A short story detailing the results of hiring mercenary Felicity Ferox, post Episode 3
“I really need to start being more picky with my clients. I can’t believe I’m doing this job for a human.” Felicity takes a small sip from her glass, followed by popping a small piece of orange exotic fruit into her mouth. The air is thick with sweet smelling smoke. Dark yellows and purples drap the walls and large fluffy sitting surrounds all the tables in the den. The Modus, relaxing with his full body armor on, helmet on the table, takes a hit of the sweet smoke and exhales. “And you really need to keep an open mind if you want to stay in business. Not sure where all this hate comes from but focus would suit you better.” “It’s not hate…. I just know who’s the real driving force out there in the world. Us. Besides, wouldn’t wearing something a bit more casual suit YOU better?” The Modus takes another hit. “I must always be ready for anything. I’ve dedicated my life to protecting our king, the good of the kingdom, the good of the jungle. An inconvenience I'm willing to endure to ensure that remains. Seems you’re not willing to embrace your inconvenience of being wrong. Go on, tell me the job. I’m sure it’s something silly.”. Felicity pulls up a small screen on her wrist. “Orbod Zagavor; wants me to do some recon here, then Last Hope, then the Unforgiven. He also wants me to pursue some targets! Lazy human.” “Sounds like he’s being thorough. Who’s the target? Someone well known?” Modus asks with much curiosity. “The targets are Blocus Vulcanus and Leyawiin Shepard” Felicity responds nonchalantly. The Modus begins coughing up smoke as he tries to regain his breath. “Blocus Vulcanus??? He was killed during the Omega Conflict by Rell Berridge himself. And Leyawiin Shepard… well that’s an even longer story. Here lemme see that” as he waves to have Felicity show him the details on her datapad. She hands it over and he quickly skims the details. “Black Hole Sons transport…. Last Hope…. Hm.” He hands it back over and then reaches behind his back, pulling out a cylindrical tech container, about the size of a thermos. “Here, take this. Not sure who this Orbod is or why he’s dealing with people integral to winning the Omega Conflict, but you’ll certainly need help.” “Integral? One died and the other became a wannabe princess in Everlong!” Felicity exclaims. “Felicity, don’t be wrong on this; or you’ll be dead.” The Modus gets up, drops some IBU’s on the table and begins to leave. “Wait! Modus. You know what’s happening in River City better than anyone else. Anything I need to check out here?” He pauses, then responds, “No. But now I must make sure we’re prepared for anything.” The Modus leaves.
Felicity gathers up some supplies from her favorite vendors within River City in preparation of her mission. She runs through the same motions when preparing for a job, big or small. But this time she’s a little less focused on those tasks, and the echoes of what The Modus tells her start to slowly seep their way into her emotional armor. She makes a conscious effort to keep tabs on the canister he gave her at all times. Towards the tail end of her perpartions she begins to formulate her gameplan. “Based on the intel and what I know, they’ll probably be making their way west, and certainly not through the jungle. I’ll head them off there on my way to Last Hope. Then, The Unforgiven. Ugh.” The mere thought of visiting such a place makes Felicity’s eyes roll behind her head. “Might as well sail over to Wasting Light and have lunch there!”. She loads up her stealthcycle and makes way to head off where she thinks Leyawiin and Blocus might be heading.
Hugging the edge of the Jungle of Denial, Felicity scouts out into the passage leading between Last Hope and Oasis knowing her targets will take the less beaten path and avoid the Vortexergy. As she approaches close to the end of the Jungle with no tracks in sight, she knows best to sit tight and wait as they’ll certainly cross her path. She makes camp and sets up a simple, long range radar to alert her of any large targets crossing the land. Sleeping through the night without interruption, she awakes right at dawn. Over the horizon, a dim light with dust billowing behind the slowly enlarging object. She packs up camp and makes way to intercept what she’s sure is her target.
