GTQ: The story
- Locked due to inactivity on Aug 4, '16 4:24pm
Thread Topic: GTQ: The story
-
While I was away I continued to work from time to time on GTQ: the Story. For any of you who do not remember it, it was a fantasy tale where the main characters were all older GTQ members. I never elected anyone to any role. They were all voted in via other GTQ members or I asked permission before I cast them. I have all of the story I have written so far saved on my computer, although I cannot remember how much of it I posted before I left. So I shall repost everything I have written here. One page per post in the same style as always.
-
Chapter 1
"Ana, we need you to go into town for a bit and pick up a few supplies."
"But mom, I went to town just last week! And besides, it's near the border. All the weirdo's live near the border."
"Now Ana, Blanc is the largest city in all of Stockland. There'd be no place safer to be. Besides, like you said; you went last week. I'm sure if you've done it once, youll survive doing it again. Besides, if you're so worried about it, Take Alice with you."
"Like thatll help any."
With that final remark, Ana laced up her shoes, dawned her cape, and strode out the door.
It was cool in Stockland this time of year. Being nearly 4 O'clock and the dew still fresh on the grass was testament to that. But then again, the grass was wet all year. Ana skipped down the cobblestone street of her quiet town on her way to get her friend Alice for what was guaranteed to be yet another uneventful trip into town.
"Alice! Get your ass out here!" She shouted; pounding on the door until it shook. The neighbors would give her funny looks again. But Ana just smiled and waited, and pretended not to notice them.
"What the hell do you want, woman?" Alice shouted, throwing open the door before Ana could break it off the hinges again.
"Mom wants me to go into town again, and she said to take you along with."
Alice looked confused. "Why the hell did she volunteer me for that?"
"Because she just loves you so much!" Said Ana, pinching Alice's cheek and smiling sarcastically.
"Oh yeah, that." Said Alice. Slipping on her shoes and locking the door behind her. "Did she at least give us a cart?"
"Nope! Were walking it."
"I really hate that woman."
"You and me both. Now lets go."
With that, the two young ladies began their journey into town. It would be nearly 8 miles to get there. But not wanting to delay the inevitable any longer, they set out without too much complaint. -
The city of Blanc was huge; long, winding cobblestone alleys, extravagant and elegant buildings. Main roads lined with peddlers selling all assortments of goods. The two wandered the streets in awe as they did every time they visited the city. Pleasant music drifted from high balconies and the scent of warm food lingered in the streets. The two young girls wandered around in amazement until they came to the front stoop of a cozy corner store that they both recognized instantly, without ever having seen it before.
"Hey Alice, do you really think its him?"
"Theres no way. It couldnt possibly be."
"Lets find out!"
"No wait, Ana-!"
But before Alice could finish speaking, Ana had already bounded up the stairs and rushed through the door.
"Wait for me!" She shouted, trying to catch up.
Inside the store, the two girls stood dumb founded. Shelf after shelf after shelf of strange and exotic treats, overgrown plants, and things they couldn't even recognize. One jar was filled with tiny swirled pieces of candy. One jar had a tall plant sprouting out of it. Around every corner they found new and wonderful things, and unexpected surprises.
The two young girls stood there staring at a bowl filled with a silvery liquid, trying to guess what it was.
"I bet it tastes nasty." Said Ana, thoughtfully.
"I bet it gives you super powers." Replied Alice.
As the two girls stood there wondering about the mysteries of the silver liquid, they never noticed someone else in their presence. A tall, thin gentleman with long, black hair slid from around the corner and came up behind them.
"I bet its poisonous and shouldn't be touched." Said the man with a smile.
"JADE!" The girls shouted in unison. Hugging their old friend simultaneously and almost knocking him over into another shelf.
"How's the shop business treating you?" Asked Ana; tearing her face away long enough to breath before hugging him again.
"No real complaints you two. Say, what are you guys doing in Blanc anyways?"
Now it was Alice's turn to talk. "You can blame that one." She said, nudging Ana with a laugh. -
"Yeah, mom wanted me to pick up a few things from town. We saw your name on the store and just had to say hello."
"Well its good to see you two again." Said Jade, embracing their hug in return. "Now, what can I do you for?"
The two girls stayed and talked with their old friend for hours. Asking him about different mysterious items he had in his store. Trying exotic candies with delight, and avoiding exotic poisons with caution. The three laughed together and told stories. They stayed for so long that dusk was upon them before they even realized it. They were able to buy the few things they needed from Jade, and then Ana and Alice hurriedly left.
Once outside, something seemed different. There were no peddlers on the streets. No happy music playing. The scent of food was gone, although the scent of something burning still lingered. There was nobody to be seen. As they reached the edge of town, Alice and Ana realized where everyone had gone.
