an old smithy. He pulled open the door and passed through.

“Well, this is it. Home sweet home.”

Midna left his shadow. “This is where you live?” She looked around. It was a home on one side, and a workshop on the other. “Not much for luxury are you?”

“I live with what I can,” Alex said.  

“This should be good for a few days,” Midna replied. “But then we need to get back on the road.”

7

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends, Chapter 15 -- Sign Ups

« on: October 15, 2007, 10:46:41 PM »

School. Homework. Tests. No time. Need time. Excuse here.

Seriously, I need to figure out where I left off and actually do a post so people won't think I'm dead or something.

8

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends, Chapter 15 -- Sign Ups

« on: September 15, 2007, 07:09:31 PM »

For teh epic lulz!

Heroes:
Alex
Midna

Villians:
Carmine and the Scarlet Commission
Damien Roth
De Sade

9

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends, Chapter 14 -- Sign Ups

« on: September 02, 2007, 05:58:03 PM »

It could be worse.

You could be harvesting little girls for a special genetic material that allows you to obtain new powers bound directly to your genetic code in an undersea city in the Atlantic Ocean in 1960.

Big Daddies rule.

...Am I the only one here with an Xbox 360? I know BioShock is for PC as well, but even my high-power rig would be brought to its knees by it.

Plus, Achievements.

'Nuff said.

10

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends, Chapter 14 -- Sign Ups

« on: August 30, 2007, 09:51:12 PM »

As you've probably noticed, I haven't exactly been hardcore posting recently. My senior year in high school just started and a lot of college-level classes mean a lot of homework, meaning I don't have as much time as I used to. I DO get to come home early on some days though...

Anyway, same old apology-for-not-posting crap as before, posts for now may be far and few, but as soon as I get more time I'll try to write more.

11

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends, Chapter 14 -- Sign Ups

« on: August 22, 2007, 08:28:17 AM »

Only SIX?! Oh noes!

12

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends

« on: August 16, 2007, 11:45:59 PM »

//It's been too long, sorry. All this stuff with my grandmother and just overall being busy. Finally got the time to write a post.\

Why do humans dream? Is it lingering memories that penetrate the unconscious mind? Why do they allow themselves to have nightmares? Underlying fears they are unwilling to overcome? This one has no nightmares. He has no fear. If only the last could have followed his example… Is it human nature to fear the unknown? If so, why do they allow the unknown to exist? I was unknown to him. But then he realized what I was, and overcame that fear. His dreams are pure and innocent. He has no fear of death, as he knows it is inevitable. How can they fear the inevitable? I fear I may never know the answer…

--

Cold shock swept over Alex. Midna had thrown snow on him to wake him up.

“Gah! What the hell—Midna!”

“Sorry, but it was the only way you would wake up. We need to get a move on, the sun comes up in only a few more hours.”

The blizzard had finally subsided, and unfortunately, so had the dark clouds. Moonlight cast the familiar pale blue glow on the landscape. Reflected off the snow and ice, it seemed bright as day.

Ugh…daylight at night. A considerable inconvenience.

The Shroud finally retracted, leaving the two to themselves.

I shall rejoin you when conditions are more…suitable to my liking.

Alex took out the Twili pendant and cradled it in his hands. “Your people certainly have a lot of faith in me,” he said. “I’m still not sure exactly what I’m supposed to do once we get to the capital…”

“All in due time, Alex,” Midna said. “And once we get there, hopefully I’ll be far more useful to the cause.”

“Still, we’re two beings against thousands. Could we possibly win? The odds are overwhelmingly in their favor.”

“I will admit, the last Warrior failed for a number of reasons. He was a Warrior, but he was flawed. He was selfish and fearful, and for that, his enemies consumed him. But you’re different. You’re not like he was. You can win.”

“Here’s hoping,” Alex said, digging one of his armored forearm claws into the ice. He pulled up, and soon ascended the vertical ice face. The serrated claws provided a substantial amount of traction. “But first we’ve got to deal with those dogs dogging us.”

“As long as we keep moving we can stay ahead of them, but once we reach the capital, they’ll be the least of our concerns.”

“Figured as much. Glacia City is just up ahead. We can warm up there.”

--

The Commission was about to break camp, headed for their next destination.

“So boss, where we headed?” Estacado asked.

“Back home, I guess,” Carmine sighed.

“What? Why?”

“Well, think about it. How much are we going to get done if we follow him around, only for him to move again? To me it seems logical, since he’s headed for the capital anyway, to just wait for him there.”

“But what if he doesn’t come?”

“Oh, he will. It may just take longer than we thought. Still, the more time we have to prepare for his arrival, the better. It’s his ass getting kicked, so he can take as much time as he wants.”

“What about the Colonel?”

“You let me worry about the Colonel. He seems to like me, I’m sure he’ll understand.”

“I dunno, boss. The Colonel can be a real hard-ass at times.”

“Good point. I just hope he’s in a good mood when we get there.”

Les limped up. “What’s the plan?”

