IC: Whispers of the Past Chpt 2: The Dawning [m]

[Kris]

This game is rated mature for sex, drugs, rock and roll, cursing, potential gore-bloodshed and other things that may offend your sensibilities.

The darkness shall Rise
Towering inferno, darkness lies
The mysteries unravel before your eyes
Silence stokes the burning embers
As all begin to remember

Fear and fright, both unite
To strip you of your might
Twisted faces, broken light
Break the will you have to fight

Lies and truths both collide
Which one will your faith reside
The life you knew now shattered and torn
A new future to be born

Reborn souls awakened
Old lives to be taken
Fight the future that fate has sown
Battle the strange and unknown

Your will be tested,
Your resolve unrested
Will you fight for the light?
Or succumb to the dark ones Might?


***

They awoke at last, only to be hunted by their past's nightmares.

Slowly they will see that the past is not something easy to rid one of.

Welcome to the future.

and say hello to the past, as some more joins into the small town


***

The past:


It's time...

He felt the tickling sensation of magic burning within his fingers and he loved the feeling that followed suit the moment his body was entangled within the aura of the portal.

The woman's moaning, lovely bitter sweet voice of suffering reached his ear in melody that almost made him sexually aroused, but he knew he was to hold himself from responding to it now. He closed his eyes, absorbing the mental power that was needed for this mission from the partner that stood by his side.

Once he calmed down he opened his eyes, "Are you as eager to go as I am?", asked the man with a twisted grin upon his lips. He couldn't help but turn around and stare at the new virgin sacrifice whose blood continued to pour and encircle the magical symbols to allow both him and his partner the freedom of passing between the two worlds.

"Stop staring at her like that, Dmitriy"

Dmitriy grin turn bigger, "a shame", he licked his lips, "I'd rather have other uses for her..."

"Alas, you cannot", his partner brutally stopped him from speaking further.

"Whoa, someone is a bit cold today", Dmitriy chuckled, "Don't get too rough on me, better save it for your lovely princess....".

"Rosaline", The other guy seemed to be lost in thoughts the moment he uttered her name which was followed by a burst of memories. He looked around at the almost dead woman, whose body, soul and blood were to be used in such a cruel manner as a catalyst, for this spell to work, "We are not becoming any better than them... If we do such things..."

Dmitriy sighed, "For the last time... we have no other way... The spell that was used to send the others took a great tool on the mages and they can no longer perform it. Besides, they promised to try and keep her alive once we are both to pass through".

The man nodded softly. The image of the beautiful princess in his mind was more than enough to urge him to pass onward, but he couldn't help wondering about the price his kingdom had to pay with humanity for this harsh war.

Soon the light enveloped them both and they passed onward into the future.

***

Flash Forward - Present day:


It was too fast, too brutal and too painful.

Cherilyn coughed, the fire eating at her flash, but luckily aside of breathing problems she suffered no serious damage. At least not the kind she could tell right away, for she was still capable of moving. And by moving it means to try her best and search if other people were as lucky as herself, mainly her best friend.

"Li..na?", she uttered between gasps of air as she slowly crawled over the floor.

Lina had been sitting closest to the kitchen entrance when she heard a strange noise followed by a blast that sent her reeling from her chair. Shaking the cobwebs from her mind she opened her eyes as she felt a setting pain across her cheek. A warm feeling of liquid on her face prompted her to reach up to find a sticky substance which she quickly recognized to be blood.

Lina groaned then gasped out loud. Cheri, Zack, the others. She tried to sit up but felt a stabbing pain in her side where upon looking she found a piece of metal lodged. Lina groaned, then with all of the energy she had left she called out "Cher? Zack? Kent?".

"Here!". To the sound of her friend's voice Cherilyn was already by her side, she coughed and grinned, "See, I told you, you and I are not the type to die easily", she laughed, but her lips twisted once she realize it was painful to do so, "Girl... You're wounded", Cherilyn saw trails of blood lingering from Lina, "But nothing too serious, you are still beautiful", she coughed again.

Around her she heard moans of pain. This was sure not how she expected this to turned out to be, "So much for dinner... See why I don't let guys pay for me?", she gave a small smirk as she helped Lina on her feet.

Lina reached up and touched her face once Cheri had pulled her to her feet. The cut wasn't deep, but there was still a small piece of metal lodged in her side, or so she thought until she lifted her shirt and the metal dislodged itself, leaving a bleeding wound underneath. Lina left out a sigh of relief "I'll live" she said quietly, quickly tearing a piece of her already torn shirt off in a strip and applying it with a small amount of pressure to the wound, then laughed at Cheri's comment. Guys! "Zack?" Lina said finally getting a good look around at the devastation while trying to locate Zack and the others. Voices of confusion filled the air as everyone inside of the diner began moving, some hurt and others just shaken.

