Avalon:Volume 0 Chapter 8 - Revision history

Aorii at 03:23, 24 April 2013

2013-04-24T03:23:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:23, 24 April 2013
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	==Chapter 8 - Bridging Time ~~and~~ Will==		==Chapter 8 - Bridging Time, Connecting Will==

	The torrent of blurred imagery felt like a simulation record played on fast-forward, moving through day after day at breakneck speed. The surrounding scenery switched between a multitude of locations, but was mostly either the rooms of a residential home or the classrooms of a school. Yet no matter which location the images showed, no matter how high the sun was in the day, there was always one thing in common.		The torrent of blurred imagery felt like a simulation record played on fast-forward, moving through day after day at breakneck speed. The surrounding scenery switched between a multitude of locations, but was mostly either the rooms of a residential home or the classrooms of a school. Yet no matter which location the images showed, no matter how high the sun was in the day, there was always one thing in common.

Aorii at 19:57, 22 April 2013

2013-04-22T19:57:26Z

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Aorii: 3P edit

2013-04-15T22:09:27Z

3P edit

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Aorii at 22:08, 15 April 2013

2013-04-15T22:08:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:08, 15 April 2013
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	\|-		\|-
	\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_7\|Chapter 7]]		\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_7\|Chapter 7]]
			\| Ref to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_8_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_9\|Chapter 9]]		\| Forward to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_9\|Chapter 9]]

Aorii at 05:00, 21 January 2013

2013-01-21T05:00:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:00, 21 January 2013
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	"Sorry, wrong room." The boy said in a half-apologetic tone before he turned around and began to walk back out. As he reached the doorway, he turned halfway around again and grabbed the handle to close it. Yet just as the door was about to slam shut, the kid suddenly pulled his right hand off the shoulders like he was yanking down his jacket, and pointed the covered gun barrel towards the admiral.		"Sorry, wrong room." The boy said in a half-apologetic tone before he turned around and began to walk back out. As he reached the doorway, he turned halfway around again and grabbed the handle to close it. Yet just as the door was about to slam shut, the kid suddenly pulled his right hand off the shoulders like he was yanking down his jacket, and pointed the covered gun barrel towards the admiral.

	The guards took a second too long to realize what was going on. Maybe they were lax because he was just a harmless ten year old kid in the wrong room; maybe it was because of the public location and they couldn't just finger their holsters over every little disruption. But before any of them even leveled their pistols' sights towards the boy, he had already unloaded half a dozen shots -- ~~needles sent out at hypersonic speeds by the small electromagnetic accelerator built inside the pistol~~.		The guards took a second too long to realize what was going on. Before any of them even leveled their pistols' sights towards the boy, he had already unloaded half a dozen shots -- old-fashioned chemically-propelled bullets.

	But although it seemed the boy had some knowledge in using handguns, his aim was far from perfect. The nearest officer's right shoulder burst with blood as a ~~needle~~ bury into it and exploded. The guard behind the admiral suffered a worse fate as three ~~needles~~ went into his torso, shattering his chest organs milliseconds later. Yet, even though the admiral stared straight at the boy and did not move a single muscle, not one of the projectiles managed to hit him.		But although it seemed the boy had some knowledge in using handguns, his aim was far from perfect. The nearest officer's right shoulder burst with blood as a bullet bury into it and exploded. The guard behind the admiral suffered a worse fate as three bullets went into his torso, shattering his chest organs milliseconds later. Yet, even though the admiral stared straight at the boy and did not move a single muscle, not one of the projectiles managed to hit him.

	Unfortunately for the boy, seven shots were all he had time for. The wooden door before him shattered as explosive needles buried into it~~, sending~~ splinters ~~out to pierce his body~~. His right arm was reduced to waste within a second as five more shots flew into it and destroyed both his elbow and shoulder.		Unfortunately for the boy, seven shots were all he had time for. The wooden door before him shattered as explosive needles -- shot out at hypersonic speeds by electromagnetic accelerators built within pistols -- buried into it and detonated. His cover broke into wooden fragments and pierced him with dozens of splinters. His right arm was reduced to waste within a second as five more shots flew into it and destroyed both his elbow and shoulder.

