The Keepers
Posts 206
Power Level 30
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Post by Unhallow on Apr 30, 2016 20:27:30 GMT -7
Saying that was a complete disaster would be understating it. Unhallow wasn't sure there was even a word in any language they knew that could convey just how badly that went. The mission was simple: someone heard a little bit more than they were supposed to and Unhallow was supposed to bring them back to the sanctum. They were pretty sure this mission wasn't as important to the Keepers as a whole as it was to them, but that didn't stop them from wanting to perform as flawlessly as possible. Their actual performance was far from flawless. Not only did Unhallow fail to bring the man back, but they completely lost control of their power too. While their superiors were kind in giving allowing them to give a detailed report tomorrow instead of right now, Unhallow could tell that losing control of their power was more of an issue than not getting the informant. It wasn't that unexpected. If the mission was that important, the Keepers would have sent someone with more experience, not someone who was initiated a little more than two weeks ago. They would have sent someone with a stable power with confidence in combat, not someone with a volatile power who always worried about hurting people.
Even so, seeing what their power was truly capable of was disturbing. Unhallow always had some ideas of what it could do, but this was the first time they actually experienced it. The entire area was barely recognizable by the time they came to their senses. The entire area had been destroyed, to the point that there wasn't even a single blade of grass left alive within their power's range. Ever since that fight, Unhallow couldn't stop their body from shaking. It was one of the most terrifying experiences of their life, and not because someone used a power to make it that way. Unhallow couldn't control their power. It was always active no matter what they did. The best they could do was direct a very small portion of it to a place where it would hopefully do less damage, but even that only made a little bit of a difference. It also meant there was very little they could do to make it do more damage. Much like with the limited ability they had to control it, there were a few things they could do, things that they avoided whenever possible. However, some things could not be avoided, and that battle proved it. It was terrifying. What if it happened again? What if their team had to abandon their goals just to protect themselves? What if the people couldn't get away next time? What if they tried to charge Unhallow rather than run? There were so many questions running through Unhallow's mind that it was making them feel sick.
The Keeper that normally repaired their armor was kind enough to at least do that, but Unhallow didn't want to stick around longer than necessary. Partly because being in tunnels when they were this agitated made them nervous, even if there was no reason to. Those tunnels were built to stand up to dragon attacks, and Unhallow's power was still nowhere near that of a dragon's. The other was because feeling the forms of their comrades just brought more questions into their mind, made them remember that scene, and made them feel sicker. Part of Unhallow wanted to talk about it, but they couldn't bring themselves to burden the other Keepers with their problems. Not right now, not when they weren't even sure what they would say. It would just be whiny. No, it was better to just calm down, breathe, and maybe get some sleep.
Happy World had become a refuge for Unhallow. Everything here was already dead, and people rarely came by, so it was safe. They had a small mattress with a blanket and pillow setup under one of the picnic pavilions to sleep, since staying in one place for too long could be dangerous thanks to their power. Sleeping at home would almost certainly destroy their bedroom within a night or two, and also risked hurting their family. It was easier just to sneak out and sleep here instead. There was no way Unhallow could sleep now though. The adrenaline from the fight was still running through them, and their mind couldn't stop thinking about what they were really capable of. For now, Unhallow crawled under one of the picnic tables, leaning against one of the seats. Even while hugging their knees, their body just wouldn't stop shaking. Even after taking several deep breaths to try to calm down, their body wouldn't stop shaking. Unhallow could already feel the wood behind her starting to rot, and that didn't help their mental state either.
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Unaligned
Aw, what's wrong? Don't you trust me?
Posts 235
Power Level 30
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Post by An0nymou5 on May 1, 2016 1:29:38 GMT -7
It took quite some effort, but he finally made it to the place: Happyworld, the decrepit park that was abandon and unfinished for many years ago. Looking at it now, Anonymous slightly smile from the sight and quietly made his way inside without anyone seeing him. Once he was inside, Anonymous wandered the area, looking at the unfinished and broken-down ride of the amusement park. With the help from the park’s map guide him, he finally found the small Merry-go-round ride near the picnic area.
The ride is rotten and covered with moss from being neglected all these years, but the white horses are still attached to their position. Anonymous climbed into the ride and made his way toward one of the white horse. He reached out his hand and felt the texture of the horse, staring at it for what seems like hours, contemplating about something in his mind. He then took out a small silver coin and let out a short sigh:
“We’re here,” he talked to the coin, “just as I promise.”
He then placed the coin on the seat of the horse and forms a small sad smile on his featureless face: “I’m sorry the place doesn’t look like the way we wanted, but I hope you enjoy your time he-”
He turned suddenly to the other direction, taking the coin and putting it away safely in his pocket. Just a moment ago, he could have thought he heard someone’s train of thought; the thought sound rather familiar. Carefully focus his attention to the direction of the picnic area, he is certain:
This place might not be abandon after all.