Massed together on the edge of the city, everyone watched in silent horror at the horizon. Thousands of people stood staring in unison into the distance. As the two young girls reached the end of the crowd, they realized why. In the distance towards home, a dull orange glow seeped into the night. A pillar of black smoke drifted lazily into the dark. The scent of something burning came with the wind.
Their home was no more. -
Chapter 2
The town was gone. Burned to the foundation. Only smoldering beams and piles of rubble remained. The glow of the fire had left a red haze all around, and thick black clouds muffled the senses. Ana and Alice stood in the middle of it all. Ash coming down like a snow. The scent of charred wood violated their eyes and noses. They both wanted to cry. But the heat in the air robbed them of even that. They stood there; silent and shaken. Ana was the first to come to.
She cupped her hands to her mouth and yelled as loud as she could, "Is anybody out there?" Alice quickly followed suit.
The two young girls wandered through what was once their home. Crumbling memories and unrecognizable memories withered away around them. Slowly collapsing as the strength they once held was lost. And yet, through all the rubble and timbers; through all the ash and smoke, they couldn't find a single body. It was as if they all had vanished. Ana looked up at what was once a familiar hill. Standing on top was the remains of a house. A single wall left hanging; charred black and with the empty space where a window once was. Behind it was nothing but ash and stone; burned down out of recognition. Ana quickly scrambled through the remains, trying as hard as she could to find anything. But nothing was there to be found. No trinkets. No pictures. And the part that worried her the most no bodies.
"Get off the ground you worms." Hissed a voice from behind Alice and Ana as they both felt the cold hard sting of the tip of a sword pressed against their necks. Raising their hands and rising, the voice was met with another.
"Sir, we've already done our Job. The commander doesn't have to know that there were more. We could have just missed them. Come on, they're just kids."
"The orders were clear. No survivors. No witnesses."
"Let them go, sir."
"Is that a threat, soldier"
With those words, Alice and Ana heard the sound of a sword unsheathe. The pressure on the back of their necks releasing as their swords wielder turned to face his new opposition.
"Is this a mutiny? I will end you, Boy!"
The officer charged. Alice and Ana turned around to face the action. The battle was short lived though. They saw the backside of a broad shouldered man raise his sword ready to attack, only to have the tip of a silvery blade glide through him. The officer was clumsy. He raised his sword and before he could swing, the younger soldier had advanced; stabbing his superior through the stomach.
The two men stood there for the longest time. Their bodies were pressed almost together. They looked into each others eyes as one watched the other slowly die.
The officers body finally collapsed to the ground. The young soldier stood breathing with a shudder as he stared at the limp body of the man he called "sir". -
The soldier stood over the body for the longest time. A slow smile crept across his face. He then whispered, "free"
Ana and Alice watched him stand there saying the word over and over again. Laughing slightly as he said them.
"Um, sir?" Alice interjected.
Immediately the mans face shot up to meet their gaze. He looked surprised, as if he had forgotten they were there.
Alice continued, "Thank you for saving us."
"Welcome." He said, sounding nervous.
"May we have your name?" Ana chimed in.
The mans tension seemed to ease off a bit. "My name is Benjamin. Sir Benjamin. But you may call me Ben if youd like."
"Alice." "Ana." The two girls said together.
Benjamin helped the two girls to their feet and made sure they weren't hurt. He then turned around and started stripping the body of armor and weapons; piling them all up as he did so. He then handed both of the girls a sword.
"What are you doing?" Asked Ana in confusion.
"We weren't the only clean up party out there. More will come. You know how to fight, right?"
"I've never touched a sword before in my life!" Ana seemed to almost be disgusted at the thought of wielding a weapon.
"Then we run." Said Ben as he picked up the armor and walked away towards the woods. The two girls stood there in the middle of a burnt down village, carrying enemy swords. With no better alternative, they decided to follow Ben.
"Ben, why didn't we find any bodies?" Asked Ana.
"There weren't any. This town wasn't picked for execution."
"Then why were we picked?" Broke in Alice.
"Recruitment. Conscription. Whatever you want to call it."
"Recruitment? For what?"
"The army. What else?"
"The army? But why would anyone join?" -
As they reached the tree line, Ben dropped the armor and rounded on the two girls.
"Are you just going to follow me around and ask me questions all day? The Black Legion isn't your average military force, kids. They take prisoners, and then they get inside their heads. I don't know, some kind of dark magic or something. They consume you until all that's left in your head is the desire to serve."
"But how did "
"GO HOME." Shouted Ben; pointing his sword in the direction of the city. Youre better off there anyways."
Ben turned back around, picked up his armor, and stormed off into the woods.
