A short story detailing the results of hiring mercenary Liandri, post Episode 3
Debris and dust filled her entire vision while multiple on screen displays tried to compensate for the lack of visual information. The blast had knocked her back into an unknown position while her target was unaccounted for. She notices the lack of presence now in the room as the dust settles. The Alterbeast she was quarreling with lay covered in layers of building materials. Some slow movement and low growling comes from beneath. Normally she would ignore them, but since the main target was gone, she might as well finish this one off. Just then, a transmission comes on her heads-up-display.
Message inbound: Pheelae. Transmission: Secured. “Liandri, looks like it’s your lucky day and you got your king’s ransom, or at least a king to pay your ransom. IBU’s are in, initiating ‘Full Spectrum’. Job details attached. Happy hunting and enjoy the new life. Pheelae out.”
Suddenly a wave of information floods her programming. Functions unlock and forced prerogatives disengage. Liandri can’t help but remain still as she tries to process what actually just happened. But just as quickly, she realizes that there’s still an Alterbeast she was trying to kill, and they might not be so kind as to let her sort out her newfound freedom. The pile of debris starts to pulsate up as the buried Alterbeast gains momentum. Liandri grabs her glaive and dives out the window, landing in a three-point pose and sprints into the darkness.
Liandri finds a dark alley; all that’s visible is the faint blue glow from beneath her visor with occasional flickering as her processes race. “I can’t believe this actually happened. Freedom.” More processes and information flash through her eyes. The autonomy makes her question, “Is this what happiness feels like? If so, I can see why it’s addicting. I suppose I could pursue that more, but if I want to experience life on my own I should start my reputation as… reliable. Let’s see what the job is that I was hired for.” The message from King Terofin is clear; ensure Stellarvania is secure and rid of any potential coup. “I’ve done more difficult jobs. But this will be… different.” The thought of her doing something with the mere potential of her NOT having to do it, sends her processing into a tizzy. She checks the timeline. “I should have time for a stop or two beforehand.”
Trying to lay low considering she’s abandoning her task by her former handlers, Liandri manages to scrounge together some supplies and a nondescript vehicle for transportation from various hidden depots. Liandri exits Arlandri post haste and begins her journey west. Setting a course that’ll make both good time and keep her off the beaten path, she’s able to concentrate between studying her mission and continuing to contemplate what it means now to be free. She runs through all sorts of philosophical questions, future possibilities,and things she was always curious about but never was able to pursue. A wave of self discovery and development happens over the next few days. Liandri emerges with focus, determination, but most of all an open mind to what she’ll experience for the rest of her existence. While that was all happening, business still has its time and place and she’s able to formulate a plan of attack. She’s very unfamiliar with the players of Stellarvania, only knowing of King Terofin through their brief interaction and what is “publically” known of how he became king. She also doesn’t know who the exact threat is, other than the possibility it’s the former king, Miraak. Contemplating visiting Turok in Everlong, she dismisses the idea. Her last dealing in Everlong got her sent back to Arlandria. Next best target; Kaylyn Smoak in The Gauntlet.
Arriving at The Gauntlet, somewhere Liandri has never been to, she notices the dark and “old” forest and mountainous landscape blending in with the ancient castles and villages of the kingdom. Unsure how to navigate through the main city portion without simply sneaking through or killing everything in her path, she decides to be swift and conceal her armor as much as possible. Starting out, it instantly goes terribly. Alterbeasts pick up her “scent” almost immediately and start harassing and yelling at her passing by. A few almost try to stop her and she barely manages to avoid confrontation because she’s able to react and move slightly faster than them. Slowly becoming less and less able to process and handle what’s happening, she becomes distracted for a brief moment and bumps into a cloaked lady purchasing some berries. The berries spill everywhere. Knowing the “proper” protocol for helping when you cause an inconvenience. Hoping in some way it will show she’s not a threat to the locals by helping one for their own, she stops and begins picking up the spilled berries. “I apologize for the rude interaction. Please let me help.” The lady grabs her wrist. “That won’t be necessary, miss….?” Liandri almost freezes not knowing how to respond. “It’s ok; no harm will come to you. Clearly you’re not from around here and by your demeanor and armor, you’re very clearly not a typical Machinehead” the lady says. Liandri is impressed by the combination of quick observation and coolheadedness. “My name is Liandri.” “Liandri. I like that. How can I help you today Liandri?” Liandri still confused, “I’m looking to meet with Kaylyn Smoak. It’s regarding King Terofin.” The lady reveals a small smile from under her hood. “I think I can help with that. Please, follow me.”
