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*King Midas was tapping against the wooden chest in front. Echo who had given everyone their marks, was escorted out of the room. The purple-pink mimiga getting stressed out, yet holding a fake smile. "Okay lets go home now." The humans remained in the line they were ordered. One of the scientists asks.*
Scientist 1: "Can we be sitting down while we listen to this?"
King Midas: "Trust me, you won't want to be sitting. It's for your own good."
"Now then. You heard the legends of Lotus Island. Let me tell you a closely guarded secret. Seperate the mythos from reality...."
*The mimigas holding their red Lotus paraphernalia, they stand by, shaking with anticipation. They held their restraint, for now.*
King Midas: "While it is true, we are closed off from the rest of the world, it wasn't meant to be like this. The Lotus Kingdom was to indulge in spreading the influence of the red flower to all. Both in substance and creation... This is the only place where the red substance is produced, here."
"We loved sharing it to the outside world when Lotus Island came into existence. At least, centuries later, when the era of conquest was taking place. That taste, of what lies beyond the island stuck with us forever. So much for us to see, a way for our kind to spread the influence of my land's power. Through natural means."
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King Midas: "What laid beyond us, lands unseen to the eye of the mimiga. No, mimiga were unworthy of traversing the outside world. One must be reborn."
*Beginning to pace about in the room, leaving his chair. Speaking more vividly with his large claws.*
"Mimiga are weak, small. Pathetic. Destroyed the moment they tangled with the rest of the world. Either by the sword, or by musket.... Destined to work under the boot of their superiors. Everyone has their place, some jobs can only be completed by delicate hands."
"But it's been centuries more, that we believe mimigas can break their limitations, their position in this world."
"The natives learned 1 major, simple lesson during their existence for these eons. 'The world is cruel.' And with my royal succession line, we believe 'then we must subscribe to a cruel heart.' It is a must for our survival."
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"Our minds, biology, it changed to adapt to this new world. The wars we fought, power granted by the red flowers, it empowered us."
"Being empowered, it felt GOOD."
"It created the race known as the ravil."
"Accustomed to this new life, my ravil kind set to conquer the world. Fighting, slaying, eating those below us, it all felt unbelievable~"
"Gaudi flying our mimigas over fortresses. Those arrogant surface knights suspected nothing, even laughing at us. Dropping them into strongholds and cities once the flowers were consumed. It was said to be such a beautiful sight, the paintings. The few times gaudi and ravils saw eye to eye. Sneaking into settlements, becoming monsters that prowled the alleyways."
"Nothing is better than seeing an outstanding warrior cower in fear, realizing the very creatures he ridiculed would be their undoing. The rush was too much, it was ingrained into our psyche to destroy."
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King Midas: "All good things must come to an end. We were banished to the skies! Isolated from the ground. It felt like the rush was gone, those days over!... Til recently. You can thank the advanced technology of a specific group of surface humans. We have our supply of fodder. And with this fodder, we praise our ancestors and allies. To join them, in this ceremonial graduation!"
*The ravil king Midas raised both hands in the air, praising towards the sky, eyeing the crowd behind. His speech, eccentric now.*
*A random scientist was becoming increasingly scared. Sweat running across his forehead, raising his arms as if surrendering. Trying to create a smile.*
Scientist 2: "H-hey! We aren't like those humans! We know bad things happen to everyone in history. We sympathize with your kind! I loved the mimiga, I'd hate anything bad to come of them. Please don't hate us."
King Midas: "Hate you?! We don't hate humans? Bwwhaha. We thank them for teaching us this, emotion that was locked away within ourselves... Humans are a means to an end. We'll happily share more of the Red Lotus, long as they pay us in sacrifices... For the legends were always true. Those who venture into the island, will unleash doom to themselves and those around them."
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King Midas: "Mimiga, grab your flower! Let the graduation ceremony, begin!"
*A decisive ringing of a huge bell is heard echoing throughout the palace. The humans all starting to scramble, fight or flight senses kicked in. The rabbits in sync clasped their flowers, red pills, and soon activated their "gifts." One mimiga after another turning from their once usual small, cute outlook, into a large, abominable white beast. Trumping their human companions in height, along with strength.*
*It happens so sudden, the whole room quaked by the transformation. But Johnny had enough. This was their gamble. While he may be physically weaker, there were other ways of hurting monsters. The journalist pulled out his can of pepper spray, aiming it at the midway transforming ravil. Unleashing an irritating spray of orange pepper gas.*
*The ravil gagged, falling flat on his back, rolling. Fighting to get the substance out of its eyes. Johnny grimaced tensely, focusing on an exit. The gate behind them was locked. Only choice was to go deeper into the captial, then hope to hide in places like Grasslands, Plantation, and Snow Zone... One man bolted towards the door behind King Midas.*
*The ravil king smirked, short hopping to the man, reaching out and grabbing their shoulder. The panicked scientist then froze in place, suddenly shiny metal growing all ocer his body... He was frozen into a gold statue. The man's last reaction was his open-mouth frowning whimper.*
King Midas: "Oh that's a good one. I'm adding this one to the royal hallways."
