With a quick flick of her arm, Carin grabbed and tossed aside empty fizzy bottles and boxes of takeaway in a determined pursuit of an intruder.
Something had entered her apartment and was darting around the trash scattered across the floor.
Carin’s ears twitched at every rustle of discarded packaging and would dart to that corner of the room, throwing everything out of her way to try and catch the little bugger.
“Come here you little fucker” she said annoyed as it scurried under her reclining chair.
Getting down on her hands and knees, Carin pressed her cheek tightly to the carpet as she reached for the blighted thing.
Her hands outstretched like a claw of a predator as it searched for its prey, feeling and reacting to its every movement.
And as soon as Carin felt something hairy brush against her fingers, she snatched the foul fiend in a tight grip as it wriggled and clawed in desperation.
Slowly retracting her arm from under the chair, Carin soon got a good look at her little intruder.
It had a dirty grey coat of fur and four tiny feet with sharp claws, its tail was surprisingly long for its species but it still had its oddly cute looking nose and tiny ears.
“Of course, it’s a fucking rat. Just what I need” Carin sighed in disgust, pondering if it was a sign that she should start cleaning her apartment.
The rat wriggled and writhed trying to squirm its way free from Carin’s clutches as she surveyed her apartment, wondering how it got in in the first place.
But her train of thought came to an abrupt end as a rough knock banged on her door.
“Blue Bird! Are you ready yet? We’re going in ten minutes” Andy called as he knocked again.
Carin turned and faced the door ready to reply, but her words were exchanged with a sharp quick shriek as the rat sank its teeth into her finger.
Flicking her wrist sharply in response to the pain, the rat was flung into the air with a few droplets of Carin’s blood.
A soft thud and the sound of rustling followed as the rat landed into the garbage and fled in terror, lost in the sea of takeaways and dirty socks.
“Carin!! Are you okay?” Andy banged feeling worried that Carin might be in trouble.
But his worries soon subsided as Carin unlatched her door and greeted him with a smile.
“Hey Andy (huff) be there in a sec” she huffed.
As Carin stood there in the doorway, Andy noticed she was clutching her finger as it trickled red. Andy let out a bemused sigh as to what his little Blue Bird had done.
“Did you cut yourself on a broken plate again? He asked inquisitively as he looked over her shoulder.
“Nah it was just this ra-“
But before she could finish her sentence, Andy leaned into the doorway with his large body, nudging Carin out of the way as he got a better look at her apartment.
He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, he had told her time and time again.
“Carin! Why have you not cleaned your apartment? Do you want to live in this filth for the rest of your life? No wonder you cut yourself, this place is a fu- god dammed mess” Andy scowled like a displeased dad, trying very hard not to swear or raise his disappointed voice towards Carin.
Clutching her cut finger tightly in shame and embarrassment, Carin didn’t know how to reply to Andy. He wasn’t her dad but, he sure did act like one.
“I-I just… I didn’t” she stammered.
Andy lightly shook his head to Carin as he took a proper step inside the apartment, kicking aside clothes and trash as he made his way through.
“When we get back, we, both of us are going to sort this mess out. Okay?” he said calmy but his voice sounded slightly angry.
Carin’s hands fidgeted as she apologised sincerely “y-yes Andy… I’m sorry” her eyes veering away from Andy. She didn’t dare look at him at the moment as her face was red in shame.
A moment of silence crept into the room, with not even the rat making a noise as Andy and Carin stood still.
Hanging head down in disgrace, Carin waited for what felt like an eternity for Andy to speak once more. She’d hoped he would be the one to break this uneasy tense moment of silence.
But he just stood still, he looked like he was deep in thought, staring off into the distance that was Carin’s dirty apartment.
“Andy? I should start to get my things” Carin said nervously as she inched towards her bedroom. If she could make it inside and quickly grab her things, maybe Andy would calm down and leave.
But not even three steps towards the door Andy spoke once more but in a much softer tone.
“Carin… I’m sorry. It’s just that… I promised your dad, you know. I’ve got to look out for his little Blue Bird”
Feeling the tension between them ease and feeling reassured that Andy means well, Carin smiled comfortingly, knowing that she will always have Andy looking after her.
“Andy. Thank you”
With that said, Carin left Andy alone, entering her bedroom to gather her few remaining things ready for today’s excavation.