The pair make their way up a hilly path up towards Castle Blackstorm, the main castle of The Gauntlet. Liandri’s guide seems to get her inside and past all the guards without a single word. Upon entering the main hall, the cloaked lady tells Liandri, “This way.” The pace picks up slightly as they turn left to go down a long corridor. Liandri takes notice of the ancient stonewalls, the seamless integration of wood giving everything a feeling as if you’re wandering through the forest, and warm candle light illuminating the way. She actually feels impressed at the deliberate details. Before they can make another turn, they run into another woman. “My lady!” she says with surprise and relief. “Are you alright? You’re back early and…. With a guest?” The guide removes her hood and says, “Yes,” and gestures towards Liandri, “This is Liandri and she’s actually looking for you.” Kaylyn’s eyes darted between the two, unsure of what to make of it. “Me? Well, nice to make your acquaintance Ms. Liandri. I see you’ve made enough of an impression to get a personal escort from Lady Alanis.” Liandri searches her memory and realizes who Lady Alanis is and what just happened. The possibility, to her, seemed almost zero in terms of coming in direct contact with the ruler of The Gauntlet. “My apologies Lady Alanis, I had no-” cutting Liandri off, “It’s quite alright, I assumed whatever it was you needed requiring you to meet with Kaylyn was important enough to put yourself in such an awkward situation. Please, carry on.” Lady Alanis and Kaylyn exchange nods. “So, what brings you all the way to see me in The Gauntlet?” Liandri simply responds, “King Terofin.” Kaylyn takes a deep breath, “Come, I will need a drink for this.”
Over the course of many beverages and an eerily still Machinehead sitting and listening, Kaylyn divulges needed information to Liandri about King Terofin, Miraak, and Stellarvania. “... and that’s how he became King.” The situation becomes much clearer to Liandri. “But he’s gone, for some time now? How does that work?” “Complicated…ly? Complicatedly? I would say not well enough considering what you’ve told me, but then again he did do something about it, so maybe it’s fine. We haven’t shied away from intervening in the past but only when the threat was incredibly clear. This would be a bit of a stretch and not look kindly on our part” Kaylyn says, following with a big gulp of her goblet. “Both King Terofin and myself have worked with a local; Tazma. Part of a group called the ‘Vigilante 8’. They’re very protective and loyal to their kingdom. Speak with him and I’m sure he’ll be able point you in the right direction. Take this.” Kaylyn hands Liandri what seems like a plain cloth. “Thank you,” Liandri says. “But, I am curious; why are you so openly helpful? How do you know I’m not lying or some kind of agent.” Kaylyn pours more wine into her goblet. “I don’t.” Liandri is confused. “I’m going on half hunch, half hope. King Terofin, despite his quirks, has been a great change of pace for Stellarvania and we’d like to see it stay that way. Also it’s nice to say that we were right about him” she says with a playful smile. “I’m hoping that you’ll do some good as well.” Liandri stands up to leave, and stoically says, “Doubtful.”
Liandri spends her time analyzing her conversation with Kaylyn on her way to Stellarvania. She fails to see what “good” she could do. Logically her track record would in fact show the complete opposite; she has sowed a lot of death and destruction, her original purpose when being created. While proficient in that purpose, she felt limited by solely doing that and not achieving higher potential, thus needing her freedom. “The living truly have a knack for making ‘purpose’ more complicated and difficult then it needs to be.” Perhaps it’s a balance; while some seek to make it more difficult and convoluted, others, like Kaylyn, assist in others' purposes hoping it will benefit the most. Liandri continues to have these philosophical debates within herself as she approaches Stellarvania.
