Free States of the Crescent

[Through the Living Elan He/Him]

3 minutes ago, Spark of Hope said:

He chuckled. “Let’s wander around then. If you see something you want to try, we’ll do it.”

"Okay, wandering. I'm good at wandering."

[Through the Living Hope]

Just now, Ancient Elantrian said:

"Okay, wandering. I'm good at wandering."

He left money on the table for their meal and tip and stood. 

[The Stormfather He/Him]

15 hours ago, Spark of Hope said:

“Yeah. So what do you want to do?”

@The Stormfather

Lily answered. “Hi, Mark.” She noticed his distress. “Is something wrong?”

"Yes, yes something is very wrong!" Mark stumbles through the door. "Does this house have a basement? If so, get everyone in it, except those of you who know how to and are willing to... to fight."

Mark glanced behind his back.

"Everyone!" He shouted into the house. "Get to somewhere you can stay safely and find some kind of weapon!"

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For this bit the italics are Mark's thoughts and not the Killer, btw.

The maps. The markers were on important places from Mare and I's lives. Either they're coming here to kill us, or those two things are unrelated.

They've already attacked the Steele base a number of times, when I wasn't there. Logically ,they would go somewhere else, if they were trying to attack me and not the Steeles.

Or, they are trying to attack the Steeles and that map wasn't just about me, but about all of us.

But then what about Mare's map? It could've been in reference to her family, but there's no reason for them to want to kill them, if they are attacking us because of the revolution.

It must be me that they're targeting. The revolutionists. They want to hurt the Steeles, so the main target would be the Shardbearer and half-leader of them. Right?

"Adris." Mark muttered.

They would want to kill me and Adris. Adris is in no position to fight. None of them are, after Maj's death.

Maybe that's why they're attacking now, of all times.

Would they go straight for Adris, or would they come here if they knew where I was? 

"Lily, get away from any windows. Get the others to do the same. I... There are people coming here, who want me, Marewill and Adris dead. Maybe all of us. They don't seem to have a lot of Invested people, but there are at least ten people with guns coming towards us right now."

Mark took off his pack, taking out the two hooked daggers. 

Sometimes you need a human.

Sometimes you need a soother.

Sometimes you need an Edgedancer.

Right now, you need a killer.

"We're going out there, to fight them." Mark said. Mist curled around one hand, and for the first time, the Killer accepted the oaths that he had sworn.

He strapped one of the daggers to his belt, and in it's place a gleaming, silver scimitar appeared.

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TLDR : Guys with guns coming to house, Mark yell about it and Mark go out to fight them.

 

Edited February 8, 2025 by The Stormfather

[Through the Living Hope]

6 minutes ago, The Stormfather said:

"Yes, yes something is very wrong!" Mark stumbles through the door. "Does this house have a basement? If so, get everyone in it, except those of you who know how to and are willing to... to fight."

Mark glanced behind his back.

"Everyone!" He shouted into the house. "Get to somewhere you can stay safely and find some kind of weapon!"

The maps. The markers were on important places from Mare and I's lives. Either they're coming here to kill us, or those two things are unrelated.

They've already attacked the Steele base a number of times, when I wasn't there. Logically ,they would go somewhere else, if they were trying to attack me and not the Steeles.

Or, they are trying to attack the Steeles and that map wasn't just about me, but about all of us.

But then what about Mare's map? It could've been in reference to her family, but there's no reason for them to want to kill them, if they are attacking us because of the revolution.

It must be me that they're targeting. The revolutionists. They want to hurt the Steeles, so the main target would be the Shardbearer and half-leader of them. Right?

"Adris." Mark muttered.

They would want to kill me and Adris. Adris is in no position to fight. None of them are, after Maj's death.

Maybe that's why they're attacking now, of all times.

Would they go straight for Adris, or would they come here if they knew where I was? 

"Lily, get away from any windows. Get the others to do the same. I... There are people coming here, who want me, Marewill and Adris dead. Maybe all of us. They don't seem to have a lot of Invested people, but there are at least ten people with guns coming towards us right now."

Mark took off his pack, taking out the two hooked daggers. 

Sometimes you need a human.

Sometimes you need a soother.

Sometimes you need an Edgedancer.

Right now, you need a killer.

"We're going out there, to fight them." Mark said. Mist curled around one hand, and for the first time, the Killer accepted the oaths that he had sworn.

He strapped one of the daggers to his belt, and in it's place a gleaming, silver scimitar appeared.

 

Lily took a step backward, tears starting to form. 

Fortunately, Mark had been heard throughout the house. 

Rashi grabbed the young girl’s wrist and pulled her down to the basement. The rest of Tinker’s family followed.

@Magi

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Read the quote box for context 

There was a banging on the door. Marewill folded the paper, gloves still on, and hid it in her shoe. She opened it and was pushed back at the people flooding in. 

Her little sister wrapped her arms around her abdomen. “Willy!”

She squatted down, putting a hand on Lily’s cheek. “Lily, what’s happening?”