As she prepared, Andy headed towards the door and out of the apartment, but as he made it past the wooden frame, he suddenly grasped the door as he started to feel weak and woozy.
Struggling out onto the terrace and bracing himself onto the railings, Andy’s breathing turned more frantic as he clutched his chest in pain.
“Not ghnn, again” he said as he gritted his teeth enduring the pain.
But as quickly as the attack struck him, it soon left him. It left him alone with sweat forming on his brow and his face turning a bit pale.
Hearing a faint rustle from within the apartment behind him, emanating from Carin’s bedroom. Andy steadied his breath, breathing in and out slowly just as Carin closed her bedroom door.
He didn’t want her to know, not yet anyway.
Carin exited her apartment with a large bag over her shoulder, she was ready and eager to get this mission over and done with so she could finally pay her rent.
Locking the door behind her, she placed her apartment key back into her pocket and turned to see Andy leaning against the railing.
“You okay Andy?” she asked, he seemed a little off, nothing too noticeable but Carin had to ask anyway just to be sure.
Andy just smiled and shook his head as he pushed himself of the railings.
“Just thinking about all those stairs, I have to take to get to the bottom again” he chuckled lightly as he started making his way towards the staircase.
Carin watched as Andy confidently walk towards the stairs, he still seemed a bit off but she couldn’t think of why.
With a mere shrug she thought to herself.
I’m sure he’s fine.
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131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7RgsGca1X
Located deep in the heart of the city Silver Cross, stands four towers that pierce the clouds. Each tower not too different from the other in both size and design.
They stand erect, situated around an even larger tower built in the centre, which housed the Soul Corporation headquarters. A conglomerate of many fields that extend to anything related to Portals and the Awakened.
The four towers were built to each house one aspect of the Corporation as such, they stand as monuments to the world like Gods in their specified field.
And they were named as such.
The first tower, Iapetus. Father to the Artisans.
The second tower, Coeus. Keeper of the Hunters.
The third tower, Crius. Master of the Guilds
And finally, the fourth tower, Hyperion. Caretaker of the world and home to Dr Adler and his first Hospital, Anima.
Dr Adler often spent many a day inside Hyperion, his time was spent designing or building new devices and machines that could help benefit mankind.
His specialty was harnessing the strange and unique qualities of the other world. Be it Monster or mineral, Dr Adler will find a way to use it.
And in some cases, the good doctor will put both qualities to good use in one big project.
Like the very machine that he stands before now.
The machine before him that filled half the room, housed five glass medical chambers, each fitted apart but close to each other, with matching human sized metal tubes that connected to the ceiling and into the chambers.
Humming a happy tune, Dr Adler swayed in place feeling relaxed and carefree, he was watching and waiting for the large glass tube in front of him to slowly fill with thick green liquid.
And as the medical concoction of liquid reach the top of its container, a hatch opened at the top of the chamber connecting to the large metal pipe.
With a sudden splash, a naked woman, Ember emerged from the hatch and sank into the emerald solution below.
Her body limp and seemingly lifeless, bobbed briefly in the liquid before settling in the middle.
Dr Adler smiled contently as he reached for a control panel in front of the tube, and with a simple press of a button, the machine whirred and the solution bubbled and glowed.
Ember’s body illuminated inside the solution as the medical liquid began to take effect.
The burns covering her body had begun to heal.
From behind Dr Adler, a sudden whooshing sound of the doors caught his attention and he turned to greet his arriving visitor.
“So glad you could make it my dear, I know you have a busy schedule ahead of you, but I just had to show you that I have kept my end of the bargain” Dr Adler cheerfully declared as two people entered the room.
Leading into the room was Dr Adler’s most able assistant, Infi. A young woman dressed in a light blue suit with smooth deep pink hair and a lovely smile.
Following eagerly beside her was Cinder, dressed in full combat gear, ready for today’s Portal incursion.
“So, this is it, this machine will help save my sister?” she asked with worry. Seeing her sister’s naked body dipped in strange green medicine was not helping her confidence in Dr Adler.
But the Doctor just smiled and beamed with delight at being asked such a question. It was moments like this that he enjoyed the most, explaining in detail about his pride and joys of creation.
