Avalon:Volume 0 Chapter 2 - Revision history

Aorii at 02:03, 17 April 2013

2013-04-17T02:03:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:03, 17 April 2013
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	The second man moved swiftly through the gap and towards Kannon until he slowly knelt down besides the cot. Meanwhile, the other two watched the hallway.		The second man moved swiftly through the gap and towards Kannon until he slowly knelt down besides the cot. Meanwhile, the other two watched the hallway.

	Even with only one side of his face illuminated by dim lighting, it was obvious that he was young, no older than twenty, ~~and was~~ tall but of average build. His features were a perfect mix between Caucasian and Orient ancestries, forming a photogenic image handsome enough to be considered beautiful. With a thin chin, nose with a slight feminine curve, and a dashing ponytail sported behind pitch black hair, Kannon almost thought he was a tall and handsome woman. Yet his most striking attribute that effortlessly pulled in her attention were his deep-violet eyes, which seemed to radiate friendly concern despite his cold, stern expression.		Even with only one side of his face illuminated by dim lighting, it was obvious that he was young, no older than twenty, just over one-eight-three (6'0") tall but of average build. His features were a perfect mix between Caucasian and Orient ancestries, forming a photogenic image handsome enough to be considered beautiful. With a thin chin, nose with a slight feminine curve, and a dashing ponytail sported behind pitch black hair, Kannon almost thought he was a tall and handsome woman. Yet his most striking attribute that effortlessly pulled in her attention were his deep-violet eyes, which seemed to radiate friendly concern despite his cold, stern expression.

	''What... who...?''		''What... who...?''
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	"<u>Haidar,</u>" his deep, commanding voice called over the channel, "<u>come inside, we have a problem.</u>"		"<u>Haidar,</u>" his deep, commanding voice called over the channel, "<u>come inside, we have a problem.</u>"

	The man outside then walked in through the gap. He was a broad-shouldered and well-built Caucasian. He had a rather round head, two sienna-brown eyes filled with energy, and a prominent nose that accentuated his Slavic ancestry. His hair was already prematurely balding despite soft features still putting him in the twenties, including a set of youthful freckles.		The man outside then walked in through the gap. He was a broad-shouldered and well-built Caucasian at the same height as Arkadi. He had a rather round head, two sienna-brown eyes filled with energy, and a prominent nose that accentuated his Slavic ancestry. His hair was already prematurely balding despite soft features still putting him in the twenties, including a set of youthful freckles.

	"<u>Wooooah, they're being ''super'' serious,</u>" he commented with exaggerated surprise. "<u>That's starsteel alright. My disintegration ain't gonna work on that! Would take some time to cut through that thickness the old-fashioned way.</u>"		"<u>Wooooah, they're being ''super'' serious,</u>" he commented with exaggerated surprise. "<u>That's starsteel alright. My disintegration ain't gonna work on that! Would take some time to cut through that thickness the old-fashioned way.</u>"

Aorii at 15:29, 10 April 2013

2013-04-10T15:29:05Z

Aorii: 3P edit

2013-04-10T04:40:05Z

3P edit

Show changes

Aorii at 05:06, 9 April 2013

2013-04-09T05:06:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:06, 9 April 2013
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	\|-		\|-
	\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_1\|Chapter 1]]		\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_1\|Chapter 1]]
			\| Ref to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_2_Old\|Old Format]]
	\| Return to [[Avalon_Beyond_the_Eclipse\|Main Page]]		\| Return to [[Avalon_Beyond_the_Eclipse\|Main Page]]
	\| Forward to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_3\|Chapter 3]]		\| Forward to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_3\|Chapter 3]]

Aorii: em-dash fix

2012-12-26T23:12:52Z

em-dash fix

Show changes

Aorii at 01:44, 26 December 2012

2012-12-26T01:44:02Z

Aorii at 05:14, 19 December 2012

2012-12-19T05:14:08Z

Aorii: major grammar pass (end of 2012)

2012-12-14T20:57:36Z

major grammar pass (end of 2012)

Show changes

Aorii at 03:25, 27 November 2012

2012-11-27T03:25:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:25, 27 November 2012
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	"<u>Graze-no--- crippled. Must have shattered ribs.</u>"		"<u>Graze-no--- crippled. Must have shattered ribs.</u>"

	"<u>~~Goddamn~~ armor~~--- just die already you worthless piece of garbage~~---!!!</u>"		"<u>Cut the left armor! I'll rip out their guts---!!!</u>"

	(Is that Lysette I just heard?)		(Is that Lysette I just heard?)

