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Ex Nihilo
Nyctophobia. It is a primal fear, the fear of the dark. This is a fear that all humans share, at all stages of life. Though it may not be obvious, but every human experiences it when they find themselves out at the middle of the night, with no light to show them the way. Many call it irrational, but it is far from irrational, for in the dark dwell the monsters.
Not only the monsters of human creation, but those told through stories passed on from one generation to the next. The monsters that parents tell their children do not exist. The kind of monsters that parents tell their children are not under their beds, or hiding in their closets. The monsters that parents tell their children are just in their imagination.
Of course, not all the stories are to be believed full heartedly. Such stories include legends, myths and folklore. Many are exaggerated, others are not, and some are just plain wrong. But now you are likely wondering, how can this be true? How, in this day and age do we not know this? Well, the answer is simple, I never said we didn't.
In ancient times, the world of men and the supernatural was intertwined, but over time the two worlds separated. Human looked towards more "logical" answers to the world, and as such the world of the supernatural became more and more myth. But there always remained a small number of humans, the mages, would remain in touch with both worlds.
However, both worlds would be destined to collide, in 1901, all because of the actions of one mage, Ayla Zwahlen. Ayla would cause a certain type of event known in the supernatural world as a Time-Break. This event would become known as the Liechtenstein Incident after the fact. To this day, because of the Time-Break not much is known about what exactly happened, but a few things of importance are still known. All that is known boils down to one fact, this incident was responsible for the reshaping of the supernatural world and to some extent, the world of humans.
The Liechtenstein Incident called for the Grand Council, the Shadow Court, the Church and the world's superpowers at the time to set aside their differences and unite against Ayla Zwahlen. When the incident was finished, a new organization stood bridging the world of humans and the world of the supernatural. This organization was called, the International Ministry of Supernatural Affairs or just I.M.O.S.A. However over time, knowledge of the supernatural world return to a similar level as it was prior to the Liechtenstein Incident.
This lost of knowledge would lead to less funding for I.M.O.S.A, which would drive them to the edge of disbanding. But, just when they reached what looked like the end, the world called for their aid. The Axis had delved into the supernatural, and the leaders of the Allied nations rediscovered I.M.O.S.A. When the war ended and the UN was founded, I.M.O.S.A thought that they would just fade away again. But that wasn't the case.
I.M.O.S.A would not fade into the shadows, as its effect on the world was to great to cover up after the Second World War. So, instead of stepping back into the shadows, the world of the supernatural became more well known across the world, and I.M.O.S.A was there to protect the two worlds from each other. Of course, there was challenges, as humans feared the supernatural, and from that fear came prejudice and hate. This would eventually build up until the world was on the edge of a war between humans and the supernatural. I.M.O.S.A had one chance to strike a peace between the worlds before blood was shed.
However, I.M.O.S.A never got the chance. The entire organization fell apart after high ranking members were discovered to be corrupt. Upon this discovery, the uproar from both the human and supernatural community called for the disbanding of I.M.O.S.A. Not long after the disbanding of I.M.O.S.A, in 2003, the world fell into a war of humans and the mages of the Grand Council against the Shadow Court, and other smaller supernatural organizations.
It was a bloody and long war, lasting 20 years. Peace was made in 2023, with the defeat of the Shadow Court. After the war, many countries began to register supernatural beings and certain mages. While some countries stopped at this, others went further, and confined supernatural beings to certain areas within their borders, often building these cities for the sole purpose of isolating, and containing the supernatural. At the same time, many government agencies were created across the world, with the aid of the Grand Council or the Church, depending on where they were, for the purpose of containing and suppressing violent elements with in the supernatural community.
One such city is the city of Magia Insulam, built on the artificially, magitech created island with the same name. Both the city of Magia Insulam, and the island of Magia Insulam fall under the jurisdiction of a joint North American government organization, the North American Joint Ministry of Supernatural Affairs, or the N.A.J.M.S.A. The N.A.J.M.S.A makes use of both mages and ordinary people, along with the occasional supernatural beings, in the ranks of their agents. Based out of Magia Insulam because of the fact it is the place with the largest concentration of supernatural beings in North America. Since, Magia Insulam does not fall in American, Canadian, Mexican or any other countries borders, and therefore, only laws put into place by the N.A.J.M.S.A apply. Any person that wishes to leave the island or gain entry to the island, must gain permission with the N.A.J.M.S.A for example.