“My, my little flame, this here machine is the fruit of ten years’ worth of labour. Months, Weeks, Days, Hours of gruelling self-loathing was placed into this beauty. Many didn’t believe me when I said it could not be done, but look at it now. I can’t believe I got it working”
“Wait what?” she spluttered.
“Did you say, you didn’t believe it would work?” she asked confused.
Dr Adler chuckled lightly as he wandered over to the glass chamber containing Ember.
“The wonders of science in our world is limited not only to the imagination of the beholder, but also to the resources given to our world” he said proudly as he placed his hand firmly to the glass.
“But to the World beyond, lies a treasure trove like no other”
Cinder thought for a moment but quickly caught on to the doctors meaning.
“You mean the Portals, right?”
The Doctor nodded contently.
“Inside that World, the laws of nature as we know are rewritten. The existence of Magic and new elements are proof to that concept. Although as we explore each new given Portal, we discover that many laws are still the same. Up is up, down is down, just like in our world. And yet they can function and change perfectly within the confines of the new laws”
“I’m sorry, what are you talking about?” Cinder interrupted; she was not used to this science stuff.
Dr Adler’s Smile widened a bit further in amusement as he explained.
“Magic my dear. The new strange law that exists in that world now lives within ours. Up is still up as in any world, just try jumping and you will find that answer. But if Magic is involved, up can mean down”
Cinder’s face scrunched in slight anger as her brain tried to wrack around that bizarre concept.
“How!?” she asked annoyed.
“Inside each and every Awakened individual lies a Core, and inside that Core they possess a type of Magic determined by the colour of that Core. Red is Scorch, Blue is Torrent, and so on and so forth. But did you know that Monsters are the same?”
“Instead of a Core, in each Monster dwells a Spirit Stone. Like the Awakened’s Core, the Spirit Stone is the supposed home of the Soul. And just like the Core, each Spirit Stone is colorised to represent a type of magic which mirrors the Soul”
Cinder’s brain was hurting as she listened to Dr Adler long winded Explanation, but she still got the gist of it.
“Are you telling me that, for example a red Spirit Stone, meant that the monster could use Scorch Magic?” she asked, hoping for a simple answer.
“No” Dr Adler replied bluntly.
“Red in Monster terms means Augmentation, the ability to improve and strengthen aspects of the body, such as sight and muscle”
“For whatever reason, Monsters may share the same colour Souls as Humans, but they do not share the same Magic. This may be the biggest factor between humanoid Monsters and us. As human as they look, they are not”
Dr Adler slowly turned to Ember in the vat of solution, his hand less firm to the glass was now gently rubbing the smooth surface.
“To answer your question, will this machine save your sister. The answer would be no. It is in fact the liquid you see before you that will save her”
Growing curious about the strange concoction inside the glass chamber, Cinder moved closer to the glowing substance, standing quite close to Dr Adler.
“What is this liquid?” she asked concerned, it was becoming very clear to her that whatever Ember was covered in, it was not something that could be made in this world.
Dr Adler’s smile faded slightly, he was still grinning like the mad scientist he looked like, but his smile now seemed… sadder.
“Green, a Core of this emerald Magic would grant its user the ability to control the very air itself. But for a Monster… it holds life eternal”
Dr Adler’s eyes stared into the liquid, like his mind was searching, fixated on finding an answer.
“A Green Spirit Stone holds Magic I call; Regen. The power to heal or reverse the effects once inflicted. Monsters can use this power to help injured allies or even grow back lost limbs. I’ve theorised that the strongest Monsters that possess such talents can also revive the dead… but that’s in theory only”
Releasing his hand from the glass and placing both of them into his pockets nonchalantly, Dr Adler turned away from the glass chamber and smiled towards Cinder.
“The solution is made from thousands of crushed and liquified Regen Spirit Stones, mixed lightly with the body of Slimes to add thickness to the solution without toxifying it. The glow you see before you is the solution activated by a controlled shock of the machine. It monitors your sisters progress and hastens or slows down the healing progress, depending on her fluctuating condition. In a matter of hours, your sister shall exit this room alive and well”
“What about the coma? Will this contraption help her wake up?” Cinder asked seriously.
The good doctor shrugged and grinned a little through his constant smile.