[Setsa]

Trixi was enjoying a nice conversation with Wesley, sipping on some iced tea with only lemon wanting a little tart taste vs sweet this time. When all of a sudden she heard something about a fire and before the deputy could even stand up and excuse herself.....well...the last thing she remembered was a big flash of light and boom.

The woman was knocked back from her chair from the initial blast, hitting her head on the edge of the window. It was a burning sensation on her leg that woke her up, a paper napkin had caught on fire and was burning on her hiking boot and some on her exposed lower shin. Quickly shaking her leg to knock the almost to ash napkin off she stomped it out before slowly standing up. Her leg only had a rectangular half inch red mark where it burnt her leg...luckily burn cream and some fresh bandages for maybe a week would do the trick. The most annoying thing would be the old skin peeling off in time...that would be itching and driving her nuts!

Suddenly she remembered she wasn't the only one here..... Wes! Where was he?!! Looking to where he had once sat across the table from the woman she noticed him on the floor. " Wesley! You ok? Come on now wake up!" He was breathing she saw that much and would take it. The Approaching sirens outside made her think about Max and Thor in the car...quickly running outside she opened the door to the back of the suv to find that Both dogs were safe inside her car though she may have to take a spot cleaner to it from them being scared by surprise. Letting them both out and slipping some issued dog boots to protect from heat and broken glass she ran back into the diner. "Max, Thor....search!"

The German shepards obeyed andbegan the search for survivors that may have been not moving or covered in rubble. First aid Kit in hand she went back to Wesley knowing not even suppose to be out of the hospital long, his wounds maybe more severe. Flashing a small flashlight back and forth on his peeled opened eyes she called his name again. "Wesley....it's Trixi...come on now wake up here." Coughing some from the smoke in the room, " any survivors?! Call out and let me and the responding firefighters hear you! Don't move unless you know you can help is on the way!"

Shaking lightly Wesley's shoulder, "come on man wake up!!"

[The Imposter]

Wesley had ordered a chicken club sandwich platter on whole wheat with a tall glass of soda. The smell of the food and the light hearted conversation was quite enjoyable and even relaxing. That was until Bao came in with a group of people, slowly Wes shifted himself out of the girl's line of sight and it wasn't too long after that that Duke entered. Wesley did his best to remain composed and not give anything away to Trixi, she was an officier after all. They continued to shoot the breeze until the diner went into chaos. The building seemed to shift infron of Wesley's eyes but in reality it was him being thrown to the ground.

When his eyes focused again Trixi was shaking his shoulder, the large muscles in his body ached as he shuffled around and tried to get to his feet. His pride still being wounded from her helping him into the car he tried to stand on his own, however it was too no avail. Wesley was disoriented, smells of burning flooded his noses while his ears still rang from the incident. He figured he must have hit his head on something when everything went down. Seeing Trixi's lips moved he answered with a 'WHAT?!' still not able to make out what she was saying. He raised his hands up in surrender to get some help only to be shocked at the sight of them. The palms were red with liquid, panic gripped him as he choked on some smoke and raised his hands up to Trixi.

'Am I bleeding? Are you? Is this someone elses?'

Wesley quickly looked around near him to see if anyone was close by, but the search revealed little. Bringing his hands closer to inspect them he caught a wiff of something other than flames. His lip curved upward ever so slightly as he spoke loudly still not even hearing himself well and pointing to his hands.

'It's just ketchup!'

Once on his feet he limped towards where the group was sitting, even in his condition he could still exert some muscle and move debris if someone was caught.

'Trixi, give me a hand. Looks like someone is here!'

[Storm]

Day/Time: Tuesday, Late Morning
Location: Jackie’s Diner

Su Lin and Gail gaze upon the others within the diner offering polite smiles and head nods as others assemble. Su Lin and Gail are engaged in small talk when Gail feels a balance shift as Jackie’s soul is robbed from her. This is far more then she felt with the dog and far more than she has ever felt in her Coven. Gail’s focuses is drawn upon the back of the diner as Jackie dispatches the men in back unbeknownst to those in the diner. She stands and slowly makes her way toward the back of the diner with a puzzled expression on her face.

At the same time, Su Lin feels a strong knot in her stomach, far stronger than any which has gripped her before. She closes her eyes as the chocolate color fades to a transparent crystallized color. 30 seconds from detonation she opens her eyes as a bluish radiance emits from her eyes as she stands looking back toward where Gail approaches. Softly she utters
“This does not belong”
as she extends her hand encompassing air molecules in and around herself, her eyes radiating a brighter blue aura.