”We’re under attack,” Rashi answered. 

~~~

Falr and Milay were ready to help Mark fight. 

[The Stormfather He/Him]

3 minutes ago, Spark of Hope said:

Lily took a step backward, tears starting to form. 

Fortunately, Mark had been heard throughout the house. 

Rashi grabbed the young girl’s wrist and pulled her down to the basement. The rest of Tinker’s family followed.

@Magi

There was a banging on the door. Marewill folded the paper, gloves still on, and hid it in her shoe. She opened it and was pushed back at the people flooding in. 

Her little sister wrapped her arms around her abdomen. “Willy!”

She squatted down, putting a hand on Lily’s cheek. “Lily, what’s happening?”

”We’re under attack,” Rashi answered. 

~~~

Falr and Milay were ready to help Mark fight. 

Mark nods to Falr and Milay. "Try to stay out of the thick of the fight. I have a good amount of stormlight, so it would be best if they were shooting at me. I'm going to have to get in close to them, and try to cause chaos within their group with my Blade. I do need a way to get close to them without getting shot several dozen times before I even reach them. If you two could provide a destraction of some kind, I could slide at them and get into the middle of their group."

"My Spren said that they're coming from this way." Mark points up one of the streets. "They might go to the Steele base. The problem is, after they saw that Maj died... Well, they're all drunk and grieving. If they make it to the Steele base... All of them die."

"That's why I need to go out there, to fight them. I- I apologize in advance for any damage to your house."

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What weapons and/or investiture to Falr and Milay have?

 

[Through the Living Hope]

3 minutes ago, The Stormfather said:

Mark nods to Falr and Milay. "Try to stay out of the thick of the fight. I have a good amount of stormlight, so it would be best if they were shooting at me. I'm going to have to get in close to them, and try to cause chaos within their group with my Blade. I do need a way to get close to them without getting shot several dozen times before I even reach them. If you two could provide a destraction of some kind, I could slide at them and get into the middle of their group."

"My Spren said that they're coming from this way." Mark points up one of the streets. "They might go to the Steele base. The problem is, after they saw that Maj died... Well, they're all drunk and grieving. If they make it to the Steele base... All of them die."

"That's why I need to go out there, to fight them. I- I apologize in advance for any damage to your house."

 

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Milay is a Coinshot and they both can use spores

Also, I don’t want to Rp out too many scenes at once, but if they’re attacking Mare’s house her mom has feruchemical pewter

