Ghosts of The Past

The cool night air whispered softly throughout the mighty fortress of Adonis. Even with over half the city beneath the waves, the capital was an ominous yet elegant display, a silent testament to the power of The Chosen.

Suddenly, the silence was broken by footsteps echoing throughout the streets. A cloaked figure made his way towards the bridge leading to the castle.

Slowly did he pace himself, each step resonating loudly throughout the cold stone passageways, accompanied by the hum of various spiritech machines.

Crossing the bridge, the winds picked up strength. The man's cloak billowed regally, as though he was being wrapped in the essence of darkness itself.

At last he came to a large platform. Two portals glowed with a mysterious azure light at each side of the platform, and above was a balcony, perhaps once used by the leaders of The Chosen to give speeches to many minions who would gather here.

Standing at the center, the man pulled back his hood, revealing smoke-grey skin, sinister pointed ears, and eyes glowing red with vengeance. As he kneeled down, a burst of energy welcomed a rather large, yet highly distorted holo-image, floating above the dark pit between the platform and the castle itself.

The being in the image began to speak...

"So, you have finally awoken, have you?" spoke a cold heartless voice, seemingly coming from all directions. "It has been a long time, perhaps too long."

The cloaked opifex, still kneeling, only nodded.

"Tell me, why now? Why is it that you have chosen this time to return?" the image inquired.

Slowly rising, the man focused his gaze on the still-distorted image and answered, his voice dark with a sense of mystery to it.

"You already know the answer to your own question, why bother wasting time seeking information you already know?"

Through all the distortion, the being in the image was clearly smirking.

"Still as efficient as always, I see. That is why we have chosen you, and none other."

He grinned, he knew that he had a rare gift. He knew that his affinity to the metaphysical was greater than any others, that he had the potential for limitless power. They had no choice. They *needed* him.

"So, as you can clearly see, I have at last made my way into Adonis." spoke the man.

"Yes...I believe the time has finally come for you to take on the task we have prepared for you." came the image's voice once more, "The people's faith in Ross is waning, at last we have the opportunity to re-assert our influence on Rubi-Ka where it belongs."

He nodded, he knew what he had to do now. This would be the fun part.

He kneeled once more. "I will not fail you, masters."

The being in the image nodded, and as it deactivated, the image froze for just a second before disappearing. Whatever it was that this man was speaking to, it was something demonic.

Rising, the man pulled his hood over his head once more as shadows creeped around him...then covered him...and finally consumed him, leaving no trace behind.

~~~~~

Jobe Plaza was just as lonely as always. No one seemed to ever have business on the highest level of the city anymore...they were all too busy fighting back the Hecklers on the brink. Not that one could blame them...after all, those earthen monstrosities carried large deposits of some of the world's most precious metals. One could easily retire on the money to be made on ingots.


"Hurry up, it should be here!" shouted a deep, booming voice. Two atroxes made their way up the bridge from the Market towards the center of the Plaza.

"Hrmm...the message says this is the place" said one of the hulking beasts, pointing at a door labelled "Jobe Real Estate". Walking through, they found themselves on a very fancy looking elevator that began to descend downwards. Clearly whoever could afford something this nice must be of some notable prestige.

The elevator came to a halt, and the doors opened to reveal an expansive apartment decorated with some of the most beautiful paintings and furniture available throughout the universe, with a large windowed wall overlooking the lower sections of Jobe. Yes, this was the residence of a wealthy man indeed.

"Hullo, anyone home?" called the more agile-looking of the two.

No answer.

"Hrmm...maybe this was the wrong place huh?" remarked the other.

"I assure you, you have found what you were looking for" came a voice.

A male opifex stepped forward from around the corner. The man was quite tall for his breed, with a very defined physique that any woman...or perhaps man, would find alluring. His smooth youthful face only furthered his appeal, with elegant auburn hair flowing down to his shoulders. He was dressed in the finest Miir fashion, and had an air of nobility about him.

"So, you must be Forza" he said, motioning to the bulkier atrox.

Forza nodded.

"Then that would make you...Maule" came his sensual voice as he nodded to the other, more agile one.

"Hello, Mr. Vayde" came Maule's reply.

Vayde chuckled, but looked rather serious as he corrected him. "Just Vayde, No Mister."

Maule grinned and bowed. "Vayde then. Hello."

Vayde smirked and motioned for the two to follow him to the livingroom.

Vayde shuffled through some papers on the table as he spoke. "So tell me, have your officers informed you at all about the purpose of Project Shadow?"

"Nope, nothing" came Forza's reply, to which Maule nodded in agreement.

"I see...well, let me give you a brief explanation then. Project Shadow was initiated by the Omni-Tek Board of Directors on Omni-Prime to keep a more...watchful eye on Rubi-Ka. We're something of a do-it-all squadron. We have an exploration force, military units, and we're involved in administration. To put it simply, we're Omni-Prime's reach into the complex gears and red tape of Rubi-Ka."

The two atrox simply nodded.

"So then...I suppose you already know what you're both here for. You will be the first of my officers for the project."

Maule looked at Forza with a questioning look on his face, slightly worried.

"Now now, I know what you're thinking. You have nothing to worry about." Vayde said, smiling. "I've already been given all the paperwork and records, and you're both perfectly qualified."

Forza let out a bit of a chuckle as Maule blushed slightly.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm in a bit of a rush. I hadn't realized you two would be so eager to come straight here...I had made plans to take up at least another hour of my time, and it would appear I'm running late."

"So...what do we do now, Vayde?" questioned Maule.

"Oh, don't worry, I've already uploaded directions into your NCUs. If the records are at all correct, then I doubt you'll have any difficulties performing your duties. Now please, let me escort you out."

Vayde stood up and walked the two to the elevator. As the hum of the doors closing came to a stop, he turned around, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and sighed.

~The very ground itself trembled as hundreds upon hundreds of earthen beasts, Hecklers as they were called, fell at the hands of a man shrouded in black. Through all the death, through all the darkness, eyes of red burned brightly with malice~

