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> Corrupted heart.
jack cloudy
post Jan 5 2007, 09:59 PM
Post #1


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Joined: 11-February 06
From: In a cold place.



Alas, I couldn't wait for Agent to finish before I began my next story. Oh, curse me, all of you whose blood shall be spilled before this story comes to an end.

Ahem, I don't expect my loyal readers to complain though. Heh, I hope I managed to portray the first of my main characters nicely. And one last thing that might be interesting to know. This story takes place before the birth of Luper. So yes, that means at least 23 years before any of my other stories. Now, without further stalling I present:


Corrupted heart.

Chapter 1: Among the cold dirt, the fallen lie.

Consciousness flickered, remaining just out of reach. His senses delivered their messages to his clouded mind, broken fragments of a greater whole. The sound of heavy boots hammering cold rock, the smell of dust in his nose, the feeling of being carried in a boneshattering grip. A taste, plaguing the tip of his tongue. Blood, his blood.

The feeling of movement stopped. Words now echoed in his ears, words he did not comprehend.
,,This looks good enough. Open the door.” The shriek of rusted metal being moved ripped through the haze clouding his mind. Now consciousness returned fully and with it, a chance. For a moment, he continued to feign unconsciousness. Long enough to hear more words, words not meant for him.
,,You, don’t move unless you want even greater problems.” The hands holding him pushed him along. His tail brushed against iron bars. Now was the time.

With the frightening grace of a natural killer, his muscles sprang back to full readiness. He used the body of his captor to swing around, somersaulting into the air and landing on the unfortunate man’s back. With a quick swipe, claws ripped out the man’s throat and crushed his neck. Even before the man began to lose his signs of life, the killer had leapt away. The next guard found himself smashed against the iron bars of the cell. Claws leaving a trail of blood in the air where the last thing the man saw before his eyes were removed. He too died soon afterwards. The whole event had taken less than a second from start to finish.

Breathing heavily from both his exertion and the rough treatment he’d received earlier, the killer stared down at his latest victims. In a slow symbolic movement, he raised his claws and licked them clean of blood, savouring the taste. His ears began to pick up the sound of distant boots coming steadily closer. A standard patrol. His hand snatched the nearby torch from the wall and he slammed the piece of wood into a dusty pool of water. There was a large cloud of smoke and then, darkness.

Even though there was practically no light left, his eyes still saw as good as if he was standing outside on a clear day. He quickly scanned the nearby cells. The one which had been destined for him was already occupied by the short stature of a Bosmer. The one directly on the opposite side of the tunnel was occupied by a muscular Dunmer who looked around warily, not seeing a thing. The killer took a double take on the two beings. While the Dunmer displayed all the expected signs of fear, the Bosmer surprisingly acted as if she hadn’t noticed the massacre at all. She just looked at the ground in front of her bare feet with a blank stare.
,,Must have lost its mind so deep underground.” The Killer concluded. He knew from experience that many Bosmer were extremely claustrophobic and hated being in a room without any windows or underground. A natural result from living in the treetops of Valenwood.

The boots had now gotten close. Soon, the owner of these boots would see the darkness ahead and know that something was wrong. By then though, it would be too late. The Killer crouched at the edge of the darkness, confident in the natural camouflage he had. Now the guard ventured into view and the killer’s heart skipped a beat. This was no guard. The fingers of fear reached out for him, embracing him with their cold touch. It was a feeling he hadn’t felt since childhood. The darkness in the tunnel was vanquished by a bright burst of light. With that same burst, the light in his eyes faded and he slipped into unconsciousness once more.

An armoured boot stomped on the ground beside his head.
,,You’ve missed your chance. Enjoy the blood you’ve claimed. They were your last kill.” A gruff voice said as the killer was picked up and taken to his cell.


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jack cloudy
post Feb 3 2007, 12:01 AM
Post #2


Master
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Joined: 11-February 06
From: In a cold place.



Hmm, I don't hold the record at postmachining though. (Heh, it has evolved into a word of its own. Cool.)
Anyway, it's time for some fun!







The day had ended and now the moons dominated the skies. As the warmth of the day fled the land, the night reached out with its cold fingers. Cyrodiil’s citizens had fled into their homes. Where during the day one had to shout to get over the chorus of countless voices, now one could hear the rustle of a leaf falling. Guards patrolled the empty streets with torches in their hand.