The current year is 2054, and the island city of Magia Insulam is well on its way to being the center of an event that could change the world, be it for the better or worse.
Special Agent Kato Galen, Dulcius Ex Asperis
White Blossom Plaza, Parva Flumen
Magia Insulam
One Day Ago
White Blossom Plaza, Parva Flumen
Magia Insulam
One Day Ago
White Blossom Plaza, one of the many shopping centres around the island of Magia Insulam, while not very different than all the others, this place had a special place in the heart of a certain person. This certain person was none other than Special Agent Kato Galen. The reason this single shopping centre had a special place in his heart, was because of a single store, that could only be found here at the White Blossom Plaza. And today, today was his lucky day. He had the day off, and there just so happened to be a certain sale, on a certain item that he wanted, so of course he took the opportunity.
So, here he was, walking through the shopping centre, with a bag in hand, barely containing his excitement. As such, he was grinning as he made his way through the shopping centre. Nothing could go wrong. Or so he thought. As he got to the central atrium of the complex, and it happened. First the power cut and then the screaming, shouting and threats as a large group of armed and masked people entered the shopping centre. Their masks were all the same, and their weapons, assault rifles, but out dated. From that first impression Kato determined two things, they all belonged to the same organization, possibly terrorists, possibly a gang, but it didn't matter. He also determined that they were seriously underfunded, perhaps they were just starting up or perhaps they just hadn't been very effective.
In a matter of minutes, all those who where in the shopping centre at this time of day, had either escaped the shopping centre or now found themselves gathered in the shopping centres atrium. Kato was not one of the ones who escaped however. Now, you may be wondering, why didn't he fight? Well, he was easily out numbered, and as of this moment, he didn't know much about the masked people. So, instead, he did as they said, and was now sitting on the ground with the rest of the hostages.
"Alright, all of you shut up and stay there." One of the masked people spoke, he was the largest one from what Kato could see.
Probably not the leader... most likely muscle. Kato thought to himself and looked away from the big guy, scanning the visible captors for a possible leader. I just wanted to get one thing, just one thing that was on sale... and now I have to deal with this...
It was then that he felt something, a sudden pulse of magic. A barrier was erected around the shopping centre. It was now obvious to Kato that these were probably not members of some hopeful gang, as gangsters wouldn't take hostages, and prepare for a siege. That was much to high profile, which meant only one thing.
Magic terrorists.... of course, because why not? He thought to himself and sighed silently. Doesn't look like there are any particular strong supernatural beings either among them or the other hostages...
After a few minutes, a new member of the captors approached the muscle of the captors. Something was whispered, but not quiet enough, as Kato overheard quite a bit of it. Not really worried about people overhearing them... the N.A.J.M.S.A has surrounded the shopping centre, about time. Their leader has apparently made his demands, but the N.A.J.M.S.A is buying time like they should be, requiring conformation that the hostages they claim to have are alive....
"Alright. You there, little girl..." The big guy began to speak pointing to a child about three people infront of Kato, "You're coming with me."
The girl was likely no older than five, and was clinging to her mother. Kato noted the registration bands on the girl and mothers wrist, meaning they were supernatural beings. But he also noted the fear on the little girl's face. So, when the little girl didn't listen to the captors muscle, and the captors muscle began stomping towards her, Kato just stood.
"You there, sit your ass back down." The big guy spoke, pointing his gun at Kato. All Kato did was lift his hands.
"Now, now, no need for rash decisions." Kato spoke, "I will admit, I did over hear you and your colleague speaking just a moment ago. You want that little girl to prove to the N.A.J.M.S.A that any hostages you have are unharmed, correct? Well, then how about instead take me. After all, if the N.A.J.M.S.A sees that you have me, they will be more willing to listen to your leaders demands... after all, I have an certain business interest with the N.A.J.M.S.A."
A lie, but not a lie at the same time...
"Umm... very well." The big guy spoke, and Kato walked out of the hostage group, only to be grabbed by the big guy. He was dragged by the big guy, around a corner, and into one of the shops. Upon entering, Kato instantly picked out their leader, after all it wasn't that hard, considering their leader was wearing fancier dress than the rest, and even had a shoulder cape. "Here you go boss."
"Ah, about time." the boss said and then looked to Kato, "You there, come over here."