Aorii at 17:34, 17 November 2012

2012-11-17T17:34:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:34, 17 November 2012
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	My eyes shifted subconsciously towards the steel bars. Seconds later, in the dim illumination of the emergency lighting, three more moved carefully into my sight, and I had to concentrate my mind just to focus my blurry vision for a better look.		My eyes shifted subconsciously towards the steel bars. Seconds later, in the dim illumination of the emergency lighting, three more moved carefully into my sight, and I had to concentrate my mind just to focus my blurry vision for a better look.

	All three of them were wearing pitch-black form-fitting uniforms that seemed to meld into the shadows, except for the white lines marking the collar borders and those running down the chest from ~~the~~ beneath the shoulders. They each had a variety of equipment, including pistol pouches, attached to their belts or wrapped around the leg, as well as a metallic backpack with four rods extending from it in an X-shaped pattern. The two in the front and center also had black, narrow steel plating protecting their shoulders and upper arms, each with back-plated gloves firmly grasping a pole-mounted shortsword --- a Scandinavian swordstaff. Meanwhile, the third covering their back with twin daggers was obviously a woman, highlighted by her smaller build and curved chest, as well as the sleeveless and skirted uniform with long arm-gloves and leggings.		All three of them were wearing pitch-black form-fitting uniforms that seemed to meld into the shadows, except for the white lines marking the collar borders and those running down the chest from beneath the shoulders. They each had a variety of equipment, including pistol pouches, attached to their belts or wrapped around the leg, as well as a metallic backpack with four rods extending from it in an X-shaped pattern. The two in the front and center also had black, narrow steel plating protecting their shoulders and upper arms, each with back-plated gloves firmly grasping a pole-mounted shortsword --- a Scandinavian swordstaff. Meanwhile, the third covering their back with twin daggers was obviously a woman, highlighted by her smaller build and curved chest, as well as the sleeveless and skirted uniform with long arm-gloves and leggings.

	The man in the front had moved past my cell without stopping before the second person turned towards me and gestured for him to return. All three of them then took a step back away from the bars, and the first man held out his palm, fingers extended, towards me.		The man in the front had moved past my cell without stopping before the second person turned towards me and gestured for him to return. All three of them then took a step back away from the bars, and the first man held out his palm, fingers extended, towards me.
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	"''Evellete Confringo''."		"''Evellete Confringo''."

	~~The thought of '~~what was he doing~~' just barely entered my mind~~ when the orb burst, releasing sixteen rays of red light which struck different sections of the cell's steel bars. Portions of it vanished instantly as the light made contact, and a second later, eight steel bars clanged as they fell to the ground, leaving a gap wide enough for almost two people to fit through.		I had barely started wondering what he was doing when the orb burst, releasing sixteen rays of red light which struck different sections of the cell's steel bars. Portions of it vanished instantly as the light made contact, and a second later, eight steel bars clanged as they fell to the ground, leaving a gap wide enough for almost two people to fit through.

	(Who are these people? What do they want?)		(Who are these people? What do they want?)
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	"<u>Haidar,</u>" his deep, commanding voice called over the channel, "<u>come inside, we have a problem.</u>"		"<u>Haidar,</u>" his deep, commanding voice called over the channel, "<u>come inside, we have a problem.</u>"

	The man outside then walked in through the gap. He was a broad-shouldered and well-built Caucasian, with a rather round head, two sienna-brown eyes filled with energy, and a ~~predominant~~ nose that accentuated his Slavic ancestry. His hair was already prematurely balding despite facial features still putting him in the twenties.		The man outside then walked in through the gap. He was a broad-shouldered and well-built Caucasian, with a rather round head, two sienna-brown eyes filled with energy, and a prominent nose that accentuated his Slavic ancestry. His hair was already prematurely balding despite facial features still putting him in the twenties.

