TheResplendent

[font=tahoma]Don't expect an exhilirating or action packed survival horror like RE or SH...it is much more passive than that and chock full of disturbing cryptics. The story is smooth but at times (a lot of times actually) it can drag on and become redundant...but keeping an open mind is a must for the game. It has subtle hints of psychological horror and it dosen't really "go there" as far as epic story with haunting after-effects goes. It was a good concept, but not a game i'd go out of my way [u]not[/u] to trade in for another game. Overall, it is worth playing if you have patience and are capable of thinking beyond a straight line...but you might not find it being worth the full retail price. The primary reason i gave it a chance was because it was an Atlus title. They have been known to have a few duds, this isn't really one of them, but it's not one of their "ground breaking successes" either.[/font]

[font=tahoma]I'm just glad it isn't another fighting style game similar to other breeds. It definitly looks interesting, the gfx are awesome and from the demo vids i've seen It looks like it has quite a variety of moves and methods of fighting. I hope it plays more like an adventure/RP style game, and just dosn't look like it does. Though i don't have high expectations because of the simple fact that it IS an anime game...i'll probably still check it out when it comes out.[/font]

[COLOR=DarkSlateGray][size=1]Jake's hair flowed with the wind he was creating as if hanging on for dear life...so not to be blown away with the gust. His eyes changed from his usual calm tone to a concentrated one, but that slowly changed overtime as well to a withstanding tone...as if fighting back his own pain. He turned his attention briefly toward Archer who was charging in at one of the men with one of their own swords. Jake realized Archer's intentions and took his focus off the wind for a second. [b]"Hey! Archer, be careful!"[/b] Jake yelled, so to be heard over the wind. [b]"Don't worry about me! He's going to pay!"[/b] Archer yelled back as he thrusted the sword forward. The blade impaled the man as Jake turnes his head away. The wind began to get weaker, still offering sizeable resistance but not to the degree it once was. [b][i]'Man...there must have been another way of dealing with this...but I guess those guys didn't give us much choice...what the hell do they want anyway?'[/b][/i] Jake wondered to himself, wishing they didn't have to be put into the situation that involved taking the lives of others. Jake's train of thought was distracted by one of the other men with a sword coming at him against the wind, practically at arms length. Jake felt his stomach twist as he felt no hope of moving in time. He closed his eyes and thought hard of a way out, his mind focused on repelling his assailant by some means that didn't seem likely at the moment. The man swung his sword down as Jake closed his fists as if on instinct...it seemed to trigger a change in the wind's density as a highly concentrated blade of pure air, differentiated by the rest of the gust by it's thicker crescent shape, propelled forward and sliced the attacker's hand clear off. [b]"H...huh? What did I, just do? I've never been able to do that before."[/b] Jake said to himself in shock. The wind had completely stopped now, as Jake lost the proper concentration and power to uphold it. The man clutched his handless wrist and stared at it. Out of anger he went for the sword with his other hand, expecting to kill Jake for what he did. Clyne directed her attention toward Jake, she noticed the man and ran toward him with a concerned look on her face. [b]"Jake! Watch out!"[/b] she yelled, as she began to concentrate her elemental energy between her hands. Clyne wound up and took aim at the man with her eyes heavily set. She had expected the normal ball of energy she was used to creating to come out, but she was taken by surprise the moment a quick stream of lightning shot from her fingertips, much smaller then your typical bolt of lightning but quite effective as it struck the blade as the man picked the sword up. It caused an intense electrocution leaving the attacker unconscious in a kneeling position...smoke emitting from his motionless body. Jake covered his eyes with his arm to protect his eyes from the light from being so close. He looked down after it was over and saw the man. [b]"C...Clyne? Did...you do that?"[/b] Jake asked cautiously. [b]"Um...I think so. I just did what i always do...but it came out...different...and stronger."[/b] she answered...gazing at her hands. The collective efforts of the group had allowed them to take their attackers down to 3 thus far. Inside the tent Rorita tried her hardest to focus her powers toward healing Liam...she wasn't quite sure how to do it but found figuring it out a tad less complicated then she has first thought. Though it was puzzling how a girl with the power over nature could pull this sort of thing off. She looked up for a few seconds and looked at Coco. [b]"Coco, the wind stopped. Do you think they're ok out there?"[/b] she asked in a panicky tone. [b]"I'm sure they're fine...I don't know why, but I feel that they'll be succesful."[/b] Coco said, nodding his head to reassure Rorita. She just looked up at Coco for a bit, then nodded...trusting his word. She looked back down to Liam to see that he was doing slightly better then before. [/size][/COLOR]

[QUOTE=Gavin][SIZE=1]Well, well, my turn again. And I'm sincerely glad all your digits are intact JC. [B]My Four "Facts"[/B] [list][*]I have several scars on my hands. [*] I have broken my arm. [*] I wear contact lenses. [*]I am a Size 13 UK foot.[/list][/SIZE][/QUOTE] [font=tahoma]Gonna go with number 2 there. 1 Has already been said, and i know you don't wear contacts. So pretty much leaves a 50/50.[/font]

[size=1][color=darkslategray]Jake watched as Clyne demonstrated her powers to everyone else. It did seem odd that the glue that bonded all of these people together was their common abilities to have a degree of control over a respective element. Jake wondered as well what they were all supposed to be waiting for, it seemed though that he would finally rid himself of those voices in his head...he was relieved as well that he was not the only one who heard them. He shrugged and decided to play along for now, everyone seemed easy to get along with. He already knew Clyne from school and he had just met Rorita, albeit a misunderstood meeting at first. He felt comfortable however around them however, he never really judged people pre-maturely anyhow, it wasn't in his nature. [b]"[i]Flashy[/i] as usual, Clyne."[/b] Jake said, laughing subtly to himself. He looked around and noticed nobody else seemed to be laughing at his attempt at a witty joke. Jake cut his laughing short and cleared his throat. [b]"Well...anyway i guess i'll go next. My name is Jake Evans, i was born in Queens, New York...but moved here with my parents 5 years ago. Neither have really satisfied my yearning for a harmonious atmosphere...but i suppose I can't complain too much either. "[/b] Cody nodded, noticing Jake spoke a little differently then most of the people who lived in the city. [b]"Nice to meet you Jake, I'm Cody. What about your...ability?"[/b] Cody asked curiously. [b]"Well...suppose I can do this."[/b] Jake said as he pointed his right pointer finger upward. Jake began to accelerate the wind already blowing around the group in the park. Everyone's hair began to wave and flicker along with the wind, as Rorita grabbed hold of her dress to hold it down from the strong breezes. Leaves and flower petals blew past them into the streets, as it looked like it has just rained a whole bunch of nature. Jake quelled the wind and proceeded to fix his hair up, as it always got messy when he used his powers. [b]"Wind, huh? That was quite impressive."[/b] Elodie said, as she too fixed her hair so it was out of her eyes. Archer and Coco pulled a few loose leaves off of their clothing from Jake's demonstration. [b]"Yep, Jake's an [i]air[/i]head alright"[/b] Clyne said as she giggled a bit. [b]"How cruel..."[/b] Jake said facetiously. [b]"But anyway...it doesn't get very much stronger than that...but it's enough to get me by. Especially on drab windless days."[/b] Jake continued. [b]"Well, that adds wind to our merry group here...who wants to go next?"[/b] Archer asked.[/color][/size]

[FONT=Tahoma]Decided to make another post, this time with my collective play list...heres what i got this time around: -Billy Joel - Piano Man -Lynard Skynard - Give Me Back My Bullet -Matchbox20 - Bent -UVERworld - Sora -Aerosmith - Jaded -Orange Range - Soy Sauce -Breaking Benjamin - Believe -Europe - The Final Countdown -White Zombie - El Phantasmo and the Chicken Run Blast-o-Rama -Billy Joel - Only the Good Die Young -Marilyn Manson - Personal Jesus -Orange Range - Hana -Sevendust - Trust (Believe this was in my first post as well...) -Breaking Benjamin - Firefly -Papoose - Born To Win Boy, out of 1000+ songs i got 3 different artists with 2 songs each. Ha, and i do listen to some rap, number 15 snuck it's way in there...if there was ever an odd song in the bunch. Then again, some may consider japanese music being there "odd" as well. Overall it's a diverse list.[/FONT]

