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Post by TRZ-Trazz on Jan 24, 2017 20:34:16 GMT -4
Bodyguard, Chapter 16
A few hours later. . .
Duck, roll, and jump. In that order.
“... Again.”
Duck, roll, and jump. In that order.
The First Emperor nods his head. “Excellent, but you're not even close to what we're about to accomplish.” He grins. “This is barely even the basics.”
Bodyguard’s panting already. He stops to look around.
He's in a court yard. One he's been to before, but he's never been in it looking like this. Fake, straw organisms stand scattered. Targets set up along a wall. Even mini structures, all built where there's any space.
“Bodyguard.”
Huh?
“You must focus. Even the slightest of distractions can get you killed in the heat of battle.”
…… Killed…?
“Killed…?”
“Yes, Bodyguard. Killed. You die.”
“B-but, sir! I don't want to become like the Queen and die!”
The First Emperor closes his eyes. Already, Bodyguard knows he shouldn't have said that. Loved One floats to BG, and stands there. Inches away from him.
“.... Do not, speak of the Queen like that, Bodyguard… Please…”
He nods, “Yes, Loved One… I'm sorry…”
*SMACK!*
Bodyguard falls to the ground. The First Emperor lowers his hand.
“Your reaction time is slow, and ” He simply responds with, “You need to learn these things if you want to protect Viorenla.”
Bodyguard stands. He exhales, and gets into the ready stance he was taught
*THWACK!*
He falls again.
“Again, Bodyguard. Again, you forgot to widen your stance. Hands up, stance widened, body low. Be a fortress.” First Emperor says, shaking his head.
“You never even told me what ANY of those mean! What's a fortress!?”
“In due time, Bodyguard. You'll learn it all, but right now, you need to be patient.”
“Define, Patient!” he challenges.
“Just be calm, and take your time.”
“But you told me that taking my time means nothing in a fight!”
“It does. I said, it does. Be quick when it happens, but be slow until the time comes. Learn the flaws, the weaknesses, and then, THAT’S when you can strike!”
*WHAM!*
Bodyguard stumbles back, holding his chest. First Emperor lowers a fist.
“See? I saw you lower your guard. Don't, do that. Ever. Especially near your opponent.”
Bodyguard spits, and stands. He looks The First Emperor up and down. He can't find a single spot for him to strike.
“How do you do it…? How do you find a weakness?” Bodyguard asks.
“The time will come for you to strike. You'll have to work hard, and find it. Deliver the final, fatal blow.”
He goes silent. It’s becoming difficult. How did he get himself into such a complicated situation? … Oh. Right… This morning…
He gets into his stance one more time. His eyes squint, and he stares the First Emperor down. He’s just standing there, waiting. He knows what to do. He must wait for whoever makes the first move.
Several minutes go by. Nothing. Hie eyes are becoming tired. He needs to move. If nothing happens, then how is he going to get anywhere? If he turns, the First Emperor will attack. If the First Emperor moves, Bodyguard can attack. The only issue being, he doesn’t know how. And he's seen what the First Emperor can already do, so he's sure attacking won't change anything, either. Bodyguard exhales. The First Emperor smiles. “Struggling, Bodyguard?”
“Y-yes, sir.” Bodyguard sighs. Then he suddenly gets an idea. He tries to hide a smug grin. “S-sir? I think you got me… I don't know how I can do this…”
The First Emperor raises a brow. He tucks his guard down beneath his hips and holds out a hand to Bodyguard. “That is okay,” He says, “You may figure it out another day.”
That was the time for a Bodyguard to attack. He grabs the hand and makes a twirl, forcing Loved One’s arm behind his back. In response, First Emperor surrenders and kneels down.
“Ha ha!” The First Emperor laughs, “I knew you'd do that! You're lucky I played along, Bodyguard. After I saw that twinkle in your eye…”
A twinkle in his eye? Another mistake, easily fixable. Bodyguard lets the First Emperor go, who stands and rubs his wrist afterward. “Tight grip,” The First Emperor says, amused, “You'll make it far with that.”
He floats to face Bodyguard, who stands up straight for his next lesson. Bodyguard rests a hand on BG’s shoulder, nodding, saying that the day is done. But before Bodyguard can respond, little pitter patters of boot prints come rushing toward the two. They see Viorenla, trying to run to them wearing large, leather boots that has been strapped to her legs. She's struggling, with sweat running down her cheeks and her form looking like it's about to give out. She stops at the duo, holding herself up and panting heavily.
“Viorenla!” Bodyguard joyfully shouts, “What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting?”
“Vio,” The First Emperor softly says, smiling, “Why are you in those big old boots? You don't need any, since you don't have- … Are those Bumbo’s?”
“Y-yes!” Vio breathes through the heavy panting, “I wanted to wear them! I thought about Bodyguard’s boots, and decided to wear some myself! So he doesn't feel left out?”
Bodyguard lightly smiles and tilts his head at the little spectacle. His eyes squint in delight,watching his purpose in life doing her best to keep him happy. He didn't need it, he doesn't even feel like he deserves it. He's only doing his best to protect her, and in return, the little flower wants to bring him beauty. Amazing.
Vio pushes herself up, losing her balance for a second before regaining herself and standing upward in a heroic fashion. “What do you think, BG? Do they suit me?” She wobbles for a moment, losing her balance for a mere second before regaining herself again.