	"<u>Wooooah, they're being ''super'' serious,</u>" he commented with exaggerated surprise, "<u>that's starsteel alright. My disintegration ain't gonna work on that! --- Would take some time to cut through that thickness too.</u>"		"<u>Wooooah, they're being ''super'' serious,</u>" he commented with exaggerated surprise, "<u>that's starsteel alright. My disintegration ain't gonna work on that! --- Would take some time to cut through that thickness too.</u>"

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:06, 9 April 2013
Line 362:		Line 362:
	\|-		\|-
	\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_1\|Chapter 1]]		\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_1\|Chapter 1]]
			\| Ref to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_2_Old\|Old Format]]
	\| Return to [[Avalon_Beyond_the_Eclipse\|Main Page]]		\| Return to [[Avalon_Beyond_the_Eclipse\|Main Page]]
	\| Forward to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_3\|Chapter 3]]		\| Forward to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_3\|Chapter 3]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:29, 10 April 2013
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	Two thumps from further up the brig corridor disrupted the alarm's rhythm. They drew the attention of Kannon's instinct, which had been elevated to full control for the first time in years as her mind sought to protect its other cognitive functions. Her eyes turned towards the steel bars just in time to see a person's silhouette rush by. Seconds later, two more blurry outlines moved into the sight, illuminated by the hallway's dim emergency lighting as they examined her cell.		Two thumps from further up the brig corridor disrupted the alarm's rhythm. They drew the attention of Kannon's instinct, which had been elevated to full control for the first time in years as her mind sought to protect its other cognitive functions. Her eyes turned towards the steel bars just in time to see a person's silhouette rush by. Seconds later, two more blurry outlines moved into the sight, illuminated by the hallway's dim emergency lighting as they examined her cell.

	All three of them were wearing pitch-black form-fitting uniforms that seemed to meld into the shadows, except for the white lines marking the collars or running down the sides. They each carried a variety of equipment, including pistol pouches, ammo clips, grenades, and electronic tools. ~~They also wore~~ non-reflective metallic backpacks with four rods extending from it in an X-shaped pattern. The two in the front and center also had detachable armored plating protecting their shoulders and upper arms, their gloved hands firmly grasping pole-mounted shortswords -- Scandinavian swordstaves. Meanwhile, the third covering their back with twin daggers was obviously a woman, highlighted by her smaller build and elegant curves, as well as the sleeveless and skirted uniform with long arm-gloves and leggings.		All three of them were wearing pitch-black form-fitting uniforms that seemed to meld into the shadows, except for the white lines marking the collars or running down the sides. They each carried a variety of equipment, including pistol pouches, ammo clips, grenades, and electronic tools. On their backs were non-reflective metallic backpacks with four rods extending from it in an X-shaped pattern. The two in the front and center also had detachable armored plating protecting their shoulders and upper arms, their gloved hands firmly grasping pole-mounted shortswords -- Scandinavian swordstaves. Meanwhile, the third covering their back with twin daggers was obviously a woman, highlighted by her smaller build and elegant curves, as well as the sleeveless and skirted uniform with long arm-gloves and leggings.

	The man in the front moved past Kannon's cell without stopping before the second person gestured for him to return. All three of them soon took a step back away from the bars. The first man then held out his palm towards the cell, fingers extended and spread.		The man in the front moved past Kannon's cell without stopping before the second person gestured for him to return. All three of them soon took a step back away from the bars. The first man then held out his palm towards the cell, fingers extended and spread.
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	Kannon's mental fog cleared up by another step as heat worked its way into her cheeks. Years have passed since even her father cradled her in between his arms like now, let alone someone she just met.		Kannon's mental fog cleared up by another step as heat worked its way into her cheeks. Years have passed since even her father cradled her in between his arms like now, let alone someone she just met.

	"<u>Let's go. Kaplan, detour to hanger bay sixteen on the way back,</u>" Arkadi ordered as he squeezed through the gap in the cell bars, taking care not to bump ~~Kannon~~ into them.		"<u>Let's go. Kaplan, detour to hanger bay sixteen on the way back,</u>" Arkadi ordered as he squeezed through the gap in the cell bars, taking care not to bump her into them.

	Haidar had already hurried back up the corridor and towards two others -- a swordsman with a translucent body and a rifleman guarding the corner.		Haidar had already hurried back up the corridor and towards two others -- a swordsman with a translucent body and a rifleman guarding the corner.
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	"I-diots," Haidar cheerfully called out loud as Kaplan charged straight into their formation.		"I-diots," Haidar cheerfully called out loud as Kaplan charged straight into their formation.