Of course, Kato complied, and walked over the the leader, who directed him to stand in between to armed men, and pointed a phone camera towards him before starting to record. "As promised, proof that hostages are unharmed... go ahead and speak."
"This is Iplan Wafogle. It's as he said." Kato began, "All hostages are unharmed."
"There," The boss said and pointed the camera to his mask, "You have fifteen minutes before we start killing hostages."
With that the boss nodded to the big guy. The big guy approached, grabbed Kato and took him back to the rest of the hostages. Upon rejoining the hostages, Kato maneuvered himself to the centre of the hostages, and waited. As he waited, he prepared himself. And after about ten minutes, he was ready, and stood up.
"Oi, you sit your ass down." The big guy spoke again, pointing his weapon at Kato. "I will shoot you...."
"No you won't." Kato said, and looked at the big guy, "You gave the N.A.J.M.S.A fifteen minutes to comply. If you start killing hostages, then the N.A.J.M.S.A will definitely not comply. Not that they were going to anyways."
"Huh?" The big guy said, "They have no choice if they want to save you hostages. There is a magic barrier around this shopping centre, and we have all the entrances covered. There is no way for them to get in. So, sit your ass down."
"No." Kato stated and smirked, "Mistake one, being arrogant enough to believe that the magic barrier that was erected is strong enough to keep the N.A.J.M.S.A out. Mistake two, you assume that you have all points of entry covered. Mistake three, you gathered all hostages in one place. While admittedly, in some situations it would be wise, this is not one of those situations."
"What the hell do you mean?" The big guy said, now obviously confused by Kato.
"Mistake four, your final, most important mistake." Kato said and pulled out what looked like a wallet, opening it, he showed his badge to the big guy, "You never checked your hostages. Special Agent Kato Galen."
"SHOOT HIM!" The big guy shouted and pointed his weapon at Kato, along with the other captors, who also pointed their weapons at Kato. They pulled the triggers and fired.
However, no bullet hit Kato, nor the hostages. Instead, they all watched as the bullets made contact with a magic barrier, now surrounding all the hostages. Kato meanwhile just stood there, straightened his clothes and continued smirking, "Aegis Barrier. Fire all you want, you aren't going to get through."
As soon as he finished, there was the sound of glass shattering as the glass above the atrium shattered, followed shortly by an explosion of a nearby wall. Through the dust of the wall, magic flew as the N.A.J.M.S.A walked towards the captors, and the captors turned to return fire. From above, more members of the N.A.J.M.S.A moved in.
Not long after, Kato stood outside the shopping centre, watching the captors being escorted into armoured prisoner transports and the former hostages being looked after. When everything was done, no life was lost, and Kato was on his way home. Halfway on his way back home, he paused, and stood there for a second.
"Well, shiz...." He said and sighed, "I forgot my bag back there...."
Special Agent Kato Galen, Dulcius Ex Asperis
N.A.J.M.S.A Headquarters, Praetor Atrium
Magia Insulam
The Next Morning
N.A.J.M.S.A Headquarters, Praetor Atrium
Magia Insulam
The Next Morning
The doors to the elevator slid open, and Kato stepped into the hall. In his right hand was a bunch of files, all contained within a single file folder. He spent the last few minutes in a meeting with a small number of special agents, and other high ranking members of the N.A.J.M.S.A. Apparently, while he was being held with hostages yesterday, some strange magic was detected from multiple sites across the island. And as such, a number of teams where being gathered to investigate.
And so Kato had their assignment. Of course by there assignment, he meant his and his partner's assignment. The person he shared office space with. Arriving at his shared office, he opened the door, finding it empty of life. Of course he was there first, that was no surprise to Kato. So, he sat down and waited for Aurek Lowell to arrive.
MGC-X1 aka Generate, Vivere Militare Est
Southern Port, Tenebris Crystallo
Magia Insulam
Southern Port, Tenebris Crystallo
Magia Insulam
While magic could be used to help unload shipping containers from ships, cranes were still very much in use. And the Southern Port of Magia Insulam had perhaps the largest concentration of cranes for that purpose. After all, most everything that was shipped to the island either arrived via the Northwest Port or the Southern Port. But unlike the Northwest Port, the Southern Port was less used for legitimate reasons, simply because it was outdated. Of course, that didn't stop it being used, sometimes for legitimate business, but more often than not, for illegitimate business. And that was why a certain homunculi was sitting a top one of the shipping cranes, over looking a certain warehouse.