Gail reaches the kitchen just starting to push on the door as the microwave detonates, the blast wave, flames and debris knocking her back as the flash fire rips through the door. She screams in pain as flames dance about her body, several metal projectiles lodge into her body as she slides back on the floor going into shock due to the pain and blast wave she walked into.

Su Lin keeps her hand extended with intense focus upon the air swirling around her, the blast wave rushing toward her yet streams around where she stands as a shell of untouched air surrounds her. She lowers her hand as her eyes return a chocolate brown, not totally aware of what just happened, starts to snap back into reality. She looks to her side as the booths to each side of her are charred. She smells the smoldering smoke and notices remnants of the blast about her as well as hears the others scuffling around. Her mind still tring to register what happened so quickly. In a soft low tone of concern as she slowly turns
“Gail, …. What jus…” her eyes lock on Gail as she lay on the floor bloody and not moving, she feels as though she has just been kicked in the stomach by a wild animal as her breath suddenly is robbed from her, she fights for breath gasping out softly at first “…no, … no, you can’t be”

As she stares blankly at the woman who was like a mother to her, tears well in her eyes as her tone grows louder beginning to stagger toward the unconscious woman “Gail, get up, please…” disbelief and pain sear through her very being before releasing an agonizing scream as she reaches where Gail lies
“NOOOOO! Somebody, please help me!” as she crouches next to the closest thing to a mother she had ever known. The ambulances and medics arriving at the diner are absent to her mind as she sits next to Gail releasing agonizing cries “Why…. why not me instead … please stay with me…” reaching softly touching her hand.

[Extraordinaire.]

Lukah was used to the danger of explosions, having worked in a mine for the worst-half of his life, but he was totally unprepared for this to happen in a town, which he'd associated as some sort of safe-haven. The explosion happened fast, with a remarkably quick reaction from the town-dwellers. There was a moment of silence, followed by a moment of screams, before the noises were jumbled by survivors and pleads. People calling out to the survivors, checking in on their friends, while others began to moan out their sudden loss.

"My first damned time in the city, in months," was the first thought that he could register and it was minutes later, until he was fully aware of his surroundings. In contrast to his quick mouth, his reaction time and shock were less than ordinary. A shack of some sorts, maybe a destroyed storage container, had fallen on him, before being encased with rubble.

Was he alive? He wasn't quite sure, there were few peaks of light from his shelter and although his ears were ringing mad, he could make out the distinct blare of an ambulance. Was it for him? Was he the only one that had been injured? Had he blacked out again, or had it been a vague attack? What caused it?

When the need to breath finally registered with the pain in his lungs, he found that the rubble was pressing off his nose and whenever he opened his mouth, bits of dirt clung to his throat. Heaving for fresh air, even smoke-tinted air, he starting thrashing his body around, trying desperately to get free.

'Trixi, give me a hand. Looks like someone is here!'

Even in his wounded state, the act of removing whatever pinned Lukah, seemed effortless to the man who had spoken. It must have been a site seeing the miner, with his already charcoal-crusted face, encased with dirt and ash. The unusually blue eyes staring helplessly up, naked to the sudden chaos and trying, at once, to take everything in.

Coughing from the shortage of breath, he slowly helped himself up, kneeling over in the middle of his burrow. The aches hadn't begun yet, but in minutes he'd notice the tightness of his ribs, the etra effort it took to raise his arms. The man, who Lukah had previously failed to acknowledge, was smeared over in red, but in a good enough of a condition to breath and talk.

It seemed foolish at this point to ask what had happened, so instead he grunted and nodded his thanks, before realizing he had no idea what to do from here on.
"Was it just here? That was hit?" he managed to ask, sure that he could see smoke leave with his breath.

[Wattz]

Time: Tuesday, Late Morning
Location: Jackie’s Diner

Bao was crushed beneath the rubble. She inhaled the gray dust and smoke, struggling to expel it all in a massive coughing attack. Her long hair was caught on something, her body shaking with shock and fear, making it difficult to emerge. Bao would have cried out, but her throat and lungs were coated.

But suddenly the pressure began to lift, if only a little. Someone was struggling to lift the debris off her, and Bao jumped at the opportunity. With a grunt, Bao mustered up as much strength as she could to drag herself out of harm. She heard someone give a pained sigh as the slate on top of her crashed back to the ground and turned around to see Duke. There was blood on his face, flowing down from his head as if he’d been flung backwards. There were flames coming from the direction of the kitchen. Everything was spinning, everything was too coincidental, too surreal….

“Duke,” she choked through the smoke and grabbed his arm. He grasped her arm as well if only to steady himself. “Duke, come on.” Bao tried to lead him away, but they were both struggling, ears still ringing from the blast. Just as she turned around, she heard and saw a figure too unsettlingly familiar. It was Wes.

