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Post by Thanatos on Feb 3, 2005 18:10:32 GMT -5
Thanatos walks lazily into the room, visor executing a slow sweep of the room even as he seats himself in the armchair directly adjacent to Syrant's own, two black-gloved hands resting lightly on the gigantic armrests as the assassin settles back in the chair. The words he speak carry softly towards Syrant, projecting and resounding even in their deceptively low volume.
"You sensed MASS, comrade. This is a skill of which there have never been any recorded cases of, nor is the ability even possible for any of fully human blood."
There is a minute shifting in Thanatos' posture as he leans closer towards Syrant, showing a deep-seated curiosity and almost eagerness in this action.
"There is also an air of impatience about you, the air of an individual that is waiting anxiously for something of great importance to occur. This has occurred after you were wounded by one of the MASS-possessed, despite the fact that the destruction of such creatures is child's play for one of your skill. I want you to tell me why such things are; why you act as no other man could, and why even now you hover on the edge of something only you can face..."
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Post by Syrant on Feb 3, 2005 18:56:48 GMT -5
Syrant not at all surprised at Thanatos’ curiosity looks takes his glasses off and rubs his eyes. His thoughts were running through his head. He puts his glasses back on and looks up, but doesn’t make eye contact with Thanatos.
“I think I can tell you. Yes your right I do possess abilities that no full blooded human, because I’m not fully human. To my current knowledge I’m considered only part-MASS. My mother was human and the probably had the kindest heart out of anyone I knew. My father on the other hand was a great man, yet I knew something was wrong and one day it happened. He helped destroy my village and my life. He killed my mother without mercy and spared me thinking I would join him. I now know that he was MASS-possessed just that the MASS was dormant. He married my mother and when I was born I had MASS properties. Now he haunts me day and night. The MASS-possessed that shot me was him and it was just a ‘test’ shot. Now I believe he is coming to finish what he started. I can either join him or kill him…”
Syrant’s face remains straight and no emotion yet has shown on his face. His head shifts sharply to the right.
“He’s waiting.”
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Post by Thanatos on Feb 3, 2005 20:16:16 GMT -5
Thanatos' visor is focused idly in the direction of Syrant's own gaze, dancing firelight playing intricate shadows all about them. When Thanatos next speaks his words possess notably more life than before, including a certain amount of sorrow.
"It is a difficult thing, to leave undone the tasks that involve those closest to us. You have answered my questions more than adequately; I now understand. What will soon come will be a confrontation delayed by years..."
He rises, smoothing his overcoat even as his brooding visor returns to the weakening flames. His posture is of the same relaxed and calm nature as ever, yet there is something that has changed in his features. There is a smile present on his face, yet this smile is one of sadness. This stance continues for several seconds, Thanatos' own torture past obviously assaulting him. Then without warning the pained look vanishes; replaced by the same neutral expression as always.
"This is something that you and you alone may perform. If it is not objected, however, I will accompany you. It would pain me very much to lose one which I have fought so long beside, and if by chance the MASS does take you..."
Thanatos does not finish this sentence, instead awaiting an answer.
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Post by Syrant on Feb 7, 2005 19:36:46 GMT -5
Syrant stands up and stretches out. He then looks down at Thanatos.
“Just so you know I’d rather kill myself than become one of them. The worse that could happen is that he kills me…”
Thanatos stands up.
“And I want you to come because, if he does kill me…I want you to blow his head off.”<br>
Syrant smiles and extends his hand.
“Could you do that for me?”<br>
At this time Syrant’s attitude has flipped upside down and instead of his grim self he has now become cheery…
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Post by Thanatos on Feb 8, 2005 21:00:54 GMT -5
A strangely warm smile touches at Thanatos' white lips as Syrant extends his hand, the assassin's normally chilly expression melting away. He grasps the offered hand.
"With pleasure."
And with that the two step from the manor, moving to confront an enemy the likes of which have never before been seen. The past is painful, the future unknown--this is a pair that lives for each and every moment of the present. And, overall, it is not a bad life...
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Post by Syrant on Feb 9, 2005 21:13:06 GMT -5
Syrant and Thanatos slowly make there way to the front door. Syrant opens the door and the bright light of the sun shines in. Looking in the distant he can see “him” waiting at the top of a distant hill. Both Syrant and Thanatos make there way out of the manor. The door of the manor slams as the two warriors walk into the far distance. Not one word is said between the two. Thanatos stopped exactly at the base of the hill. Syrant nods to Thanatos and continues up the hill. Syrant finally reaches the top of the small hill and looks over to see his opponent dressed in a similar clothing that of Syrant’s. His back is turned to Syrant and finally after a few moments the man turns around and begins to speak.
