Nigel McGallet
Nigel couldn't believe his luck, that man had already walked off with the other Zoners before he could even volunteer. Nigel looked at his surroundings with disgust as he walked down the stair case down to "Level N".
How creative Nigel thought as he burst into a sort of equipment Corridor. Not really looking at all the "stuff" around him, he quickly rushed up to that man, determination in his eye. "Hey! Whoever you are, could you ready an extra slot for that Nexus thingy? I'm kind of interested in your machine." Nigel demanded impatiently.
The man, his name escaped Nigel, turned in his seat and shot him a quick glance. He turned back to the console for a minute and spoke into a microphone, saying, "Hey, I'll be back in a sec." He turned back to face Nigel and asked him, "I'm sorry, who are you?"
"Nigel" He replied proudly "an honor, I know". He took a proud stance and Continued "now, I don't have time for idle chatter, I want in"
The man stared right back at him with a look of annoyance and disgust. He shook his head before turning back around on his chair and getting back to the console. "Not dealing with your shit." He said, "Go back upstairs."
Nigel, feeling insulted, continued "What? Why not? Please!"
The man, without turning back to face him, replied, "You had your chance to volunteer in the cafeteria and you missed it. Beat it."
Nigel gave a look of disappointment, he wanted into this nexus. Nigel decided to try a different approach, He said confidently "look sir, I could be very helpful, I can travel with ease and can kill even the biggest beasts. Plus, you only have about ten other people in there, one more could be all the difference."
"Oh, Jesus Christ..." The man muttered, pinching his nose. He turned back towards Nigel and said, "Fine, okay, look, if I let you in, will you PLEASE knock it off with the bragging? It's annoying as shit."
Nigel smiled and replied simply with a nod. He noted that this man was easily annoyed, something he maybe able to use to his advantage. "So, what should I do?" Nigel asked quizzically.
"Pick a chair and get in it."
Following the man's instructions, Nigel took up the closest chair and sat down in it.
How cheap Nigel thought as he squirmed uncomfortably in the chair for a second, until he decided on a more lax position. "Ready!" He shouted with determination after feeling comfortable. The man raised one of his hands and returned a middle finger to Nigel, promptly before hitting a button on the console. In nary a moment, Nigel was well and asleep.
"Alright, you're in." The man's voice rang throughout Nigel's head as he woke up in the Nexus, "Walk through the spot in the red wall and just... do whatever."
I intend to, asshole Nigel thought to himself. Now he could freely wander a new zone.
A red city, interesting... he thought as he walked through the designated spot. As he entered this new world, Nigel found himself... Feeling stronger? Yet, not AS strong. Nigel put his hands to his face, only to be shocked at the abnormal, sharp nails he had grown. He then noticed that his clothes had changed too which was a relief, those clothes made him feel... Common. Nigel's attention was lastly brought to the subtle change of weight on his back. Turning his head, he saw his wings, however, they where smaller and less armoured. These must be these disadvantages the man briefly described, the sacrifice for traveling across the... Zones, Nigel recalls someone calling them.
I've... Got to get use to this change Nigel thought as he launched himself into the sky with his simpler wings. He started to survey the landscape as he glided around the red city, it was a refreshing change of scenery. A moment later, Nigel saw three red, humanoid smoke creatures cornering a blue counterpart. Nigel felt he had to intervene, this was an opportunity to try out his new powers that he couldn't pass up. Nigel quickly swooped down and, before any of the humanoid creatures could react, dug his claws right into two of the hostile creatures skulls. As they fell to the ground and Nigel ripped his claws swiftly out of their cranium, The last creature picked up a metal pipe from the ground and swung at Nigel.
Nigel's wings covered his front and deflected the attack. But as the hit landed, Nigel flinched at a stinging pain emanating from his right wing where the pipe was deflected. After the creature brought the pipe behind it's head for another swing, Nigel's wings opened up and he slit the creatures throat with a precise swipe with his right claws.
The third creature's corpse hit the ground quickly and the more docile creature got up. After speaking in an alien language, it returned to the shadows down a nearby alleyway.
my claws dragged a little inside the creatures, they feel weaker and my wings can be hurt... Nigel mentally noted feeling disappointed by these changes.
Nigel launched himself into the air once again, he wanted to practise more. He needed to get use to this version if he was going to be in this nexus thing often.