How did she not see him?

Duke’s eyes went wider when he caught sight of Wes as well. His bony hand trembled more, Bao could feel it in her own, and he tugged on her arm so hard she thought it’d rip out of the socket.

“We need to get out of here,” he said.

“But what about—“

“No, we need to get out of here—“ but Duke was stopped short as he took a misstep and fell down on top of one of the patrons who'd yet to get up.

[Stryker]

Time: Tuesday, Late Morning
Location: Jackie’s Diner


As the smoke cleared and survivors began to either panic, try to get away as fast as they could or try to see if they could help anyone trapped underneath any nearby rubble, Austin started to stir underneath the remains of the table he had been recently sitting at. Somehow the explosion had sent him spiraling roughly five feet from the booth he had been at before having the table come crashing down on top of him.

While the explosion itself was enough to send anyone crazy and into a fit, the one thing that made Austin wonder what happened was the fact that while the hair on his arms appeared singed, nothing else was burned in the slightest. Of course he was covered in cuts, scrapes and was bleeding quite a bit from his left eyebrow where a large gash had formed, more than likely from the table. It was almost like something had protected him from the flames and kept him relatively safe aside from the force of the blast.

“Austin!” A voice called out which warranted him to lift his head and spotted a familiar face matched with a black armband, a member of the Dollars.

“Over… over here…” he answered before shakily rising to his feet and then collapsing back to his knees. He may not have looked any worse for wear, but he was still beat up and bruised.

“Easy, easy does it.” The man spoke out before grasping his bicep and tugging upward to help him stand back up. He then wrapped Sean’s left arm around his neck while Austin noticed it was Evan who took the time to glance at his leader’s face, covered in soot and scrapes but no burns which struck him as odd. “Hey, Austin… why… why aren’t you-“

“Don’t know, Evan… beats the hell outta me, but for right now… let’s get out of here…” he answered as they slowly began to walk away from the remains of the restaurant.

“Hey…”

“What?” Austin asked, wondering why they had stopped before looking where Evan was pointing to. When he did, he saw a frail-looking girl and a larger man that had apparently toppled over on top of someone else about twenty feet in front of Evan and himself.

“That big guy and the girl still standing… those are the two that got away at the docks, remember?” he explained. “We got the third guy and left him like you said, but those are the other two that were with him and ran.”

“Really…”

[Edynol]

Time: Tuesday, Late Morning
Location: Some clothing store

The magic was brilliant and the world unfolding before Dmitriy has turned out to be rather interesting. He took a deep breath as he looked around. Everything was new, big and fast.

Creatures of metal were moving at such speed and his eyes enjoy the feast of women dressing in minimal clothing, "What a fanatic world, do you not agree, Alex?", he looked at his comrade with a huge grin.

Alex glanced around a bit, wonder in his eyes as he saw the vehicles going up and down the streets. All the lights with no fire shining bright, the roads made of black stone the likes of he'd never seen. And the people, they wore such strange clothing and had strange haircuts. "Fantastic...I do not think quite describes it, my friend," he said with a chuckle and a pat on Dimitri's shoulder. When he noticed how a few people looked strangely at him, he looked himself over, then his friend.

"I believe we should find a tailor and get some more suitable attire for this place. It will not do for our enemies to spot us from leagues away like asses amongst steeds." As they walked, Alex stopped one of the few people walking the sidewalks. "My friend, do you know where one might purchase some suitable attire?" They looked at them oddly and chuckled a little before directing them to a clothing store around the block.

Once there, a lady came to meet them and had an odd smile. "Yall work for some Renaissance fair or something?" She asked, and Alex nodded. "Umm...indeed we do," he said, not really understanding what she was asking. The woman then shrugged. "Have a look around, try on what ya like."

"Fantastic, good woman", Dmitriy winked at her, not wasting a moment to find himself cloths and undressing in his spot, much to the woman's embarrassment, "Well then, supply me with cloths, if you will lady", he said handing to her the clothing and waiting for her to dress him, "And call the tailor please to make final improvement, if you will".

The woman, after overcoming her shock and embarrassment, scowled at Dmitriy. "I don't know where you think you are, mister, but this isn't some Hollywood, high-class dressing store. Pick out whatever fits, and if ya like it, buy it and be on about your day. Now put your clothes back on before I call the police for indecent exposure!"

Alex raised a hand at the woman and spoke in a soft voice. "My apologies, my lady. My friend here tend to get carried away with his...performance art." The woman sniffed before turning to go back to her business. Alex then went over to his friend. "I think it best if we chose our own clothing, for now, and dress ourselves. I noticed a lot of people wear these blue colored leggings," he said, motioning to the blue jeans hanging on a rack nearby. "I say we each find a set that fits and some good shirts and be on our way."