	He dropped to the ground with an excruciating scream as blood seeped through his white dress shirt. His right arm was bent in grotesque angles, two of which weren't even at joints.		He dropped to the ground with an excruciating scream as blood seeped through his white dress shirt. His right arm was bent in grotesque angles, two of which weren't even at joints.

Aorii at 17:40, 27 December 2012

2012-12-27T17:40:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:40, 27 December 2012
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	(Just what the hell was that?)		(Just what the hell was that?)

	A dream? I haven't dreamed since I was ten. Even then, none of them ever felt this real, nor did they remain in my mind with such clarity afterwards.		A dream? I haven't dreamed anything but my own memories since I was ten. Even then, none of them ever felt this real, nor did they remain in my mind with such clarity afterwards.

	The strangest part was simply that I wasn't even in my own dream.		The strangest part was simply that I wasn't even in my own dream.

Aorii: em-dash fix

2012-12-27T00:02:58Z

em-dash fix

Aorii at 07:08, 20 December 2012

2012-12-20T07:08:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:08, 20 December 2012
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	"With the target well-guarded and our goal to imitate the ''Amber Skies'', our choices shrink to only one: we will demolish the entire hotel with tactical thermonuclear charges."		"With the target well-guarded and our goal to imitate the ''Amber Skies'', our choices shrink to only one: we will demolish the entire hotel with tactical thermonuclear charges."

	The sudden gasp that escaped my mouth drew the attention of everyone across the table. A few of them were a little wide-eyed, but they maintained their composure nevertheless, a tribute to the experience of everyone gathered here. To be honest, I did ~~expected~~ something like this. But the fact we were planning the slaughter of thousands if not even more people, depending on the yields of those bombs, was just too overwhelming.		The sudden gasp that escaped my mouth drew the attention of everyone across the table. A few of them were a little wide-eyed, but they maintained their composure nevertheless, a tribute to the experience of everyone gathered here. To be honest, I did expect something like this. But the fact we were planning the slaughter of thousands if not even more people, depending on the yields of those bombs, was just too overwhelming.

	"Bernard and Hualing," Korey continued without hesitation, pulling everyone's attention back to the front. "The two of you will check into the hotel for the night, each with a warded demolition charge hidden in your vehicle. Stay inside to avoid any suspicion and take off into the air only when the hotel begins collapsing. Join up with the assault squads before returning to attack the collapsing structure."		"Bernard and Hualing," Korey continued without hesitation, pulling everyone's attention back to the front. "The two of you will check into the hotel for the night, each with a warded demolition charge hidden in your vehicle. Stay inside to avoid any suspicion and take off into the air only when the hotel begins collapsing. Join up with the assault squads before returning to attack the collapsing structure."

Aorii: major grammar pass (end of 2012)

2012-12-19T18:11:33Z

major grammar pass (end of 2012)

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Aorii at 16:38, 30 October 2012

2012-10-30T16:38:54Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 22:08, 15 April 2013
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	\|-		\|-
	\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_7\|Chapter 7]]		\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_7\|Chapter 7]]
			\| Ref to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_8_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_9\|Chapter 9]]		\| Forward to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_9\|Chapter 9]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:02, 27 December 2012
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	Even their parents seemed to be the best of friends. During the precious few days when they were home for more than just chores and sleep, both families would often cook and watch movies and take trips together.		Even their parents seemed to be the best of friends. During the precious few days when they were home for more than just chores and sleep, both families would often cook and watch movies and take trips together.

	The perpetuating smiles at the dinner table, the carefree laughter on the way home, the innocent cries of mirth in the park --- It was the image of two ideal families, their lives the very definition of happiness.		The perpetuating smiles at the dinner table, the carefree laughter on the way home, the innocent cries of mirth in the park -- It was the image of two ideal families, their lives the very definition of happiness.