Felicity positions herself so that she’s clearly visible to the vehicle and able to meet up at the same speed parallel to it. She checks her mirror as the transport approaches; a broken windshield with a gaping hole on the driver side. Scratches all over the front and up towards the roof. Minor markings on the side that anyone in her line of business would know belongs to the Black Hole Sons. She makes eye contact with the Human male driving the transport and points, indicating to pull over. The driver nods and slows down to a stop in what seems a well isolated area. Felicity removes her helmet and knocks on the driver door. The window rolls down. Clearing his throat, “Uh, yes, can I help you?” “I’m looking for Leyawiin Shepard and Blocus Vulcanus. They’re supposed to be traveling this way in a vehicle that matches this description.” She awaits an answer as the man looks at her confused. Heard from the back of the transport, “Ask her if she’s got any rum!!!” Numerous shushes are barely audible from the back as well. Felicity tries to poke her head a little bit in to see if she can catch a glimpse. “Uh, sorry, don’t mind my grandpa, he’s had quite a few too many. Who was it you said you were looking for again?” Felicity simply raises an eyebrow, knowing full well he’s covering. A young woman comes to the front. “Sorry, hi. How can we help? We’re sort of on a tight schedule up to Oasis and well it's a bit of a drive.” Then a loud crash from behind the transport. Felicity reaches quickly for her blade, only to see a bloody, only slightly drunk Lithoborne come around the corner. “Dammit it if she’s looking for someone like me the jig is up either way! Now c’mon lass, you got anything on ya? It’s been a bit of a rough ride.” Felicity examines the crudely wrapped bandages on his arm. Behind him, another Human female emerges, noble-esque clothing also spattered with dirt and blood. Felicity releases her grip on her blade. “Blocus and Leyawiin I presume.” Leyawiin responds, “Aye, it’s us. And that’s Scotty and Hitomi up front. Now that you know all our names, mind telling us who you are and how you found us?” For a mere second Felicity contemplates raising her blade for having a Human demand answers so directly. She then remembers her recent conversation with The Modus and hesitates. “Felicity Ferox. I’ve been hired by Orbod Zagavor to locate you. Heard there might be some trouble.” The four travelers exchange looks. “Guess the gang got my message! Good to meet you lass. Could’ve used you a little earlier though.”
Felicity is able to lend some supplies, mainly to help Blocus with his newer wound. Hitomi helps administer those, while Scotty works as a pair of hands for Blocus as he instructs him where to make some quick fixes on the transport. Leyawiin converse with Felicity, catching her up on the latest affairs. “I’ve been down this road before. There’s way too much going on for there NOT to be something big happening and someone pulling the strings. That Sol’Ker was the biggest red flag of all.” Leyawiin tries to hide the trauma from all her encounters with those monstrosities, but all Felicity sees is weakness. Clearly not believing her, “But those fabled things were destroyed during the Omega Conflict. So is this a new one? Or was King Oma pulling another one of his ‘magic tricks’?” Leyawiin, trying not to sound annoyed, “I couldn’t see in all the darkness. Either way it doesn’t matter, there’s at least one out there and it’s working for someone. Aldren didn’t have the best of intentions so I’m guessing this person doesn’t either.” “And this was at Sanguine’s Corner in Last Hope?” “Yes and for your sake, I would avoid it for now. These… things are not to be fought, at least not alone. They’re otherworldly.” Felicity glances at Scotty, then Hitomi, then Blocus, and then refocuses on Leyawiin. “I’ll be careful.” “Look, I don’t know what your problem is and honestly, I could give two shits right now considering what’s happening. But whatever is, forget it; just look out for yourself and do, not, go.” “Aye, she’s right” chimes in Blocus. “We’ve seen them plenty in action and seen what they can do, even to the best. Orbod seems a bit too bookish but he’s certainly a bright lad. He’ll understand if you skipped Last Hope at our recommendation. He’ll probably just be glad to know we’re still alive!” He lets out a hearty laugh followed by some coughing. Felicity chooses to ignore her feelings on the subject to get them to stop trying to convince her on something she’s already made up her mind about. “And where are you heading to now with this knowledge of an “imminent threat”? Leyawiin lets out a slight sigh, growing tired of Felicity passive aggressiveness, “Oasis to see Princess Xixes. I have some hopeful news for her. Unfortunately it’ll be short lived by the more recent news I have but more importantly she’ll understand the gravity better than most.” Felicity switches between feeling impressed by Leyawiin's repertoire with Princess Xixes and annoyed that someone like her feels like they could have that. “If we keep our pace and Blocus manages to stay drunk and not stabbed, we should be there in a few more days.” “Sounds like you’re good then'' Felicity declares. “I can leave you with some extra supplies just in case.” Everyone nods in thanks.They finish their tasks and prepare to go their separate ways.