"Sounds good to me...", Dmitriy hummed slowly, "But, what about this time and age currency?", he narrowed his eyes, "I didn't bring gold with me, much less silver..."

After picking out some suitable clothing, Alex went up to the woman and pulled a few red rubies and blue sapphires from a small pouch and showed them to the woman. "Will this be accurate, my lady?" The woman's eyes opened wide as she gazed at the stones and picked one up to feel it.

"Yeah," the woman said, her tone distant as she continued to inspect the crystals. "Take anything you wish, for this." Alex nodded and thanked the woman before heading out of the store. But just as the exited, there was a loud bang that sent small vibrations through the ground.

They eyed each other, a quick moment of silence, the nodding, and then they rushed ahead, curiosity taking over the best of them.

(An Edy and Kris Co)

[Mysteria]

The past
Zaraketh's Lair

The chamber was dank, dimly lit by the few torches that hung upon the walls, their flickering light bouncing off bottles, vials, and other assorted containers making the silhouettes of various objects around the room seem to dance. A young woman lay strapped to a stone table, her legs and arms bound by leather straps as she mumbled and groaned incoherently. He needed information from her, so he refrained from hurting her too much, lest she die or her mind become broken, then she'd be useless.

He turned as the door to his chamber creaked open, a man entered, tall, imposing, his voice deep and calm. "Zaraketh," the man spoke. "Have you learned anything yet?" It was less a question and more a demand for answers.

Zaraketh scowled for an instant, the man had no patience and always wanted result now. "Not yet, my lord. But give me time, she will tell us what we need to know. Have I yet to fail you?"

"No. No you have not, my friend. I mean not to harry you, but time is short, you understand."

"I will need not much longer," Zaraketh answered. "You will have answers with in the hour." The man nodded and smiled before exiting the chambers. Zaraketh then turned back to the woman, a sadistic, vile grin on his face. "Now, my darling, where were we?" As he lay his hands upon her, blood curdling screams came from the girl as her very blood began to boil under her flesh.
____________________________________________
Present Day
Jackie's Diner Around 1 P.M.

Zack sat bolt upright and grabbed his head, the room was spinning and he didn't even try to think of the nightmare he had, he'd have to stop watching the Syfy channel so much. As he touched his head, he felt something wet and looked at his fingers. He was bleeding, but not too bad. Head wounds were often pretty bloody, waking the wound look worse than it really was, but aside from the small contusion he figured he probably had a concussion. But that was the least of his concerns.

"Lina!" Zack called, the first name that popped into his head. "Lina! Trixi! Cherilyn!" As his vision became less blurred, he saw Lina and rushed over to her, putting a gentle hand on the side of her head. "Lina. Cheri. Hey. Are you two alright?" He heard others screaming, but at this point in time he didn't pay attention to them, he was focused only on Lina at the moment. She was standing, which was good. He just prayed that there weren't any serious injuries.

Despite the small moment of a smile that had passed between Lina and Cheri, the young brunette photographer was still scanning the room taking in the devastation as her eyes scanned the debris for Zack. From across the room she heard her name being called and then she spotted the man who had taken care of her just hours before in her home. Within seconds he was by her side, his fingers touching her face lightly. "Hey. Are you two alright?"

Lina smiled and nodded but at the same time felt dizzy. She wasn't blaming this one on the salt, she would blame it on the explosion. "I'm fine Zack, I just.." Another wave of nausea flooded her and she stepped away from Zack, almost instantly feeling better but the incident leaving her curious, and uncertain. Fresh air. She needed fresh air.

"I'm fine really, I just think I need some fresh air." Lina said the words calmly as she looked around, noticing others were beginning to move. It seemed odd to her that although there had been an explosion, there wasn't a lot of fire burning, it was more light floating ash around them with several small fires but not one big one. Lina coughed. She was certain she just needed fresh air.

Looking at her, he could tell she wasn't. Blood was soaking through her shirt slowly but was stopping. Zack gently grabbed her arm, careful not to move her to quickly. She might have felt fine, but it was shock masking any pain she felt from the cut or any other serious injuries she might have had. The same could be true for himself, now that he thought about it. "Okay," he said, looking to Cheri as well, "let's get outside to my truck. Easy now, you have a nasty cut on your side, might need stitching. I parked pretty close and I got some medical supplies in my bag and toolbox."