Bodyguard smiles. Surprisingly they do. And they was she put the effort into keeping the boots strapped onto her legs so she doesn't float out of them makes it even better. It feels, comforting…
“Define suit,” Bodyguard asks. Vio Just giggles. She knows his answer. She takes a cautious step forward, wobbles again, regains herself, and looks at the First Emperor’s wrist, which he's still rubbing.
“Training?” Vio asks. Bodyguard nods, Vio smiles, “Can I join?”
“What?” The First Emperor asks, “Why would you want to join? It's dangerous, and you could get hurt. Why not, Vio?”
“Because Bodyguard’s doing it!” She exclaims, “What If I trained with him? It'll be fun!”
“Viorenla,” Bodyguard steps in, “Why would you need to know how to fight if I'll be the one to protect you?”
“If you're to one to protect me, then who would be the one to protect you?” Vio riddles. Bodyguard stares at her, in deep thought of her question, and begins to daze off. Would someone need to protect him, while he's protecting her?
“No, Viorenla. I don't believe training you would be such a good idea,” says the First Emperor, “I've already shown Bodyguard a hard time, perhaps showing you the same thing isn't such a good lesson.”
“If Bodyguard fights for me, who fights for him!?” Vio riddles again, “I should! We should be fighting together!”
“Why are you so prominent about learning to fight all of a sudden?” The First Emperor asks, “I thought you only came into the courtyard go show off your… Boots…”
“Boots and Bodyguard weren't the only thing I was thinking about, Loved One!” Vio teases with a wink, “I was thinking about learning more alongside Bodyguard! Like learning to fight with him!”
She wants to stay with me, though I'm only doing this to complete my purpose… Why is she so… Amazing?
“First Emperor,” Bodyguard pipes in. The First Emperor gives Bodyguard his full attention. “I believe… Viorenla should learn self defense with me… It could be helpful.”
Loved One stares. He cringes, then relaxes. He sighs and smiles.
“Very well, Bodyguard. She may join us. But-” First Emperor kneels down and looks Vio up and down, finger rubbing against his chin. “I believe she looks a more agile type. But there's one problem…” He stands and turns back to Bodyguard, “Her hair, is too long to be agile. It could get caught, and she could get hurt.”
Bodyguard cringes in confusion. He tilts his head, “Then… What are we to do, First Emperor?”
“I'll cut it!” Vio blurts. Both give their attention to her. They see she's losing her balance again, but also regaining herself again. Bodyguard cringes harder.
She can do that? Cut her hair?
“Vio,” The First Emperor sighs, “I thought you loved your long hair. It took you years to grow it…”
“That's okay!” Vio exclaims, “I can cut it, and then I can be with Bodyguard everywhere! More protection, you know?”
The First Emperor exhales deeply in defeat. It's two to one, and the two want Vio to fight.
“... Then let's begin.”
Vio jumps up and down excitedly. Bodyguard watches her, laughing with her, enjoying a memorable moment together. Vio jumps again, loses her balance on her boots, and falls. Bodyguard suddenly panics and lifts her up. She rubs her head, still laughing, a sign for him to laugh too. First Emperor watches everything with a cracked grin. He hovers his hand over it, concealing the soon to be serious moments to come.
Insert_Emotion: [Confidence]
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Post by TRZ-Trazz on Feb 4, 2017 23:50:46 GMT -4
Bodyguard. Chapter 17
Training goes on for months. During the time, Bodyguard learned what pain is. And it sucks. Every day, he was expected 100% efficiency. So far, his confidence hasn't given up on him. He tries as he's supposed to, but no matter how much he's tried, he's failed.
During these months, he's learned frustration. That, plus confidence, creates a juice made to never give up.
Two out of the three months ago, Viorenla has joined Bodyguard’s training. Her hair has been cut. The front of her hair hasn't changed much. She made a large strip of hair hang down in front of her head, that was the only change. On the back, where the long and beautiful flow once was, has been all misshapen. She created two sharp ends on the sides of her head, with extra bangs hanging in front. Bodyguard has never been so in love with Viorenla’s effort in his life. The boots, the hair, the comfort. It's completing him. Reminding him why he still stands to this day, and for every day onward. For her.
But something has felt different this session. Bodyguard senses a familiar presence.
This session is set on the edge of the city. Directly below them, is the surface world. No railings are on the edge to hold them up from falling. Only exception being a glass balcony fixed into the edge, for looking directly below any organism’s stubs. Viorenla and Bodyguard continue using First Emperor as their sparring partner. They get even more fierce in denial, when the First Emperor demands that must fight each other. This strong resistance against Loved One’s orders has kept them from battling each other thus far. First Emperor doesn't mind.
For this lesson, Viorenla and Bodyguard must work together to knock down First Emperor. Knock him off the edge.
“What!?” Viorenla peeps, “NO! We aren't going to do that to you!”
“In heat of battle,” First Emperor facts, “One must consider their surroundings for assistance. In this case, the edge of the City in the Skies is a perfect opportunity. For when any opponent fights here, you may throw them off, winning the battle with simplicity.”