The girls followed in silence. They walked further and further into the woods, keeping enough distance that they felt he couldn't hear them. Finally Ben arrived on an old clearing and stopped.
"This'll do." He whispered to himself.
Ben then turned his sword and pointed it at the girls sneaking behind him. They both stopped dead in their tracks as they realized theyd been caught. Ben charged them.
The two girls were still holding the swords and without even realizing it, Ana put hers up to block Ben's first swing.
He hit harder than she expected though, and the blade spun lazily to the ground. Ben didn't hesitate; he swung again. Ana barely had time to pull the blade back up and deflect the second swing. Alice charged in from the rear and without even turning towards her, Ben swung his sword behind himself and knocked hers out of her hands and sent it sailing through the air. He placed his free hand on Alices face and shoved her to the ground; never looking away from Ana. Ana made a wide swing and Ben deflected it effortlessly.
"Short movements." He barked as he swung again. This time Ana pulled the sword in front of her in a quick tug and it didn't give as badly when his blade made contact.
"Good." He said; reversing the swing to come in from another angle.
Ana did the same, and blocked as well. In her shock, she looked over towards Alice who was getting back up. Ben put a foot in her stomach and sent Ana sprawling backwards.
"Never take your eyes off your opponent." He ordered as he made another swing. Ana stood and deflected it as well. Her stomach felt knotted and on fire. He hadn't held back when he kicked her. And Ana believed he wouldn't hold back if she let down her guard either. Another swing, and another deflect.
Ana lunged with a clumsy sideways swing. Ben grabbed her wrists and moved in face to face with her, whispering. "Keep your blade close to your body. One soul has already died today for that mistake." -
Ana jerked away and did a light stab. This time it was Bens turn to block. He turned around to deflect another swing from Alice, and Ana took the opportunity. She planted her foot on the small of his back and sent Ben sprawling forward.
With a smirk she added, "Never take your eyes off your opponent."
Ben stood up, turned towards Ana, and with a smile dropped his sword.
"You learn fast for a girl." He remarked. Smiling jokingly.
"You train well for a soldier." She replied. Returning the gesture.
"Wasn't always a soldier you know."
"And what were you before that?"
"I read books."
"Hes a librarian!" Laughed Alice.
"No, I was a scholar." He replied. Hooking the flat edge of his sword under her knee and flipping her on her back.
"Why did you leave?" Asked Ana.
"I didn't have a choice, remember?" The smile faded from Ben's face as his thoughts went back in time.
"I'm so sorry." Ana said.
"Don't worry about it." Offered Ben with a shrug. He smiled again and sheathed his sword. "This was long before your time kid." With that, Ben turned away and walked off to set up camp.
Alice got up again with a groan. "I really hate that guy." She said to Ana; rubbing her back.
"Ditto, but he is the only one offering to help us."
Ben sat hunched over the pile of sticks he was trying to turn into a fire. "Hey! You two! Are you gonna make yourselves useful or just stand there acting as dumb as you look?"
As the night set in, Ana and Alice helped their new friend build a fire. -
( I have a question barborbob )
-
(Dragon: No)
(Everyone else, I think this is close to where I left off at, I'll continue the story later tonight) -
(Giggle. This is super interesting. Great job~)
-
Chapter 3
Over the next few weeks, the three camped out in the woods. The Black Legion had moved in on Blanc and was setting up a base in the city. Benjamin continued to train the girls, and whilst his memory was fuzzy in places, he still told them what he knew.
"The legion works in a pattern." He said, blocking Ana with ease. "Kill, conscript, capture. Kill, conscript capture."
"So Blanc is supposed to be captured?" Replied Alice, who was sitting by a tree, tending the fire.
"Yes." Replied Ben. "It will be used for repairs, rest, and resources. The legion will camp there for weeks, possibly months until they are ready to move on again."
Ben swung, and Ana caught her blade and yanked it from his hands. The threw the blade before dropping her arms to her sides.
"I want to go home." She said, with surrender in her voice.
"There is no home, Ana." Replied Alice, walking over to stand near the other two.
"We cant hide forever, Alice." She replied. "Soon theyll find us and kill us."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying we aren't going to do anything but starve or get killed. Might as well turn ourselves in."
"Ana, we are all that's left. If we dont do something, then who will."
"But what can we do?"
"Two weeks ago you were offended by the thought of wielding a weapon. 20 seconds ago you disarmed a soldier of the black legion. I think we could do a great deal."
"So whats your plan? Huh? Sneak into the city and save our family?" Ana said sarcastically. "What? Are we supposed to become heroes or something? Mom and Dad are probably already part of that army."
"Actually," interrupted Ben "Sneaking in and saving your folks sounds like a wonderful idea."