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*Johnny moved towards the other humans, urging them they need to move. Less than ten seconds have passed since the ordeal of being betrayed. It felt like a drawn out minute. Johnny froze at the ravil sitting on the ground patiently. One of those darn creatures was halfway done consuming its victim. Having done so silently. "How the... but I didn't hear it pounce." Bone fragments littering the ground.*
*The retired veterans drew their weapons. Revolvers. Another ravil came to leap into the group, take a bite out of the next sacrifice. But the vetreans were quicker, firing 2 shots into the monster. Said ravil stops in mid air, catching itself on the ground upright. Processing its injuries yet not flinching much. A shot in the shoulder and head. One confused blink, then two angry blink, followed by a masculine hiss... The veterans were just as shocked how it tanked the bullets without flinching.*
*Resuming its attack, the veterans dump their entire mags into the monster mid-flight. Everyone froze, even the ravils. But it was this time, the offender stopped in its tracks. Pausing in the sky. Soon, the ravil dropped to the ground with a resounding crash. Eyes half shut, teethy mouth partially open. Shot dead by the older human soldiers. Both now panicking to reload.*
Carl: "By god, took the freaking the entire cartridge! 12 hits."
Klein: "Aim for their big heads. Body shots don't look like they do crap, bunch of adrenaline junkies."
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Klein: "Come on. I got shots for all of you! You sons-of-a-"
*A ravil had thrown a chair with a strong arm. Hitting the veteran Klein in the back, falling forward. Carl picks up his partner, telling his other partner to back him up.*
King Midas: "No need for expletives. This is a palace, not a bar house."
*Another chair gets thrown across the room.*
King Midas: "Welp, now it really feels like a bar house... I love it when they die fighting!"
*Johnny watched as the armed vets took their way up upon the tables. Choosing to fight. Partaking this opportunity, he wields his pepper in one hand, recharger pistol in the other.*
Johnny: "Hey, it's time to go! We need to head down deeper, find a way off this hellscape!"
*Everyone caught on, and followed Johnny's lead. His obstacle, King Midas. The ravil king laughs at Johnny, seeing his pathetic attempt to escape. He used his recharge pistol to fire at the golden beast. All 3 shots hitting his forehead, but leaving only little damage.*
King Midas: "Bwaah! Hah, your puny firearms can't hold a candle to the elites. Now how about you stay where you are and-"
*The journalist drew his pepper spray, aiming it at both of Midas' eye slots. Having to spray widely to cover his huge head. Midas stumbled back, snarling. He hit the wall, now freeing the doorway, deeper into the captial.*
King Midas: "Argh! Damn that blue jacketed swine! Get him, I'll have King be his personal torturer!"
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*Everyone barges out, retreating deeper into the captial. 3 weeks for them all to understand the general landscapes. The inner sections of the captial appears more troubling. The gold statues on this end appear more stressed, panicked. Many different gold frozen humans in different emotions. Along with disloyal mimiga. 2 ravils were seen hauling a gold statue into a lift. These ravils wore grey-metal helmets. Though, their gear was only about to shield everything except their jaw and neck... Both ravils stopped their work, drawing upon their javelins. Now aiming to spear the fleeing group.*
*Date looked back, the spear ravil guards were catching up rather fast. Date dashes in front, shouldering a bystander. The bystander's legs get wobbly. The doctor keeps his eyes forward, avoiding the temptation to look back... hearing the hunk of metal fling through the air. Then the harsh sound of a person falling. Date's heart beats faster, alongside his further increase in speed.*
*Johnny's first thought, to head towards the exit of the captial. Least there, they can leave the area of high ravil concentration.*
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*Everyone's bodies were on auto pilot. Their minds, despite the danger, were mentally blocking out the tragedy taking place behind them. Survival is what mattered right now. One by one, Date audibly picked up every person falling behind them. "We are thinning out, almost to the exit!" Their final major obstacle... The giant ravil blocking the doorway. The white red beast had to be 12ft minimum, and yet that's only the sitting height. Smiling and staring blissfully.*
*Johnny ran a couple shots at the fat ravil to take it down. Hitting it in the face and chest, the beast giving zero reaction. Just a cursory glance towards the group. Johnny resorted to his 2nd option, pepper spray... but the beast was too tall for the spray to reach. The man's heart sank, looking backwards.*
*Already in pursuit by a mob of angry ravils. They'd be overpowered in seconds. Date backed up, unable to choose which to take his chances with. It was then he got an unscrupulous plan. "Damn, we have no choice." Date would run backwards and "accidentally" tackle a random person, forcing them to stumble into the giant door beast. Without hesitation, the man was picked up without a second thought. Bringing him up to its face. The yelling plea, cut off moments later.*
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*Date was already sliding past the beast's fur, full of anxiety. Nevertheless, he literally had to brush with death to reach the opening mechanism. Turning the circular drawbridge lever, he struggled.*
Date: "Help me open the main gate! It's, it's too heavy! I can barely reach the top, Johnny, buy us some time!"