“Cinder. Science can only go so far with the human body, even I can only push it so far to its limits. But the human brain, the consciousness that lays inside. That’s an avenue of science I’ve struggled to comprehend even to this day”
Stepping with short steps, Dr Adler proceeded to leave the room, taking his time so that Cinder may have the chance to ask more questions.
But he soon reached the door without interruption, he turned towards Cinder and his assistant Infi and said one last thing before leaving.
“When you are ready, Infi shall open a Rift Gate to Sepia for you. Just remember, once inside the Portal, please capture the subject alive. Do this and your end of the agreement shall be fulfilled”
As the Doctor left the room, Infi stood to one side away from Cinder. Far enough to give her some space but not too far to assist in any way.
She did not utter a word to Cinder, who watched her sister’s wounds slowly disappear.
As she stared into the liquid, Dr Adler’s words echoed in her mind.
Capture the subject alive.
Taking her phone out of her pocket, Cinder searched for a folder she was sent by the Doctor.
With a simple tap onto the screen, the folder opened to an image of a rocky terrain.
The surface was the shade of orange and brown, flat but not smooth. Pebbles and rocks littered across the image with a large boulder in the middle.
No matter how much Cinder searched the picture, she could not see any living creature in the frame. Only rocks and the shadows they cast.
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Adjusting his red tie accordingly, making sure it aligned perfectly with his black and scarlet trimmed suit. And making sure one of the ten rings on his fingers was firmly in place, Gurion smiled as the golden elevator doors opened and he was immediately greeted by four waiters, bowing humbly to his presence.
“Gurion Sir! Your table is right this way” said one of the waiters.
“Perfect” Gurion grinned as the waiter led him towards his table.
“Warriors Welcome” indeed
That was the name of the famous and exclusive five-star restaurant that sits upon one of the highest floors of the Crius Tower.
It boasts the best service in fine dining experience with its twenty-four-hour availability for all Warriors… all that can afford it.
With its unique menu, offering the most exotic other worldly food that cannot be found in any lower-class establishment. And view that will not be afforded elsewhere. Window seats a plenty around the ring of the dining area, showing of the vast beauty of Silver Cross City and the pristine blue sea at her bay.
Warriors Welcome is and always will be, the place for the richest to taste and experience the pleasures of the other world.
And Gurion was ready to enjoy it for the first time.
Sitting down comfortably in the black designer chair, Gurion looked smug and pleased at the table set up before him as the waiter handed him his menu.
“Thank you” he said proudly.
And as Gurion opened and peered into his menu, a lovely looking waitress soon came by his table with an expensive looking bottle of wine.
“Complimentary wine for you today sir. It is made from the otherworldly fruit called Veirberry, found only in A and S-Rank Portals” she politely explained.
Gurion nodded with excitement, he didn’t mean to, he was trying to say calm and focused but, after finally affording the chance to sit and immerse himself in the highest quality of service, he started to feel like a little kid again.
Pouring into a crystalline wine glass, the waitress soon handed it over to Gurion for a taste test.
Cupping the glass in his hands, Gurion could smell the sweet fresh aroma of something fruity. He couldn’t properly compare it to any other fruit smell he knows of but it did remind him of strawberries.
Pressing the rim of the glass to his lips, Gurion took a sip and savoured the smooth flavour that flowed elegantly on his tongue.
With a slow gulp, the wine even offered one last pleasant kick to the back of Gurion’s throat. This was indeed good wine.
“It’s lovely my dear, please leave the bottle, I shall enjoy it more when my meal arrives” he said softly as he wiped the red liquid from his lips.
Handing over his menu after giving his order, Gurion was left along at his table, glass in hand gently rolling the wine in a circular motion.
It would take a few minutes for his meal to arrive but Gurion didn’t mind, it meant he had more time to admire the room and view.
Dark red velvet carpets lined the floor, tables of equal distance neatly situated for easy mobility without completely isolating the patron. A small inclined area sat next to the bar, on this elevated platform sat a man playing the piano. His perfection for the art was well appreciated, smooth music lay lightly on the air, the sounds were calm and inviting, it went well with the red wine Gurion was drinking.
“Today’s going to be perfect” he said quietly to himself as he placed his glass gently down to the table.
Glancing around the restaurant, Gurion took notice on how empty it was this morning. It wasn’t a strange sight, it was rather early in the morning for most establishments to be open, but this restaurant was no like any other.