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The Keepers
Posts 206
Power Level 30
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Post by Unhallow on May 1, 2016 16:30:26 GMT -7
A form entered their sensory range, a form that was instantly recognizable due to the hero's odd anatomy. Unhallow swallowed hard and pulled their legs closer. Did he follow them all the way here? What did he even want? Unhallow started to mentally prepare themselves for another battle, but the form didn't come anywhere near them. Based on his movements, Unhallow doubted he even knew they were there. Unhallow relaxed a little bit, but not too much. Half because someone they just fought was in the area, and half because their mind was racing so much that it was impossible to relax to begin with.
He started talking to someone, but there didn't appear to be anyone else in the area. At the very least, they couldn't sense anything complex enough that would be able to understand human speech nearby. Given how small the vibrations coming from him were, he couldn't have been talking to anyone outside of their range. Unhallow would be surprised if any normal person could hear a vibration that small from more than a few feet away. How strange. Shortly after, Unhallow felt him jerk in their direction. Unhallow was almost certain they had been noticed, though they weren't sure how. Even so, Unhallow didn't speak, or even move until the form starting moving in their direction.
"If you're here to mock me, save your breath. I doubt you could say anything worse than what I'm already thinking."
The mechanical sound vibrated through the area, strongly enough that Unhallow was sure that the vibration would reach its intended target with enough force to be heard. They immediately regretted it. Feeling bad was not only not an excuse to be rude, but it was likely to cause more harm than good. The last thing she wanted was another fight, and not far above that was this hero trying to prove them wrong. At this point, Unhallow just wanted everything to go away, though they couldn't even wish for that given they could actually make it happen in the most violent way possible.
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Unaligned
Aw, what's wrong? Don't you trust me?
Posts 235
Power Level 30
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Post by An0nymou5 on May 2, 2016 11:43:50 GMT -7
Anonymous slowly walked toward the area where he heard someone’s thought from before to investigate. Soon enough, a familiar mechanical voice replied to his approach, and he can’t help but smile at such revelation:
“Well what do you know, I didn’t expect to meet you here…Unhallow, was it? What a pleasant surprise.” He said loudly, making sure they heard him from where he stand.
He looked around the area; because of how the voice emanating from around him, it is rather hard to tell where they are, but Anonymous know for certain that they know his present somehow. From what they just said, it’s seems that they’re still hung-up from what he did to them in the train yard a while ago, and he can sense that the fear is still lingered in their mind. It is delighted to hear a word of compliment to his masterpiece, especially from the subject that he personally created it for. And to see his masterpiece imprinted on them so well, it make Anonymous feel all giddy inside.
“Relax, I’m not here to hurt you. If I were, well, you’ll already feel it coming by now.”
Mentally, Anonymous prepare for whatever might come his way. Seeing what they did to the train yard that night with all the devastation, Anonymous need to tread his feet carefully here. The last thing he need right now is another migraine and seeing this amusement park become more decrepit than it already was.
“So tell me, what bring you out here in this god-forsaken place? All by yourself even?”
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The Keepers
Posts 206
Power Level 30
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Post by Unhallow on May 2, 2016 14:30:48 GMT -7
"Don't come any closer!"
There was a hint of panic in Unhallow's voice that the modulator wasn't good at conveying. They were only mildly concerned for their own safety should this hero get closer; the main concern was about what would happen to him. He must have seen what happened at the train yard, but it was possible that he got out of there as quickly as possible like any sensible person would when something like that started happening. If he never saw the full extent of the damage, then maybe he wouldn't understand why getting close was such a bad idea. Unhallow's emotional state was better than it was at the train yard, but that wasn't saying much, and it's not like they could call their current emotional state good. As much as part of them wanted to take their frustrations out on this person, Unhallow knew they had to resist that urge. No one deserved something like that.
"Trying to sleep," they paused for a moment. "It's one of the few places in the city I can safely sit still for eight or more hours in."
At first, Unhallow considered not elaborating, but decided against it. Happy World was an odd place to choose to sleep after all, so the question was inevitable.
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Unaligned
Aw, what's wrong? Don't you trust me?
Posts 235
Power Level 30
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Post by An0nymou5 on May 2, 2016 17:39:32 GMT -7
“Hm…a warning,” he thought to himself, “either they don’t believe me as a non-hostile, or…”
A thought clicked in his head: putting everything together, he might have understand what happen. Their agitated state from his nightmare must have cause whatever power they have gone out of control that night. And now, because they’re still feels agitated from his present here, they might not want that to happen again. Realizing he was the cause of so much devastation to the smugglers’ hide-out is just too much for him to contain his enjoyment. And when they replied to him why they’re here, Anonymous started to burst out laughing hysterically:
“Oh my god,” he tried his best to control himself, but kept on laughing, “You’re afraid, aren’t you? You, a member of the most dangerous and secretive faction in this city of depravity, is now cowering in fear of their own power? Oh man! That’s not what I’ve expected! Wait, wait, let’s me guess, you decided to sleep here, in the most decrepit place in the city, because you don’t want to hurt innocent people with your power, am I right?”