*Johnny, flicking his chin for a new plan. "What do you expect me to do? Gun down all 6 monsters with my flimsy sidearm?" All he had was the energy pistol, and the pepper spray. He clenches his teeth, lifts the pepper spray can, throwing it towards the incoming mob. Taking aim, he shot his can, destroying his last true deterrent against the ravils.*
*The can erupts, exploding into a foggy cloud of orange, irritating dust. Soon, the hostile mob was but a disorganized mess.*
*The white creatures coughing, whimpering, cursing the foriegners in monstrous tones. Followed by crying, eye rubs, and crashing into walls. As for the ensemble of humans, they all managed to spin the heavy handles to open the main exit gate. Scurrying into the vicinity.*
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Date: "What now?!"
Johnny: "We need to find help, see if we can get a signal and call whichever authorities to come help us. I have a way... I carried a sort of, speed-dial for backup. An SOS. Problem is, we need to get a strong signal. Find a computer, radio, something that gives us long-distance communication. I would advise against heading back to the surface for a clear signal."
Johnny: "There's the parachute plan. We make parachutes, fall slowly towards the surface. It's a more crude plan. Might be taking inspiration from those retired veterans. Damn, they're still probably fighting up in the palace. We can find a cave leading to the outside world, jump out during the night so nobody sees us."
Date: "All right, where was that getaway spot with the scenic view to the outside region? The cave face?... North west in Grasslands. And another one in Sand Zone. Although, heard nobody should go to the Sand zone. Cause nobody likes going there."
Johnny: "We need to collect supplies to build said parachutes. Best we stop by the villages, collect things like rope, blankets, materials. Granted, if the natives don't try killing us first... We need to stay together, build a strong camping point in case we need to defend ourselves."
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*Everyone ran as far as possible from the captial. Hardly able to stop to catch a breath. The journalist ended being the defacto leader. Not by choice, everyone was looking at him for guidance. Same with Date, well at least by default. None of the remaining scientists wanted that doctor to lead, sleazy guy they thought. But he had wit admittedly.*
*Johnny did a quick inventory check... "Medicine, recharge pistol, a knife, recording material, smart device..." There was little left he can use offensively against the monsters. "Crap, and I'm probably the only person here with a gun." Shrugging, he continued to head his way.*
Journalist: "Lets go, get to Grasslands as fast as possible."
Scientist: "Guys, I, I need to take a moment to sit. My body is, ugh, giving out, sore... numb errurghgh-"
Date: "Hey, we have nowhere to rest. You-"
*He watched the scientist fall to the ground after making 3 sluggish flops. The instant red flag he recognized the slurred speech. Date rushes to the back of the fainted scientist, seeing a green feathery object sticking on him. Pulling it out, Date clenched his own heart.*
Date: "Tranquilizer! Watch the bushes, Johnny!"
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*Johnny readied his recharger pistol. Aiming towards the shrubs, tall grass, bushes, and other places their enemy may be hiding. "We need to get into open terrain." The humans scanned the whole zone behind them, unable to find who's the pursuiter. Another tranq shot hit another escapee, making the guy fall just as quickly. A silenced dart launcher. All they could do wait aim to run into an open field.*
*In the far back, behind the fugitives, was a lone operative. Walking with a concealed stride, head tilted upwards. The light shining from the upper cave systems reflected off from his head. Holding in both hands, a very skinny, scope, green metallic tranquilizer rifle.*
???: "Well... This day couldn't get any more bothersome. Midas' soldiers must've really screwed up if ravils can't even stop a group of humans."
*The man pulled some more darts from his chest pocket. Loading a few more into the breech of the air dart gut. Clicking the non-lethal weapon shut. It matched his green jacket. Cue a look from adjusted goggles, crouching on a high position upon a tree. "I hate my job." Rubbing, cleaning the lens of his scope and eyewear.*
Jack: "... Poor suckers. Never should have came."
*Followed by another sharp, whipping zoop from the dart firing off.*
"Should've given me a more advanced tranquilizer."