The establishment boasts a twenty-four-hour service which caters to the highest class of Silver Cross. Warriors of B, A and S-Rank frequent the dinning area on a regular basis. They flock to the restaurant regularly to taste the bountiful flavours the renowned chefs masterfully create.
And Gurion was of no exception.
Soon the beautiful waitress returned with his meal. The lovely delight placed the dish in front of Gurion with a pleasant smile and a giggle. They knew how to serve the elite.
Left alone once again to enjoy his meal and wine, Gurion took a deep breath and inhaled the meaty smells before him.
“Roasted Dragon’s meat” he drooled as he grabbed the expensive silverware.
Sat on fine dinner ware was an 8 oz red meaty dragons’ steak. A very luxury item only afforded by those who are capable, such as A and S- Rank Warriors.
Gently piercing into the red thick meat with his fork, it oozed mouth-watering juices. With his knife ready, Gurion carved into the tender meat eagerly. His patience was wearing thin, he desperately wanted to consume the exotic flavours.
With a piece of Dragon’s meat clutched in the prongs of the fork, Gurion took his bite and savoured every moment.
“Hmmmm, worth every Unit” he said as he relished the soft texture and juices that flowed from the meat.
Gurion had spent eight thousand Units just for this steak alone, one thousand Units for each ounce of Dragon’s flesh.
But as enjoyable as the eight thousand Unit steak was on its own, Gurion wanted to know how it tasted with his wine.
Grabbing the bottle, Gurion wasted no breath in pouring out another glass ready to be enjoyed.
Cupping the glass in his left hand, Gurion took another bite of his meal before taking a deep sip of Veirberries.
But before he could savour the brand-new blend of flavours, the sudden and unexpected arrival of a second wine glass interrupted his experience.
Grasping the rim of the glass as he placed it firmly to the table, A tall and very thin but man placed his glass next to Gurion’s bottle of wine.
“May I join you?” said the man with a smile of a businessman.
Dressed in a golden yellow suit with tinges of fiery orange, Gurion stared at the man with annoyance and a hint of anger as he grumbled under his breath. It was someone he knew quite well as the man had become quite the bothersome fly in the past few months.
But he was also someone he could not shun away, not yet anyway.
“Sure” Gurion said as he poured the wine into the man’s glass.
“What brings you here Altan? I hope it does not involve my Guild” Gurion asked, he was becoming a bit peeved. His wonderful morning was now ruined by this man’s arrival.
After all, Altan was the Guild master of the Sun Crest Guild, and holds the prestigious Hero title. The Surge Hero Galvanic.
Pulling out the chair opposite Gurion, Altan sat himself down before taking a sip from Gurion’s wine.
“Bleugh! How horrid and cheap!” he spat as he wiped his lips with a napkin.
Quickly snatching the bottle to see the label, Altan cringed when he saw the brand name.
“You’re drinking this swill? (scoff) Gurion? I thought I knew you better. A man aiming for the title of Pyroclast should not be accepting anything below their standards” Altan sneered as he casually tossed the bottle to the floor.
Gurion’s temper started to flare, he was enjoying that wine and he saw nothing wrong with accepting a complimentary drink. But to see the bottle roll across the carpet, spilling out its delicious contents into the fabric.
It might have been enough of a temptation to remove a ring or two from his fingers. But, with a simple huff, Gurion let go of his anger. Afterall, as much as he wanted to beat Altan to a pulp, the ensuing battle would defiantly demolish Warrior’s Welcome.
“Snap, Snap”
Altan snapped his fingers to grab the attention of one of the waiters cleaning up the spilt bottle.
“Bring me a bottle of your finest. I’m thinking… Biriume, yes! Bring me one now, quickly!!”
Satisfied with his order, Altan turned his attention back to Gurion, who took another bite out of his meal, but he was no longer savouring every bite. To him, the meal was now ruined and every bite was just an excuse on not wasting an eight thousand Unit plate.
“Anyway, while we wait for the wine, let’s talk business. You know what I want, and my offer still stands. Ten million Units for the ownership of your Guild, its members and all its properties”
“No” Gurion sternly said, swallowing another bite. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73sv5rNWEC
Altan smirked as he couldn’t understand why Gurion was so against his offer.