When they got to his truck, he let down the tail gate and helped upon it before going into his truck for his bag. He could hear sirens in the distance, which made him sigh in relief, thankful he wouldn't have to get everyone checked out on his own. He was feeling really exhausted now, probably the shock and adrenaline wearing off. He looked around in his bag, but didn't have any sutures or anything to stitched her up with. He then took his shirt off, and with his pocket knife, cut it in half to make a tourniquet.

"This should help til the EMTs get here," he said in a clam voice, trying his best not to sound worried. As he lifted up her shirt, he saw the cut was at least an inch or so deep and blood was pouring out steadily. "Hold still, you'll be alright. I've seen a lot worse, you'll be okay." His tone now was a bit shaky and not too reassuring. "Now this is gonna hurt, I am going to press the wound in before wrapping it up." As he pressed the wound close in preparation to wrap his shirt around it, a chill went through his body and after a few seconds he fell to his knees, taking deep breaths as exhaustion washed over him.

He had no idea why exhaustion would hit him that fast and so rapidly. But he wasn't gonna let it stop him. He forced himself back to his feet and went back to the wound, then stopped. It had stopped bleeding and the cut now looked more like a deep scrape than a serious laceration. "What in the..."

When Zack fell to his knees Lina's protests that she were fine were even heightened further. "Zack, I told you I am fine. You are the one who needs to take it easy here." Concern flooded Lina's voice but her eyes widened when Zack lifted her shirt again, the wound almost appearing to be healed.

She didn't dwell on it though, brushing it off quickly "See, I told you it was just a scratch." Lina smiled at the doctor, then brushed a strand of hair from his eyes. "It's you I'm worried about." She said the words softly as she heard the sirens drawing closer "Maybe for once you should let someone else take care of you instead of you always trying to take care of everyone."

Zack shook his head. Blood still covered his hands and a huge stain covered half of Lina's shirt. "No," he said in an exhausted tone. There was lots of blood, that wound was way more deep than that. Look at the blood! No way that much blood could come from a small scrape like that..." Thoughts started rushing through his head, he had been geting these bouts of fatigue the last few days, but every time it came when he was helping someone who was injured, like the stabbing victim from Cheri's book store. Was it skill that saved that guy, or something else? "Lina...I think I healed you. Like...magic or something."

"Majic?" Lina murmured softly. As strange as things had become the last few days, majic being responisble for all of the odd events having happened had never occurred to her. It did, however occurr to her that Zack must have fallen and hit his head even harder than she anticipated. By that time the paramedics had arrived and Lina called out to them "Over here, Dr. Acerton needs checked out." As the paramedics neared, worry spread across her features as she reached out and touched Zack's face, her look conveying that everything would be alright now. Lina looked to the other paramedics "There's more wounded still inside....I...I don't know how many."

As most of the EMTs went into the diner, a few of them stayed with Zack and Lina. "Ace," the guy checking him, Zack recognized him as Kyle, said worriedly. "You have a small head wound, but not too deep. Where did all this blood come from?" The paramedic asked, looking at Zack's hands and arms for cuts.

Zack pointed at Lina. "Laceration," he said, panting. "On her side. It...it was..."

Looking at Lina as the other medic checked her over, the other medic shook his head. "Nah, just a small scrape, not even a flesh wound." Kyle then shined a light in Zack's eyes to check for any trauma.

"I'm fine, just tired. I guess...It could've come from someone else...There are a lot of injured in there, far worse than myself," Zack said as he pointed to the diner. "I think I got hit by a piece of wood."

Kyle nodded. "Well no signs of trauma. You're pulse is a little fast, but who's wouldn't be? Just sit tight. Grubby's on his way with his team and Prochner is waiting at the ER."

Zack nodded as Kyle put a small bandage on his head. When he left to check on those in the diner, he looked over to Lina, who was getting a bandage wrapped around her wound. The medic then shined a light in her eyes and down her throat. "No signs of internal bleeding or concussion," he said. "You're lucky. Could have been a lot worse. Just stay put, both of ya. Grubby will want to examine you further before yall can go home."

Zack nodded as he took a seat on the ground, looking at his hands. "I can't be going crazy," he said as he looked up at Lina, his tone almost a plea. "You see all this blood, you heard them. It all couldn't have come from a scratch like that. And I saw it before. You saw it. You had to have seen it." He then lowered his head, shaking it in confusion.

Lina sat on the ground beside Zack, taking his hands into hers "Zack, it's okay. You're probably just tired. You were up half of the night taking care of me, your always at the hospital, and now this to top everything off. Maybe you got up against someone else, I don't know." Lina absent mindlessly ran her thumb over the back of his hand as she spoke "Look, tonight your coming to spend the night at my house, no arguments. You are going to let someone else take care of you for once, I know the EM said you just have a bump, but I'm not willing to take chances with you."

