Expanse: The City Reboot (Dark Fantasy Epic) Main Thread (Open, Started)

[CrazyBlaze]

Telnor

Telnor felt sunlight on his face, water below him. Sitting up, he found the water to be shallow and his backside was not wet. Looking around he saw a tropical island, with white sandy beaches. Wading through the water he walked onto to the Island, dry as a bone. Looking around he saw one man sitting against a tree, sharping his sword.

"Ye be early boy," the man called. "I wasn't 'pecting you for at least another ten years. So how ya do it? Fever? A blaze of glory? A knife in the dark? Ah doesn't matter know does it? Ye be here now. Though not for long I suspect. Ye got two choices here."

The landscape started to change, the front of Telnor turned into plains, despite where he was standing was still sand. Behind him a large stone pathway appeared, seeming to stretch on forever.

"Ye can head forward to join the rest or you can back. Back to your friends, back to a cruel life of hardships, of losing people.

An image of Vessel, standing over him trying to heal his body, ""Are you still conscious? Come on stay with me. This next parts going to hurt a lot."

The image disappeared

"Though there are those who love ye out there," the man continued.

An image of Jill appeared, staring out at the night sky, whispering to herself, "Come back to me Telnor."

It too waved out of existence.

"And there are those who want to kill ye for revenge."

An image appeared of Nicon, sitting at a desk going over papers.

The man walked through the image, causing it to fade.

"But ahead there are people who you loved that you can meet again. Your father for example. So young Telnor what do you plan to do? Head forward to new experiences with the deceased? Or go back to the familiar with the living?"

Telnor looked at both paths before turning around and moving towards the stone bridge.

"The living it is then," the man commented. "Well. Ye will be back. Everyone is."

Telnor didn't look back as he walked down the Bridge.

"Oh yeah. Sakne says he doesn't blame ye for his death," the man yelled. "Oh and as a special gift I'll give you back your sight. Just this one time though! Cuz ye are going to need it.

Telnor smiled as he walked down the path, disappearing.

Telnor- The Gardens

Telnor screamed in pain as he bolted up straight. His chest was burning in pain but he could breath easily. Looking around he saw, Vessel, Vergil, and Scarlet all standing around him looking concerned.

"Well. Lets check that up to Worst. Plan. Ever," Telnor joked.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - The Dean's Mansion (Gardens) - Tinsdal

"Welcome back to the land of the living Telnor. I take it you briefly stepped into the afterlife?" Vergil remarked, inquiring as to what Telnor saw.

"In any case, its good to have you back with us friend." He added, and then presented Telnor with his sword.

"I think you dropped this." Vergil remarked jokingly as he held the sword out with both hands.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - The Dean's Mansion (Gardens) - Tinsdal

"Apparently, Lorel was going to die when he was still in his mothers womb, a miscarriage as one would call it. This Dark God, named Gemsi, made a deal with the Ion family. In return for saving Lorel's life, Gemsi would have to inhabit his body. The reason why he hadn't manifested sooner, was that the Ion Family, had used some powerful God Magic to lock him away."

"It seems that all of Lorel's blood urges, are the result of this Dark God trying to break out. Apparently with Lorel's death, Gemsi finally had enough power to break free of the spell, and inhabit Lorel's body. Now he has disappeared, and taken Mizuki as well."

"Who is this person you want to introduce us to?" Vergil asked, sounding unsure as to the identity.

 

[CrazyBlaze]

Telnor- You all damn well where we are so shut up before I blow your house up

Telnor took his sword back from Vergil, "Thanks. Jill would have killed me if I lost it."

Looking at down at his chest, he looked his red and blistering skin. Examining them closely it looked like second degree burns.

"Thank goodness for the armor. I would have been burnt to a crisp without it," Telnor swung to the side of the ledge and slowly rose to his feet, his face grimacing in pain.

"So Dark gods? Great. I knew I would have been better off dead. Blah. To answer your question Vergil, I'm not sure. Its like a really vivid dream. I'm not sure it was the afterlife but more like limbo. An in between."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - The Dean's Mansion (Gardens) - Tinsdal

"Ah, yes, the ****. That woman certainly has the necessary talents to be useful in situations like these, especially with the whole multiple personalties." Vergil remarked, referring to the powers of the ****'s broach.

 

[Korten12]

Lorel Ion ? Jas?shan?ian (Plains of the Dead.)

?Plains of the Dead are unique,? She began to explain. ?After one year in a sort of limbo state reflecting over your choice no matter how short, you land here in any place, not necessarily with family. In fact it took me and Ofila over one-hundred years to find each other. When you arrive, you seem to be around the age of twenty-one, never below or higher, even if you never reached that stage in your life. Also it appears that the Plains of the Dead are separated into Sections, similar to the City, but if you try to enter one of them, and you appear back in your original Section. Jas?shan?ian is also connected to the Gods Realm.?