The guards were not the only ones out on the streets. A cloaked man moved carefully from shadow to shadow, a spear tied to his back. The light of a torch gave away the approach of a guard. The man made himself as small as possible and waited till the guard had passed. After that, he dashed across the plaza and jumped down the well, using the hanging rope to control his descent.

Ra’trith stood on the walls of an abandoned fort. Beneath him, the corpses of a goblin tribe were littered around the courtyard. He was facing west, towards Cheydinhall.
,,Vincente.” He breathed into the wind. He turned to the east. He could just see the walls of Chorrol on the horizon.
,,I’ll go east, far away from here. Perhaps to Hammerfell. The Dark Brotherhood must be willing to take me in. My skills are too valuable for them to let go.”

On the southern side of the city, a rope fell down from the city wall. Marsh looked around.
,,The coast is clear. Get down there.” He told his Bosmer companion. Rajn wasted no time in sliding down the rope. Marsh followed once she was clear. He left the rope hanging from the walls and led the way to the sewer entrance. The entrance itself was a large circular opening in the rocky island with a grating to keep out any unwanted guests. Trash, organic waste and a few fish completed the scene. Beyond the opening, there was only darkness.

The Argonian retrieved a small key from his pocket and removed the lock on the grating, making sure he didn’t cause any noise. With his care to remain silent, it took over a minute before he’d swung the grating open far enough to pass through. He slipped through and waited on the other side for Rajn. The Bosmer took a step back and fiddled nervously with an arrow.
,,I don’t want to go in there. Last time I nearly got killed.” She said with a quivering voice. Marsh stood motionless for a moment, his eyes lighting up red in the darkness. He then nodded.
,,As you wish. Stay outside then and make sure that no one enters the sewers.” He whispered and was about to venture into the darkness when he felt a hand tugging at his sleeve.
,,Just why do you keep me around?” Rajn asked. She felt much more confident now that she didn’t had to face the sewers.

,,To tell you the truth, I don’t know. It simply….felt like the best plan at the time. Now be quiet, I might be gone for a while.” He pulled himself free and vanished. Behind him, the circle of light that was the exit shrank rapidly and soon it vanished completely when he rounded a corner.

Marsh slowed down. He strained his ears, trying to catch another sound beyond the slow dripping of water. Nothing. He brought his hands in front of his face.
,,Ocsdros, Jike bei.” He chanted softly. After the dark smoke had evaporated, he was truly invisible in the darkness. He gently lowered himself into the water till he was completely submerged.
,,Second passage, right. Continue till the waterflow reverses. Take the first passage to the left three times.” He had memorized the directions from his earlier visit and could quite literally find his destination with his eyes closed. His tail swept from side to side and propelled him forwards underwater.

After a short swim, the tunnel appeared to come to an abrupt end. He rose out of the water as slow as he entered it, to prevent any sound. This far away from the entrance, the only source of light would be an artificial one. Marsh took out his staff and held it above his head. As the orb at the tip began to glow, his eyes began to see. He was standing in front of a solid wall. Or rather, what looked like a solid wall. The Argonian stepped forward till his snout nearly touched the bricks. Then, he stepped through the illusion, feeling a tingling sensation run down his spine.

The light from his staff filled the small tomblike chamber. This was exactly what this place was. A tomb. On a crude altar lay the rotten corpse of someone. The flesh had been effected so much by the process of decay that it was impossible to tell race or even gender. With a slight snort of revulsion, the Argonian put laid a hand on the corpse’s heart. His hand and his entire body appeared to gleam with a white light as he chanted his spell.
,,Mertar, Bile hert, gert, oise.” The light focussed under his hand. He stepped back and watched how the shining sphere began to grow and change shape.

Arms grew from its sides, its lower side became a pair of delicate feet hidden by a swirling translucent dress. Finally, a head formed on top. What was first a sphere of Magicka was now the ghostly illusion of a beautiful yet troubled woman. Marsh knelt in front of the altar.
,,Lady Silmane, I apologize for this disturbance. I know that your powers are limited.” He apologized to the unearthly being. The woman gave him a friendly smile.
,,Don’t worry yourself. I know you would never come without a good reason. I believe I know your reason for coming and disturbing my slumber.”