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*Back in the deeper sections of Lotus Island, 2 figures were prowling the jungle for each other. Locke has put his injured partner inside a log to recover. The angry adventurer vet had his great sword in one hand. He ditched his yellow scarf and overcoat, dressing a pile of rocks vaguely resembling a person sitting against a tree. Locke was practically frozen in place, in a quarterback squat, focusing on that one spot. His heart had slowed to a quiet beat, breathing inaudible to himself.*
Locke: "You got the wrong idea, Jaan. You aren't the one hunting us. You... have a lot to learn, overgrown punk. Rabbit, mimiga, ravil, who gives a damn. Moment you show your face, you're dead."
*His great sword was on the floor, picking it slightly. Keeping most of the blade concealed under bush leaves... The hard-bodied human listened for the wind and sticks shuffling. Someone big was hopping place to place. Suddenly Jaan crashed into the vicinity. Walking over to the scarfed-clothed dummy. Thinking he found Locke, Jaan stopped once he realized this wasn't a person.*
*Locke was all over Jaan's case. Bolting from his hiding spot giving a backslash with killing intent. Jaan's eyes widened, feeling the maliciousness of his former ally. Drawing his sword to block the hit, some of the great sword had cut into his upper arm. Adding to the already additional wounds from battling the other 2 humans. Jaan's orange fur being ruined by blood stains.*
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*Jaan spun around to cut Locke. The human, dodging it with equal agility. The great sword swung around head like a flail. Cutting Jaan's pockets, releasing all the medium-grade red flowers all over the floor.*
*Jaan already leaped to stand upon a boulder, creating enough distance. Betting he can portal stab Locke from this distance the way he did to that rifleman. Locke walks forward, stepping close to the flowers on the ground. Grunting, he had an idea. The swordsman picks many of the red flower petals and places them into his mouth. Rapidly chewing the substance. Jaan didn't account for this, the ravil freezing in place.*
Jaan: "No, don't do that-"
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*Too late, Locke was already feeling the rush. His body turning a mix of consistent red. Muscles slowly bulking up. Wasting little time to charge at Jaan, swinging sword in unpredictable motions. Jaan cringed, wanting to be done with this nonsense. The ravil found himself slowly forced back, pushed into defensive mode. "I can't get a blow in." Jaan was worried about how gradual Locke was catching up.*
Locke: "Picking on us because we're weak?! Like the Ogre?! I should have killed you the moment we entered the island. My instincts were telling me to finish you! When I'm done, I'll smother every single one of you mimi-bastards into paste! Crush em while they're still small and weak... Cutting your head off will be as easy as when I decapitated that Red Ogre!"
Jaan: "I did not pick on you lot because you're weak! Don't you dare downplay your bretheren! I did it because you were all strong. But to rise above my place in this world, I must evolve further... I'm sorry it came to this."
*The battle continued during their argument. Jaan felt that something was amiss, encroaching on their position. Was it Locke's backup? Jaan did forget to eliminate that 1 remaining party member. Could it be Death itself? The sensation was colder the more it approached.*
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*Jaan then clashed blades with Locke's great sword. Both sheer volume of kinetic force shattered Jaan's blade. Causing the orange ravil to wide-eye, jumping back in panic. Defending against the sword slashes with only a sword hilt.*
Locke: "It's, OVER!"
*Jaan's head faced into a downward, eyes-up shock. The grimace was all he could hold, full of dread. Sensing figures coming in from all around him. Sweat drop flying from his left forehead. "I messed up?" Jaan's lips closing within the slow motion before Locke's final strike. "I was a decent match, my friends." Locke held his great sword overhead, bringing down the house in weight for the final slash. An executioner's cut. The red flower Locke used had made his normal apricot-peach skin into a red hue.*
*Locke saw his target. Taking a very familiar stance as to the flashback versus the Red Ogre.*
Red Ogre: "-I'll never eat another mimiga again!"
Locke: "Course you won't-" *Cut.* "And you will never-"
*Back to Locke in the present, now was performing the very same act to Jaan. Everything was turning darker for Locke as well, giving into the bloodlust of the red flower. Locke believed he can fight anyone and win. The essence of the reaper coming from Locke's shadow. Admittedly, he felt uncomfortable doing this. Locke was glad his friends aren't around to see his unfettered ruthlessness.*
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*Locke's sword now was about to hit Jaan. Erupting from the bushes, the black fog of danger swinged into the duel. Locke only foreseeing the blurry image of a blackish red figure, roughly the height of his mid-torso. And the violent clash of blades a second time. Sparks fly, and Locke slides back from the hit. "More tricks up your sleeve, Jaan?!*
*The red turned human focused on the intrusion. Seeing a short figure with a white head. Sangria purple drapes tailing behind. The creepy eyes of a mimiga being the largest feature Locke made out.*
Locke: "?!?"