“You gave us a heads up. That gave us time to prepare.”

~~~

Hiding in a corner in the small basement room, Marewill sat curled on the floor with her sister in her lap. Lily had buried her face in Mare’s chest and had started to cry. Mare rubbed her back and kissed her head. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “I got you.”

[The Stormfather He/Him]

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I'm a bit busy at the moment but I can write them arriving in a bit, once I get back home to my laptop.

 

[Through the Living Hope]

11 minutes ago, The Stormfather said:

 

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K!

 

[The Stormfather He/Him]

Mark steps outside the house.

Let me fight them.

"No. You don't have oaths, stormlight, or a Blade."

You can give the blade to other people. Let me wield it. You know that I'm better at fighting than you.

"I'm not risking a single gunshot being able to kill you. With this light, I can heal."

Mark's palms were sweaty, the two blades, one from the Games and one from the Rusted, in the time before, were slick in his hands. He couldn't see anyone up and down the street, and for a moment reconsidered if whether the group would be coming to the Tribute's house, or whether they might be going to the Steele HQ like he had originally thought.

Make a shield. Now!

The Killer's voice shouted in his mind. He echoed the thought to his Spren, making a large, silvery shield in front of his body. A moment later, he heard a gunshot and a bullet bounce off of the shield.

The were here.

There were eleven of them, in military gear, most with long rifles. One was holding a smaller pistol in one hand, but his outfit contained a sword, most likely for if Mark went in close, as he often did, and several ropes.

Awakener. Fight them from far, try to steal one of the guns. Don't let him hit you with one of the ropes.

"I can cut it with my Blade." Mark grunted from behind his shield.

That takes time without a shield. You need to get in close and-

"I know my own powers." Mark hissed. His shield widened, and he slowly crouched down. He leapt forward, tucking his body behind the shield and Slicking the bottom of his body.

Spikes grew on the front of his shield as he raced forwards at a high speed, slamming into one of the men. 

There was a heavy thud as he crashed into the enemy, and smelled smoke as eyes burned.

The eleven had been spread out in a line, with the Awakener predictably in the middle. He had hit on the side, and he quickly turned his shield, though one bullet grazed his side.

My light's draining. (Inner thought and not Killer)

The ten began advancing towards him.

@Spark of Hope

[Through the Living Hope]

1 minute ago, The Stormfather said:

Mark steps outside the house.

Let me fight them.

"No. You don't have oaths, stormlight, or a Blade."

You can give the blade to other people. Let me wield it. You know that I'm better at fighting than you.

"I'm not risking a single gunshot being able to kill you. With this light, I can heal."

Mark's palms were sweaty, the two blades, one from the Games and one from the Rusted, in the time before, were slick in his hands. He couldn't see anyone up and down the street, and for a moment reconsidered if whether the group would be coming to the Tribute's house, or whether they might be going to the Steele HQ like he had originally thought.

Make a shield. Now!

The Killer's voice shouted in his mind. He echoed the thought to his Spren, making a large, silvery shield in front of his body. A moment later, he heard a gunshot and a bullet bounce off of the shield.

The were here.

There were eleven of them, in military gear, most with long rifles. One was holding a smaller pistol in one hand, but his outfit contained a sword, most likely for if Mark went in close, as he often did, and several ropes.

Awakener. Fight them from far, try to steal one of the guns. Don't let him hit you with one of the ropes.

"I can cut it with my Blade." Mark grunted from behind his shield.

That takes time without a shield. You need to get in close and-

"I know my own powers." Mark hissed. His shield widened, and he slowly crouched down. He leapt forward, tucking his body behind the shield and Slicking the bottom of his body.

Spikes grew on the front of his shield as he raced forwards at a high speed, slamming into one of the men. 

There was a heavy thud as he crashed into the enemy, and smelled smoke as eyes burned.

The eleven had been spread out in a line, with the Awakener predictably in the middle. He had hit on the side, and he quickly turned his shield, though one bullet grazed his side.

My light's draining. (Inner thought and not Killer)

The ten began advancing towards him.

@Spark of Hope

Marewill cradled her sister, whispering soothing words. Tinker rubbed his fianceé’s back and watched through his family’s bodies. 

[The Stormfather He/Him]

Mark grunted as the bullets hit his shield. He knew that before long, the enemy would've spread out and would be able to shoot around the shield. It was straining his bond, making a shield this large. Any further, and it would probably hurt his Spren.

He flared his brass, soothing away all confidence inside a few of them, making them take a few precious moments more in circling around his shield.

"Look's like the famed tribute has lost his edge, huh?" The Awakener sneers. "Can't use a Blade if you need a shield!"

You don't need a Shardblade to hurt people. You have a knife. The Killer said quickly.

Mark tilted his shield slightly, switching his dagger to his right hand, which was better at throwing. There weren't bullets hitting the shield anymore, and Mark thought it was because these men feared an extended fight in which they might run out. 

Readying himself, in a sudden motion one arm whipped out from behind the shield, launching his hooked dagger straight towards the man advancing to his right. Immediately bullets were fired, though none accurate enough to quick, stormlight enhanced movement.

It didn't kill the man, but struck him in the stomach, and hard. He keeled over, coughing. Mark quickly flared his brass and soothed their sense of confidence once more.

Fear makes combat impossible. Keep a level head, stand your ground, and strike hard and fast. Adris' words, once said to Mark, echoed now by the Killer in his head.

His mind raced to think of something else to do. He knew that the Killer, as well, didn't know a surefire way out of this scenario. Anything he could do was far too risky, but doing nothing at all was far more dangerous.

Each second you wait lets them get a better position on you. The Killer's words weren't exactly words anymore. They were thoughts, flying through quickly and not taking the actual time of speaking.

