The Dark Shards (IC)

[Carathon]

Heinz reached for the note, using illusions to somehow make himself look more pathetic. However his body language was almost unreadable due to his gas mask. Suddenly he sent an grip to his wrist, preventing him from pulling back. Quickly, like a spring Heinz sent his knee towards the rogue's groin. He never believed in a fair fight.

At the same time, he used his mind control powers on him. He fully expected the crystal holder to resist the effects, after all his mind control was rather weak but he expected him to be distracted for a moment as he resisted.

[Aldares]

"Oh, yes, of course. My voice is tired, anyway. Of the three things a man growing up in London learns to do well, one is making tea. The other two include a homeless child and angry Scotsmen, so I don't think that information would be of much use to me now." Lucius called for a lackey, who showed up quickly with a tray containing a small bread-cake thing and two cups of tea, slightly warm.

"I should marry you..." Serafim said with a joking smirk as he relished his tea and cake, somehow managing to preserve some manners as he ate and drank like it was the last tea and cake on the face of the Earth. "It sure would make Francesca forgiving me easier...Not to mention it'd give you an excuse to read to me and feed me."

He set his cup down after drinking the last drop of his third serving.

"Back when I first joined the Cult, it was in Moscow...That Cell was heavily infiltrated...which was both a good thing and a horrible tragedy. Good, because it meant that if my cover got blown, it didn't matter. And a tragedy because, just like back in St. Petersburg, I had little to no freedom...and everyone treated me like a pet dog...They didn't give me tea or cake. Mostly just warm water with some leaves from some random plant and old bread."

"Like human cattle..." Lucius' usual smirk became something of a disgusted frown, his lip quivering to keep the emotions and insults from blowing out like a floodgate to a river. Such treatment of a person so worthwhile was unthinkable. Many would peg the Cult as being evil and inhuman, but the opposite was the case; it saw humanity as the perpetrator of such evil acts, and it was working to react as such.

But the terror was broken off once again, and the usual splendor returned to Lucius' smile. "I am a bachelor, after all. Never had the intention of settling down unless I found someone who truly needed me. I thought that might be Francesca, once..."

[Boriem]

"Idiot." Was all Henry said before using the last thirty seconds of Stalin's Knife to dodge out of the way and deliver a blow to the arm from his sword before hitting him in the other shoulder with a spear. He noticed the other protector climbing up the other building. Henry quickly pulled Alex along as he basically sprinted passed the German and into an antique shop he hadn't noticed during his walk.

[Ouearotion]

Etani frowned as he saw them run into an antique store, "Damn, they're getting away." He jumped off of the building and racing towards the store. Though before he got there he sheathed his gunblade and entered looking around for Henry and Alex. "I know you are here rouge." He said searching the store for them. "We can just talk, you don't have to run." He said as he had finally found them. "Instead of risking innocent lives, why don't you just join us protectors." He whispered to Henry sounding as friendly as he could.

[Boriem]

Etani frowned as he saw them run into an antique store, "Damn, they're getting away." He jumped off of the building and racing towards the store. Though before he got there he sheathed his gunblade and entered looking around for Henry and Alex. "I know you are here rouge." He said searching the store for them. "We can just talk, you don't have to run." He said as he had finally found them. "Instead of risking innocent lives, why don't you just join us protectors." He whispered to Henry sounding as friendly as he could.

"You Protectors are fools. Fools with a good heart, but fools nonetheless." Henry said, "What happens when you disperse the shards once more?" "The process will merely continue. Now, I seek no fight with you at the moment. We will meet again, and then we can fight. But I will not fight here, nor will I fight now." Henry stood up and backed up from the man. Henry knew he could win if he wanted to. But the restriction was, well, restrictive.

[Carathon]

Heinz was surpised by the man's sudden evasion and attack. The man lunged at his arm quickly with the spear, leaving a rather light, but painful wound. Heinz quickly conjured a illusion of him moving to the left and at the same time influenced the man's mind, throwing him off focus. This caused the second strike to miss. Heinz clunched his wound for a moment taking a few steps backwards, before sending his hand to his sword.

He didn't dare counter attack and he let the man run past. Clearly he was outmatched in combat prowess or artifact ability and he cursed himself for throwing away his advantage and attacking so early in the pursuit of gaining another shard. He said nothing as Etani and the rogue conversed.