[size=1][b]"A...date? You mean, like a [i]date[/i] date?"[/b] Elliot asked, looking in Kenso's direction oddly. [b]"Well...dinner is the only definite plan...but yeah, I guess a date."[/b] Kenso responded, making a sharp right turn. [b]"Heh, oh boy...are you in for an adventure."[/b] Elliot said, subtly laughing to himself. Kenso turned his head briefly over toward the passenger side seat then returned his focus to the streets. [b]"Um...what do you mean?"[/b] Kenso asked out of confusion. Elliot had already begun recalling some comical past moments with Clyne trying to keep some boyfriends...it was difficult for anybody living the life of a mercenary to really be involved with anyone...but in addition to that Clyne was the bossy and hot-headed type. [b]"Oh...nothing...I mean...you know how Clyne is. I could probably tell ya some pretty interesting stories about some of her past dates, that's all."[/b] Elliot said, trying to find the comedy in the situation. [b]"Oh...well, I think i'll be fine..........what kind of stories?"[/b] Kenso asked, letting the curiosity get the best of him. [b]"Oh...well let's see. This one time she was with this guy..."[/b] Before Elliot could finish, his phone walkie talkie activated as if on cue as Clyne spoke from the other side. [b]"Hey, we got held up a couple of lights back by some dickwad on motorcycle. Did you guys make the turn before the highway?"[/b] she asked, interuppting Elliot's story. [b]"Uh...yea. The highway construction would be a bitch to get around."[/b] Elliot answered. [b]"Alright, we'll catch up in no time."[/b] Clyne answered. Elliot put his phone down but Clyne spoke again. [b]"Oh, and by the way...if you don't want me to crack your skull when we get there, i suggest you don't finish that story!"[/b] she continued, hanging up afterwards. [b]"Huh!? How did she..."[/b] Elliot started to say as he looked over at Kenso who had a smile on his face, as if trying to fight back laughing. Elliot looked at him in confusion, then looked down by the gearshift where he saw Kenso holding down the button on his phone, which allowed whoever it was on the other side to hear what they were saying. [b]"You son of a bitch..."[/b] [b]"Haha, sorry man...I told ya i'd get you back for the card game though."[/b] Kenso replied. [b]"Feh...is this any way to treat your boss?"[/b] Elliot mumbled to himself, now expecting to get hit by Clyne when they got to their destination. [b]"Hey, as our new leader we have a lot of catching up to do with pranks if we want to match the amount we used to play on Nicholas."[/b] Kenso said, putting a smile on both of their faces. [b]"Ha...well don't forget, he taught me every trick in the book."[/b] Elliot shot back. The GPS in their car estimated about 5 minutes till their destination. One of the very few hours where Traydor saw sunlight was starting to come around. Had they left any later the probably would have run into tons more traffic. Elliot looked over after having a good laugh and went back to the subject. [b]"Heh...seriously though...Clyne is..."[/b] [b]"I know man. You don't have to worry Elliot, I know how close you and her are. She's a lot closer to all of us then most of the women we're used to picking up at the clubs and whatnot. You don't have to worry about how i'll treat her."[/b] Kenso said, well aware of the real relationship he and Clyne had from all the years they have been in Sinister Nation together. Elliot nodded toward Kenso, feeling like he didn't really have to say anything...but it came out as a simple formality. Elliot sat back when his phone rang yet again. [b]"Geez, guess i'm popular today."[/b] Elliot said as he picked it up and put it to his ear. [b]"Elliot, didn't catch you at a bad time did I?"[/b] the voice on the other side said. [b]"Eva? No, we're almost there. Everything ok?"[/b] [b]"Everything is peachy over here, but thought you might like to know that theres a pretty big police investigation going on around T-5. Seems like some poor sap got ripped up pretty bad...they're saying on the news that the TPD think it was a drug war statement between Methais Corbin and some competition. Just thought you guys should be careful if your in that area."[/b] [b]"Hm, interesting. Thanks for the heads up, it shouldn't cause us much of a problem though. How are things going at HQ?"[/b] Elliot asked as their arrival time was down to 2 minutes. [b]"Not too busy yet, I gave Kyo some more water...he's one thirsty dog. Anyway, i'll probably hit up a bar or something before i open my schedule for missions. Well, lemme get going...have fun! Later, sexy!"[/b] Eva said, blowing a kiss into the phone before hanging up. Elliot looked at the phone before he hung up, he disliked when Eva had some drinks before taking up jobs. Yet despite that she has managed to uphold a pretty good record of being one of the members with the least amount of failed missions. The car pulled over a few blocks down from the building that was their destination. Lysander and Clyne's car followed behind and parked as well. [b]"Ok, it's showtime."[/b] Kenso said as the four members got out of the cars. [b]"The archway to our ten is a good place to set up sniping point. Me and Lysander will take out the bodyguards in the rear yard while Kenso takes the roof entry from the adjacent building. Take the grapling hook and radio down if anyone is watching from the roof."[/b] Elliot instructed as they brought out their needed supplies under the guise of travel bags and haliburtons. [b]"Ha, sounds like fun."[/b] Lysander said, as he loaded his desert eagle. Elliot did the same as they gave each other a nod. Clyne grabbed her rifle and adjusted her goggles. She looked around for the quickest way to get up to the archway in the square across from the building. [b]"Guess I'll head off then...I'll have a pretty good view of just about everything on the outside and all the windows. After the perimeter has been breached i'll move to initial sniping point's nine and take up point on the roof of the connected building on it's three."[/b] Clyne said as she grabbed a few extra magazines and attached Akatsuki to her back. [b]"I'll radio you when it's clear to move to the connecting bridge, then i'll take entry to one of the windows on the 6th floor of the building's front under the concealment of the scaffolding. Hopefully i won't run into any painters or workers but If i do then it's too bad for them."[/b] Kenso stated. [b]"Alright, looks like we're good to go for infiltration. Once we get inside though it may be a different story. Everyone stay alert and hopefully the false story Mrs. "Fairfield" gave us dosn't come with too many variables."[/b] Elliot said, as the team split into their respective points.[/size]

[QUOTE=White][COLOR=DimGray][FONT=Tahoma]As I type, I am fighting the Fifteenth Colossus. But that's besides the point. What is it with everyone and thinking the Twelfth Colossus was hard? He was one of the simplest and easiest Colossi in the game. It took [spoiler]like 30 seconds to get on its back, and then another 10 seconds to run up his back and onto his head. Once there I just guided him to a pillar thing, jumped off, made him slam his fists down and jumped onto his weak point. Easy as pie.[/spoiler][/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE] [font=tahoma]Hm, well I never said the twelfth one was difficult to defeat per say. It was difficult to figure out more so then it was to actually defeat. I spent a good amount of time trying to work my way on top of him. After that it was pretty academic. [spoiler]It's actually quicker to jump directly to it's head from the center stone and the surrounding structures though.[/spoiler] The ninth and sixteenth collosi by far are the more difficult to [i][b]defeat[/i][/b]. The fifthteenth though is fun as hell, hope your enjoying it White. Not as fun as the thirteenth of the fourteenth but definitly soldifies the last group of collosi as the more exhilirating fights.[/font]

[quote name='Doublehex][spoiler']From what I remember, Ico just takes place after SotC. It is not neccesarily a 'sequel'.[/spoiler][/quote] [font=tahoma]That's what I thought as well, I heard it was merely a game that took place in the same time and atmosphere but not neccesarily having any ties to SotC. But i would like to play it regardless of whether or not it is actually a sequel.[/font]

[font=tahoma]First i just wanna say that Tony Jaa is incredible, and I have been dying to see [b]The Protector[/b]. Been thinking bout just getting it on DVD but i wouldn't mind seeing the movie on the big screen either...aren't many movies nowadays that i'd actually be willing to pay an outrageous $10.50 for. Anyways, the last movie that I saw in theaters was [b]Pirates of the Carribbean 2[/b], which was captivating till the end. I loved the action scenes, the music (especially the music), and it left off with me on line for Pirates 3 tickets. The last movie i saw last was [b]The Transporter 2[/b]. It was on TV last night and i was like "Eh, first one wasn't terrible...maybe the action will atleast be good". It wasn't too bad...but i've really come not to be so hopeful when it comes to Jason Statham movies (Haven't seen Crank...don't really want to). [/font]