It’s late at night in Stellarvania. Light snow trickles in from the sky as the silence would normally be deafening. Instead this is more helpful for Liandri. The outskirts of the kingdom very much prove to be business as usual, especially for night time. Despite the lack of technology in the infrastructure, no one seems to take notice of her vehicle traveling through the narrow roads leading to Castle Shimmer. As she pulls up, torches light up the courtyard along the walls and the shadowy figures awaiting in the middle. Liandri, unwavering in the odds before her, gets out casually to confront the bystanders. A tall grizzled looking man walks up to her, slightly tilting his hat up to get a good look at her. “Can I help you?” he asks. She hands him the plain looking cloth that Kaylyn gave her at Castle Blackstorm. “They said you’d be coming. Ace in the hole so to speak. Come.” Liandri silently follows as the remaining members of the crowd remain behind. The two enter a side door of a barracks. A few guards sit around tables, drinking and eating a late meal before taking the overnight shift at the grounds. They get into a stock room and the man closes the door. “I’m Tazma. Since you spoke to Kaylyn and based on what she told me, you know the deal. Here’s what you don’t know. We suspect Miraak has been working to infiltrate and disrupt Stellarvania once more since King Terofin has left. We’ve no reason to believe it’s anyone of power left behind by King Terofin, so pinpointing the source has been more than difficult. Miraak’s Essence was unparalleled so it wouldn’t surprise me if there was something right in front of our faces that we can’t detect. Is this something you can help with?” Liandri doesn’t immediately respond and Tazma starts to feel the emotions of frustration and annoyance swelling up. “When I’m done the thought of Miraak will be dead.” Tazma lets out a deep breath and gives a slight chuckle. “Good, let’s get you started. I’ve got some in’s with the guards here; they’ll let you in and through most of the castle for you to inspect. Me and my buds will be making the usual rounds on the perimeter further away from the castle. Take this, in case you need our help.” He hands her an unusual brittle stone. “What is this?” “Just crush it; we’ll be there.” Liandri gives a smile, “When I’m done, it’ll be crushed.”
Hours pass by as Liandri makes her way through hallways and rooms through Castle Shimmer. There’s awkward “Hello”’s and looks from passing guards, who are clearly uncomfortable with not only a stranger wandering the halls, but a Machinehead. But as Tazma assured she doesn’t meet any kind of resistance. Her first round was self admittedly more studious of the aesthetics and history of the castle; Stellarvania was not a place she had ever been to and the idea of something so opposite of her very being, Essence rather than technology, was very intriguing. But as the rounds became more frequent and the scenery redundant, she became less interested in what was and now more focused on what shouldn’t be. Walking down one of the lower hallways near a common dining hall, she sees two approaching guards. Making their brief acquaintance earlier, Kurt and Michael, she passes by them, giving a simple head nod. While not expecting much of a response back, they simply walk by as if she’s not existent. She stops and takes note how odd that would be despite how long she was there at that point. She examines her surroundings; the only object of note nearby is a bouquet of yellow carnations in a vase. “Very odd….” she says to herself, making note that while having rare and exotic items on display in such a world prominent castle, there were no other instances of flora in common areas. She slowly approaches it; getting closer, she begins hearing static. Intrigued further Liandri goes to lift the flowers and examine them closer. Suddenly the carnations transform into putrid green clumps of acid, almost seemingly jumping onto her hand and forearm. A sudden panic fills her, something she’s never experienced before, knowing there would be no repair for such catastrophic damage. She turns aways and struggles to remove it before it seeps in too far. Instantly she sees it’s gone. “What the….” Hesitant to touch the flowers again, that now look perfectly fine, she struggles to comprehend what and HOW that just happened. A shimmer seems to emanate outward from the flowers along the wall. Binary code scrolls in random directions as humanoid faces almost stretch out from the stones, screaming but with no sound. Liandri struggles even more to make sense of what’s happening, and how she’s perceiving these events that seem real and unreal at the same time.
Liandri, standing still in awe, thinks, “This is fear. The unknown. The loss of control.” She makes a fist; with unnatural speed she punches and almost disintegrates the vase of flowers. The illusions cease. Some kind of sense of relief comes over her, but more so the idea that she wouldn’t allow something such as “fear” stop her, considering not only what she’s already experienced but what she looks forward to experiencing. She squats down to examine the debris. Worms wiggly in the rich dirt. A closer look though reveals almost a misty excretion as it distorts some of her vision. She picks it up and smells it. Reminds her of some sewer systems she worked her way through in the past. Reaching for a small vial in a concealed compartment in her armor, she pours it over the flowers and strikes the ground hard with her glaive. A controlled fire ignites just over the contents and burns into ashes quickly. She makes her way down into the sewer system under Castle Shimmer.