[Liriena]

"Like human cattle..." Lucius' usual smirk became something of a disgusted frown, his lip quivering to keep the emotions and insults from blowing out like a floodgate to a river. Such treatment of a person so worthwhile was unthinkable. Many would peg the Cult as being evil and inhuman, but the opposite was the case; it saw humanity as the perpetrator of such evil acts, and it was working to react as such.

But the terror was broken off once again, and the usual splendor returned to Lucius' smile. "I am a bachelor, after all. Never had the intention of settling down unless I found someone who truly needed me. I thought that might be Francesca, once..."

"Francesca?" If Serafim had had some tea in his mouth, he would have spewed it. "If there is one person that does not strike me as someone that would marry anyone, it's her..."

He then cast his eyes down.

"Then again, I don't know her as much as you do. If I did, I wouldn't be here right now." He sighed. He really needed to start forgetting that still young grief. This was one of the happiest moments of his life right now.

"Lucius...would you ever find me worthy of your trust?"

[Aldares]

[quote="Aldares";p="10531307"
"Like human cattle..." Lucius' usual smirk became something of a disgusted frown, his lip quivering to keep the emotions and insults from blowing out like a floodgate to a river. Such treatment of a person so worthwhile was unthinkable. Many would peg the Cult as being evil and inhuman, but the opposite was the case; it saw humanity as the perpetrator of such evil acts, and it was working to react as such.

But the terror was broken off once again, and the usual splendor returned to Lucius' smile. "I am a bachelor, after all. Never had the intention of settling down unless I found someone who truly needed me. I thought that might be Francesca, once..."

"Francesca?" If Serafim had had some tea in his mouth, he would have spewed it. "If there is one person that does not strike me as someone that would marry anyone, it's her..."

He then cast his eyes down.

"Then again, I don't know her as much as you do. If I did, I wouldn't be here right now." He sighed. He really needed to start forgetting that still young grief. This was one of the happiest moments of his life right now.

"Lucius...would you ever find me worthy of your trust?"[/quote]
"If I had not immediately been struck by it I would have let you fry a long time ago." Lucius sipped his tea and closed his eyes, nodding.

"The woman deserves some praise. And I hardly come into contact with anyone else on a regular basis, so it only made sense to find attraction to her eventually. But nowadays she's just not like she once was. She's too focused on getting the job done as opposed to doing it but enjoying ourselves. She just goes too fast. But she is off, now, and not really the focus of our attention, hmm? You are much more important than her..."

[Liriena]

"If I had not immediately been struck by it I would have let you fry a long time ago." Lucius sipped his tea and closed his eyes, nodding.

"The woman deserves some praise. And I hardly come into contact with anyone else on a regular basis, so it only made sense to find attraction to her eventually. But nowadays she's just not like she once was. She's too focused on getting the job done as opposed to doing it but enjoying ourselves. She just goes too fast. But she is off, now, and not really the focus of our attention, hmm? You are much more important than her..."

Serafim's eyes widened at the last part of Lucius' ramblings.

"Excuse me?"

[Aldares]

"If I had not immediately been struck by it I would have let you fry a long time ago." Lucius sipped his tea and closed his eyes, nodding.

"The woman deserves some praise. And I hardly come into contact with anyone else on a regular basis, so it only made sense to find attraction to her eventually. But nowadays she's just not like she once was. She's too focused on getting the job done as opposed to doing it but enjoying ourselves. She just goes too fast. But she is off, now, and not really the focus of our attention, hmm? You are much more important than her..."

Serafim's eyes widened at the last part of Lucius' ramblings.

"Excuse me?"

"The Boss has connections, you have a personality. A clear dichotomy of what traits I find good should be made, and I don't want to leave you in the dark, here. She's just business. You're a friend. Simple as that."

[Liriena]

Serafim's eyes widened at the last part of Lucius' ramblings.

"Excuse me?"

"The Boss has connections, you have a personality. A clear dichotomy of what traits I find good should be made, and I don't want to leave you in the dark, here. She's just business. You're a friend. Simple as that."

Serafrim just blushed. That was all he could do.

"I...I..." He hesitated, words finding it impossible to surge from his lips. But as he cast his eyes down and saw Lucius' hand nearby, his hesitation faded away.