[font=tahoma]I beat the game a while ago, my only complaint was with how short it was. Other then that it was a very fun game. It was challenging in a sense, not neccesarily difficult but it involved a lot to take down most of the collosi. It didn't really start getting hard for me until the 8th or the 9th (I forget which number it was exactly. It's the one you [spoiler]find in the dried out land with the geysers, the big turtle like collosus you have to trick into walking over a geyser to reveal it's vital point.[/spoiler] I believe that was the first one to put me past two tries to beat a collosus. The fourth one didn't kill me...but i was there for a long damn time trying to figure out what the hell I had to do. Other then that one and the aforementioned one...the others were pretty simple. Some of the later ones though, ESPECIALLY the 12th one (may be forgetting my numbers, it's been months since i beat it) it's the [spoiler]one in the small area in the water, you have to jump onto it's head and guide it by hitting the stones[/spoiler]. Actually i remember stumbling upon that area by accident when looking for another collosus, and i thought to myself it would be an awesome place to put a collosus...turned out to be the most annoying one aside from the final one. My personal favorite was (again i don't remember the number exactly) one of the later ones. [spoiler]The flying serpent like collosus you fight in the desert. When you have to jump from Argo onto it's wings after some crafty (or spastic) archery work from underneathe[/spoiler]. I wouldn't mind seeing another installment...i don't have a clue how they would go about it judging from the end of the game...but the concept is a fun one.[/font] [size=1][color=dimgray]Added a little more spoiler tags. Be a bit more careful later. ;D - White[/color][/size]

[font=tahoma]Elliot sat on the ground, his hand wrapped around his injured arm. Lysander dropped to his knees infront of Elliot as he coughed up another puddle of blood. Anyone that came across them would think they had just had just gotten beaten down by 10 thugs with crowbars and a really nasty agenda. Elliot rested his head as he tried to keep focused, and now his arm was killing him as well as it hung there with the gun still in his grasped fingers. Lysander struggled to simply take a breath and the pain his broken ribs and his still injured arm from when he forcefully relocated it took away any remaining strength he had to even stand. As they both sat, battered and closer to the border of death than life...Elliot suddenly broke out into laughter, or atleast as much as he could laugh. [b]"Ha...haha...how ironic...run down by my own car..."[/b] Elliot laughed as he returned to grasping his arm in pain from the laughter. Lysander lifted his head, he couldn't help himself from trying to laugh as well, but his ribs prevented him much more then Elliot's injuries prevented him. But still, a smile seemed to crack on Lysander's face. [b]"Yeah...*cough*...but to tell the truth...Y...y...yours is sweeter than this p... *wheeze*...piece of junk."[/b] Lysander joked. Elliot and Lysander gripped themselves in pain as they were unable to fight back completely the urge to laugh. [b]"Ha...yeah i think so too...by the way...you sound worse then that brat with asthma...who works the ammo booth at the range."[/b] Elliot responded, as both men started to laugh again. Lysander grabbed his chest and fell face first, trying his hardest to stop. [b]"*Cough cough* Oh man...at least...*wheeze*...i'm better looking then him."[/b] Lysander said. Elliot and Lysander looked each other in the eyes, realizing that their engagement in the act of reminiscence and lightening the atmosphere indicated that they were both coming to the end of their rope. There was only one thing left to do now...as they reflected back on the things they have said to each other...the things they have done to each other...and everything they have been through together by each other's side. The pain both men felt ranged from numbing to excruciating...there was still a hope within both of them that if they could kill the other...there would still be hope to have their wounds and injuried treated...but a more realistic side to the story was apparent to both of them as well...that they both might have already passed the point of no return. [b]"Well...friend...shall we finish this once and for all?"[/b] Elliot said, with his eyes closed. [b]"...yes...it's time. Hope you're ready, Elliot."[/b] Lysander answered. Elliot smiled as they came to the final agreement they would ever have...in this life anyway. [b]"Well...I guess i'll start. You know, you did break my arm...but ramming me with a car is probably one of the most ineffecient methods of going about disabling me like you hoped."[/b] Elliot said, keeping firm eye contact with Lysander. [b]"Oh? What's that supposed to mean?"[/b] Lysander asked, in a doubting tone. Rather then answer back, Elliot managed enough strength to squeeze the trigger of the gun still in his hand with his pointer finger. The bullet shot out of the barrel of the gun and pierced through the bulk of Lysander's left knee. A scream tried to leave Lysander's lungs, but all that came out was muffled wheezing as Lysander fell back holding his knee. Elliot laughed a bit as he lost the strength to keep a hold on the gun. [b]"You...should have taken the gun from me. You may have rendered my shoulder and elbow useless...but my fingers still have movement in them...my nerves are still active even if it isn't strong enough to make a fist...i only needed to muster enough of it to make one squeeze."[/b] Elliot said, as he used his good arm to push himself up to a wobbly standing position. Even the rain felt heavy now though...not once had it stopped...but now it felt like buckets rather then drops...the muscles in both of the Sinister Nation member's bodies were so weak that every drop was like a reminder of how much better death would probably be then this kind of suffering. Lysander laid surrounded in blood, but still conscious. He looked up at Elliot as he used his good arm as well to bring him to a straighter position...standing seemed to be off limits with his bullet wound...atleast standing on his own did. Elliot didn't think as far as what to do after he shot Lysander...he didn't really have much strength to finish his friend off...both men wished that time would just go by faster so everything could end...but if it meant staying in this amount of pain for the duration...doubts began to arise over whether or not their fight was worth it anymore. [b]"Elliot...you never cease to amaze me...*cough*...I always thought...thought you made a great leader."[/b] Lysander said as the lightheadedness started to get even worse then before. [b]"Heh...i appreciate that...Lysander. But...It's too late to go back now..."[/b] Elliot said as he stood like a contorted wreck. [b]"I...*wheeze*...understand...but I don't...intend on giving up either...Elliot...not...just...yet."[/b] Lysander said, trying to catch his breath and salvaging some deep ones.[/font] [center]* * * * *[/center] [font=tahoma]OOC: Sorry it took so long Acheron. This whole week has been a pain in the ass to get my posts in for all my RPs. Yesterday and today were my best times so i tried to get em all done. You're up sir.[/font]

[color=navy][size=1]Riakath stood in place and just watched as the wood elf priestess charged toward him. Her reasoning was flawed in his eyes, but either way if she desires to pick a fight with him...he would not let her kill him. Riakath readied the Voice of Galagrith in front of him, when suddenly Ananda seemed to dissapear from sight. Riakath surveyed the area around him, but saw nothing. [b]"Cowardly priestess...how dare she waste my time."[/b] Riakath said to himself as he continued walking. After a few steps however, the dark elf noticed an abundance in white flowers as they not only adorned the ground, but they were twirling around him where he stood. He thought it to be an odd form of magic and tried to continue, but one of the petals zoomed by his face. Riakath at the last minute moved his head avoiding contact. He turned to see the petal continue on it's path as it carved into the bark of a nearby tree. [b]"Ha...flowers as weapons. How menial your talents are, priestess."[/b] Riakath exclaimed as he lifted the Voice of Galagrith and with a single swipe in the air created a black mist. The mist wiped out the mass of flowers surrounding him, but as the mist cleared Ananda herself leaped down from a tree with her naginata extended. Riakath parried her away and stood across from her with an unchanged expression. [b]"You are quite skilled even without your aeon, dark elf. It is no wonder you are capable of such slaughter you have committed in the past."[/b] Ananda said, placing her naginata behind her. [b]"What is the matter priestess...do you no longer wish to fight me?"[/b] Riakath asked, suspecting another trick. Ananda leaped back up to a tree and addressed him from above. [b]"You are on your way to Torikarn, are you not? Continue on your way. Perhaps...we will meet again."[/b] she said as she dissapeared from sight again. Riakath shrugged the ordeal off and just conitinued on his way. Riakath had no intention of delaying his time for trivial matters, he had already wasted enough time. Riakath made his way through the forest as he wondered to himself what the priestess's agenda was...he had heard of the guardians of the forest of the goddess...but surely she wasn't one of them. Riakath kept focus on his destination however. Torikarn would provide him with reasonable lodgings and food, it had been days since his last stop. Riakath had travelled quite a ways from the city of Mazzillir since his self-appointed excommunication...over the years Riakath had roamed much of the eastern continent with no real home, but few cities that he felt comfortable enough in to stay...as well as citizens that were more tolerant of him. The dark elf race is known world wide as a noble and intellegent race...but like every other race they have their shady side. Riakath was still a dark elf, it was his thirst for power that caused him to be seperated...but that made no difference to him. He was still intellegent despite losing any claims to "nobility" in the eyes of others. His knowledge of the dark arts, and Necrose were all Riakath needed to survive. It seemed like half a days walks to Torikarn at this point...finally coming to the end of the forest. He looked over the horizon of a small mountain range, then back toward the forest. [b]"It is late...i shall camp here for a few hours."[/b] Riakath said as he set his bladed staff into the ground...as if it were serving as his guardian.[/size][/color] [center]* * * * *[/center] [size=1]OOC: Sorry for the short post, i'm sure things will pick up once everyone gets to the city though.[/size]