~~~~~~~~~

"Mr. Stormseeker? Mr. Stormseeker? Hello, can anyone hear me?"

A muffled voice came from under a pile of dirty clothes as the hiss of a shower could be heard, steam rising throughout the bathroom.

Vayde stepped out onto the exquisite blue tile, wiping his feet on a nearby mat and taking a towel off the rack to dry himself off. He looked in the mirror for a moment to adore his perfect physique. A mere 18 years of age and already leading one of Omni-Tek's most important divisions! Well...maybe it wasn't the most important, but it had the potential to be! He knew he couldn't fail this one, this was his chance to become a legend!

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*

The noise broke Vayde's self-admiration as he sighed and went to pick up his comm from inside his pile of dirty clothes.

"You have 127 new voice messages" came an automated voice, apparently female.

Raising an eyebrow, Vayde pressed the retrieve button.

"Greetings Mr. Stormseeker!" began the first message. "This is Mr. Jacob Stroud of the Rubi-Ka Diplomatic Commission. I would just like to remind you that we are scheduled to meet today in an hour!" -beep-

Then came the second message: "Mr. Stormseeker, this is Mr. Stroud again. Just a reminder, 59 minutes until our scheduled meeting!"

...and the third... "Stroud again! 58 minutes to our meeting! I trust you won't be late!"

And so came the fourth, and the fifth, and all the way to the 60th message:

"Mr. Stormseeker! Where *are* you? I'm still waiting for confirmation for our meeting! Please don't disappoint!"

...and it continued...

"I'm waaaiiiting!"

"Goodness me, how much longer will you be?"

"Stormseeker, Stroud, meeting! You *do* remember, don't you?"

...and finally the 127th message: "Mr. Stormseeker! Mr. Stormseeker! Hello, can anyone hear me? I *must* speak to Mr. Stormseeker! I've been waiting a good two hours now and I'd prefer that I'm not left to wait another ungodly amount of weeks before you show up on public tracking again!"

"Don't worry Stroud, I don't plan to disappear anytime soon." Vayde said to himself as he waited for his comm to connect to Jacob's.

"Hello?" came a rather worried voice.

"Mr. Stroud, I apologize for my late response. I'm afraid I'm the kind to sleep late, take long showers, and generally lose track of time when I'm relaxing."

"Oh! Mr. Stormseeker! I'm so glad you've gotten my message!"

Vayde raised yet another eyebrow. "Don't you mean *messages*?"

"Oh...right...yes...well...that...well, you see, these two brutish-looking atrox have been standing outside the door to your apartment looking rather...well...brutish. I suppose I'm just a bit jumpy what with the rumors of bureaucrats being kidnapped and all...I must have panicked and well...sent a message every time they made a sudden movement."

He chuckled. "Who, those two? Why that's just Forza and Maule, Project Shadow's leading officers. Nothing to worry about, they're just enjoying their break. Besides, thugs in such a prestige area of perhaps the most prestige city on Rubi-Ka? If that were true, I would have to have a talk with the board of directors about relocation!"

Jacob smiled on his end of the line. "So I don't suppose you'll open the doors for me then?"

"Oh, sure, just a minute. Let me get dressed, meanwhile you can board the elevator."

Jacob did just that, and by the time the elevator came to a halt and the doors opened, Vayde was standing there looking sharp as ever, this time wearing a very official looking black Omni-Tek uniform.

"A pleasure to finally meet you in person, Mr. Stroud." greeted Vayde as he extended his hand.

Taking it, Stroud smiled. "Likewise."

They made their way to a small table as Jacob pulled out some papers from his briefcase and began to speak.

"So, you were interested in becoming a commissioner, Mr. Stormseeker?"

"Yes, I believe that it is important to find some order within the corporation here on Rubi-Ka. As you may have noticed, lately things seem in dissarray, and with the reformation of the Council of Truth, we are not necessarily at the peak of our strength."