Her face grew sad.
,,It has been weeks since we opened the door to the Champion’s cell. It saddens me to tell you, but he no longer walks this world. Talin, my old friend, died. With his death, the threads of prophecy have been severed. Now Tamriel is truly lost.” A tear ran down her ethereal face. Marsh didn’t notice. He was shocked by the news and simply stared ahead with blank eyes.
,,The Champion, the chosen one. Death? Now who will destroy the traitor? If the hero is gone, then who can take his place?”

Only after a long time did he regain knowledge of his surroundings. With a brusque motion, he picked up his staff which he’d put against the wall earlier.
,,I’ve been here for too long. Just tell me, quickly, is there another way? Another man to take his role, another Champion to finish what he started? Please, lady Silmane. Tell me.” He whispered urgently. Silmane shook her head.

,,I don’t know everything. How would that be possible, if it was I who was foolish enough to be in love with the traitor till the moment he struck me down? I only know of one way to find your answer.” She held out a hand. In her palm, a key took form, a key inscribed with runes in a language that was no longer used by the living. Marsh held out his own scaly hand and caught it the moment it became solid enough to fall through the ghost’s hand.
,,There is an old passage into the palace. You must remember it from our explorations when we were children. You must go there and find a way to the blind monks. They have not yet been corrupted. They’ll help you. Ask them your question. Perhaps the scrolls will reveal your path. Farewell, I hope you’ll remain safe.” The ghost of Silmane dissolved. Marsh looked at the key in his hand and placed it inside his pocket.
,,I will succeed, lady. I will, for the sake of Tamriel.”

He turned around and stepped through the illusion once more. The light cast by his staff reflected on polished steel. A black hand flashed into his sight before hitting him on the snout. As he fell backwards through the illusionary wall, he dropped his staff and the orb shattered on the hard floor, thereby removing the only source of light. Marsh saw nothing. With one hand, he clutched his bruised head. The other, he held outstretched in a useless attempt to ward of his assailant.
,,I’ve gotten careless. This might end with my death. No, I can’t!” He thought frantically, trying to find a way to escape. He heard the sound of a sword leaving its scabbard.