She had been there since the sun set last night, and she watched as something was delivered to this warehouse. But first, who was she? She was MGC-X1, or more commonly referred to as Generate, the greatest creation of House Marmara up to date, and she was here for business. That business was to obtain what was currently in the warehouse she was watching. But she couldn't have acted when it was still in transit, when she felt the strange magic pulse coming from the warehouse, or last night simply because of the identity of the group that was using the warehouse.
Who were they? They were members of an old and powerful organization. They were a group that's ranks were full of monsters. They were members of the Shadow Court. It wasn't that she was scared of them, the reason for her not going in earlier was simply because she had to be careful and it would be easier storming the warehouse during the day. The reason Generate had to be careful, was because if those in the warehouse could identify her, which was unlikely due to her being a fairly well kept secret of House Marmara, but it was not impossible. As such, she could not afford to let any of them escape knowing that she was the attacker, as if she did, then there was a risk that the Shadow Court would declare war on either House Marmara, or the entirety of the Grand Council. As for it being easier during the day, was that she was able to identify a number of vampires guarding the warehouse over the night, and everyone knew vampires were generally weaker during the day.
But she could not sit around and wait for to long however. The fact that she felt a strange magic power coming from the warehouse for a short time meant that the N.A.J.M.S.A knew about them as well. So, it was only a matter of time before the warehouse would be visited by agents of the N.A.J.M.S.A. And if they arrived before Generate had a time to get in, grab what she came for, and get out, then she wouldn't have an opportunity. As such, she stood up, and went over her plan once more in her head before leaping up into the sky, causing the metal of the crane where she was standing to bend.
Now, if she had time, she would have gone with a stealth approach. But since she was lacking time, she'd have to go in hard and fast. However, she'd still have to make sure to be careful about making sure she wasn't identified, and to do that, she'd just have to kill all those within the warehouse. So, as she reached the apex of her jump, she began to flip. At the apex, her head was now facing directly downward, and she created a small magic platform where her feat were. She only had a split second to preform this, and she used it. As her feet touched the platform, her knees bent and she pushed herself of the platform. In doing so, she shot herself down towards the warehouse with a sonic boom.
As she approached the warehouse, she flipped again, and tucked one leg in, so that she would come down on the roof with a single leg, concentrating the force to as small an area as possible. As such, when her leg made contact with the warehouse roof, she busted right through, creating a rather sizable hole in the warehouse roof. As the pieces of roof fell, Generate made contact with a poor unsuspecting Shadow Court member, instantly crushing their neck, and removing their head just as the pieces of the roof hit the ground of the warehouse.
The Shadow Court members in the main area of the empty warehouse, all turned to the dust cloud, and pointed their weapons and attention to the cloud. They could have opened fire instantly, but they didn't because they had to risk hitting their own people. That was their mistake. Without thinking, Generate ran out of the dust cloud, keeping low. In her hand was a dagger, created from her magical energy.
Her first target was armed with an assault rifle, but before he could open fire, Generate was right beside him. It didn't matter what he was, all that mattered was she had to kill him. Pushing off the leg opposite to her target, she went airborne, and spun. Her leg made contact with the back of her targets neck, breaking it instantly and sending the body flying through the dust cloud. The moment she landed, she took off again for the next.
Each hit was made to kill, and it wasn't always the same way. Sometimes it was a kill through martial arts, sometimes it was a kill with a magic construct, and sometimes she just took the weapon of her target and used it to kill the next. It was almost beautiful to watch as she swiftly moved from one to the next. She quickly made her way through the nameless grunts, dispatching them all before making her way to the other levels of the warehouse.
Generate quickly dispatched those in the small area that was the second floor before jumping from a window over looking the main room of the warehouse. Warehouses used for shady purposes often had secret basements, and Generate knew this, so she began searching for a way down. When she found the way, she wasted no time and began working her way through more and more nameless grunts. Until of course she found herself face to face with the leader of the Shadow Court members at the warehouse.
