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

[FinalDream]

Katelyn Verneer - The Tower - Tinsdal

She had not expected that, Kate jumped, out of suprise, at the crack of the pistol. In the moments that followed as the sound echoed away across the stone of the tower she realized what had just happened. The man was injured. Taking the fall for the woman. He was as good as dead. She watched with some sympathy as the young girl tried to examine the wound but the blood kept coming, and that was never a good sign. She was stricken with panic. Clutching to straws at this point. Kate was about to say something when she drew the pistol.

In the silence of the tension Kate laughed. Laughed out loud.

'You choose little girl.'

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The Tower of Man (Floor One) - Tinsdal

There he lay, in a pool of his own blood, bordering on the boundary lines between life and death as his head lay nestled in the Vessel's lap. He already knew that he could slip away into eternal slumber at any moment. It was then that he saw the situation that the Vessel was currently in. Whilst he had noticed the occasional bouts of inner madness emanating from her, probably a result of being in constant contact with the gods; he didn't want to say anything, in case he upset her.

With a look of fear, pain, and exhaustion, he watched as the Vessel cradled the second pistol between her hands, furiously darting it between Katelyn and the new Oncoming Storm; ordering one of them to choose who should die so he could be saved. Whilst the thought was heart warming, the method of shall we say "execution" was less than desirable. No one should be forced into dying for the sake of another. With a blood soaked hand, Vergil grabbed hold of the Vessel's arm that had its fingers on the trigger.

It was then that Katelyn laughed, calling the Vessel 'little girl'. In a more normal state, this would have made Vergil mad; but due to the significant blood loss, he could barely muster any rage at all.

"Vessel, please, don't do this." He cried out, his grip getting tighter as he spoke.

"This isn't right, no one should be forced into choosing their own demise. Do you remember what I told you back at the camp? 'People do stupid things for those they love.' I fell in love with you, thanks to your beauty, your intelligence, and your heart. But the woman I see before me, isn't the woman I fell in love with, this being of both anger and rage. You are turning into something that deep down, you do not wish to become." Vergil remarked, as he coughed heavily.

"Do not blame the others for their inability to act. Like us, they did not know where this mysterious interloper would be amongst the darkness in this tower; it was by merely the smallest chance of luck that I saw where he was. You know, I've had dreams about us Vessel. Dreams that have kept me going, kept me strong, kept me alive; they are the only things that are making me not die this instant. Perhaps, if we both live through this, I can tell you what they were."

"Both of them deserve a chance to live. Think about the Oncoming Storm; he wants to lead his people into a new age of peace and glory. Also think about Katelyn, despite the animosity between her and Scarlett, I bet there is a part of her that wants to make amends for what happened."

"For the record, whatever happens, you'll have my undying love. There must be a way for all of us to get out of this." Vergil remarked with a brief smile and a wink.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The Tower of Man (Floor One) - Tinsdal

With each consecutive beat of his heart, he felt himself steadily getting weaker, a step closer to his eternal slumber. What little he could make out of the world around him still, is was that the Vessel was still shouting at the others, still wanting them to choose. Suddenly, amidst the darkness, an almighty band was heard, followed swiftly by the sound of a body slumping; it seems that someone had finally chose.

Then, a new noise rose forth, it was sweet and angelic, matching the beat of his heart with increasing synchronicity. With each note, he could feel himself getting stronger, his wounds were healing, organs becoming whole again, and the sickly sweet ambrosia of life that was blood was flowing back into his body; he was being reborn. Air started flowing back into his lungs, and his eyes began to adjust to this sudden surge of life. Finally, came the question.

"Vergil? Did it work?" It was the Vessel, calling out to him. He then opened his eyes.

"Yes Vessel, yes it did." He replied, getting up from off the floor. Whilst he was angry at the Vessel, he remained calm, not showing his true emotions. Vergil then walked over to the now lifeless body of the Oncoming Storm, who volunteered his own life, and knelt down on one knee.

"Storm, even though you can not hear me on a physical plane, I know that out there in the great beyond, these words will reach you. All I can say is, thank you. Know that your deeds will not go forgotten, your name will be remembered; and I swear to you, on oath of vengeance, that the demon which has plagued us, shall fall this night." Vergil said with a burning passion, turning over the Storm's body so he was facing skyward. He then crossed the Storm's arms across his body.

"[sub]Requiescat in Pace.[/sub]" Vergil said out of earshot, before standing up once more, holding out a hand to the Vessel.

 

[FinalDream]

Katelyn Verneer - The Tower - Tinsdal

She took a step back and watched the restoration of Vergil in silence, keeping out of the way, and thinking about the life that had been sacrificed for it. Had it been worth it? Kate was not so sure. She would fight, but not for them, truth be told she didn?t really like them, instead she would fight for the Storm. To make sure his sacrifice would not be in vein.

?So, that was... interesting. Always kill people to serve your selfish needs??

Kate should really think before speaking.