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Posts in this topic
jack cloudy   Corrupted heart.   Jan 5 2007, 09:59 PM
Lord Revan   Nice beginning Jack, that sounds a lot like the Im...   Jan 5 2007, 10:56 PM
The Metal Mallet   Wow, your use of description has left me stunned, ...   Jan 6 2007, 12:50 AM
jack cloudy   Yup, it's the Imperial prison alright. Hey, I...   Jan 6 2007, 05:03 PM
The Metal Mallet   Let's just say that I wanted to play around ...   Jan 6 2007, 05:38 PM
jack cloudy   Wow, I just can't stop. I promise I'll get...   Jan 6 2007, 10:22 PM
The Metal Mallet   You would think they would just relocate the priso...   Jan 6 2007, 11:02 PM
jack cloudy   The point is, they would relocate. Only, the priso...   Jan 6 2007, 11:20 PM
The Metal Mallet   Haha! What delcious update, jack. So it loo...   Jan 7 2007, 12:03 AM
canis216   I don't want to ruin anything, but I must ask;...   Jan 7 2007, 12:19 AM
Black Hand   Excellent! Yes, I likie the story already, and...   Jan 7 2007, 08:43 AM
jack cloudy   I won't have much time tomorrow but I'll t...   Jan 7 2007, 10:32 PM
canis216   Ah, this prison just gets worse and worse--feels c...   Jan 7 2007, 10:41 PM
The Metal Mallet   I hereby rename this prison The Labrithyn of Doom...   Jan 8 2007, 12:45 AM
jack cloudy   Yeah, I think I went a bit overboard here. Would t...   Jan 12 2007, 11:01 PM
The Metal Mallet   Uh oh, they're in trouble now. If only our Du...   Jan 12 2007, 11:48 PM
jack cloudy   The Werewolf grinned in anticipation. Finally, he ...   Jan 13 2007, 08:02 PM
canis216   Temporary refuge from the werewolf. Sounds like th...   Jan 13 2007, 08:14 PM
The Metal Mallet   Hmm I'm curious of who this new "mystery...   Jan 13 2007, 09:36 PM
jack cloudy   And a quickie to end today's update. ,,Yes...   Jan 13 2007, 10:31 PM
The Metal Mallet   Hmm so it seems that higher up beings are taking i...   Jan 14 2007, 03:02 AM
jack cloudy   The sun cast its merciless rays down on the roofs,...   Jan 15 2007, 08:37 PM
The Metal Mallet   Our healer seems to have a bit of humour to her, w...   Jan 15 2007, 11:02 PM
jack cloudy   Hmm, I just realized. Ra'trith alone has murde...   Jan 16 2007, 08:05 PM
The Metal Mallet   Well not all killers have character development, j...   Jan 17 2007, 01:05 AM
Black Hand   Whoa. I stand in awe of your post machineiness Jac...   Jan 17 2007, 04:25 AM
Malpense the Dark   Wow, I'm really loving this series! As a ...   Jan 17 2007, 12:15 PM
jack cloudy   Thank you and welcome. Please have a look at the o...   Jan 17 2007, 11:00 PM
The Metal Mallet   Well you can certainly tell that Aran is a pridefu...   Jan 17 2007, 11:26 PM
jack cloudy   Well, I've been following the teasers quite cl...   Jan 21 2007, 09:55 PM
Black Hand   One Handed Spear Weilding at its best! Keep it...   Jan 21 2007, 10:18 PM
The Metal Mallet   Each character and getting more steadily defined a...   Jan 21 2007, 10:55 PM
canis216   Wow, a lot's happened here since I last peruse...   Jan 21 2007, 11:23 PM
jack cloudy   A shadow walked into Cheydinhall, unseen by any of...   Jan 24 2007, 10:29 PM
Malpense the Dark   Nice stuff Jack, very enjoyable. I like how the c...   Jan 24 2007, 11:04 PM
The Metal Mallet   I would be suspicious too given the information on...   Jan 25 2007, 12:21 AM
Black Hand   My my my Jack! You're now officially induc...   Jan 25 2007, 05:41 AM
The Metal Mallet   We have such a guild!!!? Sweet!...   Jan 25 2007, 05:20 PM
jack cloudy   It's obvious, isn't it? When you pay money...   Jan 25 2007, 07:08 PM
The Metal Mallet   Ra'trith nears the Imperial City! Beware ...   Jan 25 2007, 08:10 PM
jack cloudy   A short one. Enjoy! That night, Aran retu...   Jan 25 2007, 10:55 PM
The Metal Mallet   .... And then the trap reveals itself!! O...   Jan 25 2007, 11:15 PM
jack cloudy   No need to be patient any longer. The trap reveals...   Jan 26 2007, 11:40 PM
The Metal Mallet   Hmmm, that Redguard was rather peculiar. Seems to...   Jan 27 2007, 01:37 AM
canis216   Hah! Ansei, shehai, all that good stuff! B...   Jan 27 2007, 03:48 AM
jack cloudy   Hey, I don't mind if you are a bit of a lore-f...   Jan 30 2007, 08:22 PM
Malpense the Dark   Great update man, really good. Enter the Blades, ...   Jan 31 2007, 12:46 AM
Malpense the Dark   I really hate to double post, particularly when th...   Jan 31 2007, 01:54 AM
canis216   Forum rules: You can't start a new topic until...   Jan 31 2007, 04:33 AM