	Then, one day, none of their parents returned. Nor did they return the next day. On the third day, the kids huddled together in a dark bedroom and wept until they fell asleep from exhaustion. They stayed inside the house for several days after that. The two older boys took turns comforting the little sister while they did their best to put together what passed for meals.		Then, one day, none of their parents returned. Nor did they return the next day. On the third day, the kids huddled together in a dark bedroom and wept until they fell asleep from exhaustion. They stayed inside the house for several days after that. The two older boys took turns comforting the little sister while they did their best to put together what passed for meals.
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	"Sorry, wrong room." The boy said in a half-apologetic tone before he turned around and began to walk back out. As he reached the doorway, he turned halfway around again and grabbed the handle to close it. Yet just as the door was about to slam shut, the kid suddenly pulled his right hand off the shoulders like he was yanking down his jacket, and pointed the covered gun barrel towards the admiral.		"Sorry, wrong room." The boy said in a half-apologetic tone before he turned around and began to walk back out. As he reached the doorway, he turned halfway around again and grabbed the handle to close it. Yet just as the door was about to slam shut, the kid suddenly pulled his right hand off the shoulders like he was yanking down his jacket, and pointed the covered gun barrel towards the admiral.

	The guards took a second too long to realize what was going on. Maybe they were lax because he was just a harmless ten year old kid in the wrong room; maybe it was because of the public location and they couldn't just finger their holsters over every little disruption. But before any of them even leveled their pistols' sights towards the boy, he had already unloaded half a dozen shots --~~- Needles~~ sent out at hypersonic speeds by the small electromagnetic accelerator built inside the pistol.		The guards took a second too long to realize what was going on. Maybe they were lax because he was just a harmless ten year old kid in the wrong room; maybe it was because of the public location and they couldn't just finger their holsters over every little disruption. But before any of them even leveled their pistols' sights towards the boy, he had already unloaded half a dozen shots -- needles sent out at hypersonic speeds by the small electromagnetic accelerator built inside the pistol.

	But although it seemed the boy had some knowledge in using handguns, his aim was far from perfect. The nearest officer's right shoulder burst with blood as a needle bury into it and exploded. The guard behind the admiral suffered a worse fate as three needles went into his torso, shattering his chest organs milliseconds later. Yet, even though the admiral stared straight at the boy and did not move a single muscle, not one of the projectiles managed to hit him.		But although it seemed the boy had some knowledge in using handguns, his aim was far from perfect. The nearest officer's right shoulder burst with blood as a needle bury into it and exploded. The guard behind the admiral suffered a worse fate as three needles went into his torso, shattering his chest organs milliseconds later. Yet, even though the admiral stared straight at the boy and did not move a single muscle, not one of the projectiles managed to hit him.
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	The kid's expression was almost frozen, stunned in shock by the sheer inconceivability of what he heard and the clear impression that the man before him was utterly insane...		The kid's expression was almost frozen, stunned in shock by the sheer inconceivability of what he heard and the clear impression that the man before him was utterly insane...

	"Shame, it appears decisiveness is not a virtue. Well, it's been an interesting time, boy---"		"Shame, it appears decisiveness is not a virtue. Well, it's been an interesting time, boy--"


	<nowiki>-------</nowiki>		<nowiki>-----</nowiki>


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	I've been seeing things ever since I went through that shipwreck, and even more since I came to this world. Information that I wasn't supposed to know popped up before my eyes, while illusions that should have fooled my senses looked like they were merely a transparent shadow.		I've been seeing things ever since I went through that shipwreck, and even more since I came to this world. Information that I wasn't supposed to know popped up before my eyes, while illusions that should have fooled my senses looked like they were merely a transparent shadow.

	Was this 'dream' yet another one of those? I didn't know. I didn't have a way to know. But somehow, somehow I felt like I knew---		Was this 'dream' yet another one of those? I didn't know. I didn't have a way to know. But somehow, somehow I felt like I knew--