Lorel interrupted her. ?One year? But I never went into a Limbo like state? I ended up in here soon after I died.?

?Interesting? Maybe you?re not actually dead??

?I hope that?s the case.?

Monica stopped. ?Here we are!? The house was plain but it had a very homey feel to it, like you could just spend the rest of your days in it and never tire of it. It was made out of wood, and reminded him of Cabins in the North that he saw. Together they stepped inside and he saw a woman sitting in a chair with a book. She had long white hair, black eyes, red markings like Monica and a more complex face. ?Ofila I am back.? Monica announced.

Ofila looked up from her book and saw both Lorel and Monica standing there; she put the book down but kept her one finger in it to keep her spot. ?Welcome back, and who is this??

They then went on to explain everything that Lorel had told Ofila, she was stunned and didn?t want to believe it but she knew it was most likely true, Lorel had no reason to lie to them. ?This is terrible news? But Lorel, what are you going to do about it? Even if you?re still alive, you can?t just sit around and do nothing.?

?No, I don?t plan on sitting around and doing nothing. Monica you said this place is connected to the Gods Realm??

?That is correct? You don?t mean??

Lorel stood up from the chair he had been sitting in when they had been explaining. ?Exactly, I think it?s time to go meet with the Big Man, the Head God.?

Ofila stood up. ?Lorel? No one from here can enter! We?re forbidden! They will kill us and we won?t come back here. They blocked it off by a seal anyway, so we can?t get through.?

?But what else am I to do? Sit here while a Dark God rips apart The City!?? He said.

She smirked. ?You remind me of Kenoshi, alright let?s do this. We shall head to the Gate to the Gods right this moment. Not like we need food and such to prepare.?

Without another word the trio left the house as they walked out of the Town, hours later and further south he could finally see it. The walls that were connected to the Gate stretched high into the sky and east and west as far as the eye could see.

Can we do this? Can we go to the God?s Realm?

 

[CrazyBlaze]

Telnor- The Gardens.

"So should we go after this Dark god? Or escape. Because I'm all for escaping right now. Last time I attacked it didn't turn out so well. so escape right? Shame magic can't teleport us out. That would be nice. So exit is this way. Right guys and gals.Right. Please tell me I'm right."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - The Dean's Mansion (Gardens) - Tinsdal

"Yes yes yes Telnor, we'll be going now, there isn't much more for us any way. We just have to wait for Scarlett to finish up her business with an old acquaintance of mine and hers though." Vergil remarked, hiding who Scarlett was talking too.

"My mother should be waiting out the front entrance. Actually, here she is now." He mentioned, as he saw Fiora enter back into the gardens.

"Evening all, are we almost done here?" Fiora asked politely.

"We just have to wait for a friend of ours to finish some business, she shouldn't be long though."

 

[Korten12]

Gemsi ? Unknown Location

They reappeared in an unknown location, Mizuki was out and he placed her on a stone bed. It had taken a bit for him to find the place, but being a Dark God it was easier. He couldn?t help but grin, he finally succeeded, after over one-hundred-thousand years, he had a body once more. In his mind, he could no longer feel Lorel?s presence, meaning he must have dissolved him as was his original plan.

The cave he had found was spacious but was small in overall size compared to the one?s Lorel had been three days before. Here he would begin to plan, knowing most of the memories of Lorel, he got a good idea of the City, and plus he also had been watching it for so long?
His goal wasn?t to take it over, but to cause it misery, which he believed would be easy enough. Now that he has Mizuki has a hostage he could hold her for ransom of untold desires that will seem impossible to fulfill.

He couldn?t wait to see how the Humans scrambled around.

Lorel Ion ? Jas?shan?ian (Plains of the Dead.)

?So Lorel, I noticed, you don?t have any red markings over your face like I and Ofila.? Asked Monica as they walked.

?We decided to stop having them on our faces as we turned away from our more original warrior-like family to a more political family and symbols on people?s faces was later on started to be considered primitive so in the year 6100, we put no more symbols.?

?Pity.? Said Ofila as they walked. ?I always loved the red markings.?

 

[FinalDream]

Scarlett Verneer - The Dean's Mansion - Tinsdal


She had seen the opportunity arise and the moment had not come soon enough in her opinion. Scarlett was going to take the sigil. The idea had presented itself like a blossoming spring flower, unfolding in her mind, and was simply just too good to let pass. Scarlett knew exactly what she had to do. Right now Tear was confused, conflicted with mixed emotions of anger, fear and uncertainty and she would use that to her advantage. It was her way in. Scarlett reached out and put a comforting hand on Tear?s shoulder. Her stomach turned with thoughts of what she was about to do. The nerves fluttering like trapped butterflies. Guiding Tear to the door Scarlett heard Vergil.