[font=tahoma]Actually, a friend and myself just went to the mall near us on tuesday and between us came back with about 20 DVDs and Games. She bought FFX-2 and FF:CC for gamecube, she's been dying to play X-2 and the copy i had got messed up so it dosn't play anymore...and neither of us have played crystal chronicles so i have that sitting here too. The games i purchased were Suikoden Tactics, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin (the only one i was missing from the collection before Tuesday), and Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven (fun and underrated). Just felt like splurging on some stuff. I'm still looking to get a copy of SMT: Digital Devil Saga (the first one) for PS2 and i already have my collectors edition of FFXII reserved...so those will be my next purchases.[/font]

[COLOR=DarkSlateGray][size=1]Jake walked his usual routine around his neighborhood. He was usually bored when it was too early in the day and he didn't have school to go to. It's not that Jake didn't have any friends, it's more like he just preferred to pass the time by reading a book or by lounging around on some open fields or even on the roof of his house while he daydreamed with the help of the carefree breeze. Many around the neighborhood knew him though, as lazy as Jake seems...the better word to describe him is actually temperate. However, he dosn't often turn down a request for help, whether it be with a simple task around the town or if a friend needed help with homework or with personal problems. It was something he was enthusiastic about...it was just that most of the time his conscience would get in the way if he considered saying no. Jake waved to one of the shop owners as he walked by, the lady who ran the kitchen knew Jake for a long time as he was a regular there. Most of the time he could be found there with a small group of friends after school was out. The day was clear, a wind was noticable but it was not a particularly breezy day...though for some reason...it seemed strong enough to convey a subtle message through the currents to Jake's ears...or as Jake would refer to them as... [b]"Gah...damn annoying voices...how much longer is this going to go on? I know I'm in tune with the wind and all but this is starting to get rediculous"[/b] he said to himself as for the third time he heard the enigmatic voice requesting "[i]Elements, gather at Matchell Park[/i]". Jake thought nothing of it at first and figured it was the wind playing tricks with his ears...but the thought of going to Matchell Park for the simple probability that it might quell these voices was growing more and more as a desireable alternative. Jake sighed and just leaned against the wall of another store, his hands firmly in his jeans pockets. His eyes followed some leaves blowing in the wind down the street, it was rather ominous in the way that the leaves seemed to follow one another in a crooked yet apparent single file. Jake watched as he subtly laughed to himself. [b]"Ha...well...alright then. Matchell Park is that way, i don't suppose it would hurt to go take a look...after all...i don't have anything better to do."[/b] Jake pushed himself off the wall and walked down the street toward the park. He wasn't really sure what the purpose was, or what he would find there, or even if there was anything significant about the voices he was hearing at all...but he had already started walking...and stopping would be more troublesome than finishing his walk anyway...especially if it meant that he would continue hearing the voices. He reached the entrance to the park 10 minutes later...living in the neighborhood meant knowing the shortest routes to just about anywhere anybody would need to go. Upon reaching the entrance, Jake noticed a young girl standing in the entryway looking around as if confused. He wondered why she was there alone, she looked much too young to be out in the open without her parents. Jake walked up cautiously, not wanting to startle her...he didn't really feel like making idle chit chat but it was doubtful he could walk into the park without her seeing him. [b]"Um...excuse me little girl..."[/b] [b]"Huh? Hey! Who are you!? Get away from me!"[/b] she yelled out, as she ran up to Jake and kicked him directly in the shin. Jake's eyes bluged at the pain and grabbed his leg and started jumping up and down on his good leg. [b]"Ow! Why did you go and do that for!? It's not like i was going to hurt you or something!"[/b] Jake said, trying to fight off the pain he felt. It wasn't that the girl was particularly strong, but getting hit in the shin with even a small amount of force would hurt just about anyone. [b]"W...who are you"[/b] the girl asked, still in a defensive like stance with her hands up by her mouth. Jake finally finished nursing his shin, though it still hurt like hell. [b]"My name is Jake...I don't mean you any harm...but where are your parents?"[/b] The girl eased herself a little noticing a rather tranquil look in the boy's eyes. She was still weary but figured that it must have been a weird sight from the outside for a girl as young as herself to be wandering around by herself anyway. [b]"Oh...i see...i'm sorry i kicked you Jake. As for my parents...well...they aren't here."[/b] the girl answered. [b]"Oh? Well maybe you should...wait...is there a particular reason you came to Matchell Park?"[/b] Jake inquired, figuring that he might not have been the only person to hear the voices. It was a long shot, and it was at the risk of looking like the weird one himself, but he wasn't really worried about the judgement of a little girl at this point. [b]"Um...well...this may sound a little crazy...but..."[/b] [b]"Let me guess, you heard a voice telling you to come here."[/b] Jake said, interuppting her. [b]"Huh...no way! Yeah! How in the world did you know that!?"[/b] the girl asked excitedly. [b]"Same reason I'm here...but as far as I can see there isn't anything special going on..."[/b] [b]"Maybe we have to go into the park...hey, are you coming or what!?"[/b] she said as she started to wave for Jake to go with her. [b]"Huh? Hold on a minute..."[/b] [b]"Come on!"[/b] she said, comfortably running into the park. Jake tried to stop her again but to no avail. He drooped his head and just walked quickly to catch up with her. A ways in she slowed down and turned her head to him. [b]"Oh, by the way my name is Rorita."[/b] [b]"Oh? Well, nice to meet you...I guess."[/b] Jake said, as more figures came into view. There were four of them, they seemed to already be talking with each other. Jake and Rorita got closer as one of the others turned after seeing them out of the corner of her eye. [b]"Jake? What are you doing here?"[/b] she asked. Jake recognized her as well. They went to the same school afterall. Jake looked around and didn't recognize the others. [b]"Clyne, fancy meeting you here. I suppose it's a rather odd story about why I'm here...but what about you?"[/b] Jake asked.[/size][/COLOR] [center]* * * * * [size=1]OOC: Hope you don't mind Sandy, lemme know if I portrayed Rorita wrong.[/size][/center]

[font=tahoma]I understand you don't know what it is, though this should belong in either the game section or art section of OB (though i dun know if an anime was actually ever made based off the artwork, so i could be wrong). But Magna Carta is a PS2 RPG by Atlus. Came out late last year and features artwork from Hyung Tae Kim. In my personal opinion it wasn't all that bad, but nothing too special either. [/font]