jack cloudy   Yeah, it's a relatively new rule. Ever since w...   Jan 31 2007, 10:40 PM
The Metal Mallet   Ahhh, our Khajiit has a history with Vincente. It...   Feb 1 2007, 01:14 AM
Malpense the Dark   Great stuff Jack. Can't wait for more!   Feb 1 2007, 03:36 AM
jack cloudy   Chapter 3: Threads rebound. With the dagger press...   Feb 1 2007, 07:59 PM
Malpense the Dark   Ahh, the plot thickens! Who are these people ...   Feb 1 2007, 10:19 PM
The Metal Mallet   Well if I remember correctly, the Champion of Tamr...   Feb 1 2007, 11:40 PM
Lord Revan   Oh, he's a lot less than a corpse, remember MM...   Feb 2 2007, 12:33 AM
canis216   Indeed, the plots do thicken. There is so very muc...   Feb 2 2007, 12:34 AM
minque   Jackie! You´re a post-machine as well.....oh y...   Feb 2 2007, 11:51 PM
canis216   This is getting quite exciting... 'tis a bit o...   Feb 3 2007, 03:15 AM
jack cloudy   End of the Cliffhanger and the start of a new one...   Feb 3 2007, 10:33 PM
canis216   Wow... maybe I should try to play Arena sometime. ...   Feb 3 2007, 10:39 PM
minque   Yeah! It´s awesome....I also have Arena but ne...   Feb 3 2007, 11:01 PM
The Metal Mallet   Oooo creepy monster. I wonder want to be trapped ...   Feb 4 2007, 12:33 AM
Lord Revan   The highest rank of dremora is a Valkynaz, one of ...   Feb 4 2007, 05:46 AM
jack cloudy   I can tell you one thing about Arena, it's dam...   Feb 4 2007, 10:26 PM
canis216   Fantastic! And yes, Arena is really hard. I g...   Feb 4 2007, 11:16 PM
The Metal Mallet   Lovely update Jack! Looks like things are goi...   Feb 4 2007, 11:45 PM
Black Hand   Whoa....so thats what its like to read one of my s...   Feb 5 2007, 04:47 PM
jack cloudy   I love Arena. It has such a creepy atmosphere. Som...   Feb 5 2007, 11:11 PM
The Metal Mallet   Hehehe... I think I know where this is going ;) E...   Feb 5 2007, 11:36 PM
Black Hand   Oh Man jack,..see what you've started!...   Feb 6 2007, 01:25 AM
Lord Revan   Tsk, tsk, tsk, what is the word coming to? It see...   Feb 6 2007, 04:28 AM
jack cloudy   Back-stab? Bah, waste of arrows and they can't...   Feb 6 2007, 07:28 AM
jack cloudy   Marsh shook his head when he saw the Bosmer girl s...   Feb 7 2007, 10:57 PM
Lord Revan   So far so good, wonder how long their luck will la...   Feb 7 2007, 11:23 PM
The Metal Mallet   Lovely update! I also hope this plan works wi...   Feb 8 2007, 12:13 AM
jack cloudy   Say, does anyone know what the Imperial palace loo...   Feb 10 2007, 10:04 PM
canis216   Heh, quite the saucy one, that Bosmer...   Feb 10 2007, 10:09 PM
The Metal Mallet   Well it seems that they've gotten inside easil...   Feb 10 2007, 11:38 PM
jack cloudy   Ok, after our scene of breaking and entering. (lit...   Feb 11 2007, 07:20 PM
canis216   Yeah, Ra'Trith hasn't reared his head in a...   Feb 11 2007, 08:53 PM
The Metal Mallet   I really enjoyed reading the description of the ro...   Feb 11 2007, 09:11 PM
jack cloudy   Ok, just a quickie with no real influence on the p...   Feb 11 2007, 10:01 PM
canis216   No real influence on the plot, eh? We'll just ...   Feb 11 2007, 10:12 PM
Black Hand   Not all evil is wholly evil. Not all good is wholl...   Feb 11 2007, 11:43 PM
jack cloudy   A short one. I want to write a bit more but it...   Feb 17 2007, 10:59 PM
jack cloudy   She walked back to the entrance hall where she saw...   Feb 17 2007, 11:40 PM
The Metal Mallet   Ahhh the sneaky battlemage, just when you think yo...   Feb 18 2007, 01:00 AM
Black Hand   Battlemage?! BATTLEMAGE?! I freaking hate...   Feb 18 2007, 07:54 AM
jack cloudy   In a swirling cloud of Magicka, two forms wavered ...   Feb 18 2007, 09:50 PM
Black Hand   Well I hope you enjoy writing this, as much as I d...   Feb 19 2007, 07:49 AM
jack cloudy   I'll try to get the Elder scroll part done ton...   Feb 24 2007, 04:36 PM
The Metal Mallet   Creative explanation for defeating the "human...   Feb 24 2007, 04:58 PM
Black Hand   SGM!!   Feb 24 2007, 06:55 PM
jack cloudy   Wee, I got the next one! The first thing ...   Feb 24 2007, 07:59 PM
The Metal Mallet   Ooooo exciting, this is really picking up in the s...   Feb 24 2007, 08:15 PM
canis216   This is really thrilling stuff. Keep up the good w...   Feb 24 2007, 08:20 PM
jack cloudy   *Creeperlike voice* ,,I'm postmachining!...   Feb 24 2007, 09:21 PM
The Metal Mallet   Wow, things are getting more and more interesting....   Feb 24 2007, 09:40 PM
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