“First Emperor, I don't believe I can do this.” Bodyguard argues, “You're too great to allow such an-! An…”
“I'll be okay, Bodyguard,” First Emperor reassures, “Because I'll let you in on a little secret. Ya ready?”
“Define secret.”
“Okay, here goes…” Loved One sighs. He gets on one knee and smirks at Bodyguard. “You want to know why we built a city in the skies?”
Bodyguard thinks for a moment. He looks down to contemplate the question. He looks back into First Emperor’s eyes and nods.
“Because we can…” Loved One whispers, “Like, we literally can! Because we can float!”
Now Bodyguard’s confused. He cringes because of it. First Emperor just laughs, heavily pats Bodyguard on the hard shoulder, and hovers back up again. “Now! Now that that issue’s taken care of.. Let's-!”
“First Emperor!” Viorenla interrupts, “We can't really--”
“Shh, Viorenla. Let's just begin our training.”
First Emperor stands and gets in his defensive sparring stance, Bodyguard gets into his attack, and Vio does so after taking a deep, anxious breath.
“Now.” First Emperor growls, “Strike me down!”
Bodyguard charges. First Emperor raises his arms, but gets thrown back by Bodyguard’s tackle. They both quickly get up, but not long until Bodyguard dives for a sweep-kick. He hit’s First Emperor’s shins at perfect height, knowing perfectly well there are no feet to knock down. First Emperor falls to his side.
Viorenla just stays behind, with her fists slightly raised in her ready stance. She watches the two spar with a worried expression. Then it worsens when Bodyguard grabs First Emperor’s wrist with an unbearably tight grip. BG drags the Emperor until he lays perfectly in sync with the edge. Only part of Loved One hanging off the edge is his arm. He sits up and smiles. “Excellent, Bodyguard. Quick and easy, just like I taught you.” Bodyguard relaxes his stance, and helps him up.
He looks to Viorenla. “You could use a little work in… Involvement, though…”
“I, uhh-! I'm sorry, Loved One!” Viorenla snaps in realization. “I just- saw something out of this fight I wasn't looking forward to…”
First Emperor laughs and rests a hand on her shoulder. “See, Viorenla? No danger was going to come out of this.”
Looking at Bodyguard, First Emperor continues. “I was going to do the exact same thing, if I won the spar. He knew better not to really knock me down.”
Bodyguard smiles, and nods in agreement.
“There is no danger here, Viorenla.” First Emperor comforts.
“You're… Youre right, First Emperor…” Viorenla sighs, “But, you need to know, that I just--!”
The ground below them suddenly quakes. The second this happens, First Emperor knows what’s wrong. He looks over the edge, but fiercely throws his head back as an old enemy reappears.
The Gorondians are back. Their airships rise with guns blazing, and cannons rolling.
“RUN!” First Emperor commands to the duo. Bodyguard doesn't hear through the explosions. This time, he's prepared for this. But he suddenly remembers something… That robot, Prazleous. He’s once a Gorondian! HE must've been the one to start this invasion!
He feels an arm on his back. First Emperor takes him and pulls he, and Viorenla close. The airships hover right over them, aiming straight for the center of the city. They missed him.
First Emperor loosens his grip. Vio stutters back into Bodyguard’s arms, ignoring the quakes, but is shaking from Bodyguard feeling the ground. They hear a slight scream behind them. One far too familiar…
Prazleous himself, running with his arms flailing, and screaming like a panicked little girl away from the attack. “THEY’RE COMING BAAACK!”
“Wha-?” Bodyguard puzzles. First Emperor watches the screaming robot whiz right past them, and behind Bodyguard. The robot snatches Bodyguard’s arm and tugs it tight against him.
“YOU! FRIEND!” Prazleous screeches, “HELP ME! They want to blow up the city with ME in it! You have to stop them! I don't wanna die like this!”
“Who are YOU!?” First Emperor snarls.
The ground shakes again. Prazleous topples back, gripping tightly onto Bodyguard as he falls backwards. Bodyguard is dragged down with Viorenla still in his arms. The ground won't stop quaking this time. Both Bodyguard, and Prazleous lose their balance from the vibrations. BG let's go of Vio as the two robots topple close to the edge.
“BODYGUARD!” Viorenla screams.
Bodyguard reaches for the girl. Tipping back against the edge as Prazleous drags the two down, making the chance to fall unavoidable. She catches him by the hand, but her strength didn't kick in. First Emperor screams as he reaches for the three falling victims. He goes for Viorenla’s hair, only to fail, for now it's gotten too short to reach easily. The trio tip off the edge, and they fall.
And they fall.
And they fall some more.
Prazleous loses his grip on BG. BG loses his grip on Viorenla. The three spread out as they descend into the mysterious surface world. Bodyguard looks up to Viorenla. Through the intensity of the fall, she seems to have passed out, her back facing downward, and her hair covering her face through the velocity. He looks to Prazleous next. He’s screaming and flailing in rapid motions, falling stomach first toward the planet. Bodyguard looks up at the city, shrinking more and more as they continue. He can't scream. He can't move. All he can do is fall, his arms and legs lagging behind as his back reaches the surface world first.
But something gets out in his way. His back collides with a Gorondian airship that was ascending toward the city. He hits the railing of the deck, and continues to fall in a spiral. Luckily, Viorenla nor Prazleous bumped against the ship like he did.