Ben walked off and came back with his full armor and all of the blades they had collected. "You two have been itching to get out of these woods and I have no intention of sitting by while they ride away."
"So I guess were agreed!" Chimed in Alice.
"Oh joy." Grumbled Ana. -
That night, the three broke through the tree line and using the darkness as cover, snuck into the city. Slipping in to the herded crowds of civilians, they followed the current of people until they came to a familiar shop in a relatively untraveled road. Ana, Alice, and Benjamin silently slipped into Jades shop.
Ana carefully walked up and down the aisles. The decor hadn't changed much. Long shelves of strange and wonderful things filled the store. Strange liquids and plants sprung up everywhere. It was as if things had never changed. But yet something was different.
"Ana come quick!" She heard Alice call from a couple aisles over. As she got there she found Jade, sitting in a chair. His leg was propped up in a splint. It was poorly wrapped and stained with blood. His eyes seemed empty and vacant as he stared at the floor in the distance. Alice was squatting next to him trying to get any reaction she could.
Ana came over and called his name, to which he didn't reply. He just stared at the floor. Ben stepped into view in his full, black legion armor and Jade looked up at him.
"What more can you do to me?" Asked Jade with a tired smile. "What more could you possibly do to me?"
Ben stood confused and worried.
"Jade, what are you talking about? He's okay. He's with us." Said Ana, brushing her fingertips across his cheek.
Jade turned and looked at Ana as if he hadn't even known she was there. "Ana, what are you doing here? You need to get out. You need to get out now."
"Jade," Said Alice, turning Jade's attention towards her. "What did they do to you?"
Jade stared at her blankly for a moment, and then deeply contemplating what she said, he looked at his leg. "It was a week after they arrived. People were ordered to always be watched. We were to be escorted wherever we wanted to go. Shop keepers were permitted to go to work and that was it. We were to assist any soldier who came to us. I did what I could to not be noticed, but the occasional lackey still came in. One night while I was at home asleep, one of their soldiers broke into my store, and drank one of my poisons thinking it was candy. The next morning when I arrived, they were waiting for me. They blamed me for his sickness and said that I had planned it. They broke my leg to teach me a lesson."
With that last sentence, Jade stared directly at Ben.
Suddenly, the door started to creak. female voices could be heard from outside. Ana, Alice, and Ben all rushed to cover while Jade slouched back down in his chair. Two female soldiers in full armor came in and glared at Jade. -
"We're here for some medicine, wretch." One of them hissed. "You going to talk today, you pathetic fool?"
Jade sat with his head slumped downward staring at the floor.
"Which one is a medicine?" She called out.
"Silver bowl" he groaned without looking up.
"Probably another poison or something." She said, finding the silver bowl and taking off her helmet. She sniffed the deep red liquid inside. "It doesn't smell like medicine."
The other girl came over and took off her helmet to take a sniff as well. "Doesn't smell like poison either."
The first girl took a sip. "It's not that bad." She replied.
The second girl sneered at Jade as she took a sip as well. "Well maybe the fool isn't as dim as he looks." She said with a laugh.
Then their expressions changed. The first girl's smile faded as she looked at her friend in total horror. She tried to scream but only coughed. Her throat tightening up and constricting her. She grabbed her neck while the second girl stared at her, still clutching the bowl in horror. The first girl dropped to her knees as she gasped. Her friend knelt down beside her and tried to help her, but as she tried to talk, her voice caught and she started coughing as well. Within a few moments, both of the girls lay dead on the ground.
Jade looked up and smiled.
"Jade? What have you done?" Asked Alice, coming out of hiding.
"You two will never get out of the city again without a disguise." He replied.
Ben walked over to the bodies and started stripping the armor and weapons. "You're friend may be stupid, but he's got a point. Put these on." He said as he started handing the girls pieces of armor.
"But Jade, what about you?" Asked Ana.
Jade laughed and looked up to her with a smile.
"What about me?"
"When they find out what youve done theyll "
"They'll what? Break my other leg? Ha-ha! So what? Could you imagine the look on the guards face when he realizes that someone else has their armor? Hell be frantic!" Said Jade, starting to build himself up into a lively laugh.
"They'll kill you." Said Alice, quietly.
"Alice," Said Jade, "Up until now, I thought all hope was lost. And then you two came in here, completely free from these people. I'm more alive now than I have been in a while." -
"We need to move. More could be arriving any moment." Said Ben.
Ana and Alice strapped on the last bits of their armor, and after hugging Jade for what could be the last time they left.
Ana adjusted her helmet and looked up towards Ben. "Where to now?"
Ben slid down his face shield and started walking. "Now we find your family."
Pages:
- 1
- 2
This thread is locked, therefore no new posts can be made.