“Les, we’re headed home. We’ll wait for Alex there. Tell the others, and tell them to have their wyverns ready in fifteen minutes.”

“You got it.” Les limped off.

“What should I do, boss?”

“Help Sig load that heavy stuff onto the wyverns. We need to be out of here before the sun comes up.”

Indeed, morning was not too far off. A new day would no doubt mean new threats, for both the Commission and Alex.

13

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends, Chapter 14 -- Sign Ups

« on: August 07, 2007, 08:20:33 PM »

Sorry, guys, but I'm headed for Mississippi tomorrow morning because of a family emergency, and my grandmother's in the hospital. I'll probably be back around Monday or so.

14

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends, Chapter 14 -- Sign Ups

« on: August 05, 2007, 03:46:26 PM »

*generic excuse for not posting goes here*

I'll try to write one up tonight. Been busy with preparing for relatives coming to visit.

15

Dark Age Games / Re: Dark Age Legends

« on: August 01, 2007, 11:37:13 PM »

“Alex, is this safe?”

“Absolutely not,” Alex replied, “but it’s fast. These hairline cracks run all across the face of the mountain, and sometimes climbers use them to reach the top within hours as opposed to days.”

Alex had his fingers locked into the inch-thick cracks in the ice, and his feet on the larger crack below. Every now and then he drove a Shroud tentacle in to keep his balance.

Weapons become utilities in times of peace…

With one final hard pull, Alex forced himself up to the next ledge, and, amazingly enough, the billowing smoke from Glacia City’s chimneys could be faintly seen, several thousand feet further up.

“We’re getting closer,” Alex said. “Not long now.”

“I only wish I had the power to create another portal,” Midna sighed. “I hate for you to expend energy you could use in a fight if we were jumped.”

“I don’t see what the big deal is,” Alex replied. “Carmine’s miles away, and he has no idea what direction we went in. He’ll probably assume we went through Vandrin.”

“Alex, Glacia is your home! That’s the first place he’d want to look!”

“Then you better be grateful there aren’t any gaslights up here,” Alex shot back.

“True, true…”

The two had taken shelter within a cave after a particularly severe blizzard kicked up, as they often do on Glacia. The Demon Heads, no longer quite so aggressive, actually set themselves down on the ground for the first time.

Surprised? I would assume so. Comfort is seldom an attainable commodity, so it is vital to improvise…are you comfortable?

Truly a peculiar sight! These demonic manifestations showing compassion for the bearer of their power? One head shifted position to lay near Alex.

The true comfort is that of confidence.

Midna had since drifted off to sleep. The cave was unusually warm.

The girl…so delicately innocent…you two are bound by legend, but something more lies within. Love, perhaps?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Alex denied softly.

Come now. I know all of your secrets, and some that even you yourself may not know. Your feelings for her are to me as obvious as your qualms with my serenity. Why do you hide it so?

“I can’t afford for feelings to get in the way of keeping her safe…it’s my job. My destiny.”

Perhaps she may feel the same way?

“Then it’s mutual. She’s done so much for me, things so great no amount of gratitude would suffice.”

Gratitude is one thing. Compassion is another. What does it feel like to have someone care for you?

“It’s something everyone needs, I suppose.”

Does someone care for you?

“I’d guess so. Kleiner and the other scientists want me to end this war, so do the Twili elders…Midna knows what we have to do.”

Does any one person care for you even more? To an extent to call them a loved one?

“…I can’t really say…I never knew my parents, and the old man who did bring me up died before I could really get a chance to know him.”

Do you care for anyone?

“I’d say I do.”

Why is compassion or caring important?

“Because…well, what confidence would anyone have if no one cared about them?”

Are you confident?

“Yes.”

Then you are indeed comfortable. You are the personification of tenacity, yet persistence can only go so far. Rest is vital. I will be waiting for you when you awake.

Finally, for the first time in ages, Alex felt like he could sleep easy.

And so he did.



“Hey, Carmine,” Hannibal said.

“What?”

“Remember when that Amon guy did the thing to Asgarnia? Where there was obsidian everywhere? That wasn't magic...”

“So what the hell was it?”

“I picked one up to take a look at it. They were shaped like feathers, and judging by the size, from a pretty large bird. There's only one creature I know of that grows feathers that big - I saw them once on the west coast of Kandarin.”

“What beast could grow something like that?”

“I don't know what they're called, no one believed me when I told them. Amon referred to them as ‘Children of the Night’... I guess we could start there.”

“So what exactly does this mean for us?”

“Creatures which come during the cover of the night, bringing about a hail of razor-sharp obsidian, then vanish as mysteriously as they enter. Do the math.”

“Excellent. Where do we start?”

“I saw them on the west coast of Kandarin. Asking the locals would be... difficult, as you can imagine, but I think that if we go west of Kandarin, we should hit the spot.”

“Then that’s our next stop.”

Carmine turned to his men.

“Okay guys, we have a new objective. I’ll tell you about it on the way. Let’s break camp and load up.”