	With a single stab, the longsword in Kaplan's hand pierced into the helmet of one powered armor suit and cleaved it way back out. Blood sprayed from the hole as its occupant collapsed dead onto the ground. Kaplan then spun around in a circle and dealt the same fate to the second crouching marine before leaping into the remaining six. Chaos ensued as the marines opened fire with what seemed to be electrolaser rifles, aiming wildly as if none of them could see their foe. Some of the energy beams would have actually struck Kaplan, except that they were deflected at the last moment when a sphere of dark-blue light surrounding him flared into visibility.		With a single stab, the longsword in Kaplan's hand pierced into the helmet of one powered armor suit and cleaved its way back out. Blood sprayed from the hole as its occupant collapsed dead onto the ground. Kaplan then spun around in a circle and dealt the same fate to the second crouching marine before leaping into the remaining six. Chaos ensued as the marines opened fire with what seemed to be electrolaser rifles, aiming wildly as if none of them could see their foe. Some of the energy beams would have actually struck Kaplan, except that they were deflected at the last moment when a sphere of dark-blue light surrounding him flared into visibility.

	It was all over in under a minute. The rest of the group caught up as Haidar chanted his usual words to disintegrate the remains.		It was all over in under a minute. The rest of the group caught up as Haidar chanted his usual words to disintegrate the remains.
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	"<u>Yes sir!</u>"		"<u>Yes sir!</u>"

	"<u>Got it~!</u>" Lysette's enthusiastic response had the soprano of a high school ~~girl~~ that felt sorely out of place.		"<u>Got it~!</u>" Lysette's enthusiastic response had the soprano of a high school cheerleader that felt sorely out of place.

	"<u>Team, this is a smash and grab. Sling-bundle your plasma grenades together and wire all your smoke grenades; we'll hurl and pull on my mark. Kaplan and Lysette, hold the Judges at bay, use your flight packs and scatter them if you can. Edmund, snipe the targets as I mark them; use your starsteel rounds -- I know there's only five left, but nothing less than antimagic ammunition will pierce a knight's vector shield at range. Haidar, head straight for the ship; shrink and seize. I'll cover you. We retreat as soon as you take it.</u>"		"<u>Team, this is a smash and grab. Sling-bundle your plasma grenades together and wire all your smoke grenades; we'll hurl and pull on my mark. Kaplan and Lysette, hold the Judges at bay, use your flight packs and scatter them if you can. Edmund, snipe the targets as I mark them; use your starsteel rounds -- I know there's only five left, but nothing less than antimagic ammunition will pierce a knight's vector shield at range. Haidar, head straight for the ship; shrink and seize. I'll cover you. We retreat as soon as you take it.</u>"
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	Half a minute passed before the muffled sound of distant speech reached Kannon's ears. Then, another half minute later, Arkadi shouted "<u>Now!</u>" over the channel. Within a second, dozens of explosions going off almost simultaneously resounded from within the bay. The anxious but peaceful atmosphere was instantaneously bloodied by the sounds of gunshots, energy blasts, and screams of the dying.		Half a minute passed before the muffled sound of distant speech reached Kannon's ears. Then, another half minute later, Arkadi shouted "<u>Now!</u>" over the channel. Within a second, dozens of explosions going off almost simultaneously resounded from within the bay. The anxious but peaceful atmosphere was instantaneously bloodied by the sounds of gunshots, energy blasts, and screams of the dying.

	Edmund shifted from his hidden position and brought the high-caliber projectile sniper rifle to his shoulders. He lined up the scope with his ~~eyes~~ and took aim into the hanger.		Edmund shifted from his hidden position and brought the high-caliber projectile sniper rifle to his shoulders. He lined up the scope with his eye and took aim into the hanger.

	"<u>Judges coming through!</u>"		"<u>Judges coming through!</u>"
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	"<u>Mark!</u>"		"<u>Mark!</u>"

	Edmund fired again, just before everyone's attention shifted. The call they were all ~~been~~ waiting for finally came through.		Edmund fired again, just before everyone's attention shifted. The call they were all waiting for finally came through.

	"<u>Done!</u>" declared Haidar. "<u>Let's get the hell outta here!</u>"		"<u>Done!</u>" declared Haidar. "<u>Let's get the hell outta here!</u>"
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	"<u>Lysette, take front and let Haidar help Kaplan. We only have a few more minutes left!</u>" Arkadi continued as he bent over to pick up the three high-caliber starsteel rounds -- the only traces that remained of Edmund -- and pocketed it.		"<u>Lysette, take front and let Haidar help Kaplan. We only have a few more minutes left!</u>" Arkadi continued as he bent over to pick up the three high-caliber starsteel rounds -- the only traces that remained of Edmund -- and pocketed it.