Liandri wastes no time scouring the sewers. Using the data she collected from the worms, she’s able to detect more floating throughout the flowing waste waters. Following the opposite path of the worms, she clears the maze of tunnels to find a makeshift opening in the wall, leading to a pitchblack tunnel. Easily navigating it with her infrared vision, she comes to a large underground opening. Within it, numerous lit torches reveal a crowd of robed gathers, numbering close to a hundred. Despite the number of people, an eerie silence remains. She sneaks around to scout the mob. Liandri then sees a number of people bound and blindfolded with more robed individuals behind them. A larger robed individual moves in front of the captures. “Believers! Let us rejoice as our savior Eonlypse will soon bring us salvation from those that seek to keep us oppressed! He has not abandoned us as he’s moved on to fulfill his purpose of becoming the almighty savior we know him well to be! In his absence, we continue his work to prepare for his return. With this sacrifice, we can fuel his influence on this home.” The figure opens his arms in the air, revealing a large, sacrificial knife in his right hand. Liandri has dealt with cults like this before; and it is usually in order to destroy any influence the cult has on the current population and restore control to the person who ordered her. This does give her a slightly different feeling though. More recollections of her conversations with Lady Alanis, Kaylyn Smoak, and Tazma zip through her thoughts. She readies her glaive and opens another secret compartment in her armor, revealing numerous small blue glowing metallic orbs.
As the person with the sacrificial blade moves into position to slit the first prisoner’s throat, numerous rolling metallic orbs roll past into the front of the still crowd. There’s a slight pause, they slightly levitate up, and then explosions of smoke and shrapnel disperse into the gathers. Blinded by the explosions, Liandri leaps behind the sacrificer with a swift downward strike of her glaive. The large hood figure doesn’t move; from his right shoulder diagonally down to his left waist slides off and falls onto the ground as blood erupts everywhere from his split body halves. She swings her glaive over her head in a circle motion, decapitating the cultist behind the prisoners. A dozen or so of the front gathers lay dead on the ground from the shrapnel. Liandri gracefully dances over the bodies, swinging her glaive with precision and disemblowing more of the cultists. As another dozen fall dead, the rest of the crowd manages to regain some cognesence and realizes who is attacking them, prompting them to draw weapons of swords, maces, and other typical weapons of an army. Liandri shouts, “Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize but the show is over and your membership has been revoked. Please form a single line for orderly execution, thank you!” Everyone yells and charges Liandri, attempting to overwhelm her by sheer numbers. They were very wrong in their thinking. Enacting a whirlwind of death, Liandri swings her glaive with precise strength. Heads are decapitated; holes blown through chests. Numerous arms and legs lay scattered about. She distributes some kicks and punches, breaking bones as her enemies lay in pain awaiting their fate. At one point she almost loses grip on her glaive with blood soaking her and the ground. But even such luck isn’t possible for the hundred that eventually lay dead before her. As the last cultist is groveling for mercy with both arms missing, Liandri without hesitation strikes her glaive straight through the top of their skull, bringing silence. Surveying the underground auditorium, she now feels it’s an appropriate time to release the prisoners. They remain completely still and kneeling, but their nerves are unable to stop them shaking like leaves in the wind. “I’m going to release you but advise you to follow me and keep your blindfolds on if you cherish your sanity.” She undoes their bindings and they do exactly as they say. She calls for them to follow as she leads them around the bloodbath and to a spot close to the tunnel exit but away from the scene. They all take off their blindfolds, barely say thank you and run off. Except one. A young Krogoth boy walks up slowly to Liandri, “Thank you. That was extremely brave and kind of you. Us Krogoths aren’t, well, very welcome around here, so it means a lot that you were able to save me. I hope to be as brave as you one day.” Liandri, not used to such kind words, simply says, “I hope you don’t have to be, otherwise I’m out of a job.” She smiles and laughs a bit. The young Krogoth boy manages to let out a small laugh as well. “I hope to see you again, maybe in a nicer place” as he runs off. Liandri exits the broken stone wall as well, back into the sewers, catching the tail end of the captures making way down the tunnel she came from. Looking down, she happens to notice the dirt and water trails from that way. They look extremely busy and fresh. She looks to her right and notices almost nothing; but examining closely, she sees older tracks leading the other way. “Hm, guess it’s not crushing time yet.”