Now he's spinning in a circular motion, his arms and legs flailing to try to stabilize himself one more. But before he could do that, he hits another ascending airship. This time, one of the propellers. He manages a gasp from the hit, but nothing more. His left eye closes tightly as his body converts into a skydiving position. But now he feels the pressure of the wind push against his face. He blinks several times. Green comes closer and closer in his vision. As he reaches the surface world, an open field that was eating for them to land comes into view. But… There's a tad bit of blue in the center, and he's heading right for it.
He notices that he's fallen behind. Viorenla and Prazleous are falling first now, due to no delays they had to deal with. He sees Prazleous strike the ground first. Then Viorenla, more gentle than he expected.
And then, he falls right onto a rock.
Insert_Emotion: [Defeated]
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Post by TRZ-Trazz on Feb 5, 2017 20:58:56 GMT -4
Bodyguard, Chapter 18
“Bodyguard…? Bodyguard!!!”
Bodyguard’s eyes slowly open. Above him, he can see Viorenla kneeled over with her hands pressed on his chest. “...Viorenla…?”
“Oh, thank goodness! You're okay!”
“W-where am I…?”
Viorenla’s face saddens. Her head lowers as she lifts her hands, exposing a huge chunk of rock lodged into Bodyguard’s chest. His eyes widen as he hovers a hand over it. “Wha-!? What's that!?”
“It's a stone…” Viorenla sighs, you fell right on top of it… You blacked out…”
“H-how long was I out!?”
“... Over a day… At least…”
Bodyguard lifts his head. He can see a small, warm indent in the ground next to him. Looks like Viorenla cuddled next to him that way and slept over night like that. He looks around, seeing Prazleous in the same spot where he landed. His hands are cupped over his head, and he's screaming, the ground muffling the noise. “... How long has he been doing that…?” Bodyguard asks.
Viorenla sneers. “All night…”
Bodyguard ponders. He can predict a quick rundown of what happened… As soon as he fell, which was around midday of yesterday, Viorenla got up and pulled him off of the stone. She rolled him over, panicked at the sight of the stone in his chest, but settled as time set on. She knew he was still alive, but also knew he was out for the count for quite a while. So she stayed there and embraced him until night fell, and morning rose. That whole time, Prazleous was being a “crybaby.”
Bodyguard nods in understanding. He gently moves Viorenla aside, and sits up. This is all new territory for him. The ground is no longer solid, but soft. There's no yellow anywhere, but instead green. Poles stick out of the ground, white, with darker green sticking out on all sides. “… So this is the surface world…?”
Viorenla closes her eyes. “... Yes… We fell after the Gorondians surprise-attacked us…”
She looks back up at the city. “First Emperor lied, too… We can't simply float back up. We're only limited a few feet on the air…”
Bodyguard nods again. He knew that already. He was there when it happened. Same thing about what happened, too. Prazleous grabbed them by the arms and-- … Prazleous…
Bodyguard’s face changes to frustration. He gets up, and rolls Prazleous onto his back. He's still screaming. Bodyguard rolls his eyes and bends down, covering Prazleous’s face with his mouth. Praz shuts up and smacks it off. “Unhand me!” Can't you see I'm in a crisis!?”
“You knocked us off the edge!” Bodyguard snaps.
“DEH-I! I DIDN’T MEAN TO!” Prazleous screams, “It was an accident! I swear!”
Bodyguard takes Prazleous by the shoulders and lifts him to his level. He shoots Prazleous a stare-down. “You're going to tell us how to get out of here! Now!”
“I will!” Prazleous continues screaming again, “I promise! By my own alteration ceremony, I promise!”
“Good.” Bodyguard sternly says, dropping the robot, “Then let's get moving. I don't want to be here, I want to be back home where I belong.”
Prazleous looks Bodyguard up and down, and nods. “Fine. But only because I know my way around this world. I was raised in it, you know.”
“I don't care,” Bodyguard frustrates, “Just, please, get us moving!”
Prazleous viciously nods again, and leads Bodyguard and Viorenla off into the green poles.
During a small bit of the travel (suspiciously away from the City in the Skies), Bodyguard learns of “trees, grass, and rocks.” He learns that the liquid he's seen so much of this whole time spitting out of the fountains is called “water,” and comes from below the grass. Intriguing, sure, but all he wants to focus on right now is getting back home.
A few hours later, Bodyguard starts to feel frustrated again. As if he's wasting time following this oddball of a robot. “Prazleous, come on.” He growls, “We don't have much time. I can't even see my home anymore from here.”
“Just a tad bit farther!” Prazleous giggles. Bodyguard shoots him a suspicious look. He looks back to Viorenla, who just shrugs with her hands held together.
Eventually, they walk past an opening in the ground. Inside, is nothing but sheer blackness. “A cave,” Prazleous chimes, “Nothing of importance. Moving on!”
Bodyguard watches this “cave” as he passes by. He doesn't know what to make up of it, having just learned nothing about it. Viorenla looks terrified as she looks in. Luckily, they are driven to pass the cave and move onward. But the feeling of what this so called “cave,” is… BG feels curious.
They walk through a small opening between a tree row, while ahead they spot smoke rising above to the skies in the distance. “There…” Prazleous dazes, “That's my camp!”