The battle with the Shadow Court elite was not so quick. Generate was up against a powerful vampire after all. They had similar speed, similar reaction times, and similar strengths. Every hit Generate landed, the Shadow Court elite landed one as well. Every hit Generate avoided, the Shadow Court elite avoided one as well. Every hit blocked by Generate, the Shadow Court elite blocked one as well. However, she managed to get the upper hand with her magic. While the Shadow Court elite also had powerful magic in the form of blood magic, Generate's magic was far more adaptable.
The battle ended with Generate's clothes being rather torn, and the Shadow Court elite's body laying on the ground, with his internal organs now external, and his head at Generate's feet. Vampires could be killed with magic, but perhaps the most effective way to kill them was by removing their head, like most other supernatural and natural beings.
With the Shadow Court elite dead, Generate made her way to the back of the room, where a serious looking safe could be found. After cracking it open, she pulled out a relatively small box covered in even more runes. Opening it, she confirmed its content. When she confirmed it was the item she came for, she closed the box and returned to the main room of the warehouse.
Éloi Hardouin, Semper fortis
Hardouin Estate, Rex Arces
Magia Insulam
Hardouin Estate, Rex Arces
Magia Insulam
The Hardouin's, one of the Eight families, known for its honour and fairness, had estates in multiple important cities across the world, including in Magia Insulam. As such, whenever members of House Hardouin came to the island for whatever reason, they had a place to say. And at this moment, two members of House Hardouin were in the estate as they had recently arrived on the Magia Insulam for important personal reasons.
One of them was Éloi Hardouin, first born of the current Councilor for House Hardouin on the Grand Council, Valérie Hardouin. As such, he was one of the highest profile members of the family. Despite being such high profile, like many of the Hardouin's, he didn't travel with bodyguards or the sort mainly because he didn't need them. He was skilled in combat, and magic. In fact, even among the Hardouin's, he was near the top for magic ability, after all he could summon the Legendary Spirit of Herakles/Hercules after all.
Anyways, Éloi stood in the front room of the estate, waiting for the second member of the Hardouin family who was in Magia Insulam with him. There personal business for being on the island had to do with their missing father. Apparently a certain person on Magia Insulam had information that could prove useful in determining where their father disappeared to. But Éloi could not leave yet, not without his little sister.
Lycaonia Uchita, Ignis Aurum Probat
A Cafe across from the Central Hall of Magical Art, Transgressus Equitibus
Magia Insulam
A Cafe across from the Central Hall of Magical Art, Transgressus Equitibus
Magia Insulam
"There's something strange about that place..." Lycaonia spoke to herself as she sat in a cafe across from the world famous Central Hall of Magical Art. The Central Hall of Magical Art was a unique art museum with pieces from throughout time that all had one thing in common, they were created using magical means by artistic mages, and all had a level of magical energy infused into them. Some pieces where known to move, others where stationary but acted like a film, and some even had eyes that really did follow you around.
But that wasn't what Lycaonia was referring to as strange. As she watched the building, she took note of the spirits around it acting strange. Normally spirits wouldn't care if a building was in their way, and would just move right through it, but when it came to the Central Hall, the spirits she saw seemed to actively avoid it. But what was stranger was a few days ago, the spirits were not acting that way.
"Very strange..." She continued speaking to herself, The only times I have seen spirits act like this is... when there is some sort of evil and powerful presence... maybe its worth investigating?
Brother Godwyn, Nec Aspera Terrent
A Church, Refer Anguis
Magia Insulam
A Church, Refer Anguis
Magia Insulam
"Did you feel it?" the priest said to Brother Godwyn as they sat alone in the pews. The priest was an old priest, but despite his fragile frame, was very powerful. The priest was a member of the Order of Saint Cyprian of Antioch, like Brother Godwyn. But while Brother Godwyn focused on combat, and taking the fight to those who stood against the church and by extension, God, the priest was more focused on the servitude side, using his magic for healing, sanctifying and generally less combat focused abilities including magic detection. "For just a few minutes I felt an evil magic coming from multiple locations on this island..."
"Where Father?" Brother Godwyn asked.
The priest pulled out a map and handed it to Godwyn, "I have marked the locations. I believe that this is what the Order sent you here for. Why God desired you here. Something is happening on this island, something evil. Stop it, but be wary, other groups have felt the magic I have felt, and they to seek it out."
Without saying another word, Brother Godwyn stood up, thanked the priest with a nod, and left the Church. He had a mission to do, for the glory of the Church, and the glory of God.