She blushed slightly as she realized what she had just said, then leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek then "I mean, I'm not willing to risk your health. I'd feel better if you spent the night with me."

Zack squeezed her hand softly and ran his other hand through his hair, the blood on his hand making red streaks on the side of his head. "I...Yeah. You're right. Magic, that does sound pretty ridiculous doesn't it," he said with small chuckle, though there wasn't much humor in it.

Just then, two guys approached, one was about Zack's size and had blonde hair down to his shoulders and blue eyes. "Is everything all right here?" He asked, then he saw Lina. "Rosaline? My love, I have finally found you. What happened? Are you injured?" Zack then turned his head towards the man and the guy's expression suddenly went cold. "What are you doing with him?"

Zack looked at the guy confused then back at Lina. "You...You have a boyfriend? Lina, who is this guy?"

Lina grabbed Zack's arm, half hiding behind him as she peered over his shoulder at the blonde haired man. "How do you know my name?" Lina demanded. Then squeezing Zack's arm she shivered as she whispered into his ear "Zack, I don't know who this guy is."

Zack stood then, pulling Lina up and shielding her from the newcomers. Leaning her head over Zack's shoulder she demanded once more "And who he is to me is none of your business, now answer the question, how do you know my name? Who are you?" By that time the police were also showing up and Lina glanced at Captain James Thrush whom she had known for as long as she could remember "Lina, are you okay? Dr Acerton, you okay?"

Lina nodded to the salt and peppered haired gentleman "We're okay Jim, we are fine." but as she said the words, she was eying the strangers.

The man got a confused look on his face. "Rosaline, it's me, Alexander. Don't you remember me?"

Alex took a few steps closer but Zack backed up with Lina. "Hey, buddy, whoever you are, she says she doesn't know."

"You shut your mouth lest I remove your tongue from your fucking mouth," the man said angrily.

Captain Thrush then stood in front of the man and shoved him back a few steps. "Hey! I don't know who you are, but I will not have anyone causing trouble in my town. These people have just been through a traumatic ordeal and I will not have some long-haired punk threatening Dr. Acerton. So unless you want to get thrown in jail, you best leave here now."

Alex took a few steps back, looking at Lina and Zack. They really didn't remember him. Those who came through the first time must have had their slates wiped clean. They weren't who they once were. But still, seeing his love with that vile, cursed wretch of a sorcerer made is blood boil. There had to be a way to make her remember who she was standing behind, who she was looking to for protection. "My apologies," he finally said. "I mean no trouble. All this...commotion has just got me a bit on edge. I mean not what I said. If there is anyway I may help, I will do so."

Lina clung tightly to Zack's arm as they watched the two strangers walking away, the entire time shaking her head as she added "I'm not sure that this day could get any stranger than it already has, so I'm really looking forward to a quiet evening alone, Zack."

Amidst all of the turmoil and strange happenings around them, all she could think about now was having the chance to be alone with Zack again, and oddly enough, what she could possibly make for dinner.

(An Edy and Mysti thang!!!)

[Koti~]

Present day
Random Warehouse around 2 pm

Oh, what juicy morsel do we have here?” Crow said, looking through the glass orb and through Jackie's eyes. She was staring at two oddly dressed men, who had just walked away from the explosion he had just committed. Though he didn’t know them personally, he knew when they came from, mainly due to their clothing. It wasn’t some cheep knockoff, it was the real deal, and two someones had followed him. He smiled at this thought, pressing the glowing orb to his head. Talking quickly to Jackie, he leaned back in his odd shaped chair, staring at the black fire sitting in the center of the blackened room.

Jackie nodded in confirmation, her blank eyes staring outwards into the abyss. Dragging the knife out of the side apron, she advanced towards the two, keeping her eyes locked while avoiding people, knife held down at her side. Instead of attacking, she paused next to them, twirling the knife in her hand.

“My master… Eldrich crow… wishes to meet. Follow” She spoke quickly, her voice monotone and flat as she headed off down the road, knife glimmering in the sun and fire as she headed towards an abandoned building set off in the distance.

Dmitriy's eyes widened, "You hear that Alex?", he whispered as he started to walk after the young girl, "Can it be....?"

Alex narrowed his eyes at the girl. He wanted to just kill her right then and there and be done with it, but perhaps he could catch the man off guard and end this war before it began. Hearing Dimitry's question, Alex turned towards him and nodded once. "Come," he said in a whisper. "Perhaps we can end the wretch and be done with him. Or at the very least learn what he's up to." He then started following the girl to the building.

Jackie led them through a back entrance, seemingly unaware of their presence other than to make sure they were following her if they had heard right. The knife never left her hand as it twirled back and forth, making occasional small nicks in the wall as she headed up, eventually ending at a blood stained door at the end of the hall. Stepping to the side, she swung it open, standing and moving them along.

