AC: Shanty Town - Neutral Grounds

[Alphakoka]

Are was thrown for the second time that day. He returned to standing position and faced the beast and the other two men, one was running back to the beast with a sword drawn and the other, the weird mage, was now wielding a hammer by its head. The first man, a warrior as it seems, was now hacking through the beast. The action clearly annoyed and hurt the beast as it roared.

He then saw that the other man was muttering something inaudible to him, “Hey ace, if you can give a hand, I think we can use it.” before shouting in the same language, “Do you feel lucky punk? Well do ya?”

Are had no idea what was said, although the next three thunderous bangs after made him thought it was some kind of incantation to powerful a spell. It clearly was a powerful one as it caused the beast to stagger. On the other hand, the bangs helped him to calm down and got his act together. He clapped his hands once before pointing two palms to the beast and started an incantation, normally, he had no need of one, but with his current situation, he might have to borrow additional strength from his surrounding, "Spirits of the wind, gather in my hands and strike forth to my target! Weave to the sky and converge!"

As he said the last word, a miniature tornado formed from his palms and slammed to the beast on its midriff. The tornado was not extremely strong to decimate the beast or sent it flying, but it was strong enough to topple it down to the ground. It was only after the wind died down that he remembered where the other man currently was.

"Vhaerth!" he muttered on his mistake. "I hope that man can handle being thrown like that."

[whiteglint77]

Vale rushed the beast with a furious combination of staggering blows, each slash drawing its attention further and further away from the big guns. He grinned ferociously as he saw the bright flashes just outside his vision. One, two, three, and another volley, one, two, THREE! A streak of blazingly hot light erupted from the darkness in Vale's peripheral vision, illuminating the field with a flash. The blessed projectile roared through the air, a perfect synchronization of metal and divine justice. Whoever the pistol's previous owner had been, he was one lucky punk. The stream of bright white flame collided with the great beast's skull, slamming into it with the force of a bomb. It's desperate roar was cut short as the blast cleaved through its once adamant skull, the sheer force of the weapon sending to its knees.The bullet had crashed through the back of the monster's head, shearing off whatever it met in an unrelenting, unforgiving blast of flame. The crash shook the earth, causing large rents in the surrounding earth as chunks of charred bone and grey matter rained down on the freezing ground.

Though it no longer had enough brain to roar, it seemed to be very much alive. Despite all of this punishment, it seemed like it would persist in its berserk attack until its bones were ground into dust. It was still alive when it should be dead, it was still fighting when it should have fallen. Once again Vale's mind was tinged with the faintest unease- what made this creature so frightening was not that it was undead, though this was a possibility, but that it served whatever cruel master that had subjugated it so feverently that it would barely pause for missing almost half of its head. He swallowed heavily, and let out a morbid chuckle, this was some hell.

He had little time to reflect on his fears however, as a chant in a foreign tounge ringed out through the night. Suddenly, a large tornado, still gathering speed, had whipped him up high into the air. It was obviously intended to stagger the fell creature that continued to press its attack, but a misplaced case of friendly fire at the hands of the mage had sent Vale flying. The soldier retained his grip on Manere as he spun haphazardly through the air, and smiled sardonically at this turn of events.

"I throw him, he throws me..."

He chuckled at the thought, and righted himself as best as he could, despite his disorientation and his fear. What goes up, must come down, he reasoned; and he would take as much of an advantage as he could of the circumstances. He readied himself for a truly massive blow as he reached the zenith of his flight, and became a deadly silhouette on the moon.

"FAIR ENOUGH!"

[whiteglint77]

Vale rushed the beast with a furious combination of staggering blows, each slash drawing its attention further and further away from the big guns. He grinned ferociously as he saw the bright flashes just outside his vision. One, two, three, and another volley, one, two, THREE! A streak of blazingly hot light erupted from the darkness in Vale's peripheral vision, illuminating the field with a flash. The blessed projectile roared through the air, a perfect synchronization of metal and divine justice. Whoever the pistol's previous owner had been, he was one lucky punk. The stream of bright white flame collided with the great beast's skull, slamming into it with the force of a bomb. It's desperate roar was cut short as the blast cleaved through its once adamant skull, the sheer force of the weapon sending to its knees.The bullet had crashed through the back of the monster's head, shearing off whatever it met in an unrelenting, unforgiving blast of flame. The crash shook the earth, causing large rents in the surrounding earth as chunks of charred bone and grey matter rained down on the freezing ground.