Felicity speeds towards Last Hope on her stealthcycle. Replaying her conversations and interactions with the group, she grows more and more angry and annoyed at the prospect that she wouldn’t be able to hold her own against such a “legendary'' monster and that she should not scout Last Hope as hired to do. At first annoyed by the list of tasks, now driven to prove to the bunch of beaten down drivel that she’s much, much better than them. She arrives at Last Hope in record time. Arriving at the northwest, Felicity makes way through the city. Checking with former contacts, hitting up some vendors for whatever supplies they can scrounge up. She gains some intel on Advent Hathorn, which comes up surprisingly empty. In fact, Last Hope is mostly as Advent describes it as; a place needing supplies to rebuild. Finally arriving at the eastern part of Last Hope, she comes to Desire’s District. “The best for last. Let’s see what this is all about now.” She heads straight for Sanguine’s Corner and to the bar that Leyawiin and company urged her so strongly to ignore.To her disappointment, it’s closed. She’s able to peer through one of the boarded up windows; the entire place is still trashed, with large red stains splattered all over the floor. Curiosity has now peaked for Felicity. She searches around Sanguine’s Corner for a bar or inn that would’ve absorbed the business but strangely it does not seem to be the case. Figuring she could grab a bite to eat anyway, she stops at the next bar, what seems to be a more touristy themed, named Dabbadees. She orders a light ale and some fine meats. Reading the few patrons there, she picks up an unusual vibe from a pair, and Krogoth and Human, sitting in a far corner, quietly discussing something. Felicity manages to pick up a few words; “Oasis”, “Need”, “Leave”, and “Firestarter”. As Felicity finishes up her meal the Krogoth and Human leave. Felicity pays and makes way outside to start trailing them but doesn’t pick up anything immediately. Before she can take another step, a drunken local Human starts talking loudly to Felicity. “Hey missy! Don’t go to Fortune’s Fame! That murdering ghost is there! It’s gonna kill us all! Better stay here and grab a drink. Got any spare IBU’s for what’s probably my last days?” “Where in Fortune’s Fame?” she asks. Confused, the man says “Well, everywhere! It’s a damn ghost!” He holds out his hands for some money. She inconspicuously walks away, sweeping his feet from under him and knocking him down. “Hey that was a pretty shitty thing to do to a deadman walking! I hope it gets ya!” “I’ll get it first.” she says under her breath.
Dusk starts to hang heavy over the sky. Felicity meticulously maneuvers throughout Fortune’s Fame, unsure of what she seeks but looking for any hint of something out of the ordinary. The lack of people certainly is something she makes note of as she slips in and out of building corners and alleyways. At a distance she gets eyes on a run down antique shop and suddenly the door’s bell chimes as a group of people come out with both haste and anger. “I told you Shifty this would be a wild gosehead chase.” Squinting and focusing harder on the individuals, she deduces it might be the Fear Fighters. “I’m just trying to help, they were supposed to have it” X-Shifty says with desperation. Dark Growl cuts in, “We’ll keep looking for it, as well as, whatever that thing was that killed TomaHawk.” Felicity waits for them to clear the area before scoping out the shop. Peering through a barely clear window, she notices mainly just junk filling the shelves in what seems to be a one-person shop. One last check of her surroundings, she breaks out of the shadows and nonchalantly enters the shop. “Hello? Hello…. Anyone here?” She scours around through aisles of used tablewares, decorations, tools, and books. Still no answer. Felicity, thinking ahead, draws one of her blades and keeps it tight to her side. She walks towards the back of the shop and around the clerks counter. “Hello…. I’m interested in some of your junk… and things….” Silence. She draws her second blade. She enters through the archway that leads to a backroom, disorganized with notes and boxes on some desks, with two closed doorways. Creeping towards both, she puts her ear to the first one; nothing. The second door is almost nothing but then, the faintest of sounds of what sound like wet gagging. Opening the door, it’s a stairwell leading down to a stock room. Despite the aged wooden stairwell Felicity is able to silently walk down with the lightest of steps. The room is dimly lit with candlelight. A dirt floor with shelving covers all the walls, with barrels and crates scattered about. She notices some newer, better looking wares; clearly where the good stuff is kept. Towards the back of the store room there appears to be a wooden desk with some more candles lit on top. Keeping silent she raises her blades ready to strike as she approaches the desk. Felicity finally is able to see behind it; an older Human, wearing typical shopkeep clothes, drenched in his own blood as he sits gagging, attempting to stop the blood from pouring from his neck. With instant reflex she raises both blades and swings around to meet something behind her; they clash loudly as they do.