Stroud nodded and began to continue to speak with Vayde about some of the more recent happenings on Rubi-Ka, as well as questioning into Vayde's opinion on the Pilgrim Elder, Sallust, who had been spouting such nonsense that the Omegas themselves were still among us, and ridiculously enough, running Omni-Tek!

This provided quite a good laugh for them both, and the meeting went well, with Vayde being registered as a Commissioner, and Stroud having some more insight to the conflict on Rubi-Ka as it relates to the Shadowlands.

"Very well then Commissioner Stormseeker. Have a pleasant evening." said Stroud with a smile as the elevator doors closed.

Vayde walked over to his window and looked out over Jobe, and then to the stars. Was it worth giving up the freedom of youth for power?

~~~

~A wailing screech and a thud later, and the Den Mantis Queen laid still. The darkness surrounded the body as the man ripped a large claw from the insect's body. Then the darkness faded, and there was nothing...~

~~~~~~~~~

The soft crunch of fresh snow was heard as Vayde ran across Penumbra.

"God damn! Don't these things ever give up?!" he said to himself as he continued to run, a pack of 10 or so predators chasing him.

'CRAP! Dead end...no way out now....' he thought. He shrugged and waved to the deadly beasts as they pounced on him, tearing at his flesh and ruining his perfect body.

Oh well, he always had a spare.

"Well, guess it's time for another attempt to get to that cave" he mused as he collected his bags from the insurance reclaim.

"Just as soon as this headache wears off anyway..."

A sharp pain hit him as static filled his ears. He couldn't think! What the hell?

"Friends, the time has come, we must gather as one. Make your way to either outside Newland, Old Athen hill or the southern end of Rome Red for an important address."

"Well...that's odd. Guess I'll see whats up then. Here goes!" he said, half-hoping that it would bring him some luck as he jumped off the edge of the world, plunging into the metawater.

"Bah! Belial Forest? This isn't anywhere *near* Rome! Next time I go through Jobe..." he mutterred as he began to focus his energy to shift his body between the dimensions, allowing himself unlimited movement.

Moments later he was airborne and headed towards the whompas in Wine.

~~

"Packed, isn't it?" came a familiar voice.

Vayde turned his head to see a nanomage in glowing blue armor floating beside him.

"Awolf! I haven't seen you since..well...since forever! How've you been?"

"Well enough...I take it you got the message too?"

Vayde nodded as the smile faded from his face. "Yeah, any idea what it's about?"

"None, but whatever it is, it better happen soon. Anyone without wings is bound to suffocate in that crowd."

He chuckled and looked over the crowd. Just then, a holo image of Philip Ross appeared in his NCU.

"Good evening fellow inhabitants of Rubi-Ka. I come to you this evening with grave news. A hostile enemy force from a race we have not yet encountered has arrived in near planet orbit. They have NOT come in peace and mean to take our homes away from us through violent means. Omni-Tek has been aware of this pending invasion for some time and we have been taking steps to prepare for the defense of the planet. This message was triggered to auto run if any of these enemy ships breach our outer planetary security defenses, as I could not keep the population ignorant of this danger. It is with a sad heart that I find myself off planet speaking to the Board of Directors on Omni Prime about the continuing defense of this planet we all call home. But my friends, we shall be strong and def..." --- the message cut out, and all that was left was static.

Vayde turned his head to Awolf who looked just as shocked as he did, but shortly they both shared a mischievious smirk.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" asked Awolf.

"A new chance to explore the world beyond and tap into the spiritual energies of this new hostile race to channel our emotions into an incredible and unstoppable force while learning more about the very fabric of the universe itself?" said Vayde with a grin.

Awolf just looked blankly at him. "Besides that!"

"Oh, right...Alien Butt-Kicking Time!" came a cheer from Vayde.

~~~~

Vayde stared out over Jobe once more. He knew they would come. He had seen it in a vision. This did not bode well...

~The sun had set, Penumbra was dark, yet beautiful. If one could remember the Aurora Borealis of Ancient Earth, one would have thought that insignificant to the evening displays in this world. A pack of predators tore the last pieces of flesh from an otherwise bare and bloody skeleton. A shadow danced across the floor. Red eyes in the darkness glowed. But these were not the eyes of the dark one. No, these were inhuman. A demonic beast jumped out from the darkness and began to rip apart at the predators. All the while could one hear the laughter of the dark one, as his vengeance had at last begun to take on it's ultimate manifestation...~

Rather good reading, my friend. I am looking forward to reading more of your logs.

Someone said that update will be soon...
come on Vayde,get off from Ryzom beta :)

((some quality writing here, some vivid descriptions. Just don't let it get out of hand - Lord Mordeth is the big supreme Unredeemed bad guy and Roman Dragonov is the chosen human of the Unredeemed - dont rehash the sentinel player run orgs incidents :p))