“Your WHAT!?” Viorenla suddenly exclaims, “Why did you bring us here!? JERK! You led us into a trap!?”
“NO! NO!” Prazleous defends, “I MIGHT have brought you into a trap, depending on if my people are back or not! If not, I may have a way back up into the city!”
“How!?” Both BG, and Viorenla ask.
“There…” Prazleous says, pointing to something above. “One of the Gorondian airships… I can hijack us one, and take it back above!”
“... But if that fails?” Bodyguard asks sternly.
“Well, don't let it fail, and we’ll be fine! Now come on!”
He leads BG and Viorenla further on toward the smoke. Viorenla sneaks up close behind Bodyguard and whispers. “Smoke means they just put out a fire… They're still here…”
Bodyguard gulps at the thought.
At the camp, Bodyguard, Viorenla, and Prazleous peek through a set of bushes towards the site. So far, there are empty tents and miniature buildings, but Viorenla was right about the fire. It looked recently put out, and looks still warm. “Must've gone out hunting,” Prazleous whispers, “Hurry! They might come back any minute!”
The three get into a crouch and push forward. Behind a set of tree rows at the other side of the camp, is the top of a Gorondian airship, unmoving and at weighed anchor.
The camp looks rather large. Half of it fills up an open plain, while the rest sir between trees and boulders. The tents look to be made of some sort of fabric, while the small buildings look to be made of metal. “The hunters live in the rain-covers,” Prazleous facts, pointing to the fabric tents, “While Elites camp out in the steel-covers.”
I'm the center of the ground, is a large, grey pillar. It looks broken and worn down, and is completely coated in scratches on the bottom, and hieroglyphics above that. All of it is unreadable. The pictures don't even look to be any sort of symbolism of the sort. Nothing can be made out of it.
“We Gorondians call it a ‘beacon…’ It's the only known beacon on the planet.” Prazleous dazes, “We've been living in this area for years… This isn't our main city, but we camp here so we can possess the beacon for ourselves. None of my most Elite leaders can make anything of it.”
He continues after a shortened silence. “It's believed to symbolize an ancient race that was once here BILLIONS of years ago. Out of all that used to come out of it, this is the only thing yet discovered.”
They stop when they reach the beacon. Prazleous runs a hand along it. “And you'll probably ask, ‘Why BILLIONS of years?’ I don't know. It's just what the Elites date it back to.”
Billions of years… Bodyguard didn't even know such a thing existed. Well, he did, but never thought anything of it. Not until the beacon.
“We don't know why this beacon is here of all places,” Prazleous suddenly continues, “Its just-here. And it's literally the ONLY beacon on this planet! We've searched already!”
“So then… Why is it here…?” Viorenla begins to wonder, “And why did something leave it here, billions of years ago?”
“Nobody knows…” Prazleous says.
Suddenly, they feel the ground quake. Shadow fills above them as a Gorondian airship covers the light from the star. “Hurry!” Prazleous panics, “To the empty airship!”
The three get into a sprint. Except for Vio, who’s obviously floating. They feel a sudden sense of warmth radiate behind them. Which is odd, since the airship’s thrusters aren't big enough to create such a heat. Bodyguard looks back.
The beacon. It started glowing! A violet aura seizes around them. The airship above them clears out immediately. “What's it doing!?” Bodyguard shouts.
“I don't know!” Prazleous screams, “It's never, EVER done this before! EVER!”
The ground begins quaking again. But not the same as when it did for the airship. This time much more intense, and destructive. The earth beneath them starts to crack, and shake, and spread.
“You. . .” Bodyguard hears deep within his conciseness. “I have found you, at last. . .”
“What?” Bodyguard says to himself.
“Bodyguard!”
“Come here, boy. . . I have so, so much to tell you. . .”
“I-I don't understand!”
“BODYGUARD!” Viorenla screams again. BG snaps out of a daze to see that Viorenla and Prazleous have been sprinting far up ahead. He shakes his head and runs faster to catch up.
The heat becomes more intense, along with the earthquake. The aura gets brighter, and spreads farther out.
The ground beneath Bodyguard pulses. He loses his balance and trips. Viorenla stops ahead of him. “B-G-!” She screeches in terror.
Bodyguard reaches up to grab for her, but the earth opens up, and he falls into the deep emptiness of darkness.
Insert_Emotion: [Terror]
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Post by TRZ-Trazz on Mar 4, 2017 14:34:33 GMT -4
Bodyguard, Chapter 20
Rocks now stand in his way. Stones, rocks, pebbles, all of it. He feels he should just tear the wall down. He reaches for the largest stone sticking out of the rock wall, and pulls. He hears the walls around him crack and move, and fall apart into dust. The stone gets broken out, as Bodyguard finds a massive rock in his hands. The rest of the stones crumble and break beneath his feet, revealing even more opening. And deeper into that opening, is light.
Move. . . Keep pushing forward. . .
Those thoughts didn't sound like his…
But he listens anyway. He keeps walking through the tunnels of stone, watching the light get closer and closer until he's blinded by white. He shades his eyes until they adjust. And the area around him feels familiar…
That cave, from earlier. He knew something was up with it. He steps out and investigates it. It looks untouched, no wonder Prazleous found it interesting.
Okay. So now he's out of the cave. Now what does he do?
Find your ‘friends.’ Revert everything back to normal.