Though it no longer had enough brain to roar, it seemed to be very much alive. Despite all of this punishment, it seemed like it would persist in its berserk attack until its bones were ground into dust. It was still alive when it should be dead, it was still fighting when it should have fallen. Once again Vale's mind was tinged with the faintest unease- what made this creature so frightening was not that it was undead, though this was a possibility, but that it served whatever cruel master that had subjugated it so feverently that it would barely pause for missing almost half of its head. He swallowed heavily, and let out a morbid chuckle, this was some hell.

He had little time to reflect on his fears however, as a chant in a foreign tounge ringed out through the night. Suddenly, a large tornado, still gathering speed, had whipped him up high into the air. It was obviously intended to stagger the fell creature that continued to press its attack, but a misplaced case of friendly fire at the hands of the mage had sent Vale flying. The soldier retained his grip on Manere as he spun haphazardly through the air, and smiled sardonically at this turn of events.

"I throw him, he throws me..."

He chuckled at the thought, and righted himself as best as he could, despite his disorientation and his fear. What goes up, must come down, he reasoned; and he would take as much of an advantage as he could of the circumstances. He readied himself for a truly massive blow as he reached the zenith of his flight, and became a deadly silhouette on the moon.

"FAIR ENOUGH!"

And so he began to fall. The harsh wind blew through his hair as he began to gather speed, the stars began to whistle around him in a blur, and the earth seemed to scream as it touched the sky. Repeated shotgun blasts rang up from the darkness below, reaching the swordsman before he reached his target. The other soldier's support had made the beast finally lower its head, exposing its neck for a perfect blow. He dove down like a hawk, his blade a silver streak illuminated by the moon, and swung with all of the force he could muster. The blade sparked as it contacted rock hard scales, the edge shrieking in protest at having to chop through such a target. The sword did not fail its master however, and the compounded forces of Vale's formidable strength and the pull of gravity brought the blade through scale, muscle, sinew, and bone. The result was a devestating blow that cleanly severed the creature's head, sending it spiraling up and away, taking Manere with it. Though the sword had served its purpose well, the hilt had been slick with blood, and Vale had finally lost his grip. Though deprived of his weapon, this was a fortunate turn of events however, as he was now faced with the issue of touching down without breaking his legs. The resistance from the beast's spinal cord had proved enough to absorb most of the kinetic energy, and he was able to roll upon landing to safety on the soft grass.

The dawn had come quietly, sending rays of blue and gold across the field. The town had remained quiet throughout the confrontation, oblivious to the secret war that was being held just outside its walls. It remained oblivious to the secret war that was being waged throughout the multiverse. Utterly exhausted, Vale picked himself up and went to search for his weapons. First was Manere, at first firmly sheathed in the ground, but more at home in its earlier discarded scabbard. He picked up the pistol, weighing it heftily in his gloved hands. He stepped deliberately to the others, and addressed the rifleman in black.

"Glad I came in when I did. Here, take this, its dangerous to go alone. I'm no longer welcome in Shantytown, so it might be awhile before I can come back." he paused at this, feeling the same sorrow as when he had left his comrades behind in the barracks shortly before being stabbed. They were warriors, and the warrior's life was short.

"My name is Vale. Find me if you ever need another soldier to get your back."

Short with words, he smiled wanly before turning in an about face towards the rising sun, ready for the challenges ahead and only slightly hung over.

[Skallagrim]

It was spectaular, something from the movie The 300. While the warrior with the sword was in the air, everything slowed down as the first rays of the sun broke over the eastern ranges. The blade flashed just before it made the deadly slice that finished the creature. Inhaling deeply as the adrenaline still coursed through his body, JT swung the shotgun around on its sling and checked his rifle. Clearing it he grabbed the expended magazine and stuffed it in the satchel he carried. He'd take time to fill it in a few minutes but for now he simply enjoyed the victory.

"Glad I came in when I did. Here, take this, its dangerous to go alone. I'm no longer welcome in Shantytown, so it might be awhile before I can come back....My name is Vale. Find me if you ever need another soldier to get your back."