"Of course Scarlett, I understand. Take all the time you need??

Vergil had continued speaking but she didn?t listen. Scarlett closed the door to the hallway behind her with a smile across her face. Something about it seemed malevolent. Unnatural. The noise of the door closing shut had echoed down the empty corridor, Scarlett had been here before on her walk around the estate and she had noticed this part of the mansion house was little used. It was perfect.

Tear looked at the stone floor. Her mind clearly elsewhere. Scarlett walked over and whispered gently into her ear.

?Come on, I know of a good place we can sit and chat. There are a lot of things we should? discuss.?

Her words didn?t seem to register. Scarlett reached down and took Tear?s hand. She squeezed and caught a frightened look from Tear. Scarlett squeezed again and smiled warmly. Just as Sera had done to her all those years ago when Scarlett had taken her first kill. Like master like apprentice. The apple rarely falls far from the tree.

?Vergil? I didn?t mean to? It was just that I?? Tear sobbed unable to find the right words.

?I know. Sera has an influence that isn?t easily shaken.? Scarlett replied. ?Come, there is a room not far from here that we can sit in and talk, ok??

?Ok?? Tear smiled weakly

Scarlett lead Tear down the hallway to a small sitting room. It was far from grand but would suit her purpose quite nicely. The rest of the estate would still be recovering from the attack and the revelation that Lorel Ion had been hiding from birth to care about to women talking in a room they probably shouldn?t be in. Scarlett sat Tear down on the dusty sofa, the faded ruby cushioning looked not to have been used in a while, and walked over to a silver tray behind on a counter that held some wine. Scarlett poured Tear a glass and walked over to her. Bending down to hand over the glass. Tear?s weak smile returned and she mumbled some words of thanks. Scarlett put a hand on her cheek before moving to pour herself some wine.

Of course she never had any intention of drinking the wine. Looking around Scarlett saw no other weapon than the wine bottle itself. Pushing the cork back into the neck she brandished the bottle like a club and without warning struck Tear across the back of the head. The bottle shattered on impact. Shards of glass and wine rained down on Tear as she fell dazed on the floor. Tear tried to stand but Scarlett kicked her to the floor and knelt down on her chest. Her legs pinning Tear?s arms to the ground. Tear tried to speak but Scarlett punched her clean in the face before wrapping her arms around Tear?s neck and squeezing tight.

Scarlett gazed into Tear?s eyes. She could see the life draining from her body. Tear resisted and so Scarlett squeezed tighter until Tear?s head fell limp in her hands. She would have to act quick if there was to be any hope of reviving her. The air around her rippled with magic, hazy waves of purple symbols suspended in the air, flickered, reappearing in different places each time. The language was old but Scarlett recognised it. All of a sudden a circular pattern appeared on the floor, spreading like the roots of a tree in all directions. On each root was written short verses in the strange language of the symbols. Scarlett let go of Tear?s neck and moved her hands into place above Tear?s heart. Any minute now.

?Come on Tear otherwise Vergil will kill me.?

Scarlett began cardiopulmonary resuscitation just in time to see the circular pattern take the form of raven wings and seep into her sin like a liquid ink. Scarlett bit back the burning pain and continued cardiopulmonary resuscitation until Tear spluttered to life. Gasping for air. The whole thing had taken seconds but felt like hours. Scarlett rolled from her body onto the floor and gave into the pain. She had tricked the sigil into thinking Tear was dead and so it had passed to Scarlett.

Now came the fun part. Explaining all of this to Tear.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - The Dean's Mansion (Hallways and Room) - Tinsdal

Vergil decided to check up on Scarlett and Tear, as it seemed to be taking them a long time to talk things over; granted, given the situation, time had no value, nor length in these matters. He spied the door that the pair went through, and briefly engaged Shade's Vision, to discover the path they took.

After a few minutes of following their trail, he found himself outside a door, and listened into a bit of the conversation.

"Come on Tear, otherwise Vergil will kill me." Vergil was stunned, unsure by what she meant, he then burst in through the door, and found himself in quite a shocking situation. He could see that Tear was beaten up, her face pale, and covered in wine, as shards of glass lay around her; she seemed to have just regained her breath.

Scarlett on the other hand, well, she seemed to be in pain, but Vergil recognised something that appeared on her back, it was the sigil that Sera bore all those days ago, which after her death, appeared on Tear, now it showed up on Scarlett's skin. Vergil realised what had happened here, lets just say, he was furious.