"Come come, my friends. We have so much to talk. Like... how did you get here for starters." Crow smirked at them through the black flames, the smell of burnt flesh dancing around as four small orbs twirled in his hand, one brighter than the other three.

Dmitriy didn't look pleased, but he eyes Crow in a very suspicious manner, not talking, or moving for that matter.

Alex looked at Crow with a blank expression, betraying no emotion at all. "How we got here of no concern to you, retch," he said to the man. "So you think sending that rat of a sorcerer of yours to enthrall the princess...Well, let us say he isn't the only who knows how to get answers from people." Alex reached his pocket and grabbed something, a severed female finger with a ring, two silver claws grasping a red ruby, and threw it at Crow's feet. "One of your favorites, was she not?" Alex gave Crow a sardonic grin.

Crow looked at the fingers and picked up the ring. Staring at the gem, he smiled, his teeth glinting in the firelight playing across the smooth cut surface. Pulling the finger out of the ring, he slipped it on his own hand, throwing the finger into the fire.

"Ah yes, a favorite jewel of mine, always happy to get it back. I will miss the girl though, she did quite the devilish things in the bed..." Crow smirked at Alex, paying attention to the ring more. Sitting back down at the throne, he smiled, looking at the soul orb.

"You know, these things are quite fascinating to use. They give one so much information about people ... places ... ties ... love..." Crow said, dragging out the last part before looking up ad Alex, fingers tapping the smooth surface.

"And yes, one of my own is following your .. love as it were. I hope you know what he was famous for... because I so do need info ... Not that I plan to use it yet. You might want to go 'help' them out... Because I could find so many uses for that girl of yours." Crow said to the man, tongue dancing across his teeth. He twirled the orb around in his fingers, completely relaxed in the chair as the flames licked around, shifts revealing eyes and facial features as the finger curled from the heat.

"He won't succeed," Alex said, glaring at the retch as he sat on his throne. "And neither shall you!" Alex then holds out his hand and space surrounding Crow warps as he freezes him in time. He then takes out a dagger and throws it at him. " Dmitriy!" He called, signaling for him to attack.

"With pleasure...", Dmitriy, shoot off streams of ice aiming at Crow.

Crow stood there and smiled, his lips moving in a slight blur as Alex’s hand raised, stopping him as his smile curled wide. The dagger sunk into his chest just before the ice hit him. His body slumped back into the throne the smile still wide but the eyes now lifeless as the ice wrapped around his body and freezing him to his chair.

The ice began to drip though as the air around Crow’s body shimmered, his body reduced to a bloody and still burning corpse, igniting the throne in black flames, making it shimmer and waver.

“Now now my dear boy, that wasn’t a nice thing to do.” Crow said, tapping a wavy silver dagger on nape of Alex’s neck. He jumped back a bit and smiled, twirling the dagger in his finger, staring at the corpse some as he pulled out another orb.

“And Dimitry, I thought you would know better than to walk into my presence without preparing a counter for me.” Crow said, tapping the dagger on his teeth as he finished, standing between the black flames of the throne and the still two burning bodies slumped on the floor. He spun the dagger making it vanish into the folds of his cloak as he twirled the still gleaming orb in his hand and pulling out the other.

“I always plan for every .. odd and ends scenario. And nice use of your magic boy… but I won’t be fooled by some silly hat trick like that. You are playing with big boys here, not your lunch buddies or old crones of so called … mages. So please… try to be a bit less obvious.” The black flames wisped around his body, throwing twisted smiles and snarls on his face as he folded his hands behind his back, staring at the two men.

Alex turned to face Crow, his face unreadable. He should've known killing Crow wouldn't be that easy, but he had to try non the less. But with Crow now so close to him, to not do anything would be foolish. Perhaps he couldn't kill Crow, but at least he could...

Alex quickly raised his foot, kicking Crow right between the legs and shoved him to the ground. "Guess you're a man after all," he said wryly. He then turned to Dimitry. "Dimitry run," he shouted, and cast a time bubble around himself and his friend, speeding their movements up. They then took off, running as fast as they could before Crow decided they were more trouble than worth keeping alive for.

Caught off guard, Crow felt the pain before he even recognized it. His mind reeling, he watched as they both ran out of the room, a time bubble encasing them to speed them up. One faded orb and a sigh from the dead body in the flames, he stood gingerly, Jackie helping.

“Well, seems he isn’t as dense as I thought.” Crow said, pushing Jackie off as he stood tall. He laughed some, delighted to see the turn out of this event. He would have to keep up to date on them, if not just to see how things would turn out.

(An Edy, Kris, and KoTi copost)