He continued to laugh to the point that it started to hurt his stomach; he really tried to calm himself right now, but the thought alone isn’t helping the case at all:
“Oh…man” he gasping for breath, “I haven’t laughed so hard before. You truly crack me up, my friend."
After he took a deep breath, he finally calmed himself down: “Was that the first time that your power became uncontrollable?”
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The Keepers
Posts 206
Power Level 30
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Post by Unhallow on May 3, 2016 10:11:31 GMT -7
Unhallow cringed. They knew something like this was coming, and while most of it didn't really bother them that much, there was one point that struck a bit of a nerve. Unhallow knew they weren't exactly a model hero. They certainly tried to seem at least a little bit intimidating, and sometimes even succeeded when they could just stand off in the corner and not move or talk, but for the most part there was no getting around just how non-threatening they were. Or how unused to and afraid of combat they were. Even being nearly six feet tall in fully body armor couldn't get around that. While they didn't like being laughed at, it was the least of their concerns. The last thing Unhallow wanted was to make the Keepers look bad, especially given how much they've done for Unhallow. Their face burned from embarrassment, but it seemed like anything they could say would just make things worse.
Of course Unhallow was afraid of their power. How could they not be? He asked this was the first time they've lost control of their power like they've ever been able to control it to begin with. It's always been entirely outside of Unhallow's control. Should they tell the story about how they nearly killed a classroom full of students when they first got their power because they were nervous about a test? Or that one time they nearly liquefied a boy's internal organs because they liked him? Or the fact that they nearly lobotomized their little sister? It was fortunate that living things bounced back from Unhallow's power once they were no longer exposed to it. There would probably be a lot more dead or permanently disabled people in the city if it didn't work like that. Even with all that, Unhallow doubted it would change the other hero's mind about this, or make him find it less amusing. In the end, it meant it was better not to explain at all. Unhallow took a deep breath to center themselves, so they could speak completely calmly.
"Like I said, if you're here to mock me you're wasting your time. Just...finish what you came here for. I won't interfere."
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Unaligned
Aw, what's wrong? Don't you trust me?
Posts 235
Power Level 30
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Post by An0nymou5 on May 4, 2016 10:23:04 GMT -7
“Aw, how adorable” Anonymous thought to himself, “For someone so powerful, they sure act like a child.”
Anonymous sighed; he was really hoping he could get more of a reaction from them than getting the silence-treatment. He would go back to do what he did before, but that won’t be more entertaining than conversing with them. And since he actually encountered Unhallow, here of all places, there are some questions that peak his interest. However, he doubted they will answer him truthfully: Keepers are known to be super secretive about everything, even to each other.
“I believe you might have misunderstood me, kid,” he said to them, “I’m not trying to mock you, I just find it rather amusing that there’s some human conscience beneath all those intimidating outfit and power. Judging from you trying to dodge my question, I can assume that wasn’t the first time you lose control.
Let me guess: you never ask for your power, so when it started to manifest, you don’t know what to do when it started to hurt your love ones, those who were close to you, even those around you. You seek isolation, believing it was for the best for someone like you to be alone, far away so that your power will not harm anyone anymore. And then, from out of pure chance, you were greeted by a member of the Keeper faction, who promise you that they understand your pain, and willing to help you learn to control that power, or perhaps even finding a way to get rid of your power so you can return to your mundane, boring life of an average, pathetic human being.
But of course, the Keeper never did anything out of their generosity: in return, they simply asked you to join among their rank, doing their chores every now and then. Trust me, kid, if you think that night’s incident is bad, it’ll only be the tip of the iceberg. Soon they will force you to use those powers you hate so much on people’s live, follows their orders no matter what, even if it mean putting innocent people at risk or worst. And if you ever disobey them, you’ll lose everything that they gave you: their support, their technology, their guidance, and of course, a place where you can actually call home, a sanctuary for someone like you. Am I getting warm, kid? Tell me if I got it all wrong, that the Keepers truly trust you, and really doing all of this from their cold, rotten unfeeling hearts.”
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The Keepers
Posts 206
Power Level 30
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Post by Unhallow on May 4, 2016 19:55:54 GMT -7
"You're wrong."