Still the nine remaining men advanced. They had known that Mark, and most Edgedancers, excelled at combat where they could cause chaos, where they could strike at whatever point was weakest and keep on sliding along. They had prepared, had known that they would have to fight him.

Step back.

Mark followed the instruction, confused. He nearly stumbled over the body with burned eyes he had left on the ground.

Mark grinned. The man's gun had not been damaged by the spikes on the front of the shield.

"You know, Marksmen, or whatever you're called, your parents really didn't teach you an important lesson." Mark said loudly, mostly to stall.

"Oh, really?" One man to his left said.

Oh, no. Mark, don't even think about sayin-

"They never taught you."

It was so stupid when you said it the first time-

"Never give an Edgedancer a machine gun."

Mark dropped down his left hand, snatching the gun. The shield warped in front of him, forming a hole for the barrel of the gun, and he quickly set it within. He couldn't very well see where his enemies were, but he had heard one of them speak.

He turned the shield slightly, firing several shots. He heard something drop, and quickly capitalized, sliding forwards, while spraying inaccurate bullets to his right side, to disrupt any returned shots as he slid.

He was nearly knocked down as his shield slammed into someone, burning out their eyes. He lifted his gun, now with almost all of the enemies in an arced line in front of him. A burst of bullet erupted from the barrel of the gun, knocking down another of the men.

Seven left. Awakener still alive.

Shots futilely pummelled his shield. He fired the gun several more times, though nothing hit, as the enemy had realized that he couldn't see them, so had moved. Probably. 

Knowing that he was unlikely to get any more hits without being able to see them, in a quick decision, he decided to quickly start moving his shield, and take a few steps, one way, drawing the aim in that direction, and peek out his head. The enemies were jogging out to try and get around him again, and he quickly snapped off a few shots to drop one of the men who was a bit too invested in circling around him, and had payed less attention on his gun. He did a small turn, firing bullets in an arc in front of him, hoping that it would hit someone.

Hit something it did, as one man fell. Mark could tell, as several bullets suddenly went up into the sky and he heard a cry of pain.

Six, including Awakener left.

@Spark of Hope  I just wanna pause so that I don't do the whole fight without anything else happening. If Falr or Milay want to intervene or you wanna RP inside the house or something, you can do it now. Or later. It depends on when you're online. And when you're online and  reading this whole giant post.

Quote

TLDR : Never give an Edgedancer a machine gun.

 

[Through the Living Hope]

23 minutes ago, The Stormfather said:

Mark grunted as the bullets hit his shield. He knew that before long, the enemy would've spread out and would be able to shoot around the shield. It was straining his bond, making a shield this large. Any further, and it would probably hurt his Spren.

He flared his brass, soothing away all confidence inside a few of them, making them take a few precious moments more in circling around his shield.

"Look's like the famed tribute has lost his edge, huh?" The Awakener sneers. "Can't use a Blade if you need a shield!"

You don't need a Shardblade to hurt people. You have a knife. The Killer said quickly.

Mark tilted his shield slightly, switching his dagger to his right hand, which was better at throwing. There weren't bullets hitting the shield anymore, and Mark thought it was because these men feared an extended fight in which they might run out. 

Readying himself, in a sudden motion one arm whipped out from behind the shield, launching his hooked dagger straight towards the man advancing to his right. Immediately bullets were fired, though none accurate enough to quick, stormlight enhanced movement.

It didn't kill the man, but struck him in the stomach, and hard. He keeled over, coughing. Mark quickly flared his brass and soothed their sense of confidence once more.

Fear makes combat impossible. Keep a level head, stand your ground, and strike hard and fast. Adris' words, once said to Mark, echoed now by the Killer in his head.

His mind raced to think of something else to do. He knew that the Killer, as well, didn't know a surefire way out of this scenario. Anything he could do was far too risky, but doing nothing at all was far more dangerous.

Each second you wait lets them get a better position on you. The Killer's words weren't exactly words anymore. They were thoughts, flying through quickly and not taking the actual time of speaking.

Still the nine remaining men advanced. They had known that Mark, and most Edgedancers, excelled at combat where they could cause chaos, where they could strike at whatever point was weakest and keep on sliding along. They had prepared, had known that they would have to fight him.

Step back.

Mark followed the instruction, confused. He nearly stumbled over the body with burned eyes he had left on the ground.

Mark grinned. The man's gun had not been damaged by the spikes on the front of the shield.

"You know, Marksmen, or whatever you're called, your parents really didn't teach you an important lesson." Mark said loudly, mostly to stall.

"Oh, really?" One man to his left said.

Oh, no. Mark, don't even think about sayin-

"They never taught you."

It was so stupid when you said it the first time-

"Never give an Edgedancer a machine gun."

Mark dropped down his left hand, snatching the gun. The shield warped in front of him, forming a hole for the barrel of the gun, and he quickly set it within. He couldn't very well see where his enemies were, but he had heard one of them speak.

He turned the shield slightly, firing several shots. He heard something drop, and quickly capitalized, sliding forwards, while spraying inaccurate bullets to his right side, to disrupt any returned shots as he slid.

He was nearly knocked down as his shield slammed into someone, burning out their eyes. He lifted his gun, now with almost all of the enemies in an arced line in front of him. A burst of bullet erupted from the barrel of the gun, knocking down another of the men.

Seven left. Awakener still alive.

Shots futilely pummelled his shield. He fired the gun several more times, though nothing hit, as the enemy had realized that he couldn't see them, so had moved. Probably. 