*Making matters more jarring. A new figure was stampeding through the trees. A ravil the size of a rhinoceros crashes into the open. Wearing special a red uniform over their shoulders. The brute ravil hops over Jaan, the beast holding its own mouth, sobbing.*
???: "Jaan-bro!-"
*Slamming upon the ground, sending a brief shockwave towards Locke, which he dodges. The beast starts to cry... launching tears with sad impunity. The tear drops sprinkled, rain that punctured wood with its force. Locke held up to block it, but the tears were that of bullet. Four hitting his stomach, stabbing with "Psht psht psht psht." Followed by Locke, bleeding.*
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Locke: "Puncturing, tears?!"
*The sad giant ravil kept on crying while sat infront of Jaan. Pulling the orange ravil close for a protective hug. Locke looked for an opening to slash this beast, none. The hurtful tears rained in almost every direction. Charging in meant getting punctured by rain again.*
*Locke picked up a rock, then threw it with crushing velocity into the monster. But a musical barrier blocks it, causing the barrier to dissipate. Locke heard deep, beastly opera singing. Emerging was a singing ravil, wearing a classical, red marked robe. "So this one is shielding them."*
*Locke doesn't hesitate to aggro the singing ravil. Deciding to hop high into the air, then slam his sword into it.*
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*Instead what he got, was in incoming ring of fire being blown into his direction growing larger the closer Locke became. The buffed human, stopping in the air, dropping to the ground. Out came walking a 3rd ravil. Perhaps the tallest and most slip. Their robes being of a decorative firey robe. Its head looking the most "normal" of them all, despite the iconic jagged jaw and red eyes. Ears long, combed downward. Clenched in one hand, a torch.*
Firevul: "Werrrgh! Towards mimiga, no cull! Death, by firevul!"
*The human grips his sword. He considers jumping again, but noticed the sky just above him is different. The flame shot was still swirling above him in a firey cloud. No aerial advantage.*
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*Locke was about to dash for the operavil again. But everyone was interrupted with an scene-stopping "ENOUGH!" All of the ravil cease combat, stepping back. Making way for their superior. Sangria purple cape flowing in the distance, walking forward wss a mimiga. Definitely a mimiga in appearance. It had walked to face off with the red-fused human.*
King: "Stand back, I'm taking it from here."
"A human like this could kill one of you, given enough time."
*The short superior was wielding his silver colored sword, scarf tied to the hilt waving. Yet, there was a 2nd blade not removed from its holster. He didn't dream of using it. King glares upwards at Locke, almost chest to chest. "I better kill him before his body fully absorbs the red flower."*
Locke: "Finally, a mimiga. Show us your true form, freak. My boot fits the size of your-"
*The catty King hops upwards, giving a leg uppercut to Locke chin. The area cofounded by a bludgeoning whip crash. Causing one of his teeth to fly out. The veteran adventurer's blink was as short with the kick.*
King: "-Shut it."
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*King Midas was tapping against the wooden chest in front. Echo who had given everyone their marks, was escorted out of the room. The purple-pink mimiga getting stressed out, yet holding a fake smile. "Okay lets go home now." The humans remained in the line they were ordered. One of the scientists asks.*
Scientist 1: "Can we be sitting down while we listen to this?"
King Midas: "Trust me, you won't want to be sitting. It's for your own good."
"Now then. You heard the legends of Lotus Island. Let me tell you a closely guarded secret. Seperate the mythos from reality...."
*The mimigas holding their red Lotus paraphernalia, they stand by, shaking with anticipation. They held their restraint, for now.*
King Midas: "While it is true, we are closed off from the rest of the world, it wasn't meant to be like this. The Lotus Kingdom was to indulge in spreading the influence of the red flower to all. Both in substance and creation... This is the only place where the red substance is produced, here."
"We loved sharing it to the outside world when Lotus Island came into existence. At least, centuries later, when the era of conquest was taking place. That taste, of what lies beyond the island stuck with us forever. So much for us to see, a way for our kind to spread the influence of my land's power. Through natural means."
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King Midas: "What laid beyond us, lands unseen to the eye of the mimiga. No, mimiga were unworthy of traversing the outside world. One must be reborn."
*Beginning to pace about in the room, leaving his chair. Speaking more vividly with his large claws.*
"Mimiga are weak, small. Pathetic. Destroyed the moment they tangled with the rest of the world. Either by the sword, or by musket.... Destined to work under the boot of their superiors. Everyone has their place, some jobs can only be completed by delicate hands."