	After shrinking his swordstaff and placing it back onto his belt, he turned towards Kannon with a pair of warm reassuring eyes. He then placed the chain's weight that he easily pulled up off the floor back into her hands.		After shrinking his swordstaff and placing it back onto his belt, he turned towards Kannon with a pair of warm reassuring eyes. He then placed the chain's weight that he easily pulled off the floor back into her hands.

	"<u>I'm deeply sorry for the shock brought by our unsightly actions, milady,</u>" he bowed as an apologetic and surprisingly sincere smile spread across his face. "<u>But we must be going.</u>"		"<u>I'm deeply sorry for the shock brought by our unsightly actions, milady,</u>" he bowed as an apologetic and surprisingly sincere smile spread across his face. "<u>But we must be going.</u>"

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:44, 26 December 2012
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	Uncertainty and fear seized my mind once again, pushing away all rational thought. My body unwittingly began to shift away from the hallway, centimeter by centimeter...		Uncertainty and fear seized my mind once again, pushing away all rational thought. My body unwittingly began to shift away from the hallway, centimeter by centimeter...

	The second person moved swiftly through the gap and towards me until he knelt down besides the cot~~. Meanwhile~~ the other two watched the hallway.		The second person moved swiftly through the gap and towards me until he knelt down besides the cot; meanwhile the other two watched the hallway.

	Even with only one side of his face illuminated by dim lighting, it was obvious that he was young, no older than twenty, with an appearance handsome enough to be considered beautiful. His features were a balanced mix between the old Caucasian and Orient ancestries, with a thin chin and a slightly feminine nose that I almost thought him a tall and handsome woman with the thin short ponytail he sported behind the short, black hair. But his most striking feature that effortlessly pulled in my attention was his deep violet-purple eyes, which seemed to radiate concern despite his cold and stern expression.		Even with only one side of his face illuminated by dim lighting, it was obvious that he was young, no older than twenty, with an appearance handsome enough to be considered beautiful. His features were a balanced mix between the old Caucasian and Orient ancestries, with a thin chin and a slightly feminine nose that I almost thought him a tall and handsome woman with the thin short ponytail he sported behind the short, black hair. But his most striking feature that effortlessly pulled in my attention was his deep violet-purple eyes, which seemed to radiate concern despite his cold and stern expression.
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	"<u>I'm surprised it's even this long; given how costly this stuff is nowadays.</u>"		"<u>I'm surprised it's even this long; given how costly this stuff is nowadays.</u>"

	Haidar then stepped back and pointed his right palm towards the floor where the chain disappeared into. "''Burst Hemisphere Down''," he began as three rings and an orb of burgundy-red light appeared once again. But this time, a rotating circular light array filled with geometric patterns and runes also conjured itself on the floor beneath his feet~~. Meanwhile~~ steam erupted from the rear of the swordstaff shaft he held, releasing several small metallic items that clanged as they bounced on the floor.		Haidar then stepped back and pointed his right palm towards the floor where the chain disappeared into. "''Burst Hemisphere Down''," he began as three rings and an orb of burgundy-red light appeared once again. But this time, a rotating circular light array filled with geometric patterns and runes also conjured itself on the floor beneath his feet; meanwhile steam erupted from the rear of the swordstaff shaft he held, releasing several small metallic items that clanged as they bounced on the floor.

	"''Void Disintegration''!"		"''Void Disintegration''!"
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	We hurried down the brig hallway, with the only girl on his team covering our backs from behind. Sounds of metal cutting into armor and several screams could be heard from ahead. But by the time we turned the corner, it was already over. Haidar soon released eight more rays which disintegrated the dead soldiers' bodies before we rushed on through the station's many corridors.		We hurried down the brig hallway, with the only girl on his team covering our backs from behind. Sounds of metal cutting into armor and several screams could be heard from ahead. But by the time we turned the corner, it was already over. Haidar soon released eight more rays which disintegrated the dead soldiers' bodies before we rushed on through the station's many corridors.