The dark apparition stares into Felicity’s eyes with a deep blue glow, unflinching and unnervingly still despite her own unnatural flexes. It then slowly reveals its extra limbs and raises itself in a way to be now lurching over Felicity. She snarls and goes to disengage and deal a quick strike. However before she can finish winding up her killing blow she’s met with a huge force of Essence that sends her flying backwards and sideways, crashing into some shelving behind the desk. She swiftly pushes herself back up into a fighting position but sees nothing. Backed into a corner she darts her eyes around looking for the apparition, slowly walking out of the corner. Then from her right three blades strike simultaneously. She catches two within the curve of one of her blades while deflecting the third but then a massive clawed hand swings near her head, just scratching her fur. The duo continue to clash swords with Felicity hopping and dodging the extra appendages as the figure unnaturally dances around her to gain an opening. Eventually she’s knocked down with another blast of Essence. “Is this the Sol’Ker Leyawiin was talking about? Is it toying with me?” she thinks. Felicity in a rage throws both blades at the Sol’Ker as they almost seem to just pass right through it. But as the Sol’Ker focuses on those, Felicity also tosses a pouch towards it and quickly nocks an arrow and releases it, hitting the pouch in front of the Sol’Ker. The pouch sheers open with a glittery type of dust. With that she’s able to fire off a few more arrows. Most get deflected but one manages to hit it in the chest. Sparks and ethereal-like smoke sporadically come out. It does not slow it down as the Sol’Ker jets directly at Felicity with another flurry of blows. Felicity is able to block most of them, but the Sol’Ker’s blade slices down across her arm and into her ribs.
Gasping for air she manages to punch the arm holding the blade out of her and scratch the face of the Sol’Ker with her claws. The sound of screeching metal leaves marks but does no real damage. Felicity’s claws and hand now seem to burn with some kind of blueish material. The Sol’Ker unleashes more Essence, this time raising rocks out of the ground into a mound and then thrusting her into them. The snaps and cracks of bones breaking fill the air followed by a scream. “How did they…. Survive…” Felicity, feeling the end is near, thinks of Leyawiin, Blocus, Hitomi and Scott and can’t contemplate how they were able to fight and escape this THING. She was wrong and her hubris was going to end her. The Sol’Ker lets out what seems to be a hiss with multiple blades ready to dissect her. She finally thinks of The Modus, their conversation. “...embrace your inconvenience of being wrong”, and the canister he gave her. Reaching behind she grabs it. Not knowing what it does and figuring she’s at the end, she pushes the button and detnates it without looking at it. Then a large wavy purple flash explodes from where she sits. The sound goes down to a low ambient hum, barely audible. The Sol’Ker who was approaching her seems to slow down to a crawl. Felicity notices dust particulars frozen in the air. She looks down at the canister as she finally finishes pulling it around from her back and then notices; she’s still moving fine. The canister continues to grow brighter, humming, vibrating louder. “Just because time is sitting still doesn’t mean I should” She gathers whatever strength left and crawls on hands and knees past the Sol’Ker and up the stairs. All while struggling the canister continues to increase in intensity with a large purple sphere of energy now spreading outward.
Felicity stumbles and falls out of the front door. An explosion filled with bright white light blasts through all the windows and doors of the building. She looks back at the building; unable to go any further, she lays and waits to see if her fate would come out to meet her. As her sight grows dark, she hears footsteps from the other direction. A pair of boots are the last image she sees. Felicity, unaware of how much time has passed, awakes in a run down room, clearly within a castle. Bandages and ointments cover her wounds. Her broken bones seem mended but clearly too sore still to use. The door opens. It’s Dark Growl. “Ah she awakes! Looks like I lost the bet for recovery time, one I’m happy to lose.” Dizzy and confused, Felicity asks, “Where am I? How long was I out?” “Well, you were only out for a little over a week. They don’t have the best medical…. Well….anything here, but they MUST deal with a lot of broken bones here cause that they did patch up pretty good for you.” Felicity, already annoyed, “And here is….?” “The Unforgiven!” Growl exclaims happily in an odd way. “We heard the explosion, we came back, we had our people talk to your people… and well, The Modus was very adamant about how you would want to finish your job here at The Unforgiven so we figured, ‘Hey! Heal you up and let you finish your important job!’ Two schlogs one stone, right?” Felicity replies, “Bloody shit…” Dark Growl looked a bit disappointed and confused, as if he did something wrong. Felicity takes a deep breath and corrects herself. “I mean… Thank you.”