JT stared at the man a moment then reached out and took the hand cannon that was proffered. A wry smile crossed his face as he nodded and said, “I'm JT, and hell yes I am glad you came along.” Nodding to the kid with the magical talents, which in the face of it caused JT to do a double take , realizing he accepted it as a natural thing. "God damn". He muttered

Fishing into a pocket he pulled a bronzed coin, flipping it once JT exhaled and said with solemnity that only another warrior would understand, “Hey, I don't have much that you can use. But here. This is a SAD Challenge coin. If you're ever back here and need a hand thump the coin on a table and I'll stand by you. It's the least I can do for a brother warrior.”





Watching the man walk away JT turned towards the kid, frowning as he shoved the revolver into a pack he said slowy, “Savvy English? Peut-être Français ? Deutsch? 日本語か。” JT pointed to himself and said as he tapped his chest “JT...JT” then pointed to the kid and asked, “What's your name?”

Where ever the hell he was at, dream or not, he'd have to learn to communicate with others and he might as well start with the kid.

[Alphakoka]

Are was rather glad that the beast was struck down and didn't raise again. He took the moment to sit down as the other two men approached each other and talked. They were still talking in foreign language, which pretty much mean nothing to the spirit. Soon after, the two larger men traded an item to each other before the warrior departed to the direction of the rising sun.

Are looked at the warrior's back as he leave, Gone like the wind, heh. he silently smiled at the thought. He looked up and stared at the other man face when he approached him while putting back the hammer from before.

“Savvy English? Peut-être Français ? Deutsch? 日本語か。” the man said to Are. Are didn't get any of the three languages used, which he assumed as one language, although he did realize the questioning tone used. He kept the stare at the man although now it added a confused look. The man then pointed to himself and patted his chest while saying two words, "JT...JT before pointing to him and said, "What's your name?"

That action wasn't hard to decipher, the man was saying his own foreign name and quite probably asked his own, Are might as well try to imitate how it sound before answering. He pointed at the soldier and tried to repeat his name, "Jaeh-Teh?" then awkwardly pointed to himself and said, "Ade'er Ra'gn Ectr." Are blinked and looked at the man as if he tried to confirm what he just said.

[Skallagrim]

Eyes wide, expectant, understanding JT listened to the kid repeat JT's name then the kid spoke what he assumed was the young man's own name. Adder Rag Necter? Eyebrows raised JT straightened and frowned, had he heard that correctly?

Pointing to the younger man, JT cleared his throat and said slowly, “Adder Rag Necter?” Cocking his head slightly JT smiled, it was like talking to indigs out in a mission zone, learning the language was always the first step to developing trust, and here in this wacky place JT would need all the friends he could get.

“Well Adder Rag Necter, it is nice to meet you.” as he spoke he extended a hand in a friendly gesture.

With a wide grin he pointed towards the shanty town, “You live there? Is this your home?” It never occurred to him that others may have been transported to this nexus the way he was. Ripped from their home dimension and deposited here to eek out a new life.

His left hand forming a bowl, while his right making a motion like he was scooping soup into his mouth, “Hey kid, you hungry? My treat if you can show me where we can grab a bite in this place.”

[Alphakoka]

The soldier seemed to be trying to say Are's name with some difficulty. It was understandable though, not only they were using two different languages, the Dregas' name weren't exactly easy to pronounce to begin with and they usually only tell one part of their name or, like Are, made a nickname. Still, watching the reaction of people when he introduced himself with his full name was always interesting and somewhat became a habit. The boy held his will to laugh and instead grinned as the older man extended a hand, "Well Adder Rag Necter, it is nice to meet you."

Are looked at the extended hand. Well, at least something are similar, he thought as he took the hand with his own. He looked at the grinning person as the person pointed at a direction and said something. The man continued with his left hand forming a bowl, while his right making a motion like he was scooping soup into his mouth, while still asking questions. Are assumed that the man was going there and asked him to join. Are didn't answer the question as his stomach answered it first by giving a rumble. While he still have no idea who or what the man in front of him was, sticking with him might be a good idea for the moment. He scratched his head in embarrassment before nodding to the man. He'll have to try to find a way to learn the language the man used somehow, he had a feeling that he'll run into the man often in the future. He then started walking to the direction that the man pointed earlier, unaware of the misunderstanding.