	Each time we approached a gate, its red status light would flip to green and open up right in front us~~. It then closed~~ and ~~went~~ back to red status after we passed. Someone was definitely aiding us from behind the scenes.		Each time we approached a gate, its red status light would flip to green and open up right in front us, before closing and going back to red status after we passed. Someone was definitely aiding us from behind the scenes.

	This continued for several minutes before an unfamiliar male voice, younger and softer than the earlier acknowledgements from the men here, passed through the channel:		This continued for several minutes before an unfamiliar male voice, younger and softer than the earlier acknowledgements from the men here, passed through the channel:
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	"<u>Marine squad inbound.</u>"		"<u>Marine squad inbound.</u>"

	Haidar and the rifleman Edmund immediately slammed themselves against the walls, taking cover behind two nearby bulwarks. ~~The~~ leading swordsman, presumably Kaplan, continued to run forward.		Haidar and the rifleman Edmund immediately slammed themselves against the walls, taking cover behind two nearby bulwarks. Meanwhile the leading swordsman, presumably Kaplan, continued to run forward.

	"''Burst Radial''," Haidar said as he aimed his swordstaff towards the intersection up ahead. Another orb of light expanded at the tip while a circular light array spun around his feet. A cloud of steam erupted from the back of his swordstaff as a tube extended out and ejected three smoking-hot cartridges in quick succession.		"''Burst Radial''," Haidar said as he aimed his swordstaff towards the intersection up ahead. Another orb of light expanded at the tip while a circular light array spun around his feet. A cloud of steam erupted from the back of his swordstaff as a tube extended out and ejected three smoking-hot cartridges in quick succession.
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	"<u>We only need a second, and to keep them from recognizing our actual faces,</u>" Arkadi explained. He then turned his gaze towards me, his eyes softening as he spoke: "<u>can you stand, milady?</u>"		"<u>We only need a second, and to keep them from recognizing our actual faces,</u>" Arkadi explained. He then turned his gaze towards me, his eyes softening as he spoke: "<u>can you stand, milady?</u>"

	My cheeks blushed to his choice of words. I nodded twice in response, still ~~sluggishly~~ but without hesitation.		My cheeks blushed to his choice of words. I nodded twice in response, still slow but without hesitation.

	Truth be told, my entire body was still aching, numb, and didn't want to move a single muscle. I was recovering much faster than expected, most likely thanks to the medicine he gave me; but the burning pain was only replaced with a feverish feeling that made every limb feel disconnected and distant.		Truth be told, my entire body was still aching, numb, and didn't want to move a single muscle. I was recovering much faster than expected, most likely thanks to the medicine he gave me; but the burning pain was only replaced with a feverish feeling that made every limb feel disconnected and distant.

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:14, 19 December 2012
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	I hardly even felt the thin sheets of the cold cot I was lying on.		I hardly even felt the thin sheets of the cold cot I was lying on.

	The alarms were shrieking yet again~~. Except~~ this time, instead of having woken up in a heated room and frantically realizing that the ship was being abandoned, I was helplessly laying on a cot inside a cold, dark cell with my left wrist chained to the floor.		The alarms were shrieking yet again; except this time, instead of having woken up in a heated room and frantically realizing that the ship was being abandoned, I was helplessly laying on a cot inside a cold, dark cell with my left wrist chained to the floor.

	My clothes, which hadn't been much to begin with, were ripped in numerous places. It left few pieces of tattered fabric that did little to cover myself.		My clothes, which hadn't been much to begin with, were ripped in numerous places. It left few pieces of tattered fabric that did little to cover myself.
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	Even with only one side of his face illuminated by dim lighting, it was obvious that he was young, no older than twenty, with an appearance handsome enough to be considered beautiful. His features were a balanced mix between the old Caucasian and Orient ancestries, with a thin chin and a slightly feminine nose that I almost thought him a tall and handsome woman with the thin short ponytail he sported behind the short, black hair. But his most striking feature that effortlessly pulled in my attention was his deep violet-purple eyes, which seemed to radiate concern despite his cold and stern expression.		Even with only one side of his face illuminated by dim lighting, it was obvious that he was young, no older than twenty, with an appearance handsome enough to be considered beautiful. His features were a balanced mix between the old Caucasian and Orient ancestries, with a thin chin and a slightly feminine nose that I almost thought him a tall and handsome woman with the thin short ponytail he sported behind the short, black hair. But his most striking feature that effortlessly pulled in my attention was his deep violet-purple eyes, which seemed to radiate concern despite his cold and stern expression.