Knowing that he was unlikely to get any more hits without being able to see them, in a quick decision, he decided to quickly start moving his shield, and take a few steps, one way, drawing the aim in that direction, and peek out his head. The enemies were jogging out to try and get around him again, and he quickly snapped off a few shots to drop one of the men who was a bit too invested in circling around him, and had payed less attention on his gun. He did a small turn, firing bullets in an arc in front of him, hoping that it would hit someone.

Hit something it did, as one man fell. Mark could tell, as several bullets suddenly went up into the sky and he heard a cry of pain.

Six, including Awakener left.

@Spark of Hope  I just wanna pause so that I don't do the whole fight without anything else happening. If Falr or Milay want to intervene or you wanna RP inside the house or something, you can do it now. Or later. It depends on when you're online. And when you're online and  reading this whole giant post.

 

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Nah, just mega post. I’m on my phone the rest of the day 

 

[The Stormfather He/Him]

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I typed a good part of this with caps lock on by accident.

XD

Mark growled, arm aching from holding the shield. His light bolstered him, but the large, bulky object was heavy nonetheless. A few bullets clanged off of it as he took a few steps back, eyes flicking from side to side nervously.

As soon as one of them gets around your shield, you're dead.

"I know." Mark backpedaled quicker, firing one shot straight forwards. It didn't hit anything.

They were converging on him quickly. He wasn't going to be able to escape fast enough. If only there was a way he could move backwards without turning around-

Wait.

Mark slicked his feet, pushing off the ground with his shield and sliding quickly backwards. He pushed a few more times, gaining speed as he sped backwards along the street. Bullets fired after him, trying to hit his hands and feet as he moved the shield.

Thankfully, none did.

The enemies began advancing, but didn't want to risk jogging or running while holding active assault rifles while being shot at.

Smart guys.

"That's the problem."

There were bullets being fired at him, though most were missing his shield now, with how far he was away from his assailants. 

He dropped the shield for a moment, slicking his feet and leaping to the side. It let him get a view of where his enemies were, and got them closer to the potential of running out of ammunition. His shield reappeared after he slid a few feet, and he fired his gun a few times back out at the enemy. 

Mark. You're not going to win this.

"I'm fine."

How long can you pull the same tricks before you run out of Light to slide around?

"Damn."

Mark sighed. "No." He tried to fire the gun again, but it clicked. "Crud."

Mark slicked his feet once more, draining his light to the tiniest glow within him. Leaping forwards, he sped towards the enemy at a blurring pace. He knelt down, shield tilted sideways and extending slightly to block his quick-moving body.

 

Crack!

He heard bones break as he slammed against one man's legs, driving straight past as he flipped over behind him.

Mark spun and drove a Shardblade into his chest, leaping backwards and snatching his rifle. He resummoned a shield on his back, blocking several bullets from behind while blasting out a spray of lead, dropping another man.

He flared brass once more, soothing away every emotion that he could except for nervousness with the last of his brass. 

They hesitated.

"Do it."

They hesitated for barely a second.

The Killer didn't need a second. With Mark summoning a dagger for him, he leapt forwards, low to the ground, stabbing and buring the eyes out of the next man in line, spinning around his falling body to block the incoming bullets. 

He flicked his wrist, throwing the dagger straight into a third man. He grabbed a fallen rifle, leaping to the side while firing.

Another fell dead.

The Awakener muttered something and tossed one of his ropes towards the Killer with shocking accuracy. The Sharddagger reappeared in his hand, and he sliced it out of the air, simultaneously throwing the dagger the Awakener's direction. 

The man ducked quickly aside, lifting his pistol alongside the other two remaining men and opening fire.

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I spoilered this bit because it's a bit morbid. 

Spoiler

The Killer kicked up the fallen man from beside him as the bullets flew, blocking several. He smoothly dropped down to one knee, using his arms and one foot to launch the man forwards as the dagger reformed in his hand, launching it back out towards the man on his left. He fell with burned out eyes.

The dagger formed back in his hand quickly, and he slashed the military vest off of the fallen man in front of him and, with a spin, flung it at the Awakener while dodging around with quick steps and ducks. The Awakener cursed and ducked to the side, where the Killer leapt towards him, slashing with his dagger.

The Awakener drove a fist forwards towards him, and the Killer grabbed the arm, yanking him forwards and spinning around him, throwing the Awakener in between the Killer and the remaining gunman. His dagger swung upwards, but his arm was caught by the Awakener, who raised his pistol.

The Killer's knee drove up, knocking the pistol from the enemy's hand.

The other man had circled around.

He didn't see the dagger flying through the air. As the Awakener and the Killer wrestled, he had launched the knife out from the fight, hitting the last non-invested enemy.

The Awakener muttered 'hold things' and tossed a rope towards the Killer. He lifted his arms up and the rope wrapped around his midriff, not restraining either of his arms. One foot hooked out, catching the Awakener's ankle, and his hand slammed downwards.

The Awakener leaped to the side to avoid the strike, giving Mark enough time to take over for a moment and resummon the dagger. The Killer tossed a familiar type of dagger one last time, and struck down the Awakener.

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TLDR : Evil bad. Evil dead.

 

[Through the Living Hope]

18 minutes ago, The Stormfather said:

Mark growled, arm aching from holding the shield. His light bolstered him, but the large, bulky object was heavy nonetheless. A few bullets clanged off of it as he took a few steps back, eyes flicking from side to side nervously.

As soon as one of them gets around your shield, you're dead.

"I know." Mark backpedaled quicker, firing one shot straight forwards. It didn't hit anything.

They were converging on him quickly. He wasn't going to be able to escape fast enough. If only there was a way he could move backwards without turning around-