[font=tahoma]Elliot rolled on the ground and grabbed for anything he could get a hold of to help him back to his feet. Even after this level of punishment, he still repeated to himself within his head that he had to go on. He eventually found a fire hydrant with his wandering hands and struggled to get a grip, just for the sake of pulling himself up. Lysander eyes displayed a glazed over look as he exerted an enormous amount of energy just simply turning his body around. He experienced a great pain in his chest as he found himself struggling merely to take a breath. It seemed that in turn for his opportunism in taking what seemed like the best shot at Elliot this whole fight, he sustained serious injuried to his ribs. Elliot used the hydrant to bring himself up to his feet for a few seconds but then fell to his knees, as he reached to the back of his head and clutched his hand around where he had gotten hit. It was a bad blow, but Elliot was lucky that the blow hadn't been an inch higher or else it might have been much worse. He dried the blood from his hand on his wet shirt, though it was an act in futility. He took the time he needed to settle his vision, just in time to see Lysander at a hunched over standing position. His arm was wrapped around his chest area. Elliot was coherent enough to move and speak still, though it seemed like pure adrenaline and guts was the fuel. He had applied as much pressure as he could to the wound since he pulled himself up. His eyes wandered over to Lysander's focus of attention on his own body, he grinned on the inside and knew that it was time to make sure Lysander knew the real meaning of pain, and the true fear of death. In Elliot's mind, this fight has been pushed the point of no return...on atleast one occaision, both men have tried to kill the other in a rather gruesome way. Elliot purged himself of any reason to believe that he shouldn't end Lysander's life. Lysander walked very slowly toward Elliot, as Elliot stumbled toward Lysander. Elliot kept his eyes focused on Lysander throughout his entire trip toward him, as Lysander forced his head high enough to make eye contact with Elliot. Elliot took a deep breathe in and tried his hardest to expel the pain he felt by exploiting it, he let out a scream and double stepped toward Lysander and layed in a stiff kick to his ribcage. Lysander stumbled back from the kick and fell in a seated position as he howled in pain. Elliot walked to him, eyes wide like a starved man seeing food for the first time, heart pounding like a man who just ran a marathon, and hands clinched as tight as possible with the remaining strength he possessed. Lysander looked up and coughed up a small puddle of blood between his legs. Elliot fought to keep his balance and keep his eyes focused as he approached even closer to his grounded former comrade. [b]"Ha...haha...it looks like...you have some serious rib injuries...ha...you never were the sharpest knife in the drawer, Darril. You're lucky to be alive right now, but I will make sure that you know it was I who sealed your fate when you walk around hell...awaiting me there."[/b] Elliot said as he lunged downward with a stiff front kick with his shin to Lysander's chest. As his leg connected, Lysander's eyes bulged as the sound of several of his ribs cracking were muffled only by his intense screams. [b]"Do you...do you know what it's like to have broken ribs without any hope for treatment? Let me tell you, "[i]Lysander[/i]"...that shortness of breath you are suffering from right now...it will only get worse...you will feel as if sugmerged underwater...with no hope for air, or release from the pain."[/b] Elliot explained as he went to strike again but fell unbalanced and landed beside Lysander, making contact with his chest with his fist still but at the expense of his vertical base. Elliot lifted himself into a prostrated position and turned to a seated position as he eyed Lysander, huffing and puffing. The blood began trickling down Elliot's neck again. [b]"When your ribs are broken...you risk the puncturing of your subclavian artery...which is the primary transport of oxygenated blood to both your head and your arms. Your limbs are already injured from that fall...imagine now losing complete use of them, not even enough strength...to simply lift a drinking cup. Not to mention the potential brain damage you would suffer...you will die, crippled and helpless."[/b] Elliot continued his analysis intended to demoralize Lysander. Lysander clutched his chest tighter as he felt the wind leave him with every breath...his eyes however caught the blood from Elliot's wound...his confidence didn't seem to completely leave him yet...but he couldn't tell how much longer he would be able to go on...Elliot was right, his fractured ribs would do him in soon enough if he didn't seek medical attention. [b]"Oh I'm not done...i'm not done at all...these are all prolonged methods of your body's impending demise...but with a little more pressure...I could end it all so much more instantaneously. I could lodge each and every one of your Typical ribs, from your vertabrae and impale your lungs with them...I don't believe i need to explain the rest of that scenario even to you."[/b] Elliot finished up as he swung with all of his stregnth for his ribs again. Lysander however managed enough strength to block his arm. The recoil of the block caused further damage to his already injured ribs, but it was weakened significantly then if Elliot had made direct contact. [b]"You...n...need...to...sh..shut you're....mouth..."[/b] Lysander mustered out as he lunged his head forward and headbutted Elliot as hard as he could. The impact sent both men back down to a flat position on the ground, now beside each other...bruised, beaten, battered, and in serious need of medical attention. As they lied there for several more moments, another car drove up and stopped short seeing both men barely stirring. The driver opened his door and ran out to survey the situation. He dressed in a black suit with a blue striped tie. He took his sunglasses off, as if he needed them in the first place, and looked at Elliot and Lysander and smiled. [b]"Hmph, guess the crime syndicates are dumping their trash out in the middle of the streets now...guess i'll just call you guys an amulance..."[/b] The man said as he turned back to his car, intending to use the car phone. As he turned however, both men noticed in his inside jacket pocked was a holster with a gun in it. Elliot and Lysander shared the same thought as they both expedited their movements to the best of their abilities and grabbed for the man. [b]"Hey, what the hell is with you two!?"[/b] the man shouted as Elliot tripped the man with both of his legs. Lysander layed in a kick to his face as both of the Sinister Nation members reached for the gun. Lysander grabbed hold of it first but upon liberating it from it's holster, Elliot smacked it out of his hand as the gun glided across the street several feet away. Elliot and Lysander eyed each other vehemently and prepared for the inevitable struggle for the firearm. It could mean the difference between living and dying, with the survivor buying himself enough time to have his wounds treated. [center]* * * * *[/center] OOC: I must thank you for allowing me the use of my knowledge of the human anatomy :P. Looks like things might intensify even further now with a new variable thrown into the mix...[/font]