	(This 'dream' was real. This really did happen.)		(This 'dream' was real. This really did happen.)
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	Most of the spell-words however, belonged in the last category: the effect words (or more common than not, effect phrases) which really defined what a spell was capable of. The database Captain Arkadi gave me listed most of the commonly known ones, ranging from conjuring acid to controlling weather. They were grouped into six schools: ''alchemy'' and ''enchantment'' shaped the physical and the mental states, ''divination'' and ''illusion'' governed the access and counterfeiting of information, while ''conjuration'' and ''evocation'' created physical and spiritual entities and phenomenons. The spell-words were further broken down with subschools, descriptors, and power grades, then appended with a comprehensive list of information ranging from the emotional states required for a most effective cast to its etymology and common use cases.		Most of the spell-words however, belonged in the last category: the effect words (or more common than not, effect phrases) which really defined what a spell was capable of. The database Captain Arkadi gave me listed most of the commonly known ones, ranging from conjuring acid to controlling weather. They were grouped into six schools: ''alchemy'' and ''enchantment'' shaped the physical and the mental states, ''divination'' and ''illusion'' governed the access and counterfeiting of information, while ''conjuration'' and ''evocation'' created physical and spiritual entities and phenomenons. The spell-words were further broken down with subschools, descriptors, and power grades, then appended with a comprehensive list of information ranging from the emotional states required for a most effective cast to its etymology and common use cases.

	The spellwords themselves can be changed based on the learner's preferences. After all, they were merely mnemonics for the process of configuring one's magic-conduit nerves in a partial spell array. But that also meant it was best not to use words and phrases spoken in everyday life --- hence why the 1st and 2nd Districts taught its mages in latin, while the 3rd varied to several ancient dialects (e.g. Old High German) depending on the trainee's cultural origins. These partial arrays were overlaid on top of each other as multiple words combined, forming runic arrays within one's body that shaped the ether which passed through into manifested spells.		The spellwords themselves can be changed based on the learner's preferences. After all, they were merely mnemonics for the process of configuring one's magic-conduit nerves in a partial spell array. But that also meant it was best not to use words and phrases spoken in everyday life -- hence why the 1st and 2nd Districts taught its mages in latin, while the 3rd varied to several ancient dialects (e.g. Old High German) depending on the trainee's cultural origins. These partial arrays were overlaid on top of each other as multiple words combined, forming runic arrays within one's body that shaped the ether which passed through into manifested spells.

	Between all the terminology and the rules that governed its use, learning the wordspell magic system was like adapting to a new language --- one mixed with the 'physics' of how it alters reality.		Between all the terminology and the rules that governed its use, learning the wordspell magic system was like adapting to a new language -- one mixed with the 'physics' of how it alters reality.

	The microwave beeped to signal that it has finished heating my food. I took the carton out, moved it back to the counter, and looked for a spoon in the drawers...		The microwave beeped to signal that it has finished heating my food. I took the carton out, moved it back to the counter, and looked for a spoon in the drawers...
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	I couldn't turn around. I have no idea how I should turn around to face him.		I couldn't turn around. I have no idea how I should turn around to face him.

	(What should I say? What kind of impression should I make? What---)		(What should I say? What kind of impression should I make? What--)

	Before my mind could even spare enough to recognize his closing steps, his hand had already reached that of my own. Yet even though his touch was soft and gentle, the resonating feelings that shot up my nerves were nothing short of icy dread.		Before my mind could even spare enough to recognize his closing steps, his hand had already reached that of my own. Yet even though his touch was soft and gentle, the resonating feelings that shot up my nerves were nothing short of icy dread.
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	I swallowed and pressed with every fiber of logic my mind could summon to calm myself down.		I swallowed and pressed with every fiber of logic my mind could summon to calm myself down.

	(Last night had been an exception, and Arkadi is back to his usual self now. Nothing bad should happen as long as I behave myself --- right?)		(Last night had been an exception, and Arkadi is back to his usual self now. Nothing bad should happen as long as I behave myself -- right?)

	As Arkadi slowly pulled my right hand over and clasped it between his two palms, I gradually turned to face him. A bittersweet smile had filled his comely appearance, and his fatigued yet bright eyes radiated both apology and sincerity.		As Arkadi slowly pulled my right hand over and clasped it between his two palms, I gradually turned to face him. A bittersweet smile had filled his comely appearance, and his fatigued yet bright eyes radiated both apology and sincerity.
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	With the introduction finished, Arkadi stepped aside to let Korey come stand in the front of the large meeting room built right above the operations room. Other than the presence of Arkadi's team of five and myself, there were also twenty other officers of the ''Black Hand'' seated around the long table.		With the introduction finished, Arkadi stepped aside to let Korey come stand in the front of the large meeting room built right above the operations room. Other than the presence of Arkadi's team of five and myself, there were also twenty other officers of the ''Black Hand'' seated around the long table.