“I must say, I do not understand you Gurion. Your reputation as a Warrior and Guild Master has left a dirty stain on the Consortium. Your flagrant disregard to the activities of your members has not gone unnoticed, not just by the public but apparently to the Hunters as well. Why not give up on your ludicrous dreams of becoming a Hero and sell your Guild to me. You still have some time to save some face”
Gurion’s grip on his knife tightened, he could feel it grind against the many rings on his fingers. But he just continued cutting into his steak.
“My answer is still no”
Altan sighed, clearly noticing Gurion has his mind set on other things today, and less on Altan’s attempt of business.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbEqiLf0qw
Shrugging lightly with contempt, Altan leaned back into his chair as his bottle of Biriume arrived with two fresh glasses.
Pouring out into both glasses, Altan soon passed one to Gurion, urging him to try it out.
Gurion chewed on his steak as he observed the clear yellow liquid before him.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdj49vKdmE
Looks like piss. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWIqPJdriT
Grasping firmly to his original glass, Gurion swallowed the last of his Veirberry wine before gently putting it back down.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBijAVq4mpz
“No thank you” he said calmly.
Gurion didn’t look at Altan to read his expression from his rejection, but it did bring him a sense of pleasure to insult him, even if by a little bit. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08h8Xa8Czb
But without warning, Altan caught him off-guard.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5q6WYQwoD
“Heard you lost another member recently, Alex was his name, wasn’t it?” Altan suddenly said as he rested his chin in the palm of his hand.
Gurion did not take his eyes of his Dragon’s meat, he did not want to give him the satisfaction of a reaction, he just continued cutting before taking another bite.
Altan's eyes focused on Gurion, his lips twitched as he tried to contain his amusement as he watched him squirm. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemSD6hLMFk
“Yes well, we are still working on that matter, but I can’t say anymore. You know how it is” Gurion said trying to keep his cool.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRio0wj03x8
But Altan continued.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx27CWJS1o
“It was the Scorch Murderer wasn’t it. One of yours as well as it turns out, heard that two Numbers are in Sepia right now, probably interrogating and torturing the poor fool”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqYNi4d1RG
Altan took a big gulp of his wine, barely even savouring its unique flavours.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9vhVDT5NU
“If it turns out that you were harbouring such a dangerous criminal under your wings, I do wonder what will happen with you. You may be innocent of his crimes, but I wonder if the Hunters will see it that way”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGgtVizsqL
Gurion swallowed, but it was not meat or wine that passed through his throat. His pride was hurting, Altan was privy to sensitive information and it pissed Gurion off. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtK1scZDZF
“Well, until that boy squeals, I guess we won’t know” Altan grinned as he raised his glass.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT4vThWGL2
“Anyway, I do hope today’s media event goes well for you and your reputation. And when you are out there facing the roaring crowd, do think of me and my offer. You don’t want to disappoint your remaining loyal fans”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4ywwhzlc9
With one last big gulp, Altan rose from his seat and slowly moved away from the table. But before leaving, Altan removed a yellow plastic card from his breast pocket and tossed it onto the table.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2plnPLygXP
“Thirty thousand Units should cover the wine and your meal, consider it a token of appreciation for all the hard work you do for the community”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAjDPhzd5Q
And with that last attack on Gurion’s pride, Altan headed for the elevator and soon left the building.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ4KYNgtLn
Gurion had stopped eating.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgUqqDPZCA
His plate still had meat on it but he was no longer hungry, nor did he care about how much it cost.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VwDcLAEre
Visibly shaking in fury with a great scowl and teeth bared, he grabbed the plastic card and placed it into the palm of his right hand.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3IAXl5zt6
With his left, he removed the ring on his right index finger before quickly clutching the card in both of his hands.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2iTUWlidB
Within seconds a scorching heat blazed from the centre of his hands, with Gurion containing most of the rays of heat emerging.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcUtTCl8PZ
Slowly unclasping his hands, yellow oozing plastic ran off his palm and onto his plate, trickling onto the remaining dragon steak.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwcdpKeNHI
Quickly fitting his ring back onto the index finger, Gurion called the waiter over to finalise his meal.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYunc3slpr
The waiter in turn hurried over immediately after noticing Gurion was in a foul mood.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdXN8dvcE1