There was something not quite right. Kate could feel it. Like a shadow hanging over the district. Was it all in her mind?

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The Tower of Man - Tinsdal

"Well well Julie, its good to see that your up an about, I presume that the priest kept his word?" Vergil questioned, whilst he was pleased that Julie was alive, to him, something didn't seem quite right. He managed to gently wriggle out of the Vessel's embrace.

"Wait, what are you doing here? And more importantly, how did you obtain this location?" He then asked, curious as to see how and why she was here.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The Tower of Man - Tinsdal

"Well Julie, you suffered a pretty nasty concussion when the roof of the Champions base we were standing on caved in. Took me a while to dig through the rubble to find you, you were badly unconscious, and I was both surprised and relieved that you were still breathing. Don't worry though, I managed to obtain the chest that we were looking for, along with some other pieces of loot." Vergil commented on the situation, bringing Julie up to speed.

"The overall purpose of this tower, its a pump, and the contents of the chest that I recovered, well, I'll let the Vessel answer that. Anyway lets go, it seems now that we have multiple reasons to stop this man." He then added, as he made his way to the door.

 

[FinalDream]

Katelyn Verneer - The Tower - Tinsdal

Vergil moved to the door, the weight of his promise seemed to be a burden that lay heavy on his shoulders. He was keen to seek vengeance on the man that had cost the Storm his life. Kate turned to the new arrival.

?Katelyn Verneer.?

She would let the woman figure out the rest. Reaching back she drew her mechanical bow and unfolded it. She prepared a steel arrow between her fingers and walked behind Vergil. Staring through the door.

?Well, this is quite the party.? She muttered to herself as she stepped past Vergil and through the door.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The Tower of Man - Tinsdal

"How the hell did they get up there then, no visible means of access. But never mind that now..." Vergil questioned to himself, unhooking the grappling hook from his belt. He then spoke to the others.

"Pity we can't get up there, I can see no method of reaching the rooftop. Although I do have this." He remarked with a devilish smile, as Vergil showed the grappling hook to the rest of the group. After clearing an area for which to throw, he sent the grappling hook flying, with three of its 'claws' gripping tightly to the roof. He began climbing up, speaking to the others as he did.

"Don't worry Julie, I'll get your daughter back. And relax Vessel, I ain't dying this time, you can be sure of that."

Vergil soon reached the top, clambering up to the roof itself, with a little bit of difficulty. He soon saw his opponent, and a little girl standing next to him.

"So, we meet again."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The Tower of Man (Rooftop) - Tinsdal

"Let me guess, you were the priest that gave the pistol? Still, I haven't a good fist fight in a while, certainly the more gentlemanly of options. Very well, I shall play your little game." Vergil remarked, taking off his weapons one by one, wrapping them in his coat, and putting the pile on the floor.

Vergil then showed a devilish smile, as he pulled out the second pistol he kept. He raised the gun at its his opponent.

"Oh, would you look at that, I lied." He stated rather calmly, before pulling the trigger.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The Tower of Man (Rooftop) - Tinsdal

"Well, that was, unexpected. People tend to usually fall over and die when they've been something his pierced through their chest. But, considering all the weird stuff I've seen, I'm willing to make acceptions." Vergil remarked, dropping the pistol to the floor. Despite what he had just seen, which would frighten most people, he remained usually calm. He then briefly looked at Emile.

"Emile, you may want to move away from there." He said in a calm and polite voice. Vergil then turned his attention towards the man, and began to advance.

"Is this what you do then? Make the strong feel weak, the smart feel dumb, the brave feel helpless. You turn the best traits of a person against themselves, creating anarchy in the process. You, an entire pantheon of discord, all of it bundled up, into a single human being. Do you think I am scared? I'm not, for I have seen death itself, almost went into eternal slumber. A good man died, so I could come back to end you." Vergil then broke out in a run, and charged at the man, leaping towards him, and at the last moment, activated his wrist blade.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The Tower of Man (Rooftop) - Tinsdal

Vergil was biting back the pain from this furious onslaught this came the break in his legs, second was the kick to the crotch; this would normally force a man to beg for mercy, but he knew that this would be what the man wanted. Vergil panted heavily, then head butted the man, forcing back. He wiped the sweat from his brow, grabbed his swords, and charged head on.

"If multiple stab wounds, and a shot to the chest won't kill you, what would you say to missing a few limbs." Vergil shouted in a raging frenzy, as he started slashing at the arms.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The Tower of Man (Rooftop) - Tinsdal

After the flurry of attacks, Vergil watched as one of the arms of the man crumbled into a powdery dust, and that the man had collapsed, his body all stiff and broken from the various cuts and wounds that were made; each one emanating a think black smoke. Vergil quickly ducked a strike directed at his legs. It was then that the man asked him a question, and Vergil became more relaxed and calm, returning to his usual self.

"Vergil I've got something to ask you?" The man asks, despite the man's weakened state, Vergil remained cautious, but had lowered his blades.

"What is it?" Vergil asked politely.