Wait.

Mark slicked his feet, pushing off the ground with his shield and sliding quickly backwards. He pushed a few more times, gaining speed as he sped backwards along the street. Bullets fired after him, trying to hit his hands and feet as he moved the shield.

Thankfully, none did.

The enemies began advancing, but didn't want to risk jogging or running while holding active assault rifles while being shot at.

Smart guys.

"That's the problem."

There were bullets being fired at him, though most were missing his shield now, with how far he was away from his assailants. 

He dropped the shield for a moment, slicking his feet and leaping to the side. It let him get a view of where his enemies were, and got them closer to the potential of running out of ammunition. His shield reappeared after he slid a few feet, and he fired his gun a few times back out at the enemy. 

Mark. You're not going to win this.

"I'm fine."

How long can you pull the same tricks before you run out of Light to slide around?

"Damn."

Mark sighed. "No." He tried to fire the gun again, but it clicked. "Crud."

Mark slicked his feet once more, draining his light to the tiniest glow within him. Leaping forwards, he sped towards the enemy at a blurring pace. He knelt down, shield tilted sideways and extending slightly to block his quick-moving body.

 

Crack!

He heard bones break as he slammed against one man's legs, driving straight past as he flipped over behind him.

Mark spun and drove a Shardblade into his chest, leaping backwards and snatching his rifle. He resummoned a shield on his back, blocking several bullets from behind while blasting out a spray of lead, dropping another man.

He flared brass once more, soothing away every emotion that he could except for nervousness with the last of his brass. 

They hesitated.

"Do it."

They hesitated for barely a second.

The Killer didn't need a second. With Mark summoning a dagger for him, he leapt forwards, low to the ground, stabbing and buring the eyes out of the next man in line, spinning around his falling body to block the incoming bullets. 

He flicked his wrist, throwing the dagger straight into a third man. He grabbed a fallen rifle, leaping to the side while firing.

Another fell dead.

The Awakener muttered something and tossed one of his ropes towards the Killer with shocking accuracy. The Sharddagger reappeared in his hand, and he sliced it out of the air, simultaneously throwing the dagger the Awakener's direction. 

The man ducked quickly aside, lifting his pistol alongside the other two remaining men and opening fire.

  Hide contents

The Killer kicked up the fallen man from beside him as the bullets flew, blocking several. He smoothly dropped down to one knee, using his arms and one foot to launch the man forwards as the dagger reformed in his hand, launching it back out towards the man on his left. He fell with burned out eyes.

The dagger formed back in his hand quickly, and he slashed the military vest off of the fallen man in front of him and, with a spin, flung it at the Awakener while dodging around with quick steps and ducks. The Awakener cursed and ducked to the side, where the Killer leapt towards him, slashing with his dagger.

The Awakener drove a fist forwards towards him, and the Killer grabbed the arm, yanking him forwards and spinning around him, throwing the Awakener in between the Killer and the remaining gunman. His dagger swung upwards, but his arm was caught by the Awakener, who raised his pistol.

The Killer's knee drove up, knocking the pistol from the enemy's hand.

The other man had circled around.

He didn't see the dagger flying through the air. As the Awakener and the Killer wrestled, he had launched the knife out from the fight, hitting the last non-invested enemy.

The Awakener muttered 'hold things' and tossed a rope towards the Killer. He lifted his arms up and the rope wrapped around his midriff, not restraining either of his arms. One foot hooked out, catching the Awakener's ankle, and his hand slammed downwards.

The Awakener leaped to the side to avoid the strike, giving Mark enough time to take over for a moment and resummon the dagger. The Killer tossed a familiar type of dagger one last time, and struck down the Awakener.

 

Quote

Oh my

I don’t know what to do with that, so continue!

 

[The Stormfather He/Him]

 

 

13 hours ago, Spark of Hope said:

 

Mark groans, turning around, looking at the fallen men around him. "You will be remembered." He murmurs.

Really? Why the hell would you want to remember them-

"Because they weren't as terrible as you think." Mark spat. "Not as terrible as you."

I just saved your life, you-

"Only because of my Blade. Which came from the oaths. So really, I'm the one who saved us."

You ungrateful little-

"Shut it." Mark, tired, and heart still beating far too quickly, began walking back towards the house, glancing over his shoulder every few steps. 

He eventually made it back to the house, stepping up to the door. He knocked once, wincing at the movement in his arm. The Killer had been moving quite quickly with his arms, swinging wildly to throw the knife to the point that it now ached. His other arm, that had been holding the heavy shield, was similarly exhausted.

He didn't want to hurt his hands by knocking on the door, so naturally he used his head.

To knock on the door.

"Someone call the storming coroner," He groaned.

[Through the Living Hope]

10 hours ago, The Stormfather said:

 

 

Mark groans, turning around, looking at the fallen men around him. "You will be remembered." He murmurs.

Really? Why the hell would you want to remember them-

"Because they weren't as terrible as you think." Mark spat. "Not as terrible as you."

I just saved your life, you-

"Only because of my Blade. Which came from the oaths. So really, I'm the one who saved us."

You ungrateful little-

"Shut it." Mark, tired, and heart still beating far too quickly, began walking back towards the house, glancing over his shoulder every few steps. 

He eventually made it back to the house, stepping up to the door. He knocked once, wincing at the movement in his arm. The Killer had been moving quite quickly with his arms, swinging wildly to throw the knife to the point that it now ached. His other arm, that had been holding the heavy shield, was similarly exhausted.

He didn't want to hurt his hands by knocking on the door, so naturally he used his head.

To knock on the door.

"Someone call the storming coroner," He groaned.

Mare looked up. Lily tightened her arms around her. 

“That sounds like knocking,” Rashi said. 

“Is that a risk we want to take?” Tinker asked. 

“Falr and Milay were still up there. Maybe they’ll know?”