Vergil contained his anger briefly, as he went over to the broken Tear, brushing the glass away from her. He gently picked her up, and carried her over to the bed. As a gesture of kindness, he removed his coat, and laid it across her, so she could stay warm.

Vergil could feel his eyes glow with anger and rage, as he rushed over to Scarlett, only to pin her next to a wall within a single movement, his wrist blade pressed against her throat. With one voice he shouted:

"DAMN YOU SCARLETT!"

He then spoke in a calmer, but more ruthless and cold hearted manner.

"So, these are your true colours Scarlett. No, you don't deserve to be called by that moniker any more. I should just call you Sera, after all, that's who you've emulated. I believe the phrase that is most suited for this situation is, "Like master, like apprentice.". All you care about is your own selfishness, you never considered the people you've hurt, both physically, and mentally."

"All the lies you've told this far, was it really worth it? Did you not think that if I discovered this, I wouldn't act like I am now."

"I had respect for you, now, you've just cast that aside, like it was nothing."

 

[FinalDream]

Scarlett Verneer - The Dean's Mansion - Tinsdal


?IT?S MINE! SHE HAD NO RIGHT TO TAKE IT FROM ME!? Scarlett screamed back at Vergil. No. It wasn?t going to work. Vergil would never fall for that trick now. He had seen too much. Scarlett let the anger inside of her melt into the air and a wicked smile crossed her lips. She could feel the anger radiating from his eyes and looked directly back into them.

?It?s not like I was going to let her die??

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - The Dean's Mansion (Room) - Tinsdal

After hearing that statement, Vergil gave off an uncontrollable bout of laughter and tears. He soon calmed down, and returned that wicked smile of hers, with a malevolent grin of his own.

"Ah yes, the only truth you have told throughout this entire journey."

Silence. It fell for a while as Vergil contemplated what to say next. Then, with his mind focused, he spoke once more.

"Do you know what I see before me? A monster. Who only cares about herself." He then lowered her to the ground, but still kept his hand around her throat. Forcing that smile of hers to change, to a look of desperation and fear; but also, slightly scared.

"Stay. Away. From. Tear."

 

[FinalDream]

Scarlett Verneer - The Dean's Mansion - Tinsdal


Scarlett realised that Vergil had been pushed a little too far. She changed her expression to mix desperation, fear and a scared look of vulnerability.

?Please don?t hurt me Vergil.? She spoke in a soft but mocking voice. Scarlett then burst out into a laugh without warning. A manipulative smile slapped across her face. ?And what then Vergil? If I don?t stay away from Tear. What are you going to do about it??

Tear coughed. She took in a lung full of air and opened her eyes. She touched Vergil?s coat and realised he had arrived.

??Vergil?? Tear sounded weak, her voice strained.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - The Dean's Mansion (Room) - Tinsdal

"And what then Vergil? If I don't stay away from Tear. What are you going to do about it?"

Without hesitation, he let out a cruel laugh.

"Simple. Kill you." Vergil remarked sadistically. He raised his blade, ready to end her. But before the blade pierced her jugular, Vergil could feel someone pulling at his coat.

"...Vergil?" Tear spoke, her voice weak, and strained. It was then that he snapped out of his anger. Without warning, he suddenly let go of Scarlett, the pair of them crashing to the ground. Whilst Scarlett started to gasping for air. Vergil. He cast away his wrist blade, and went into a flood of tears.

"Sorry. I'm so sorry. I just, don't know, what came over me. All this pain, it, drove me to the edge. Please. Forgive me."

 

[FinalDream]

Scarlett Verneer - The Dean's Mansion - Tinsdal


?And who would be the monster then?? Scarlett looked at Vergil with a widening smile. She was glad to be released and gasped for air. ?You would be just like me!? Scarlett whispered into his ear as he turned to face Tear. With that Scarlett began to walk away.

Tear put her arms around Vergil and hugged him. She closed her eyes and felt his warm embrace. She felt safe.

?I know Vergil. I forgive you... I thought she was going to kill me??

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Vergil Crawford - The Dean's Mansion (Room) - Tinsdal

"No. Her intention was to never kill you, just to save you from a fate worse then death." Vergil noted, almost pretending to be sympathetic about Scarlett's actions, but still thought her actions to be cruel. A smile came to his face as he felt the warm embrace of Tear. All three of them started to leave the room, Vergil walked past his wrist blade.

"You know its funny. This thing caused a lot of pain between us, yet, its the reason why we're here now." Vergil remarked, as he bent down to pick up the device, and strapped it back on.

"Come, lets go, all three of us; we need to leave this dark corner of our past behind. So we can look at the future." Vergil commented on how they got to how they got here with a brief smile; as he supported Tear with an arm around her waist. All three of them, Vergil, Scarlett, and Tear, made their way along the corridor, and back out to the others.