He suddenly held Lucius' hand, and spoke with a smile that spoke of a million joys and eyes that were watery. "I don't care how many times I've said it already...Thank you, Lucius...Thank you so much."

[Lucantis]

"One thing you should about me," I said, "is that I'm a bounty hunter. But I'm looking for a faction to call my own, without having to join the Cults or Protectors. Now if you don't mind..." I chuckled. "...show me where she is and get the hell outta my way 'til I complete the job or you can come with me and gang up on her. I have an idea." Then I waited for a response as I tried to explain to myself how my theory is wrong.

[Aldares]

"The Boss has connections, you have a personality. A clear dichotomy of what traits I find good should be made, and I don't want to leave you in the dark, here. She's just business. You're a friend. Simple as that."

Serafrim just blushed. That was all he could do.

"I...I..." He hesitated, words finding it impossible to surge from his lips. But as he cast his eyes down and saw Lucius' hand nearby, his hesitation faded away.

He suddenly held Lucius' hand, and spoke with a smile that spoke of a million joys and eyes that were watery. "I don't care how many times I've said it already...Thank you, Lucius...Thank you so much."

"It is quite alright. You are deserving of it." And with that, Lucius smiled and squeezed Serafim's hand back. This night was turning out to be quite unusual in that 1. the newest member of the group had just been almost destroyed and erased from existence and 2. Lucius had just made a great friend, which seldom happened.

[Lambrinisia]

Outside the alley, the Cultists could feel the power of the Artifacts and made their escape. They would report this back at the HQ.

Francesca switched the view on her laptop to the medical ward. Lucius was still there, this time reading something to Serafim. She sighed; if you get too attached to someone, you make mistakes. She unlocked her desk drawer and took out a picture, looked at it for a time, before putting it back. You can make fatal mistakes when you're close to someone. The Donna left her office, locking the picture back in the drawer on the way out. She also stowed the Cassis in the vault of the HQ. Other artifacts were here too, such as Nero's Violin. As the number of Cultists decreased over the years, the number of unused artifacts grew. She locked the vault back up and being the only one able to open it, due to fingerprint recognition, voice recognition and a number of other measures, left satisfied that nobody could get into it.

Francesca stepped onto the jetty as two lackeys returned from the city. "Donna Francesca!" one called and they ran over to her. "We detected artifact users in the city. There seemed to be about five fighting near the Rialto bridge!" they announced.

"Thank you," replied the tall redhead, "I'll go investigate." With that, she climbed into one of the boats, was untied from the dock by the lackeys and headed off towards the city.

[Shadyrya]

Alex ran along, using the Knife to run even faster than Henry. "Why must we start a pre-mature fight? Now, who are you guys? My name is Alexandre, I'm a... businessman from London." Putting a look of confusion on his face, he said, "Are you guys, like, superheroes or something?"

[Tarnen]

Walker exited the landed plane, having never taking any luggage in the first place. He took a moment to stretch, being on a plane for a couple of hours was comfortable but sitting in the same chair for hours wasn't. Already Etani and Heiz were following at least two rogues, at least that is what he last heard from them. After ten minutes he manage to find both of them conversing with a rogue. He appear beside them, "No, we are protectors, and we do just that protect those shards against people who would want to use it, for evil."

[Ronationils]

Outside the alley, the Cultists could feel the power of the Artifacts and made their escape. They would report this back at the HQ.

Francesca switched the view on her laptop to the medical ward. Lucius was still there, this time reading something to Serafim. She sighed; if you get too attached to someone, you make mistakes. She unlocked her desk drawer and took out a picture, looked at it for a time, before putting it back. You can make fatal mistakes when you're close to someone. The Donna left her office, locking the picture back in the drawer on the way out. She also stowed the Cassis in the vault of the HQ. Other artifacts were here too, such as Nero's Violin. As the number of Cultists decreased over the years, the number of unused artifacts grew. She locked the vault back up and being the only one able to open it, due to fingerprint recognition, voice recognition and a number of other measures, left satisfied that nobody could get into it.

Francesca stepped onto the jetty as two lackeys returned from the city. "Donna Francesca!" one called and they ran over to her. "We detected artifact users in the city. There seemed to be about five fighting near the Rialto bridge!" they announced.

"Thank you," replied the tall redhead, "I'll go investigate." With that, she climbed into one of the boats, was untied from the dock by the lackeys and headed off towards the city.