“H-how was your meal today sir?” he asked politely, trying to ignore the strong smell of burning plastic invading his nose.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1BkGH39wb
Gurion let out a big huff before replying, trying very hard not to bite the young man’s head off. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncAua2C7GI
“Disgusting” 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ4Gc32fVv
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Trivia:131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEUygZNukg
Colour of Spirit Stones; like the human equivalent “Core”, each Spirit Stone contains magic recognised by the colour it bears. However, even though they share the same colour, no Spirit Stone or Core shares the same magic.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7l4sOjZ3U
Red: Augmentation; the ability to enhance the motor functions and senses of the body. Key observations of users of this ability such as Minotaur’s, tend to use this form of magic to overpower their foe when their own formidable strength is not enough. Warriors must take caution when taking down users of this Stone. It is advised to kill the Monster before it has the chance to use it. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo29ZmkbyuQ
Yellow: Manipulation; a vague term to describe this ability. The magic used seems to be a mixture of shapeshifting and puppetry. The Vampire class of Monsters seem to use both types of magic in battle. The power to change their body shape to acquire wings for flight or with a drop of blood they can turn unsuspecting Warriors into thralls. It is not fully understood how some Monsters can have one side of this magic while others can have both. It is advised to kill the Monster before it has the chance to use it. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevdiCWbWES
Blue: Psionic; Mind manipulation, hallucinations, loss of willingness to go on. These types of magic are some of the many forms of this horrifying type of Spirit Stone. One of the more noticeable or recognisable version of this magic is the ability to control the elements to a limit degree. A Warrior once recalled encountering a ragged and old looking monster that willed the mountains to part, it brought down boulders crashing to the ground like meteors. It is advised to kill the Monster before it has the chance to use it. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCxbQzxwlF
Green: Regen; not too much is known or understood about how this Magic operates. The wielder appears to recreate or heal injured parts of the body to varying degree. Loss of limbs are only a short-term nuisance to most variations of this type of Monster. The removal of the head or precise attacks to the Spirit Stone are key ways to go around this type of Monster. It is advised to recover the body and Sprit Stone for further study, both will be paid in full. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe76biMhe3
Brown: Domination; a rare and yet common type of Spirit Stone. The Stone does not provide the user a normal type of Magic or power per say. It instead empowers the wielder by how many followers the owner possess. With each follower gained, Domination grants the user a portion of its power and their Magic. For example; a Goblin King with Domination, owns a regular Goblin with augmentation, the Goblin King now has access to augmentation as well as Domination. The only recorded findings of this type of Stone are found in Boss Monsters that await behind the Boss Doors. Killing Monsters with this type of Stone is a priority.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEamhFeXLd
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Authors notes:
For the first part of the story arc, I wanted to really show the fathers that Carin has in her life. Chapter 9 was originally the first part of this chapter, and it would show what kind of father Carin’s actual dad was, even if it was brief.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagW52eDorU
The start of this chapter would follow as the second scene, and I wanted to continue to pursue the relationship Carin has with Andy, a surrogate father daughter type of family.
He wants to be strict but he keeps holding back, which is understandable since Carin is an adult and not his daughter, she should be able to look after herself.
However, by introducing the fact that her actual father is gone from an early age, her apartment is a total mess and having already established that money is an issue. Andy feels compelled to help her, even financially.
It’s not a bad thing for Andy to help out whenever he can, but he does worry about Carin and how she will handle life if something would happen to him. Which is why he was upset, but not fully angry at seeing the state of the apartment.
The second scene with Dr Adler was quite a challenge. I struggled with science at school and trying to make Dr Adler sound scientific has been difficult.
Although I tried to explain it fully, as much as I could with Dr Adler’s personality. I feel like even if you didn’t understand what he was saying, it still works because even Cinder was confused.
The final scene was a piece that I had already mostly written. It was a scene for an earlier chapter, I believe it was meant to be the introductory scene for Gurion originally, as well as Altan.
I think the only reason why I changed my mind on this scene was, I wanted to introduce Altan later when Gurion was already introduced. I wanted readers to understand Gurion a little bit before bringing in Altan.
But anyway.
Part 2 is already in the works, some scenes that could go into this chapter went into the next instead. I won’t say much now but we will see Dr Adler, Cinder and Carin in Sepia.
Thank you for reading.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiDCTV2wHm