[center][size=1][color=darkred]I loaded a magazine into my desert eagle and looked over at Clyne who was cleaning off her blade, which i believe she called Akatsuki. It's already been a few months but she still hasn't seemed to open up to me yet. We only worked 3 jobs together so far and each time something went wrong with the teamwork communication. Nicholas treated it more like a joke rather then a serious issue...it was unlike him...but then again the missions weren't very serious ones...with a collection of only $8,000 between all three of them I suppose I can see how Nicholas was probably treating them like "trial jobs". The last job we took though was quite different however...Nicholas strayed from our side and Clyne and myself were left to deal with some punks who carjacked a TPD squad car. Not that we really cares that the TPD was missing a car, it just happened to be in our job description that we take out the driver and his partner. When we succeeded, we came back...and Nicholas introduced us to him... [b]"Elliot, Clyne...this is Alex. He'll be working with us from now on."[/b] Nicholas said to us. I observed Alex...he was a mess...dressed in rags...he looked like he had been living on the streets for a long time...and I should know...the streets were my home for a long time. I could sympathize i suppose, but something about Alex never really sat well with me. [b]"Alex huh? Well, you're a mess aren't you? You can call me Clyne..."[/b]. Clyne wasn't really a poster-girl for manners...but she didn't really care what others thought of her either. Alex just nodded and turned away from us. Clyne looked over at me and shrugged, finding solace in the newfound fact that i was atleast easier to socialize with then he was. Not that Clyne needed to socialize, but when you're surrounded by the same people everyday, it helps to do your best to make the best out of it. We were still rocky, but Clyne did stop curisng me out everytime something went wrong. Alex on the other hand seemed like he had no interest in getting to know any of us. But, we wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt...just like we gave each other...just like Nicholas gave us. We learned how to be more humble toward our would be friends and allies, no matter the quirk and no matter the flaw. That was crucial in making this family as strong as it was today.[/color][/size] * * * * *[/center] [size=1]Elliot barely got any sleep after he dropped Eva off and made that call to Clyne. He awoke and turned to see the clock read 4 AM. Much earlier then he normally woke up, but Elliot found it difficult to sleep for some reason. It could have been because of the big assassination mission that awaited him in just a few hours...but with 10 years of mercenary experience, assassinations hardly shook a nerve like it used to. It could have been from the incident at the club with Eva, Elliot couldn't put to rest some suspicions about that guy's claim of working for the Murdock Brothers along with the address that he found on the paper he dropped. There was hardly enough evidence that it was significant at all pertaining to anything, but it rang a bell that was hard to silence. Elliot spun around in his bed and stood up. He walked into the bathroom and splashed some water on his face. He gazed into the mirror intently out of the bottom of his eyes and lost himself in a destitute day dream. It's been a long time since he even had the oppurtunity to have a good nights rest, and now when he's finally been granted that chance...other forces at work seemed to keep him awake. Elliot stretched out, all the muscles on his upper body flexing as he stood clad only in his boxers. Figuring now was as good of a time as any to start the new day he slipped off his boxers and turned on the shower. His mind tended to wander a lot when he was running on auto-pilot. He couldn't really explain why he was doing certain things sometimes...just like now how he wasn't sure why he had woken up so much earlier then usual. He stepped in the shower and thoughts of the older days when Nicholas taught him how to fight came into his head, followed up by some of his greater conquests...Elliot could always pinpoint his favorite missions over the years almost instantly. There was even some pretty lusty thoughts of Eva naked with him in the shower, and him ramming her against the wall as he did some ramming of his own. Elliot [i]did[/i] always claim to do his best thinking around water. The clock read 4:25 when he finished the shower and all the morning customs that went a long with it. He figured he would have a pretty good chance of actually being the first one there this time around, but it wouldn't have surprised him if Clyne were to be there already warming up for the upcoming mission. He remembered when she always used to do that. She would take up a giant part of the HQ's main hall and just start stretching out and doing flips and flexibility exercises. Elliot remembered watching her as a guilty pleasure, afterall it wasn't like she wasn't attractive at all. She didn't seem to care much either about being seen, since she would sometimes wear things so tight and short when she warmed up that most girls wouldn't even wear them as bathing suits. But as time went on, Elliot realized that he was never really able to feel romantically about her. They've seen each other naked on several occaisions due to jobs, sudden need for changing, whatever tight situation they were in that required it...at this point it was pretty normal and all. The point of it all though was how focused Clyne has always been, never really letting petty things get to her or distract her. That's how the atmosphere in SN was most of the time, there was no place for insignificant insecurities. That was another lesson Nicholas tried to embed within all of them. Elliot threw his usual attire on and grabbed the keys to his [URL=http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/581/azul2ny0.jpg][color=blue]Mazda RX8[/color][/URL]. It was the car he always kept at his place. He drove it a lot less then the [url=http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9954/aston20martin20v1220vanquish2003tk5.jpg][color=silver]Aston Martin[/color][/URL] he kept in the garage at HQ. But jobs required a lot more driving then most trips from home did. He didn't bother to eat breakfast, at least not a real big one. Elliot grabbed a cereal bar and a banana and just brought it into the car with him. The clock in his Mazda read 4:55, as he hit the streets and headed toward SN HQ. He only lived one smaller sector away, still within T-3 so the drive usually only took around 20 minutes. He pulled up to his usual spot and parked. He walked up to the side door, the entrance that the SN members knew to use when Heaven's Gate wasn't open yet. He noticed that the alarm was off and figured that Clyne had indeed gotten there first. He sighed to himself, always thinking her sleeping habits were a little creepy. He opened the door and upon taking his first step he nearly tripped on some books and a table leg that were laying infront of the door. [b]"What the...!"[/b] Elliot cried as he caught his balance. He looked around and noticed that there was a bit of a mess in the main hall. He flicked the lights on and noticed a figure moving on the floor. She was buried underneath a bookshelf and some papers with something by her head...it looked like...a dog? [b]"C...Clyne? What the hell happened!?"[/b] Elliot yelled as he rushed over to Clyne who was underneath the bookshelf. She elbowed the bookshelf off of her with a sudden spike of strength and reached her right hand out and grabbed a hold of something with her hand. [b]"You...DAMN MUTT! Who the hell let this dog in here anyway!?"[/b] Clyne yelled as she held the tail of a medium sized [URL=http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/1224/250pxpembrokewelshcorgi600ir9.jpg][color=sandybrown]welsh corgi[/color][/URL] in her hand. The dog tried to scurry away but Clyne had too strong of a grip on it's tail. [b]"Uhh...Clyne? Where did the dog come from?"[/b] Elliot asked in a perplexed tone. [b]"I don't know! I just asked that! I was doing my warm ups and exercises and I caught this thing sneaking around the HQ!"[/b] Clyne yelled in an aggravated tone. Elliot looked around the area again and noticed again how it looked like a mini hurricane had come through. [b]"Um...what happened to the hall?"[/b] Elliot asked. [b]"It's this....THING'S fault!"[/b] Clyne answered as she pulled the dog in and grabbed it underneath it's front paws. [b]"Hm...you mean...that dog...beat you up?"[/b] Clyne turned to Elliot and eyed him angrily. She grabbed a nearby bucket and place it over the dog to keep him there, got up and gave Elliot a slap on his forehead. [b]"Ow!...hey, what did I say?"[/b] Elliot said, rubbing his head. [b]"The damn thing was sneaking around, i thought there was an intruder in the building...so i checked it out. All i really saw were it's shadows so i tried catching the damn critter and i made a bit of a mess of the place! No big deal, i caught it didn't I!? "[/b] Elliot didn't say anything else, recognizing Clyne was going into one of her hot headed moments. He saw her pick the bucket up and grab the dog again. [b]"Damn thing, i'm getting rid of it!"[/b] she said as she started walking toward the back. [b]"Hey! Don't do that...if it snuck in then it probably needs a home."[/b] Elliot said, reaching his hand out to stop Clyne. [b]"So, what? You want it?"[/b] [b]"Well...i dunno...i mean i like dogs and all..."[/b] Elliot started to say. The dog took the opportunity to kick his way out of Clyne's grip and run over to Elliot. He jumped up on him on his hind legs and starting pawing his stomach. Elliot looked down and was taken in by it's eyes. He seemed to transform all of a sudden as his facial expression lightened and he smiled. [b]"Awww...I can't just let the little guy go back out on his own! I'll keep him!"[/b] Elliot said, grabbing the dog and picking it up to hug it. Clyne raised an eyebrow and stood there looking at Elliot with her hands on her hips. [b]"You...get a little weird when it comes to dogs...you know that?"[/b] she said, referring to how perky Elliot seemed to all of a sudden get. The dog barked twice and started wagging his tail. Clyne rolled her eyes and started cleaning up some of the mess she had made. Some time passed as more SN members started coming in. It was around 6 now when Kenso and Virgil walked in. Elliot was sitting in one of the couches with his newfound dog by his feet, being the center of attention with Logan, Red, and Eva who were sitting in the same area as Elliot. [b]"Awwww...he's so cute! You really just found him here when you walked in?"[/b] Eva said, petting the dog behind it's ears. [b]"Well...Clyne found it...so to speak..."[/b] Elliot answered. [b]"Bite me, buddy"[/b] Clyne snarled as she walked by, catching that part of the conversation. [b]"So, what are you gonna name him?"[/b] Red asked, taking her turn to pet the dog. [b]"Hm? I dunno...havn't really thought about it. Hm...how about Max?"[/b] Clyne turned to Elliot after hearing that and shook her head free of the less than desireable memories that shortened version of her old dog's name brought up. [b]"NO! Make it something else!"[/b] she demanded. Everyone looked at her in a weird way, wondering what had gotten into her. [b]"Uh...alright. Hey...i have the perfect name! I think i'll call him...Kyo!"[/b] Elliot said, picking the now named puppy up and setting him on his lap. [b]"Kyo puppy!"[/b] Eva squealed, taking a liking to the way the name sounded. Kenso walked over with a confused look on his face, wondering why a dog was in the HQ and everyone was huddling around it. He scratched his head but then just shrugged it off. [b]"Hey...it's time to go wake up sleeping beauty in his mobile home. Since we're all here we can get started."[/b] Kenso said, looking at his watch. [b]"Mm, you're right. Lysander has some briefing to do. Clyne has already informed me that our suspicions of the validty of Mrs. Fairfield's identity have been confirmed."[/b] Elliot said, reverting to his mission-mode as he set Kyo down onto the floor. [b]"Yes...Lysander will tell you the rest"[/b] Kenso said, as the three of them walked to the garage where Lysander did his usual sleeping.[/size] [center]* * * * *[/center] [size=1]OOC1: Obviously, this post leads into Acheron's. OOC2: Hope everyone likes my new pet =). The name is, well a bit of an easter egg. Heh. [/size]

[font=tahoma]I've never played WoW, but i was once a dedicated EQ player. I enjoy the atmosphere of the MMORPG, especially such fantasy based ones as these. I would definitly be interested in taking part, like why i joined DH's Age of Summoners RP, it would be a great feeling of nostalgia. Since i know very little about the story, it would make it all the more interesting for me i suppose.[/font]

[font=tahoma]It's np MK. We'll carry the current events along enough to leave you enough room to get in on. BTW for future reference, if you want to avoid double posting and still have your post noticed, copy the contents of your previous post, delete it, then repost with the new message. That way it's one post with both the contents of your previous post and new post.[/font]

[QUOTE=Ezekiel][SIZE=1]I've had a load of usernames on this site, as most people will tell you, but I think the most important ones were '[B]Imi[/B]' and now '[B]Ezekiel[/B]'. Imi was the name of my first original character. She was based on me, with some cool modifications like blue hair. Her name was originally Imogen (one of the names my mother considered for me) but my art teacher is dyslexic so he asked if I could shorten it to Imi. It just...stuck. I think it was a name I grew out of though, and my other usernames were much more mature. I thought so, anyway. I adore the names of the arc angels, and Ezekiel is one of them. As well as a prophet, I believe. Ezekiel is also the name of the main character in my planned manga. I love the way it sounds strong and somehow regal, and Zeke is an awesome nickname. On other sites I go by either [B]Gethsemane[/B] or [B]Ezekiel[/B]. I think I'm [B]Greebo[/B] on one or two sites (Anyone who knows what that name is from gets endless love). devART I use [B]Imi-Kagami[/B], but only because that's ages old. On Vox I'm [B]Raphael[/B], but I don't use it so that doesn't count. [B]Note:[/B] Will people please stop spelling my name as Ezeki[B][COLOR=Red]a[/COLOR][/B]l. It's Ezeki[B][COLOR=Red]e[/COLOR][/B]l. With an '[COLOR=Red]e[/COLOR]'. It gets very annoying.[/SIZE][/QUOTE] [font=tahoma]It's probably not what it's from, but would Greebo by chance be a Terry Pratchett reference? As for my name. It's actually supposed to be Bklynstyles. But for some strange reason (don't know why), OB wouldn't let me have it...so i had to shorten it to BKstyles, but essentially it means the same thing. Bklyn or BK is the shortened version of Brooklyn, which is where in New York i am from. Styles has many meanings, but there are two that stand out the most. One is that it's part of the ring name of the professional wrestler that revived my love for the sport after it seemed to be dissipating (The name was invented originally for a message forum that specialized in wrestling). It is more versatile than that however since it's also representative of my pride in my hometown, as in "Doing it brooklyn style", get it...well yeah i never promised a riveting explanation but it's chiefly a hometown thing. [/font]