~~~

Falr peeked out the window at Mark. “Mark?” He opened the door, then seeing the carnage that had been wreaked. 

[The Stormfather He/Him]

11 hours ago, Spark of Hope said:

Mare looked up. Lily tightened her arms around her. 

“That sounds like knocking,” Rashi said. 

“Is that a risk we want to take?” Tinker asked. 

“Falr and Milay were still up there. Maybe they’ll know?”

~~~

Falr peeked out the window at Mark. “Mark?” He opened the door, then seeing the carnage that had been wreaked. 

"It's me!" He shouted. "Fight's over. They're all...uh..Dead. I'm gonna go over to the Steele base, make sure they know that they don't need to be gettin' ready to spray bullets over everyone that comes near."

Mark, good job. Seriously.

Quote

I've decided that to make these italics less confusing, his Spren will be in green, the Killer will be in red and his inner thoughts will be regular italics.

"Thanks." Mark paused. "By the way, what's your name?"

We've been bonded for six years. Did you seriously never learn my nam-

"you never told me your name, so..."

My name is Alakyn.

"Huh."

There's still a bunch of people waiting to see if they can get out of their basement. Mark. 

"Oh, yeah." He knocked on the door again. "Everything's fine! You can come back out!"

[Through the Living Hope]

1 hour ago, The Stormfather said:

"It's me!" He shouted. "Fight's over. They're all...uh..Dead. I'm gonna go over to the Steele base, make sure they know that they don't need to be gettin' ready to spray bullets over everyone that comes near."

Mark, good job. Seriously.

"Thanks." Mark paused. "By the way, what's your name?"

We've been bonded for six years. Did you seriously never learn my nam-

"you never told me your name, so..."

My name is Alakyn.

"Huh."

There's still a bunch of people waiting to see if they can get out of their basement. Mark. 

"Oh, yeah." He knocked on the door again. "Everything's fine! You can come back out!"

“Thank you, Mark.”

Falr went down to the basement. “It’s clear, everyone.”

[The Stormfather He/Him]

Mark made his way over to the Steele base, returning to his regular breathing rhythm. Slowly.

He paused before entering the door, knowing that there would probably be several dozen guns aimed at it, and instead rapped his knuckles on the window.

"It's Mark!" He shouted.

There was some muffled movement from inside, and the door swung open. Adris nodded to him. 

"Everything's fine." Mark said. "I got them out on the road. They were headed for the Tribute's House."

Adris nodded. "Good. Are you hurt?" his speech was still slightly slurred from the alchohol. 

"No. I'm out of light, though." Mark grimaced. "And brass."

"Damn. We can get you some more brass fairly easily, though." Adris stepped inside. "Come in. I don't like the look of us standing outside without any cover."

Mark stepped inside, carefully avoiding the spikes that had been set at knee height just through the door. He also noticed multiple knives on strings in various places, hooked on the cieling in a way that they could all be dropped simultaneously.

"We may have gone overboard."

"I was gone for like 10 minutes!" Mark exclaimed.

"Them was a long ten minutes, Matt." One of the Steeles said from behind an overturned table. 

"The name's Mark, Jirrahei."

"I'm pretty durned sure that yer' parents named you Mattise, lad." 

"My name. Is. Mark."

"Okay, okay."

Adris pulled Mark to the side and up the stairs. "Is there anything else?" He asked.

"No. I just wanted to make sure you didn't spend hours pointing guns at those doors. I mean, there's no one else who's coming to attack us."

Adris grimaced. "You better be right. How many of em' did you fight?"

"Eleven." Mark responded.

"There're many more than eleven that we've seen, son." Adris said. "More than a score of the rusting cremlings, from what I've seen."

"We've seen the financial records. The only hired the Marksmen to fight, only payed for weapons for them." Mark said.

"Ah. Good." Adris nodded. "Want a drink?"

"No. And you are not  having any more." Mark said sternly. "You've had far too much today, Adris."

"So, where're you off to next?"

"I'm gonna clean the blood off my shirt and-" Mark looked down and groaned. "I think I need a new shirt."

"Yeah. You definitely do." 

"Then I'm going to head back to my house, and try to figure out what in hell is going on with these people."

___      ___       ___        ___        ___           ___        ___      ___       ___        ___        ___           ___           ___      ___       ___        ___        A few hours later, Mark, having cleaned up and grabbed a new set of clothes from his house, was wandering his way through the streets near his house.

Quote

These italics are thoughts, not the Killer or his Spren.

Why was the alleyway marked on their map as well? Why not my own house, where I live? None of this makes any sense! He paused to kick a pebble.

It kinda hurt his toe.

"Do they not even pay the people who were harassing the Steeles before?" He muttered. There was nothing on the financial records about that, unless the construction workers are doing that instead of actual construction. But the company is fairly reputable, and they get things done. Maybe they're getting payed extra?

But they're not! They are making slightly livable salaries. It doesn't make any sense. Somehow, they are paying these people outside of their overall budget, getting the money from nonexistence, and using it to annoy but not kill or arrest us. 

What is there goal? To confuse me? Why did they put so much money into equiping the Marksmen, when the weapons they had didn't account for that cost? Do they spend that much on ammunition?

Or...

"Oh, damn it." Was what they had found even real?

You need to get bac-

"I know!" Mark turned and dashed back towards the Steele base.

He stumbled over something, an outstreched gun barrel that he hadn't seen, and tumbled to the ground.

"Uh oh."

Something hit the back of his head, and everything went black.

[Through the Living Hope]

12 minutes ago, The Stormfather said:

Mark made his way over to the Steele base, returning to his regular breathing rhythm. Slowly.

He paused before entering the door, knowing that there would probably be several dozen guns aimed at it, and instead rapped his knuckles on the window.

"It's Mark!" He shouted.

There was some muffled movement from inside, and the door swung open. Adris nodded to him. 

"Everything's fine." Mark said. "I got them out on the road. They were headed for the Tribute's House."

Adris nodded. "Good. Are you hurt?" his speech was still slightly slurred from the alchohol. 

"No. I'm out of light, though." Mark grimaced. "And brass."