"But it's been centuries more, that we believe mimigas can break their limitations, their position in this world."
"The natives learned 1 major, simple lesson during their existence for these eons. 'The world is cruel.' And with my royal succession line, we believe 'then we must subscribe to a cruel heart.' It is a must for our survival."
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"Our minds, biology, it changed to adapt to this new world. The wars we fought, power granted by the red flowers, it empowered us."
"Being empowered, it felt GOOD."
"It created the race known as the ravil."
"Accustomed to this new life, my ravil kind set to conquer the world. Fighting, slaying, eating those below us, it all felt unbelievable~"
"Gaudi flying our mimigas over fortresses. Those arrogant surface knights suspected nothing, even laughing at us. Dropping them into strongholds and cities once the flowers were consumed. It was said to be such a beautiful sight, the paintings. The few times gaudi and ravils saw eye to eye. Sneaking into settlements, becoming monsters that prowled the alleyways."
"Nothing is better than seeing an outstanding warrior cower in fear, realizing the very creatures he ridiculed would be their undoing. The rush was too much, it was ingrained into our psyche to destroy."
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King Midas: "All good things must come to an end. We were banished to the skies! Isolated from the ground. It felt like the rush was gone, those days over!... Til recently. You can thank the advanced technology of a specific group of surface humans. We have our supply of fodder. And with this fodder, we praise our ancestors and allies. To join them, in this ceremonial graduation!"
*The ravil king Midas raised both hands in the air, praising towards the sky, eyeing the crowd behind. His speech, eccentric now.*
*A random scientist was becoming increasingly scared. Sweat running across his forehead, raising his arms as if surrendering. Trying to create a smile.*
Scientist 2: "H-hey! We aren't like those humans! We know bad things happen to everyone in history. We sympathize with your kind! I loved the mimiga, I'd hate anything bad to come of them. Please don't hate us."
King Midas: "Hate you?! We don't hate humans? Bwwhaha. We thank them for teaching us this, emotion that was locked away within ourselves... Humans are a means to an end. We'll happily share more of the Red Lotus, long as they pay us in sacrifices... For the legends were always true. Those who venture into the island, will unleash doom to themselves and those around them."
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King Midas: "Mimiga, grab your flower! Let the graduation ceremony, begin!"
*A decisive ringing of a huge bell is heard echoing throughout the palace. The humans all starting to scramble, fight or flight senses kicked in. The rabbits in sync clasped their flowers, red pills, and soon activated their "gifts." One mimiga after another turning from their once usual small, cute outlook, into a large, abominable white beast. Trumping their human companions in height, along with strength.*
*It happens so sudden, the whole room quaked by the transformation. But Johnny had enough. This was their gamble. While he may be physically weaker, there were other ways of hurting monsters. The journalist pulled out his can of pepper spray, aiming it at the midway transforming ravil. Unleashing an irritating spray of orange pepper gas.*
*The ravil gagged, falling flat on his back, rolling. Fighting to get the substance out of its eyes. Johnny grimaced tensely, focusing on an exit. The gate behind them was locked. Only choice was to go deeper into the captial, then hope to hide in places like Grasslands, Plantation, and Snow Zone... One man bolted towards the door behind King Midas.*
*The ravil king smirked, short hopping to the man, reaching out and grabbing their shoulder. The panicked scientist then froze in place, suddenly shiny metal growing all ocer his body... He was frozen into a gold statue. The man's last reaction was his open-mouth frowning whimper.*
King Midas: "Oh that's a good one. I'm adding this one to the royal hallways."
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*Johnny moved towards the other humans, urging them they need to move. Less than ten seconds have passed since the ordeal of being betrayed. It felt like a drawn out minute. Johnny froze at the ravil sitting on the ground patiently. One of those darn creatures was halfway done consuming its victim. Having done so silently. "How the... but I didn't hear it pounce." Bone fragments littering the ground.*
*The retired veterans drew their weapons. Revolvers. Another ravil came to leap into the group, take a bite out of the next sacrifice. But the vetreans were quicker, firing 2 shots into the monster. Said ravil stops in mid air, catching itself on the ground upright. Processing its injuries yet not flinching much. A shot in the shoulder and head. One confused blink, then two angry blink, followed by a masculine hiss... The veterans were just as shocked how it tanked the bullets without flinching.*
*Resuming its attack, the veterans dump their entire mags into the monster mid-flight. Everyone froze, even the ravils. But it was this time, the offender stopped in its tracks. Pausing in the sky. Soon, the ravil dropped to the ground with a resounding crash. Eyes half shut, teethy mouth partially open. Shot dead by the older human soldiers. Both now panicking to reload.*
Carl: "By god, took the freaking the entire cartridge! 12 hits."