Almost losing the trail a few times, Liandri finds a different exit out of the sewer, this one closer to the outskirts of Castle Shimmer and into more vacant land. Dawn approaches as she hurries her tracking, knowing that if there’s still at least one more part of this group that catching them in their sleep is much, much easier. Winding through light forested paths covered in a thin dusting of snow, she comes to a small house, nestled within the trees and stones of the ground. Unable to tell if it’s occupied or not, she tries to sneak a look into a small window opening. Nothing catches her attention until some faint movement from around a doorway’s arch catches her vision. It’s quick and frantic. It comes into view again. Without wasting any more time she approaches the wooden front door and boots the door in, cracking it off its hinges. The occupant tries to dash for the small window but Liandri catches them by the collar of their overcoat and slams them to the ground. A Human man, with short dark hair, squinted eyes and pointed features moans and hisses at the pain radiating across his back and head. His dark brown coat conceals most of what would be a higher end but worn out black suit. Liandri circles around the man like a shark would before going in for the kill. Through his pain, the man then starts to laugh.”You… you’re too late!” She challenges his laughter with some snickering. “Oh I think I arrived just in time.” She surveys the rest of the abode; shelves of tonics and ingredients. Tables covered alchemy bottles and books disheveled about. The look of a person manically busy preparing evil deeds. “We were merely rolling out the red carpet for him, but regardless, the path laid before him will be red in blood with those who dare defy his greatness!” Liandri, almost growing bored already of hearing the sniveling creature monologue, “Let me guess; Eonlypse? Sounds like another typical conman.” She quickly processes all of the people she’s had “dealings'' with since her conception. His laughter grows more desperate as he tries to crawl to an exit. Liandri slams her glaive into the floorboard behind him, slicing his coat in half. “He, he is everywhere! Eyes everywhere! Power EVERYWHERE! His own creations are too strong for armies to stop! A witch who does his bidding and predicts the future! He even plays the Black Hole Sons like puppets on strings!” He abruptly stops laughing and tilts his head, staring deeply into Liandri’s eyes as if she was truly alive. “Submit now, he may even make you his personal toy.” He slowly begins a deep chuckle. Before it could grow again she disconnects the top half of her glaive, twirling it quickly. It erupts upward into the man’s jaw and out his mouth, the curved blade barely slicing the bottom of his nose opens. Blood pours everywhere, preventing him from making any more noise. His comment of becoming a “personal toy” was too soon for her to contemplate happening again, after the lengths she went in order to not be one anymore. “Your idle threats seem to be a bit lacking against my blade.” The man manages one last grin from the sides of his mouth before she tilts the blade back and up towards his skull. His body falls into a clump on the floor as she stands over him with a new feeling; confliction.
Liandri grabs the stone Tazma handed her and crushes it. By the time she walks outside a strong breeze moves the trees in the surrounding area. A few more minutes later Tazma comes walking up to Liandri alone. He lights up a cigar and tilts up his hat. “You made that seem all too easy. I’m assuming what’s in there is the last of it” as he nods his head towards the house. Liandri thinks of all she’s experienced over the past few days, ranging from excited to terrifying, even for a Machinehead. She doesn’t give any tells though other than a flirtatious smile. “Lying would be bad for my business.” Tazma gives an honest laugh. “Then I’m sure your business is going well.” “It’s a good start” she replies. He walks up to the doorway and takes a peek inside. He steps back out. “We’ll clean it up from here and inform King Terofin of our findings. Knowing him, he’ll be very excited and will probably hire you for twenty other jobs.” “Sounds good,” she says with genuine interest, “but first I have some things to attend to before another job.” Tazma gives a nod acknowledging he understands. “Well if you get a moment and it’s on the way, I recommend stopping by The Gauntlet and sharing the news with Kaylyn. They’ve been good allies to Stellarvania and I’m sure they’ll be glad to not have to lend a hand again helping us rid those who seek to corrupt what we have.” Liandri gives a nod in return and leaves.