Up above the city of Venice a lone figure stood on on the rail of a helicopter. Just then the Hawk, the stealth helicopter for the Cult, stopped moving. An ice cold slithering voice began to speak.
Ssssirrrr the voice said We are above Misssss Francsssesssca'sss current location. Ssshe is about to confront three rouge artifact usssserssss and a small tassssk force of Protectorssss. Do you wish to drop now? the voice questioned. The figure on the railing answered.
Yes, I think that is the appropriate action to take. By the way, Crone does Francesca have the Chassis in her possession?
This time another feminine voice answered. This one sounded older then the slithering voice that had spoken before.
Yes, Master Chrisis, Donna Francesca is currently in possession of the Chassis. Also, She has two other cult members as well as a member of "The Organization with her.
"The Organization" huh, the figure replied with a small bit of interest creeping into his voice. I haven't heard that name in a while. Francesca must of had a ball with that encounter. Anyways...
... I best be off.
With that the figure known as Chrisis jumped from the helicopter suspended 400 feet above the ground.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Two seconds later the ground behind Dona Francesca was occupied by a dog like figure. This wolf, as the dog turned out to be, the began to morph into a human being.
Hello Francesca. Chrisis said long time no see...

[Lucantis]

After a while, I moved quickly, unnoticed by anyone. I decided to look for Alex and Henry and tell them about a plan I thought of. I saw Alex and Henry, Henry being the closest. I went up to him and whispered, "Meet me outside the city.. I have plan." Then I went to Alex and said the same thing.

---

Outside side the city, I saw both of them and took shape in front of them. "I see you came," I said. "Let's get down to business.. I have an idea to create our own organization, completely seperate from the Cults and Protectors. We will recruit and find artifacts from other rogues and from either side. I am currently on a mission to hunt down a Protector. We can take her down easily. You two take the shard out of the city, while I take a dud to the Cults and collect the money. Luckily, they do not know about my secret account." I took a breather. "What do you say?" I chuckled.

[Boriem]

Henry smiled at his fellow rogue.

"That is a deal that I can accept." Henry said with a small chuckle. "Now, let's get cracking."

[Lambrinisia]

Outside the alley, the Cultists could feel the power of the Artifacts and made their escape. They would report this back at the HQ.

Francesca switched the view on her laptop to the medical ward. Lucius was still there, this time reading something to Serafim. She sighed; if you get too attached to someone, you make mistakes. She unlocked her desk drawer and took out a picture, looked at it for a time, before putting it back. You can make fatal mistakes when you're close to someone. The Donna left her office, locking the picture back in the drawer on the way out. She also stowed the Cassis in the vault of the HQ. Other artifacts were here too, such as Nero's Violin. As the number of Cultists decreased over the years, the number of unused artifacts grew. She locked the vault back up and being the only one able to open it, due to fingerprint recognition, voice recognition and a number of other measures, left satisfied that nobody could get into it.

Francesca stepped onto the jetty as two lackeys returned from the city. "Donna Francesca!" one called and they ran over to her. "We detected artifact users in the city. There seemed to be about five fighting near the Rialto bridge!" they announced.

"Thank you," replied the tall redhead, "I'll go investigate." With that, she climbed into one of the boats, was untied from the dock by the lackeys and headed off towards the city.

Up above the city of Venice a lone figure stood on on the rail of a helicopter. Just then the Hawk, the stealth helicopter for the Cult, stopped moving. An ice cold slithering voice began to speak.
Ssssirrrr the voice said We are above Misssss Francsssesssca'sss current location. Ssshe is about to confront three rouge artifact usssserssss and a small tassssk force of Protectorssss. Do you wish to drop now? the voice questioned. The figure on the railing answered.
Yes, I think that is the appropriate action to take. By the way, Crone does Francesca have the Chassis in her possession?
This time another feminine voice answered. This one sounded older then the slithering voice that had spoken before.
Yes, Master Chrisis, Donna Francesca is currently in possession of the Chassis. Also, She has two other cult members as well as a member of "The Organization with her.
"The Organization" huh, the figure replied with a small bit of interest creeping into his voice. I haven't heard that name in a while. Francesca must of had a ball with that encounter. Anyways...
... I best be off.
With that the figure known as Chrisis jumped from the helicopter suspended 400 feet above the ground.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Two seconds later the ground behind Dona Francesca was occupied by a dog like figure. This wolf, as the dog turned out to be, the began to morph into a human being.
Hello Francesca. Chrisis said long time no see...