Well, orders are orders. Why wouldn't he listen to his own thoughts?
He walks on. He heads back to where he first fell, at the Gorondian campsite. It wasn't hard finding it again. He recalled every step he took to get there.
At the camp, he finds something paranormal. The exact spot where he has fallen, the exact spot the hole opened up, has closed. The only sign of devastation are the destroyed tents and steel shelters. The giant beacon has disappeared as well. Some smoke is seen off in the distance. Lots of it. The smoke is pure black and covers the skies. Bodyguard’s seen this kind of smoke before.
It's the smoke made when an explosion happened. When something big is on fire. He gets into a sprint to find the source of the fire. Eac step he takes gets warmer and warmer. Before he knows it, he's running through dozens of burning trees and torches. He stops the moment he finds a Gorondian airship set ablaze, the flames growing stronger.
“How long has I been out!?” Bodyguard asks the voice in his head.
Long enough. Your friends must've already been picked up. You're falling behind.
Bodyguard gets into a panic. They can't leave him here, they need him! He needs Viorenla!
You must find your city and climb the pillar. That's your only back way up.
Without another word, Bodyguard leaves. He can feel the intensity of the scorch along his body as he runs back to where he’s from. He only gets so far until he's halted by the Gorondian hunters whose homes had just collapsed. They all hiss and aim their weapons. Bodyguard begins to panic.
NO! Do not let them intimidate you! You are stronger than them, you are better than them, you are the Vessel of unlimited power!
Bodyguard shakes his head, wiping the face of fear off of him. He puts up his fists and gets into a stance.
Strangely enough, he recognizes that this isn't the same stance he's been taught. He feels as though he's instantly learned a whole new era of combat.
The Gorondians take his stance as a threat. The fire upon Bodyguard with their laser blasters. Bodyguard ducks and rolls, and kicks away the closest hunter. The Gorondian flies back several feet away and loses his grip on the his gun, which Bodyguard catches with ease. He first blasts all the guns off the hunters’ hands, then blasts their arms. They all wail in pain as each shot burns their biceps and forearms. Bodyguard takes that scream as an advantage and tosses the gun away, then proceeds to nail every Gorondian in any part of their body. Each and every one of his hits have become devastatingly critical.
Either every Gorondian’s bones are just that sensitive, or Bodyguard’s punches have just become that much stronger.
Barely a few minutes pass. Gorondian hunter's roll and groan on the floor, gripping at every limb that has been shattered. Bodyguard’s fists tighten up, as if he feels they need more.
They tried to kill you. Why don't you return the favor…?
Bodyguard thinks of this for a long moment. Then he decided, no, they've had enough. The voice agrees, but sounds disappointed.
Your fighting instructor has only taught you to injure, hasn't he?
“...Yes…” Bodyguard says to ‘himself.’
There are no other voices spoken to him the rest of the way home. He reaches beneath the city of the skies, where the not-so thick, unstable-looking pillar stands in the center of the bottom. He hesitantly wraps his arm around the pillar and grips tightly, and begins to climb.
What's odd, though, is that he has never recalled climbing before. He feels as though he's instantly gained the knowledge on how the moment he approached said pillar.
“So, why is it that am I learning all these new things?” Bodyguard asks the voice as he climbs.
The Grey Helix will be honored to grant you knowledge and strength. The one crucial thing you need if we are to save this pitiful universe. Knowledge, and strength.
“Tell me again…” Bodyguard says, “When I save the universe… I will save Viorenla…”
Yes. All will be saved under our power. Under our...protection…
“Good…” Bodyguard whispers to himself with a shaky voice, “Good…”
By the time he finished that dialogue, he’s reached the top. A thick and heavy hatch is pushed upward. Why the hatch is there, he doesn't know. But lucky for him, it was there. With this new strength, opening the hatch was easy. He sensed the weight of the entryway as it's pried open, but ignores it completely. The hatch is successfully opened, and he climbs in.
First thing he sees is a dimly lit corridor. He follows along until it splits into four paths. Each path has a sign pointing where each path leads.
“Water,” says the farthest left.
“Electric,” says the second from the left.
“Barracks,” says the second from the right,”
And “residents” is the farthest right. The voice tells him to go farthest right, and he listens. After a brief walk is a ramp leading upward, then a thick door. It reads “exit” in bright colors, and Bodyguard pushes the gate open. He's blinded by light as he finds himself in a small shed. He opens the shed door and finds himself in the city. Home sweet home.
Insert_Emotion: [Relief]
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Post by TRZ-Trazz on Mar 30, 2017 22:28:35 GMT -4
Bodyguard, Chapter 21
Bodyguard is welcomed home with many open arms. Some gather around and squish him in a group hug, which he secretly does enjoy. The parade of citizens follow him back to the palace with cheers and song. Strangely enough, this new voice in his head doesn't seem to comment on the crowds. He supposes that's a good thing, and carries on.
He makes it back to the palace. There, Viorenla and the First Emperor await his arrival with big smiles on their faces. Viorenla appears in front of him in a flash and heavily smooches his cheek, something that's been happening more recently. She embraces him right after and shows him to the First Emperor. Something is held in the First Emperor’s arms. A large piece of fabric.
“Bodyguard.” The First Emperor says, “Bow.”