	I tried to move my cracked lips. I didn't know what to say but I wanted to say something, anything, to get a response from this person that may clear my doubts~~. But~~ he pressed his index finger to my lips and gestured for silence.		I tried to move my cracked lips. I didn't know what to say but I wanted to say something, anything, to get a response from this person that may clear my doubts; but he pressed his index finger to my lips and gestured for silence.

	Then, taking my right hand gently, he pulled out a chrome ring and slipped it over my ring finger.		Then, taking my right hand gently, he pulled out a chrome ring and slipped it over my ring finger.
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	"''Select Split Four''," Haidar spoke the magical words yet again and shot out four more rays, focusing them around the cylinder. More of the floor vanished, dropping the chain's weight down into the compartment below.		"''Select Split Four''," Haidar spoke the magical words yet again and shot out four more rays, focusing them around the cylinder. More of the floor vanished, dropping the chain's weight down into the compartment below.

	Arkadi pulled it up with a single yank and caught it before passing it to me. The weight felt hollow, less than six inches long, and probably weighed around two kilos (4lbs)~~. But~~ it felt really heavy in my weakened arms.		Arkadi pulled it up with a single yank and caught it before passing it to me. The weight felt hollow, less than six inches long, and probably weighed around two kilos (4lbs); but it felt really heavy in my weakened arms.

	"<u>Hold on tight milady, you're in no state to walk out of here,</u>" said Arkadi. He reassured me once again with his eyes before putting his left hand under my legs and lifting me off the bed.		"<u>Hold on tight milady, you're in no state to walk out of here,</u>" said Arkadi. He reassured me once again with his eyes before putting his left hand under my legs and lifting me off the bed.
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	(Casters? Spellswords?)		(Casters? Spellswords?)

	My mind slowly grew more focused as the soothing warmth from Arkadi's arms and chest spread over me. But thinking about what was happening only seemed to confuse me in a different way. I realized that they were achieving supernatural results from those words they spoke, conjuring rays and drawing circles in the process as if casting spells~~. But~~, for it to actually be magic?		My mind slowly grew more focused as the soothing warmth from Arkadi's arms and chest spread over me. But thinking about what was happening only seemed to confuse me in a different way. I realized that they were achieving supernatural results from those words they spoke, conjuring rays and drawing circles in the process as if casting spells; but, for it to actually be magic?

	I thought they said I went through a wormhole, not the gateway to an alternative realm of fantasy that came straight out of a video game!		I thought they said I went through a wormhole, not the gateway to an alternative realm of fantasy that came straight out of a video game!
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	My cheeks blushed to his choice of words. I nodded twice in response, still sluggishly but without hesitation.		My cheeks blushed to his choice of words. I nodded twice in response, still sluggishly but without hesitation.

	Truth be told, my entire body was still aching, numb, and didn't want to move a single muscle. I was recovering much faster than expected, most likely thanks to the medicine he gave me~~. But~~ the burning pain was only replaced with a feverish feeling that made every limb feel disconnected and distant.		Truth be told, my entire body was still aching, numb, and didn't want to move a single muscle. I was recovering much faster than expected, most likely thanks to the medicine he gave me; but the burning pain was only replaced with a feverish feeling that made every limb feel disconnected and distant.

	However, I did regain enough recognition to realize that I was being far too helpless right now. In any other circumstance, I would probably be getting irritated at myself right about now for being so entirely dependent on another. He might be the knight in shining armor, but even being the damsel in distress had its limits.		However, I did regain enough recognition to realize that I was being far too helpless right now. In any other circumstance, I would probably be getting irritated at myself right about now for being so entirely dependent on another. He might be the knight in shining armor, but even being the damsel in distress had its limits.
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	"<u>Mark!</u>"		"<u>Mark!</u>"

	Edmund pulled the trigger a split second after Arkadi's order, then cursed over the channel~~. But~~ Arkadi's confirmation spoke otherwise:		Edmund pulled the trigger a split second after Arkadi's order, then cursed over the channel; but Arkadi's confirmation spoke otherwise:

	"<u>Graze-no--- crippled. Must have shattered ribs.</u>"		"<u>Graze-no--- crippled. Must have shattered ribs.</u>"