"Long time Chrisis, how have things been?" she asked. "I'm assuming you have heard about the... liberation of a piece valuable to us? Either way, I've come out to the city because of news brought by members of our business."

[Shadyrya]

After a while, I moved quickly, unnoticed by anyone. I decided to look for Alex and Henry and tell them about a plan I thought of. I saw Alex and Henry, Henry being the closest. I went up to him and whispered, "Meet me outside the city.. I have plan." Then I went to Alex and said the same thing.

---

Outside side the city, I saw both of them and took shape in front of them. "I see you came," I said. "Let's get down to business.. I have an idea to create our own organization, completely seperate from the Cults and Protectors. We will recruit and find artifacts from other rogues and from either side. I am currently on a mission to hunt down a Protector. We can take her down easily. You two take the shard out of the city, while I take a dud to the Cults and collect the money. Luckily, they do not know about my secret account." I took a breather. "What do you say?" I chuckled.

Alex flattened his mouth. "I'm in the business of hiding; how would this keep me off the radar?" Alex was tempted by the idea, but he needed to stay low. "I like the idea, don't get me wrong, but it wouldn't serve my best interests. Persuade me."

[Ronationils]

Up above the city of Venice a lone figure stood on on the rail of a helicopter. Just then the Hawk, the stealth helicopter for the Cult, stopped moving. An ice cold slithering voice began to speak.
Ssssirrrr the voice said We are above Misssss Francsssesssca'sss current location. Ssshe is about to confront three rouge artifact usssserssss and a small tassssk force of Protectorssss. Do you wish to drop now? the voice questioned. The figure on the railing answered.
Yes, I think that is the appropriate action to take. By the way, Crone does Francesca have the Chassis in her possession?
This time another feminine voice answered. This one sounded older then the slithering voice that had spoken before.
Yes, Master Chrisis, Donna Francesca is currently in possession of the Chassis. Also, She has two other cult members as well as a member of "The Organization with her.
"The Organization" huh, the figure replied with a small bit of interest creeping into his voice. I haven't heard that name in a while. Francesca must of had a ball with that encounter. Anyways...
... I best be off.
With that the figure known as Chrisis jumped from the helicopter suspended 400 feet above the ground.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Two seconds later the ground behind Dona Francesca was occupied by a dog like figure. This wolf, as the dog turned out to be, the began to morph into a human being.
Hello Francesca. Chrisis said long time no see...

"Long time Chrisis, how have things been?" she asked. "I'm assuming you have heard about the... liberation of a piece valuable to us? Either way, I've come out to the city because of news brought by members of our business."

"Yes. I am well aware of your operation and of it's rewards." Chrisis responded. "I also know that you are on your way to confront three rouge shard users. I am here to inform you that there is also two highly powerful Protectors which are backed up by a large battalion of Protectors. It is without need to say that "She" is with them."

(ooc: she is Sylvia)

[Lambrinisia]

"That changes things. Whilst battling the Protectors and liberating treasures is fun, it probably would not be the best idea to fight them here. It might be more prudent to move onto the next artifact," she decided.

[Ronationils]

"Yes. I am well aware of your operation and of it's rewards." Chrisis responded. "I also know that you are on your way to confront three rouge shard users. I am here to inform you that there is also two highly powerful Protectors which are backed up by a large battalion of Protectors. It is without need to say that "She" is with them."

"That changes things. Whilst battling the Protectors and liberating treasures is fun, it probably would not be the best idea to fight them here. It might be more prudent to move onto the next artifact," she decided.

"Aww, Francesca" you take the fun out of everything. Me and you should be able to take care of the three rogues at least"

*(ooc note Chrisis is medically insane.)

[Lambrinisia]

"Aww, Francesca" you take the fun out of everything. Me and you should be able to take care of the three rogues at least"

*(ooc note Chrisis is medically insane.)

"We might and that I'm not denying. However it would be a timewaster when we could achieve goals with much less interference. I'm just trying to decide on the most efficient course of action. Anyway, could you see anything from that helicopter of yours that might give us an advantage should we take them on?" she asked.