Do what he says. Play along.
Bodyguard listens. He takes a knee, resting his arm on his leg and bowing his head.
“After many cycles of presenting yourself, and your newfound bravery, you have proven your worth. And in this recent attack, Viorenla has messaged me. You risked her life for her own. Is that correct?”
Yes.
“...Yes…”
“Just what I like to hear. For these cycles, you have proven to be excellent friend, lover, and best of all, bodyguard. You have fit right into my wonderful family the moment you were created. And the most important task you have ever done, is make Viorenla, my daughter, happy.”
Hmm…
“Therefore I grant you this-”
Bodyguard feels the fabric drape over his back. The fabrics are then held onto by a chuck on metal that fit onto his shoulders.
“-This, is the Elite Cape. Only granted to those in the highest ranks of my people. I give you this, in honor of your service you've brought to my people. The service you've to Viorenla. From this day you are no longer Bodyguard. Now you are THE Bodyguard. Protector of the Lunasequor people.”
Just as I've thought. They still live…
“L-loved one, this is truly amazing...but I can't-”
TAKE IT. The fabric is invincible. It will grant you power.
“...T-Thank you, Loved One… For everything…”
The crowd that has followed him home roar in joy. Bodyguard stands, with this new gift bestowed upon him. He looks to Viorenla, who looks happier than ever. But...Something, doesn't feel right…
“Viorenla.” Bodyguard says, “A word, please?”
Viorenla’s smile shrinks. Her eyes worry, but she nods. She escorts him inside. There, they wander the halls.
“... Viorenla,” Bodyguard says, keeping his eyes straight, “What did I do to deserve this?”
“Enough, Bodyguard.” Viorenla answers in a soft tone, “You've done enough to earn this. Aren't you happy?”
Yes. Smile, and say yes.
Bodyguard looks down to Vio with a smile. “Only with you.” He says. Viorenla can't help but smile back.
Bodyguard’s smile disappears. He looks ahead once again. “Though… I feel, like I didn't do enough… Like, there's more I need to do.”
“W-what…?”
“I don't deserve this cape, Viorenla. I-I Just, don't… Not yet.”
“B-but! K-keep it!” She says, “K-keep it- … Keep it for me…?”
Suddenly, Bodyguard feels an explosive urge to keep the cape. Not only because of Viorenla, but because of this feeling deep inside. He runs his hand along it behind him as they walk.
Keep it, Bodyguard… It'll be useful to me…
Insert_Emotion: [Guilt]
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Post by TRZ-Trazz on Apr 20, 2017 16:58:59 GMT -4
Bodyguard, Chapter 23
“BODYGUARD!? BG!!!”
Bodyguard jumps awake in a flash.
“BODYGUARD! You're smoking! You're on FIRE!”
“...Huh?”
Bodyguard then looks down. He's laying on the bed, and Viorenla’s laying next to him as usual. But Viorenla was right when she said he was smoking. Thick, grey fog seeps out of chest where that rock dug into his chest when he fell. The rock is gone, now replaced with the smoke escaping his body. His eyes widen and he jumps out of the bed, patting and slapping at his chest, trying to get the fumes off. Viorenla jumps out of bed and out of the room.
“Help! Someone help!!” He hears her crying from down the hall.
...Close the door.
“W-what!?” BG asks, frightened.
Close the door. Lock it. Don't let anyone in.
“Why!?”
Just-! … Just do it.
Bodyguard falls into a deep daze. “N- … No…!” He says in a near whisper.
He clenches his head, like a sharp pain went straight through. He yelps and falls onto his knees, and feel the pain course through his body like a wave of sparks. He looks at his hands. The smoke has him nearly consumed, but not like it's filling the room. It comes out of his fingertips, his chest, his eyes. He screams and plants his hands on his chest.
“What are you going to me!?” He screams to the anonymous voice in his head.
You accepted me, did you not?
“B-but! What do you mean!?”
I am one with you, now. We are one. Now… Close that door…
Bodyguard feels the urge to close the door. He stutters as he stand and stumbles onto the door, and slams it. He locks it, and pushes the couch Viorenla kept in her room in front of it.
Now. Listen to me, very, closely. You are to do everything I say. You are to do everything I do. You are to learn everything I know, and everything I do. We are one. We are the Grey Helix.
“Gre-he-Gre-h-lix..?”
If that is what you must call us, very well.
“Gre- argh…!”
He clenches his head as if it hurts to process this menacing force. He feels as though this thing is fusing with him. Every wire, every board, every limb. Stretching and pushing these two beings into the same entity. He collapses.
Suddenly, the pain stops. And before he knows it, he's back on his feet. The smoke has disappeared without a trace. He feels around his chest.
The hole left behind by the stone has disappeared as well.
His eyes relax, and he smirks. He grabs the Cape given to him yesterday and puta it on. He feels as though he is refueled with energy. “This… This feeling… I-I feel…”
Before he could continue, the couch blocking the door abruptly flies out of the way of the door, and several of Loved One’s troops storm the room. First Emperor and Viorenla follow shortly after.
“Everything seems clear, First Emperor.” One of the troops explain, “Must be a false alarm”
“Wh-what!?” Viorenla gasps in disbelief by what this man says, “I SAW it! He was right there! He was smoking!”