Fade stretched himself on his position on the sentry post overlooking the Town entrance. The night was quiet until the sun rises. He yawned as he went out of the post and headed to get his payment from the make-shift security units. He still had to went past the entrance once again because his house was on the other end from where he would get his payment. And who knows who he'll meet with on the second time he pass the street.

[Skallagrim]

HERE BE DRAGONS

JT strode towards the town, his stomach grumbling as he smelled the wafting odors of something cooking. As he entered the gates, nodding to the two guards who merely stared at him, wide-eyed as he passed them. He failed to notice the large shadow that crossed behind him, as the guards and those near the gate gaped as they looked up.

They had seen dragons before, smaller than the one that soared easily above them. As the beast hefted its wings to slow, it began a circling descent and landed away from the town, not far from the dead creature. Wordlessly the gaurds closed the gates and rushed to man their ballista and rusted, old fire arms, praying that they would not have to use them.

Teirwaedd snorted as he landed on the dusty plains not to far from the small ramshackle town. A puff of gasses escaped his nostrils, flared and burned out quickly as he stretched his back. Shaking his frame he pondered the dead carcass of the great creature, brought down by the three puny creatures. One or two had been human he was sure, possibly all three.

Clucking his jaws together, the sound like boulders smashing into one another, the dragon laid down as he pondered his next move. He could feel the energies of some powerful entities wandering this fractured existence, one he was sure was a Xindhi. He would have to trace that one down eventually. Somewhere out there he felt were others, unique creatures that could alter the fabric of the universe it self. Perhaps they would be allies, most likely food, but one never knew the outcome of a random meeting.

Drawing a claw in the hard ground he traced a lazy line several inches deep as he eyed the town. While not normally one to eat humanoids he contemplated the idea for a half-second then shook his great head. More wisps of gas flowed from his nostrils to flare then extinguish almost as quickly. A herd of cows munched lazily about a half-mile away in a fenced in area. Perhaps if he could get one of the locals to talk to him he could negotiate a deal for a few cows.

Rising to his feet, his tail swished lazily as he turned to face the now closed gates.

[Alphakoka]

Are followed JT into the town and followed the others when they looked up to see the dragon going pass them. The guards soon had the gate closed before scurrying off, fortunately with Are and JT inside. Curious about the dragon, Are followed the guards to the top of the walls. There, he leaned forward against the wall to see the dragon. However, he was pulled back by another guard before having an old rifle shoved to his hands. The guard shouted something at him before storming off to man a ballista. Are looked between the guard and the rifle before shrugging and returned looking towards the dragon.

[Skallagrim]

Pausing a scant 300 feet from the gate, Teirwaedd stared balefully at the guards atop the walls. A stream of gas particles escaped his nostrils flared and carried away with his snort. Sitting on his haunches he pondered for a moment before he extended his massive wings and pointed a wickedly sharp claw at the wall, to those manning the wall it looked as if he were counting them, which he was.

Still seated he roared in a rumbling thunderous voice, “I come in peace little ones. Perhaps you should put down your weapons and parlay with me?”

On the wall, a large burly man whose belly entered a room before him, fainted with a groan. A young man who could barely see over the wall panicked and fired at the dragon. The single shot hung in the air as time seemed to stop, then everyone along the wall fired their weapons in such haste they completely missed the dragon who had not moved.

A green skinned being, obviously the leader of the guard ran along the wall shouting and pushing down the weapons from the shaken group.
Teirwaedd grunted in amusement as he watched this, then rubbing his head a moment he shouted out, “Shall we try this again? I come in peace who can speak with me? I wish to purchase some cows.”

Realizing that they probably either didn't understand or couldn't believe he had come to parlay, Teirwaedd snorted and lowered his head a moment while he decided what to do. After a moment he folded his wings back flush against his flanks and stepped forward in one giant step. Nothing happened. Another step then a third and fourth, placing him roughly eye level with the guards who had shot at him and a scant 20 feet from the wall.

He tried to smile, but realized as he did so his wicked teeth could be construed as a threat. Hastily clamping his jaws shut he spoke rapidly, wisps of plasma swirling around his nose and mouth before dissipating, "Can any of you understand what I am saying or am I wasting my time here?" he rumbled again.