Unhallow spoke calmly without the slightest bit of doubt or hesitation. There was a slight edge to their tone, but the voice modulator covered it up easily. As hard as it was to take his laughter, to listen to his mockery, Unhallow wasn't going to stand by and let him laugh at the Keepers. If Unhallow could do one thing right tonight, they hoped they could at least keep the reputation of their group in tact, or at least as in tact as it could be given they had talk.
"The Keepers don't seek out people. They never asked me to join. I joined because I wanted to, and it wasn't easy to do either. You're acting like they're some evil hivemind when that couldn't be further from the truth. Just because we try to act as one doesn't mean we all agree, or even all like each other. It's an organization where each member is defined by their personal principles, so it's only natural that there'd be disagreements. I doubt they'd even accept the kind of person you seem to think I am.
"Further, even if I had the option to give up my powers right now I wouldn't take it. There's still more I need to do, and I couldn't do it without them. I am not a weak wallflower," Unhallow paused. "And I suppose I'm supposed to believe that you're just trying to help me by telling me to get away from all my allies and their unfeeling hearts out of the goodness of your heart because you really care about someone you just met and just finished tormenting? There is nothing to be gained by any of this. You should finish your business and leave me be."
Unhallow's tone was more biting than they intended. It was difficult to stay level-headed like this, and even more difficult given the topic. It was still something they needed to work on. Having absolute control over their emotions was a must given the nature of their power.
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Unaligned
Aw, what's wrong? Don't you trust me?
Posts 235
Power Level 30
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Post by An0nymou5 on May 5, 2016 14:16:29 GMT -7
Anonymous find their explaining rather amusing; provoking them sure work in his favor, now that he learn more about the Keeper from one of their member. He also was able to learn a little bit more about the child before him; tonight have not been pointless after all. It also rather funny that Unhallow think he’s trying to talk them out of being in the Keeper out of his good intention; he couldn’t blame them for being so naïve to believe such a thing exist:
“Oh kid,” he smiled, “if I have a heart, I can assure you it is no longer have any good intention left in it anymore. I just thought we can have an actual proper chat without one side trying to harm the other. I must say, you have been the most fun I have tonight, so allow me to thanks you for spending your time with me tonight. You might not see it, but I am truly delighted for everything that you did on that night at the train yard; make my work much easier to deal with.”
He then tipped his hat politely, does a slight bow toward the direction of the picnic area and smile:
“You can call me Anonymous, and it has been a pleasure to meet you, Unhallow. As you wish, I shall leave you to your solitude; I pray we shall find ourselves facing against a common enemy rather than clashing words in the future.”
As he turned around and get ready to leave, he said: “We are alike, you and I: we both find comfort in isolation when the world decided to turn its back on us.” He then looked at the silver coin he had on him:
“Consider yourself lucky, kid: at least you still have your humanity left in you. You still have those who loved you, who still willing to guide you through your suffering. Mine had died with my sanity a long time ago.”
After a short time pausing in silence staring at the silver coin, he started to laugh hysterically to himself before walking away: “I’ll see you around, kid.”
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The Keepers
Posts 206
Power Level 30
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Post by Unhallow on May 7, 2016 19:12:37 GMT -7
Unhallow was momentarily confused. Did he think they were being serious when they said that he was trying to pull them away from the Keepers out of the goodness of his heart? Sarcasm was not a tactic they employed much in their life, so maybe they just did it wrong? Maybe it was something with the voice modulator? Perhaps their tone really wasn't as biting or rude as they thought? Unhallow was actually a bit relieved that it didn't seem to bother him, though they didn't really understand what he was going on about after.
Every person had a reason for doing things, and on some level, that meant feeling something. It meant some level of humanity. To be truly dead inside would mean there was no reason to do anything anymore. Even the worst of people had some reason to be doing what they're doing, thoughts, feelings, desires, they all had to be there. Was it so easy for people to forget that they were all human under their masks? Perhaps Unhallow just had a greater connection to such things because of their power. They felt ever heartbeat, every blood cell, every electrical impulse from peoples' brains, every breath they took. What they were, how alive they were, was completely impossible for Unhallow to ignore. The idea of people not understanding that was just a completely foreign concept to them, nor did they believe in the idea of true evil to begin with. They weren't really able to make heads or tails of Anonymous' speech.
Oddly enough, the thing Unhallow found most disturbing was that Anonymous actually seemed to like them. They weren't quite sure how to feel about that. Unhallow supposed it was probably better than the alternative, but given how he was acting, they weren't quite sure. In the end, if he was willing to treat people he liked like this, then Unahllow supposed they'd rather not find out what he acted like around people he didn't like.
Unhallow considered just remaining silent and letting him leave. It would be easier, but it would also be rude. They blinked a few times before responding, a great deal of confusion in their voice. They still weren't sure what just happened.
"Goodbye?"
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