The First Emperor hums in thought. He approaches Bodyguard, rubbing his chin, and rests a hand on BG’s shoulder. “Are you feeling okay, son?”
Bodyguard seems to think for a moment. He takes a look around and scans the confused organisms around him. He sees Viorenla next, who looks terrified. He smiles, “Never better, Loved One.” He says.
First Emperor looks BG up and down before removing his hand. He turns to the troops awaiting further orders. “You're right,” he says, “All clear. You may go.”
The troops bow, and take their exit. Viorenla watches in shock, and looks back to Bodyguard and the First Emperor. “I saw it! I swear! Bodyguard, are you REALLY okay!?”
“Of course, Viorenla,” He says, maintaining his smile, “Why wouldn't I be, when you're here?”
Viorenla lightly blushes, but keeps her look. She shakes the face off and relaxes. “O-okay…” She sighs, “You Just… I mean-- I must… I must've been delusional this morning…”
“Maybe it was a nightmare,” First Emperor suggests. Viorenla just shrugs and lowers her head in shame.
Bodyguard notices her sorrow. He approaches and pulls her in for an embrace. They sit in silence longer than a minute. He suddenly pulls away and looks into her eyes. He smiles, “I had a dream last night,” he says. Viorenla perks up with shining eyes. Bodyguard smiles and nods as a response, “It was about you and me, traveling the universe together. I-I was like a king, and you…”
He leans in close to a whisper, “And you were like a queen…”
Viorenla gently freezes in place, not even a blink coming out of her golden eyes. Bodyguard pushes back and turns to the First Emperor. “Loved One,” He says, “I’d like to know. When is Mr. Bumbo departing for Linkrem? I would still very much like to join him.”
“Uhhh…” Now the First Emperor looks surprised, “I'm afraid not for a few more rotations, Bodyguard.”
“Understandable. Thank you.”
He turns his back to the Emperor to look at Viorenla again. He gently kisses her forehead before leaving the room. Viorenla unfreezes and watches him depart. She turns back to the First Emperor, who’s eyes look suspicious. “Viorenla…” He says, “What is it, you DID see emanating off of Bodyguard?”
. . .
Now, do you see? The energy? The confidence?
“Yes…” He tells himself, wandering the halls in search of a familiar someone, “I do. It feels… Satisfying…”
Soon enough, he finds Mr. Bumbo in his room. He's stuffing some things in a box before he is jumpscared by Bodyguard walking on. “WHAA-! Whoa, kid! Didn't see ya come in! How, uhh, how can I help you?”
“I’d like to help you pack,” He says with a smirk, “So we may visit Linkrem sooner.”
“Oh! Okay, um. Well…”
Bumbo just finished stuffing a suit into the box. He turns and slumps back against it and wipes sweat off of his forehead, “Yeah, I can do that,” He says, “But my ship doesn't arrive until a few days, though.”
“Can't you request it to come by sooner? Maybe like… Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow? Say, why you wantin’ to leave so quickly, now? What's on your mind, kid?”
“I'm feeling very adventurous, sir!” BG exclaims, “I'd like to go and see the planet! What's it like there?”
“Well, I'll have to warn ya, rather than tell ya,” Bumbo replies, removing a fancy hat, scratching his head, and putting it back on again, “The place ain't the prettiest place in the universe. There's crooks, bounty hunters, anything and everything that is looking for a little coin.”
“Why would they want to find a small coin?”
“No, no, cash. They want to make lots of money.”
“Well, cash? Or money?”
“Both, kid. Don't be playin’ dumb, now. You're old enough to understand by now.”
Bodyguard lightly chuckles and grins, “Of course, Mr. Bumbo. Continue.”
“That's-basically it. There's a small market, an arena, a-”
“Arena?”
“... Uh oh…”
“Please explain, Sir.”
“W-well… I, don't really know how to tell you. It's a place where- well- people go in, and hurt each other very badly, for money.”
Bodyguard dazes. A place where people hurt each other for cash? Sounds… Interesting.”
Perfect…
“I would… Like to see it, sir. When we go to Linkrem.”
“Not a good idea, kid. It's not a place you or poor little Vio would want to visit. There's-too much…”
“Bloodshed?”
“Y-Yeah… B-blood… Wait, how'd you guess that?”
“It just kinda came to me, Mr. Bumbo. Like a realization.”
“...Huh… Well that's neat. First Emperor did a pretty good job on ya, kid. You're gonna go places.”
“Aren't I already?” BG asks, widening his smile, “Going places?”
Bumbo smiles back, and heavily pats Bodyguard proudly on the shoulder, “Of course, kid. Of course…”
“So… You'll request the ship to pick you up tomorrow, then?”
Bumbo seems to think for a second. Then he answers, “Of course, kid. Of course.. Now, help me move this box, will ya?”
Without hesitation, Bodyguard gently pushes Bumbo aside. Almost in an instant, Bodyguard lifts the box above his shoulder length. Bumbo’s jaw drops in astonishment, “Wow, kid!?!? How'd you pick that up so easy!? That thing weighs hundreds of pounds!”
Bodyguard simply shrugs, “Guess I learned how to harness my strength too, huh?” He says, and leaves the room, leaving Bumbo with a still dropped jaw.
Insert_Emotion: [Satisfaction]
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