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Post by Red Eyed Salsa on Jul 17, 2017 20:11:37 GMT -5
Logan
The star was strange, he deduced. With an still, emotionless stare at the bright red object in the sky, Logan pulled up his suitcase higher, gripping the handle tightly. After a an annoyed grunt, he dashed towards on of the nearby alleyways, to escape any possible onlookers. A red star in the middle of the day meant something, a big event that shouldn't just *happen.*
Stopping suddenly, Logan flicked his wrist in front of himself. Lines started forming, a neon green, creating a flat circle that faced upwards, a perfect triangle inscribing itself within the curves. Logan threw the suitcase on top of the makeshift 'table', and as he let go, it immediately opened itself. From within, several metallic spheres began to float upwards, creating a vertical line. A blue circle horizontally then orbited each sphere, an arrow pointer making their shape in each of the 5 layers. After a pause, they began pointing in separate directions. There was another pause. and then they rotated and pointed in a new set of directions; this continued several times ad Logan watched.
Looking down at his hands, Logan removed the gloves that covered them, and pulled back each sleeve, checking the back of each wrist. No strange marks. The 'war' was out of is cycle, was it not? While he had limited access to all the details of the mage world, the end of the Sanctum cycle was quite the big event. Just what was this? Filling one of the pockets of his white coat with the empty gloves, Logan closed the suitcase, gripping the handle, and the green circle quickly shrunk and disappeared.
There's at least dozens of mana surges in just about any direction. The chances of a dangerous 'servant' appearing may be considerably high... With the suitcase under his shoulder, he began briskly make his way out from the alleyway. In his hurry, he almost failed to notice the masked men.
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Post by nertox on Jul 17, 2017 20:38:06 GMT -5
Grendel's Mother
Some spirits in Sanctum were never meant to be Servants. Some lacked a true name or significant enough accomplishments, some had a convoluted identity, some were simply insufficiently remembered. The only way that they could appear on Earth was through anomalies. Like now.
A scrap of essence, less of an identity than a relation to someone else, found her path open. More than making the conscious decision to pass through the boundary, she simply diffused through the gate. But Earth is a place of substance, not of essence, and like a magnet, she drew ideas toward herself, finding something, anything, to complete her physical form.
Concepts one degree of separation away from her true self, just as she was one degree of separation away from a name, began to form her identity. The werewolf. The Lady of the Lake. The dragon. The goddess of fertility. Soon, she had something of a complete body prepared, in keeping enough with the requirements of the Assassin class to pass through the gate. Now, all she needed was an anchor. Her essence was vague enough that she was able to capitalize on tenuous connections. Literature. Religion. Cultists. This would do.
A massive wolf, tangled fur dripping with dark-colored muck, appeared in the midst of a group of hooded figures. She howled, and in that howl was a question. "Who am I?"
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Post by Doodlebug on Jul 17, 2017 20:45:47 GMT -5
Kael Sebastian
After having quickly cleaned the room his higher level elementals instructor had trained him in, Kael resumed his studies for the standard classes at the London Mage Academy. He didn't want to fall behind after all.
Hera Gregg
Hera quickly made her way to the front of the group and spotted to her surprise, not Kirin Oshiro but... "Mr. Zain Krauss, what on earth is going on here?"
A howl rent through the night sky, causing Hera to jump. It sounded hauntingly familiar to a confused cry for help. Oh god, Kirin, please be okay.
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Post by Zen on Jul 17, 2017 20:48:37 GMT -5
EVENT
The nearby cultists jumped back and drew their wands, but their group's leader raised his wrist. "Hold," he ordered them. "It may be a servant... Father Dante foretold that they would surface across the globe." He slowly approached the creature. "We serve he who freed you, former slave of Sanctum. Would you like to join our ranks?"
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Post by Zen on Jul 17, 2017 21:08:51 GMT -5
Zain Krauss
He frowned at the girl before recognizing her. "...Oh. You're the girl who was caught on tape with Councilman Oshiro." Just then, a violent roar echoed from a few blocks down. "...You should count yourself lucky that these rogue servants are beginning to spring up left and right. At least this keeps the spotlight off of you." Her perplexed expression prompted him to elaborate. "...Ah, right. You had fallen unconscious. The berserker that surfaced in front of the council was not the only one of its kind. In just a few short hours there have been nearly two dozen reports of mysterious persons materializing around the world, bearing resemblance to ancient historical figures. My brother was among the first to recognize them as servants... None of which bearing any apparent master."
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Post by MS on Jul 17, 2017 21:11:22 GMT -5
Lester Makar
Lester tilted his head at this new development. A behemoth of a wolf had appeared before the mass of crimson, dripping in thick, inky shadows that coalesced around its feet. The creature’s howl reverberated through his skull. There was such a longing in its cry, as if it was lost. Searching. Feeling. At the back of the gathering Lester stared at the wolf. In that moment, despite still being invisible, he felt as if he were being watched back. He continued to gaze in silence, waiting, waiting...
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Post by Doodlebug on Jul 18, 2017 21:48:53 GMT -5
Hera Gregg
Hera slowly backed away from Zain. "That... That can't be. We ended- but what of the last war? What of all the people who died?" Were all those deaths in vain? Hera once again found herself regretting casting that anti-tracking spell. I really need to find Kirin. If anything I just need to talk to him. If only I could- Wait. WAIT. I'm such an idiot!
KIRIN!