"Damn. We can get you some more brass fairly easily, though." Adris stepped inside. "Come in. I don't like the look of us standing outside without any cover."

Mark stepped inside, carefully avoiding the spikes that had been set at knee height just through the door. He also noticed multiple knives on strings in various places, hooked on the cieling in a way that they could all be dropped simultaneously.

"We may have gone overboard."

"I was gone for like 10 minutes!" Mark exclaimed.

"Them was a long ten minutes, Matt." One of the Steeles said from behind an overturned table. 

"The name's Mark, Jirrahei."

"I'm pretty durned sure that yer' parents named you Mattise, lad." 

"My name. Is. Mark."

"Okay, okay."

Adris pulled Mark to the side and up the stairs. "Is there anything else?" He asked.

"No. I just wanted to make sure you didn't spend hours pointing guns at those doors. I mean, there's no one else who's coming to attack us."

Adris grimaced. "You better be right. How many of em' did you fight?"

"Eleven." Mark responded.

"There're many more than eleven that we've seen, son." Adris said. "More than a score of the rusting cremlings, from what I've seen."

"We've seen the financial records. The only hired the Marksmen to fight, only payed for weapons for them." Mark said.

"Ah. Good." Adris nodded. "Want a drink?"

"No. And you are not  having any more." Mark said sternly. "You've had far too much today, Adris."

"So, where're you off to next?"

"I'm gonna clean the blood off my shirt and-" Mark looked down and groaned. "I think I need a new shirt."

"Yeah. You definitely do." 

"Then I'm going to head back to my house, and try to figure out what in hell is going on with these people."

___      ___       ___        ___        ___           ___        ___      ___       ___        ___        ___           ___           ___      ___       ___        ___        A few hours later, Mark, having cleaned up and grabbed a new set of clothes from his house, was wandering his way through the streets near his house.

Why was the alleyway marked on their map as well? Why not my own house, where I live? None of this makes any sense! He paused to kick a pebble.

It kinda hurt his toe.

"Do they not even pay the people who were harassing the Steeles before?" He muttered. There was nothing on the financial records about that, unless the construction workers are doing that instead of actual construction. But the company is fairly reputable, and they get things done. Maybe they're getting payed extra?

But they're not! They are making slightly livable salaries. It doesn't make any sense. Somehow, they are paying these people outside of their overall budget, getting the money from nonexistence, and using it to annoy but not kill or arrest us. 

What is there goal? To confuse me? Why did they put so much money into equiping the Marksmen, when the weapons they had didn't account for that cost? Do they spend that much on ammunition?

Or...

"Oh, damn it." Was what they had found even real?

You need to get bac-

"I know!" Mark turned and dashed back towards the Steele base.

He stumbled over something, an outstreched gun barrel that he hadn't seen, and tumbled to the ground.

"Uh oh."

Something hit the back of his head, and everything went black.

“Willy?” Lily said quietly. 

Marewill looked down at her. “Yeah?”

”I wanna go home… I’m scared..”

Mare squeezed and kissed her sister. “Okay, Lil. I’ll take you home.” She stood, her sister clinging onto her like a baby monkey. 

Tinker stood with her. “I’ll come with you. Don’t want to risk either of you two getting hurt.”

”No. Falr said it was clear, so we’ll be fine. I’ll probably stay home with Lily after this, so don’t worry about me.”

He looked like he wanted to protest, but he sighed. “Stay safe, Mare.”

She smiled and kissed his cheek. “I will.”

Saying goodbyes to his family with a clinging Lily around her neck, she left the house and began to head home. 

[Scars of Hathsin he/him]

Quote

What has happened here?

 

[Through the Living Hope]

8 hours ago, Scars of Hathsin said:

 

Quote

They’ve watched the Games in Tinker’s parents’ house 

Mark’s friend Maj died recently and no one has seen Winter’s death yet, I’ll get to reasoning in a sec

Marewill’s brother started dating Emma, the GM Alderic’s granddaughter, learned she was sick, and started researching hemalurgy (he’s a gold compounder) and wants to save her)

Mark and Marewill made up. There not besties, but they’re on speaking terms 

Mark asked Mare for help because the Steeles were being attacked by people, so they broke into a secret meeting place and stole financial records, which they said planned to anonymously report to the police. As of yet, they have not. 

People attacking the Steeles surrounded the house that everyone is in, and they hid in the basement. It’s clear now because Mark got rid of them, Edgedancer with a machine gun style

Turns out there were more in hiding and Mark got kidnapped.

Mare is taking her sister home 

 

[The Stormfather He/Him]

"We have eyes on her." 

"What about the child?"

"We keep to the plan."

"Fine. But I'm not the one who has to deal with the kid."

"Fine. Is Ardal's group in?"

"Yes. The coinshot was able to pop the window lock open. They climbed in."

"And we've taken Mattise?"

"Yes. Although, he did kill eleve-"

"I don't want to hear about losses."

"Yes. We captured Mattise."

"You lead them for now. I'm going to call the boss."

"Yes, Sir."

[Through the Living Hope]

14 minutes ago, The Stormfather said:

"We have eyes on her." 

"What about the child?"

"We keep to the plan."

"Fine. But I'm not the one who has to deal with the kid."

"Fine. Is Ardal's group in?"

"Yes. The coinshot was able to pop the window lock open. They climbed in."

"And we've taken Mattise?"

"Yes. Although, he did kill eleve-"

"I don't want to hear about losses."

"Yes. We captured Mattise."

"You lead them for now. I'm going to call the boss."

"Yes, Sir."

She heard this faintly and set her sister on the ground. “Lil, go home.”

”Willy? What’s-“

”Lil, please, get home as fast as you can.”

Confused and scared, Lily started slowly walking backwards. 

“Go!”

Lily turned around and ran. 

[The Stormfather He/Him]

 

4 minutes ago, Spark of Hope said:

She heard this faintly and set her sister on the ground. “Lil, go home.”

”Willy? What’s-“

”Lil, please, get home as fast as you can.”

Confused and scared, Lily started slowly walking backwards. 

“Go!”

Lily turned around and ran. 

"Damn. Maybe we should've been whispering."

From around Marewill, several people emerged from hiding places, behind houses and bushes, some climbing off of nearby roofs. A few of them had guns, but they were mostly holding knives and small weapons.

"Either you can come with us, or I'll send them after the kid."