[font=tahoma]Elliot 's homemade bandage from the piece of his shirt was now emblazoned with more blood from the second wound to his shooting hand. He neglected to make another one figuring that if things were going to boil down to hand to hand fighting now it would probably eventually come off anyhow. Elliot stared intently at Lysander; he noticed the look in his eye that conveyed the subtleties of such a message that read, "I've got the advantage". Elliot smiled on the inside, glad that Lysander felt that way. [b]"Heh, you still won't give up with that will you? I already told you that I wouldn?t believe you."[/b] Elliot answered, as he reached his left hand slowly behind his back. [b]"I see...then I?m afraid i'll have to finish this off."[/b] Lysander said in a stern and confident tone. [b]"Well before you do that, my friend. I will have to admit that I did forget about your second knife. However you shouldn't have wasted it on my hand...you should have taken a better shot when you had the chance!"[/b] Elliot said as he pulled the Kindjal from his back and slashed horizontally at Lysander. Lysander bent his body back enough to avoid it but Elliot persisted with a thrust which took a piece of Lysander's jacket but not quite enough skin to make a difference. Lysander took swings of his own with his butterfly blade but it was difficult to match the enormous size difference of the Kindjal. The two exchanged clashes a few times before Elliot used his swing to parry Lysander's blade rather then slash, and followed up with a sweep kick that took Lysander's legs out from the back of the knee. Lysander hit the ground back first with a thud which splashed more water up onto both of them. Elliot drove his knee onto Lysander's wrist and applied enough pressure to allow him to pry the knife from his fingers. Elliot slid the knife across the street, it destination involved falling from the elevated bridge that connected the section of T-3 to T-4 down to the train tracks below. Neither man noticed how far they have actually ventured from their starting point of Heaven's Gate, their focuses were much too pre-occupied. Lysander swung at Elliot with his free hand but Elliot blocked it with his right arm and brought his left hand in with an attempt to pierce Lysander's throat with the Kindjal, but Lysander broke his other hand free from Elliot's knee with a prompt spike of adrenaline just in time to block Elliot's strike. His hand hung just far enough from Lysander's neck so that the lengthy blade barely tickled the skin. If Lysander made any sudden movements with his head he could very well impale himself. The two found themselves again struggling for the advantage. The rain made it difficult for either man to get a solid grip on the other but the will for physical dominion and staying alive activated the very depths of their mercenary training and instincts. [b][i]'Elliot, you crazy fool...would you really kill me!? Would you really have done it if i hadn't stopped your hand!? Urgh...I must....stop him....damn you Elliot!'[/b][/i] Lysander thought to himself as he felt his strength dissipating significantly from how it was at the start of the fight. [b][i]'Lysander...Darril...I hope you'll find it in your heart in the afterlife to forgive me...we will see each other again though. But your transgressions are too severe to just let you get away with them!'[/i][/b] Elliot said in his mind, his strength as well weakening from how it was. The struggle finally ended after Elliot's arm slipped from Lysander's grip. Lysander feeling it happen before it did however already whipped his head as far to the left as he could as the Kindjal thrusted down hard enough to crack the ground beneath them. Lysander with a rush of adrenaline after coming within a playing card's depth of getting killed grabbed Elliot by the arm attached to the hilt and flipped him over with his legs. Elliot flew overhead thanks to Lysander's judo maneuver, but managed to recover quickly as his feet touched the ground he spun to his stomach and pushed himself up. The dagger lay on the street however, Lysander made a dash for it but all Elliot could do to keep it from him was kick it away. Both men were now completely unarmed. Lysander picked himself up from the ground as quick as he could, just in time to dodge a high roundhouse kick from Elliot. [b]"You're pretty good at prolonging your survival...you always have been. But how much longer do you really think you can keep this up!?"[/b] Elliot shouted as he began to back Lysander up step by step with kick after kick, varied in high and low, front and reverse roundhouses. Elliot stopped for a moment and took notice to the edge where the knife had fallen, unbeknownst to them. Lysander was a few steps away from it, and seemed unaware as well. Elliot grinned slightly and eased his stance. Lysander wiped the moisture away from his forehead, and brushed his hand across the right side of his neck. He brought his hand back and noticed blood mixed in with the water. Surprise he ran his hand across his neck again and noticed that there was a shallow cut on his neck from when Elliot's dagger thrusted into the ground back when they struggled. [b]"Look's like I?m not the only one losing blood now. That injury is going to catch up to you eventually...you should give up."[/b] Elliot said facetiously, with no actual intention of letting him give up. Lysander took his headband and just tied it as tight as he could without cutting off his own air. It wasn't enough to completely suppress the bleeding but it had to do for now. [b]"You can forget about that, even though I know you're bullshitting anyway."[/b] Lysander said, his bangs hanging further down the front of his face now. [b]"You're right, I am bullshitting...so if it's all the same to you I think i'll finish this now!"[/b] Elliot said as he motioned with a swift sidekick, intentionally not stretching far enough to actually make contact, but enough to make Lysander back up more. Elliot swung with one more and held himself in place. Lysander took another step and he felt his balance waver underneath him. Perplexed, he whipped his head downward and slightly behind him to see the edge of the ground, guarded by only a two-foot high steel barricade. Strong enough to stop a car from going over, but short enough to kick a person over using it to trip their legs out. Which was Elliot's intention as he jumped forward and let out a strong and stiff side kick knocking Lysander over the edge, falling about 10 feet toward the ground below. Impersonating a giant raindrop, Lysander fell from the edge and landed hard on his right shoulder. A loud and elongated groan emitted from Lysander's mouth as he gripped his shoulder with his left hand and turned onto his knees, assuming half the height of his normal vertical base only to collapse face first into a puddle on the ground, just feet away from the train tracks. [b]"Damn you Elliot...I'm...not through yet...GAH!"[/b] Lysander yelled as loud as his lungs would allow him at the time. He gritted his teeth and made it was to his knees again and turned to see Elliot jump down from the same edge he had kicked Lysander off of. Elliot was taken to the ground from the slippery nature of the terrain upon reaching the ground. Elliot pushed himself up and stumbled toward Lysander. Elliot pushed Lysander down and fell to the ground with him. He dragged Lysander with the strength he had left and held his head out over the edge of the train platform. [b]"This will be it for you..."[/b] Elliot managed to say through his huffing and puffing. Lysander growled at Elliot and tried to fight him off but his strength was significant weakened in his right arm. A train could be heard, almost one stop away...Elliot had intended for it to be Lysander's death toll...all he needed to do...was hold him there for just a little longer... [b]"Elliot...I will make you pay...I swear it!"[/b] Lysander said vehemently through his gritted teeth. He kept fighting but Elliot prevailed in keeping Lysander's head over the edge of the platform. If that train made it to their location while his head was still there, there would be no chance of survival. The train came closer; since it was late at night the stops were all virtually empty. It made the normal path of the train quicker with fewer passengers. [b]"It...won't...end like THIS! Elliot!"[/b] Lysander yelled, gaining a surge of energy allowing him to fight back a little more. The train's lights could be seen, reflecting off the shiny sides of the tunnel it would come out from in a mere amount of seconds. Lysander's irises traced the lining of the platform's edge toward the tunnel and let the light glisten off his cornias. His eyes widened, he knew he had to make a move and fast. He turned his eyes back and noticed the areas of Elliot's shirt where the two shots from his own desert eagle had dented his vest. Lysander reacted quickly and took his left arm and with all of his might he punched Elliot directly in his chest. Elliot screamed intensely and let go of Lysander instantly. Elliot rolled off clutching his chest from the incredible pain of additional pressure to the two would be gunshot wounds were. [b][i]'H...holy....shit....'[/i][/b] Elliot thought to himself as his struggled to catch his breath. Lysander rolled out of the way as quick as he could, still clutching his right shoulder as seconds later the train zoomed by the station, creating a bit of a breeze for both men. Elliot stood, hunched over but it was standing nonetheless. Lysander acted quickly while Elliot was stunned and belted him in the face with his left hand as hard as he could. Elliot reeled back but Lysander grabbed him by his shirt and forces his right arm to work with him as he screamed in pain while he tugged on Elliot, tossing him through the glass wall of the seated area of the station. Elliot crashed through and rolled on the ground until he was stopped by a lamppost. The sound of the shattered glass was loud enough to even be heard over the train. Elliot lied there for a few moments as he gripped his side, Lysander also dropped to his knees to take the opportunity to rest. Both men's eyes however turned to one another and focused in like it was a homeless person spotting a perfectly good pizza pie. The lust to best the other was inordinately apparent in both of their gazes, despite the injuries they have sustained thus far. A full minute has passed by now, as Elliot pulled himself up to his feet, leaning against the lamppost for help. Lysander pushed himself up with his left arm and tried to solidify a steady stance. Still...the rain continued...the darkness enshrouded them...the atmosphere of Traydor seemed as if it were figuratively encouraging them. Elliot and Lysander knew the meaning of getting the job done no matter what, they have suffered bad injuries in the past and it wasn't about to stop either of them now either. [center]* * * * *[/center] OOC: Thought a bit of a change of scenery would help out.[/font]