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Post by Zen on Jul 18, 2017 22:09:18 GMT -5
Kirin Oshiro
He made his way towards the slums, keeping to the rooftops. The lack of cover was compensated for by him having a consistent view of his target. But after nearly twenty minutes of quiet, the man he was trying to track seemed to be bothered by something.
Has... he noticed my mana signature? I suppose he would be familiar with it...
After ten more minutes, Kirin has quietly cloaked himself and landed on the very same rooftop the servant was resting at. His hidden fists were clenched and shaking at this point. ...It's time for some answers, you son of a bitch. But before he could act, he received a transmission.
KIRIN!
What...? He turned around. She's awake already? But... Archer... What is it, Hera?
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Post by Doodlebug on Jul 18, 2017 22:30:14 GMT -5
Hera Gregg
OH THANK GOD YOU'RE OKAY! Where are you?! There are these people wearing red hoods everywhere, and Zain Krauss is here, and- and- Oh Kirin it's horrible! He's saying that servants are popping up everywhere!
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Post by Zen on Jul 18, 2017 22:36:22 GMT -5
Kirin Oshiro
Yes, I... I could imagine that. He scowled and looked back over his cover. The archer was still sitting over the edge. Red hoods? I can't say I've heard much about that. But after that assassin from last night, I'd be on high alert. Wherever you are, get the hell out of there. You alone won't last very long against a squad of potential mages, or a Krauss for that matter. Especially not in your condition. Where are you, anyway?
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Post by MS on Jul 18, 2017 22:41:52 GMT -5
Sybil L.
Sybil maneuvered through the alleyways to position herself ahead of the scarlet-cloaked figures. Up ahead she saw who the figures seemed to be stalking. He wore a simple suit, and to most people he would seem like any other man heading home from work. But Sybil recognized the subtle shine of the bracelets around his wrist and the refined, almost regal way he carried himself. Zain Krauss. Younger brother of the head of the most powerful magus family. Does he not notice he’s being followed?
A booming, raw howl tore through her thoughts, making her shoulders jump. The area darkened a shade, and she felt a creeping sensation at the back of her mind. Regaining a semblance of focus, she concentrated on the direction where the howl came from. In her mind she saw the mass tangle of energy, condensed but fighting to be released in a multitude of directions. Rapidly pulsing, the branches of the mana circuits seemed to shoot out before receding. Crazed, chaotic, powerful,
Berserk. She looked back towards Krauss. Her expression darkened. Her. Sybil took a deep breath, and another, and straightened her posture. She doesn't matter. Not now.
(She still seems weary from earlier.)
The cloaked figures, the Berserker... what is their connection to Dante?
(You can just walk away.)
It took so many mages to take down the other one.
(They'll just have to deal with it. It won't be your fault if they died. She'd get what was coming to her. And Mother and Father never did like the Krauss family…)
No. No, I’m better than this. Sybil stood her ground, keeping tabs on the cloaked figures and where the howl was coming from. She clasped her pendant and started preparing a spell.
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Post by Doodlebug on Jul 18, 2017 22:46:32 GMT -5
Hera Gregg
Wha- No. I asked first. Seriously, Kirin, don't call me petty. I need to know where you are.
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Post by Zen on Jul 18, 2017 22:51:05 GMT -5
Kirin Oshiro
I'm out in the city... on business. It's not important right now. He sensed a surge of mana from a few blocks down. Are you in danger? What the hell is going on down there?
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Post by Doodlebug on Jul 18, 2017 23:05:45 GMT -5
Hera Gregg
I... I think a servant may have spawned about a block or two from where I am currently. Hera glanced around her and took note of the red hooded people drawing ever nearer. I don't like the look of these red hoodlums. You'll have excuse me for a minute; I'm gonna get Zain McCranky Krauss outta here.
"Come on, Mr. Krauss. We need to get you out of here," Hera drew her wand and placed a hand on Zain's shoulder.
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Post by Zen on Jul 18, 2017 23:13:29 GMT -5
Kirin Oshiro
He sensed a large spell gaining momentum close to where the howl had come from. He can handle himself, Hera. You need to get out of-
EVENT
"Do it," the figure in lead ordered. The group pressed their right palms to the surface they were standing on, collectively casting a disruptive barrier around the alley. To those outside, the mana signatures within vanished. Inside, mental communication became scrambled and useless. On this cue, a group of nine hooded mages jumped down from the shadows and surrounded Hera and Zain, the rest of them keeping watch from above. "...Zain Krauss," the leader began. "You honor the House Eterna with your presence." The men and women all bore unique masks of varying materials, but identical red shrouds that extended below their hips. "As you may have already noticed, you've no way of calling for help. You may choose to come with us peacefully, or you may choose to arrive beaten and unconscious. Either way, you will not be returning home tonight."
"Hmph." Zain crossed his arms. "Is this supposed to intimidate me? I had heard stories of a gang of thugs hanging around London, but I hadn't expected them to come in costumes."
The leader barely contained a giggle. "We are giving you twenty seconds to decide before we do so for you. The girl, too-- it's a tad too early in the game for us to be leaving behind witnesses."
Zain looked back to Hera and cracked his knuckles. "I suppose I don't have to ask you how good you are in a fight, given that we've seen video evidence. How many will I have to handle, Ms. Gregg?"
Kirin Oshiro
Hera? Hera, answer me! ANSWER ME! No response. Kirin took one last look at Max, growled to himself and ran the other way, in the direction of the howl.
Max
Turned tail, huh? Max pressed the hot end of his cigarette to his thumb, feeling the faint burning sensation. I'm almost disappointed, lad... Once Kirin was gone, he slowly stood up and cracked his back. "...I wonder..."
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