“It’s finally time to make your choice. You’ve had plenty of time and I believe you are ready. What will it be…join me or join your family.”<br>
Syrant smirked. He takes off his glasses and glares at the man that he once called father.
“You know my choice.”<br>
Syrant put his glasses into his jacket pocket and removed his jacket and lied it on the ground. The man sighed.
“So be it…”
The two gazed at each other. Their hands were perfectly still. All movement stopped. BANG! In a flash both warriors went flying into the ground. Silence came over the battle field. Finally movement could be seen in both warriors. Syrant stood up first, blood dripped from his newly opened wound on the side of his stomach. Showing no sign of pain he slowly walks over to his father, which was now trying to stand. The man finally began to stumble to his feet when he noticed the horrible pain in his hand. As he looked at his hand he discovered a bullet hole in his palm. His teeth began to grind together. He then looked up to see Syrant’s fist slamming in his face. Suddenly the man felt more than just physical pain. It felt as if he was being spilt apart. The man landed on his feet and grabbed his head in pain.
What just happened…?
Syrant then begins a run and attacks with fury. Blow after blow, Syrant ripped the MASS man’s body and mind to pieces. Finally the man attacked back. Both men exchanged blows. The two warriors fought exactly alike. For each attack the other had a counter. Both men then exchange equally powerful blows at each others limbs. The man’s blow snaps Syrant’s arm and Syrant’s blow snapped his father’s leg. Syrant stumbles away grasping his arm. Syrant’s father wobbles away a clenches onto his broken leg. Syrant then snaps his arm back into place, his eyes still fixed on his opponent. Syrant walks over to the man and in a rage the man leaps at Syrant. Syrant grabs the man’s arm and spins around behind him.
“I know that my father is an innocent and would never hurt anyone, but I know that he would love to kill you so I’ll think I’ll honor him.”<br>
The man’s eyes widen. Syrant could see the MASS inside him trying to escape, but couldn’t. Syrant was some how keeping it in.
“My father could never live with himself knowing all the bad that his body has done to the world and I will silence you both here and now.”<br>
The man then panics.
“NO! You couldn’t kill your own father…”
Syrant grins.
“Watch me…”
Syrant then takes his second gun out and points it to the back of the man‘s head. Just as he was about the pull the trigger he could feel the MASS let go for just a second. He could feel his father soul one last time…<br>
“Thank you…son.”<br>
With that Syrant pulls the trigger sending his once MASS possessed father into his peaceful death. Syrant slowly kneels beside his father. He could sense all the MASS inside dead. Syrant stood back up. As he walked off only two words floated in his head….
“You’re welcome"
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Post by Thanatos on Feb 11, 2005 20:08:55 GMT -5
Not a word was spoken as Syrant met Thanatos at the base of the hill, although the android had undoubtedly heard the whole exchange. The two trudged slowly back towards the sprawling Manor, one of Syrant's hands pressed lightly over his recently aquired wound. Silence dominated--what was there to say that could even begin to describe the life-changing events that had transpired in the last few minutes? Finally, however, as the two reached the doorway into the house itself, Thanatos finally spoke.
Thanatos' features are distorted as he turns to face Syrant, the assassin's expression one of barely disguised pain and sadness. Something appears to be troubling him quite deeply. His words do not carry nearly as much composure as is so normal for him--they seem almost hasty, and unsure.
"Much of what has transpired, you will undoubtedly need time to reflect on. Yet there is one thing, one thing that has remained so long denied to me, that I must ask. How does it feel to finally conquer the shadows of the past?"
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Post by Syrant on Feb 11, 2005 20:21:18 GMT -5
Syrant does not look at Thanatos, instead he locks his eyes on the ground.
"It feels good to know that my father will no longer suffer, for I have taken on his burden. His evil will always run through me. I have only rid my father of his past shadows not mine, but it feels good to know I don't have to run away any more."
Syrant looks back up and slowly begins to walk back into the manor.
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Post by Thanatos on Feb 14, 2005 20:09:44 GMT -5
Thanatos nods simply at Syrant's response, running a slender hand idly through his faultlessly positioned white hair as he watches the gunman walk slowly back into the Manor.
Perhaps eventually the opportunity will present itself so that I might finally rid myself of my own restless shades--yet, until that time comes, I must function as I have for one hundred years already...
Taking one final backwards glance at the sloped and barren hill in which the most recent battle of life and death was decided, Thanatos smiles wryly, bowing his head before lifting it once more and carefully wiping any trace of emotion from his white face. It is only after this is done that he steps once more into the House of Anhelo.
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((See "Aftermath: Coming of the Dawn" for all that follows.))
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