[size=1]OOC: Told ya i'd sign up for the nostalgia of my old Everquest days, hehe. Just kinda wish i coulda signed up more than 1 char. -The BG section would have been much more elaborate if i didn't want to be space conserving, so it's sort of the shortened version. -Edit: Fixed everything you wanted me to DH, lemme know if everything is fine.[/size] [center]* * * * *[/center]

[font=tahoma]Elliot ran parallel to Lysander, using the cars beside the sidewalk curbs as his shield against the bullets. Elliot ducked behind a black hummer and reloaded a clip into his trusty desert eagle. Never in Elliot's mind did he think the day would come where his desert eagle and Lysander's would be turned against one another. That time has come though, and rather then sit there and lament about it he knew he had to stand firm in his resolve. He sat there and brushed the wet hair out of his face, he raised himself up and swung his right arm around ontop of the roof of the car and fired a shot in a straight direction. The bullet crashed through a glass door of Kino's pawn shop across the street from Heaven's Gate. The shattered glass caused Lysander to dive out from behind the pillar infront of the shop, gun blazing in Elliot's direction to provide himself enough cover to get to another spot. Elliot feverishly returned fire, hoping that the hummer would provide him with enough cover. Rain drops elegantly bursted in mid air from the clashing of several bullets cancelling one another out. The beauty of Elliot and Lysander's brilliant marksmanship was certainly something to behold, as the other members of Sinister Nation stood aside and watched in awe. It was the only thing they could do, it was understood that regardless of whether this fight was for righteous reasons or not...it had to be done. It was a fight for pride, a fight for belief, and a fight that both men felt was in the best interest of honoring Nicholas's name. All the time Elliot and Lysander had spent honing their skills both at the shooting range and on the field, they were among the most accurate of the entire group. Considering the types of guns they use as well, it made it all the more impressive that they could master such an arduous and powerful pistol. The desert eagle, whether it be Elliot's .50 model or Lysander's .45 model was in no way shape or form the most accurate or easy to handle pistol in the world. Now the very same dedication put into subdueing these weapons to their will was being wasted on trying to subdue one another. [b]"Excellent, as always! I knew this wasn't going to be easy but it has to end Lysander. Lysander...ha...why should I even call you that anymore? It was the nick name Nicholas personally gave you, why are YOU deserving of such an honor after you've betrayed our cause!?"[/b] Elliot screamed at Lysander who was now seeking cover behind the corner of the giant apartment complex at the end of the block across from Heaven's Gate. Lysander grew angry by that comment and pulled his red headband off with a single, yet fierce tug. [b]"I did NOT betray anything, Elliot! I can understand why my actions make you feel that way, but i am telling you it isn't like that at all!"[/b] Lysander screamed back. He started to realize fully now that it made sense that it would take more than words to convince someone that his actions were not as they appeared. [b]"Save your breath, I will take your name and crush it along with your vocal chords if you insist on continuing this extraneous match!"[/b] Elliot shouted in a threatening tone. [b]"It would seem I have no choice...I will finish this...ELLIOT!"[/b] Lysander responded as he ran out from his protection. He took aim and shot a bullet that went through the hummer's driver's seat window and crashed through the passenger side seat window causing Elliot to spin his body to avoid it. Elliot swung his gun toward Lysander and took a few shots through the now empty spots where the car windows had once been. Lysander rolled to his left, leaving splashes in the puddles that adorned the dirty streets of Traydor. The bullets created smaller yet more focused splashes as they grazed the ground where Lysander used to be. Elliot noticed he was getting closer, he readjusted his priorities and took aim at his hand. He fired a single shot as the bullet knocked the gun from Lysander's hand, but by then Lysander was already in mid spinning motion as he quickly revealed his butterfly knife with his other hand and propelled it toward Elliot's right hand. Elliot tried to move but the knife slashed the top of his hand causing him to drop his gun as well. [b][i]'Gah...damn him. It seems we know each other too well...'[/b][/i] Elliot thought to himself as he gripped his shooting hand. Lysander took advantage and ran at Elliot. Elliot regained his composure and met Lysander half way out into the middle of the street. Elliot swung first at Lysander, but he ducked the wild fist and threw one of his own toward Elliot's ribcage. Elliot inhaled barely enough to allow him enough space to evade the blow. [b]"It's going to take more then that to beat me hand to hand!"[/b] Elliot taunted as he ripped a piece of his shirt off from the bottom to wrap his hand with. [b]"I got plenty more, don't worry."[/b] Lysander responded as he kicked water up from a puddle into Elliot's eyes. Elliot tried to shield himself with his arm but it wasn't quick enough to block all of the water. Lysander threw a straight punch to Elliot who barely knocked it away with his free arm, as he frantically wiped his eyes with his other hoping to clear his vision well enough to fight back on equal grounds. Lysander barraged Elliot with a continous pattern of lefts and rights, missing by a hair's length every time due to Elliot's persistent evading. Elliot finally managed to get his eyes clear as he knocked away one of Lysander's last punches rather then evade it. Lysander came back with a thurst kick toward the mid-section but that too was blocked by Elliot's own kick which thrusted his leg downward. Elliot was thankful for all that time he spent with Octavia training his unarmed fighting skills. Before meeting her he could barely kick a door down, but she helped him refine his skills so much that Elliot became almost as quick as her with his own kicks. Lysander snarled at Elliot with his eyes rather than his voice and settled for tackling Elliot to the ground. The two gripped each other's arms as they rolled around, each one trying to gain the advantage but the stalemate lasted for nearly half a minute. They gazed into one another's eyes with piercing intentions of malice, both of them still pained on the inside that they have been forced to take it to this level. Elliot and Lysander let go of one another simultaneously and scrambled to their feet, as a car zoomed by with it's horn blazing coming within inches of hitting both men. Elliot and Lysander stood across from one another a little more then the car's length away completely uneffected by their close encounter. All they could concentrate on was how to get the advantage on the other. [b]"This is your last warning...will you still persist?"[/b] Lysander asked, keeping his gaze on Elliot. [b]"Back down if you wish, either way I will see to it that you are punished along with the Murdocks for your acts against Sinister Nation!"[/b] Elliot responded, still firm in his convictions. They readied their stances once again as the other members of the company watched, aching with anxiety. [b]"We have to do something, can we really just stand here and let them kill each other!?"[/b] Clyne cried, taking a few steps toward the fight. She was stopped by Kenso who extended his arm to act as a barricade. [b]"Do not interfere. As much as we don't like it...stopping them now would be an act in futility."[/b] The rain continued falling, as it showed no signs of stopping. By now it looked like Elliot and Lysander had done 50 laps in a pool in their clothing with rapids and jet streams tearing away at them. But it seemed as if the fight was merely beggining. [center]* * * * *[/center] OOC: Rules and regulations understood Acheron. I look forward to us tearing down the square, haha.[/font]

[font=tahoma]Alright, gonna get atleast one correct answer in (i hope, lol) before this thing is over. I'm gonna say #4 is [b]Gavin[/b][/font]