Klein: "Aim for their big heads. Body shots don't look like they do crap, bunch of adrenaline junkies."
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Klein: "Come on. I got shots for all of you! You sons-of-a-"
*A ravil had thrown a chair with a strong arm. Hitting the veteran Klein in the back, falling forward. Carl picks up his partner, telling his other partner to back him up.*
King Midas: "No need for expletives. This is a palace, not a bar house."
*Another chair gets thrown across the room.*
King Midas: "Welp, now it really feels like a bar house... I love it when they die fighting!"
*Johnny watched as the armed vets took their way up upon the tables. Choosing to fight. Partaking this opportunity, he wields his pepper in one hand, recharger pistol in the other.*
Johnny: "Hey, it's time to go! We need to head down deeper, find a way off this hellscape!"
*Everyone caught on, and followed Johnny's lead. His obstacle, King Midas. The ravil king laughs at Johnny, seeing his pathetic attempt to escape. He used his recharge pistol to fire at the golden beast. All 3 shots hitting his forehead, but leaving only little damage.*
King Midas: "Bwaah! Hah, your puny firearms can't hold a candle to the elites. Now how about you stay where you are and-"
*The journalist drew his pepper spray, aiming it at both of Midas' eye slots. Having to spray widely to cover his huge head. Midas stumbled back, snarling. He hit the wall, now freeing the doorway, deeper into the captial.*
King Midas: "Argh! Damn that blue jacketed swine! Get him, I'll have King be his personal torturer!"
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*Everyone barges out, retreating deeper into the captial. 3 weeks for them all to understand the general landscapes. The inner sections of the captial appears more troubling. The gold statues on this end appear more stressed, panicked. Many different gold frozen humans in different emotions. Along with disloyal mimiga. 2 ravils were seen hauling a gold statue into a lift. These ravils wore grey-metal helmets. Though, their gear was only about to shield everything except their jaw and neck... Both ravils stopped their work, drawing upon their javelins. Now aiming to spear the fleeing group.*
*Date looked back, the spear ravil guards were catching up rather fast. Date dashes in front, shouldering a bystander. The bystander's legs get wobbly. The doctor keeps his eyes forward, avoiding the temptation to look back... hearing the hunk of metal fling through the air. Then the harsh sound of a person falling. Date's heart beats faster, alongside his further increase in speed.*
*Johnny's first thought, to head towards the exit of the captial. Least there, they can leave the area of high ravil concentration.*
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*Everyone's bodies were on auto pilot. Their minds, despite the danger, were mentally blocking out the tragedy taking place behind them. Survival is what mattered right now. One by one, Date audibly picked up every person falling behind them. "We are thinning out, almost to the exit!" Their final major obstacle... The giant ravil blocking the doorway. The white red beast had to be 12ft minimum, and yet that's only the sitting height. Smiling and staring blissfully.*
*Johnny ran a couple shots at the fat ravil to take it down. Hitting it in the face and chest, the beast giving zero reaction. Just a cursory glance towards the group. Johnny resorted to his 2nd option, pepper spray... but the beast was too tall for the spray to reach. The man's heart sank, looking backwards.*
*Already in pursuit by a mob of angry ravils. They'd be overpowered in seconds. Date backed up, unable to choose which to take his chances with. It was then he got an unscrupulous plan. "Damn, we have no choice." Date would run backwards and "accidentally" tackle a random person, forcing them to stumble into the giant door beast. Without hesitation, the man was picked up without a second thought. Bringing him up to its face. The yelling plea, cut off moments later.*
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*Date was already sliding past the beast's fur, full of anxiety. Nevertheless, he literally had to brush with death to reach the opening mechanism. Turning the circular drawbridge lever, he struggled.*
Date: "Help me open the main gate! It's, it's too heavy! I can barely reach the top, Johnny, buy us some time!"
*Johnny, flicking his chin for a new plan. "What do you expect me to do? Gun down all 6 monsters with my flimsy sidearm?" All he had was the energy pistol, and the pepper spray. He clenches his teeth, lifts the pepper spray can, throwing it towards the incoming mob. Taking aim, he shot his can, destroying his last true deterrent against the ravils.*
*The can erupts, exploding into a foggy cloud of orange, irritating dust. Soon, the hostile mob was but a disorganized mess.*
*The white creatures coughing, whimpering, cursing the foriegners in monstrous tones. Followed by crying, eye rubs, and crashing into walls. As for the ensemble of humans, they all managed to spin the heavy handles to open the main exit gate. Scurrying into the vicinity.*
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Date: "What now?!"