	I was quite surprised when Arkadi invited me to this meeting. After all, I was neither a member of the ''Black Hand'' nor a soldier of military experience; two days spent studying spells was hardly even the experience expected of amateurs. But Arkadi seemed serious about his offer to prepare me as a potential member for his team. I guess helping to support this mission would be yet another test --- even if I had no clue what I should do.		I was quite surprised when Arkadi invited me to this meeting. After all, I was neither a member of the ''Black Hand'' nor a soldier of military experience; two days spent studying spells was hardly even the experience expected of amateurs. But Arkadi seemed serious about his offer to prepare me as a potential member for his team. I guess helping to support this mission would be yet another test -- even if I had no clue what I should do.

	"Based on information provided by Node Eighteen, the target, Marshal Sidika Krivoshein, is staying in the embassy suites of the fifty-five floor ''Ambassador Towers'' hotel in central Rennes. Her suites stretch across the entirety of the 54th floor, while her guards also occupy both the 53rd and 55th floors. Security is tight, and even the hotel workers have limited access on the upper two floors. Yet despite all that, the Marshal and most of her guards are traveling incognito as a corporate negotiation team. Only the guards stationed on the 55th floor penthouse suite are posing as 3rd District emissaries, here to work out details for the 3rd Marshal's 'impending trip' to the military conference."		"Based on information provided by Node Eighteen, the target, Marshal Sidika Krivoshein, is staying in the embassy suites of the fifty-five floor ''Ambassador Towers'' hotel in central Rennes. Her suites stretch across the entirety of the 54th floor, while her guards also occupy both the 53rd and 55th floors. Security is tight, and even the hotel workers have limited access on the upper two floors. Yet despite all that, the Marshal and most of her guards are traveling incognito as a corporate negotiation team. Only the guards stationed on the 55th floor penthouse suite are posing as 3rd District emissaries, here to work out details for the 3rd Marshal's 'impending trip' to the military conference."
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	The girl with long flowing hazelnut hair couldn't have been a year over twenty, yet her rose-colored eyes managed to project a stern and unyielding demeanor despite their soft hue. Her plate armor also screamed archaic in this day and age.		The girl with long flowing hazelnut hair couldn't have been a year over twenty, yet her rose-colored eyes managed to project a stern and unyielding demeanor despite their soft hue. Her plate armor also screamed archaic in this day and age.

	"The auxilia troopers Sidika brought are all from Kayeten's elite 36th Brigade, likely hand-picked by the Lancet Centurion. Although Kayeten may have earned his fame as a METAAC ace pilot, I should remind everyone of the METAAC mech's unified humanoid control qualities --- the fast reflexes and high shooting accuracy he is known for as a pilot will apply to personal combat as well."		"The auxilia troopers Sidika brought are all from Kayeten's elite 36th Brigade, likely hand-picked by the Lancet Centurion. Although Kayeten may have earned his fame as a METAAC ace pilot, I should remind everyone of the METAAC mech's unified humanoid control qualities -- the fast reflexes and high shooting accuracy he is known for as a pilot will apply to personal combat as well."

	Kayeten's golden-haired green-eyed pretty boy profile image, complete with a charming smile to show off his brilliantly white teeth, shrank back into the sphere of personnel bios. The holo-projector then replaced it with the hotel's structural map.		Kayeten's golden-haired green-eyed pretty boy profile image, complete with a charming smile to show off his brilliantly white teeth, shrank back into the sphere of personnel bios. The holo-projector then replaced it with the hotel's structural map.
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	I was at a complete loss on what to do now.		I was at a complete loss on what to do now.

	I wanted to help Arkadi. In any other circumstance, I would be ecstatic to be given a role as crucial as mission coordination. But~~---~~		I wanted to help Arkadi. In any other circumstance, I would be ecstatic to be given a role as crucial as mission coordination. But...

	This was a mission aimed at nothing more than to obliterate everyone within vicinity. Did I really want to become an accomplice to such cold-blooded mass murder?		This was a mission aimed at nothing more than to obliterate everyone within vicinity. Did I really want to become an accomplice to such cold-blooded mass murder?