Johnny: "We need to find help, see if we can get a signal and call whichever authorities to come help us. I have a way... I carried a sort of, speed-dial for backup. An SOS. Problem is, we need to get a strong signal. Find a computer, radio, something that gives us long-distance communication. I would advise against heading back to the surface for a clear signal."
Johnny: "There's the parachute plan. We make parachutes, fall slowly towards the surface. It's a more crude plan. Might be taking inspiration from those retired veterans. Damn, they're still probably fighting up in the palace. We can find a cave leading to the outside world, jump out during the night so nobody sees us."
Date: "All right, where was that getaway spot with the scenic view to the outside region? The cave face?... North west in Grasslands. And another one in Sand Zone. Although, heard nobody should go to the Sand zone. Cause nobody likes going there."
Johnny: "We need to collect supplies to build said parachutes. Best we stop by the villages, collect things like rope, blankets, materials. Granted, if the natives don't try killing us first... We need to stay together, build a strong camping point in case we need to defend ourselves."
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*Everyone ran as far as possible from the captial. Hardly able to stop to catch a breath. The journalist ended being the defacto leader. Not by choice, everyone was looking at him for guidance. Same with Date, well at least by default. None of the remaining scientists wanted that doctor to lead, sleazy guy they thought. But he had wit admittedly.*
*Johnny did a quick inventory check... "Medicine, recharge pistol, a knife, recording material, smart device..." There was little left he can use offensively against the monsters. "Crap, and I'm probably the only person here with a gun." Shrugging, he continued to head his way.*
Journalist: "Lets go, get to Grasslands as fast as possible."
Scientist: "Guys, I, I need to take a moment to sit. My body is, ugh, giving out, sore... numb errurghgh-"
Date: "Hey, we have nowhere to rest. You-"
*He watched the scientist fall to the ground after making 3 sluggish flops. The instant red flag he recognized the slurred speech. Date rushes to the back of the fainted scientist, seeing a green feathery object sticking on him. Pulling it out, Date clenched his own heart.*
Date: "Tranquilizer! Watch the bushes, Johnny!"
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*Johnny readied his recharger pistol. Aiming towards the shrubs, tall grass, bushes, and other places their enemy may be hiding. "We need to get into open terrain." The humans scanned the whole zone behind them, unable to find who's the pursuiter. Another tranq shot hit another escapee, making the guy fall just as quickly. A silenced dart launcher. All they could do wait aim to run into an open field.*
*In the far back, behind the fugitives, was a lone operative. Walking with a concealed stride, head tilted upwards. The light shining from the upper cave systems reflected off from his head. Holding in both hands, a very skinny, scope, green metallic tranquilizer rifle.*
???: "Well... This day couldn't get any more bothersome. Midas' soldiers must've really screwed up if ravils can't even stop a group of humans."
*The man pulled some more darts from his chest pocket. Loading a few more into the breech of the air dart gut. Clicking the non-lethal weapon shut. It matched his green jacket. Cue a look from adjusted goggles, crouching on a high position upon a tree. "I hate my job." Rubbing, cleaning the lens of his scope and eyewear.*
Jack: "... Poor suckers. Never should have came."
*Followed by another sharp, whipping zoop from the dart firing off.*
"Should've given me a more advanced tranquilizer."
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*Back in the deeper sections of Lotus Island, 2 figures were prowling the jungle for each other. Locke has put his injured partner inside a log to recover. The angry adventurer vet had his great sword in one hand. He ditched his yellow scarf and overcoat, dressing a pile of rocks vaguely resembling a person sitting against a tree. Locke was practically frozen in place, in a quarterback squat, focusing on that one spot. His heart had slowed to a quiet beat, breathing inaudible to himself.*
Locke: "You got the wrong idea, Jaan. You aren't the one hunting us. You... have a lot to learn, overgrown punk. Rabbit, mimiga, ravil, who gives a damn. Moment you show your face, you're dead."
*His great sword was on the floor, picking it slightly. Keeping most of the blade concealed under bush leaves... The hard-bodied human listened for the wind and sticks shuffling. Someone big was hopping place to place. Suddenly Jaan crashed into the vicinity. Walking over to the scarfed-clothed dummy. Thinking he found Locke, Jaan stopped once he realized this wasn't a person.*
*Locke was all over Jaan's case. Bolting from his hiding spot giving a backslash with killing intent. Jaan's eyes widened, feeling the maliciousness of his former ally. Drawing his sword to block the hit, some of the great sword had cut into his upper arm. Adding to the already additional wounds from battling the other 2 humans. Jaan's orange fur being ruined by blood stains.*
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*Jaan spun around to cut Locke. The human, dodging it with equal agility. The great sword swung around head like a flail. Cutting Jaan's pockets, releasing all the medium-grade red flowers all over the floor.*
*Jaan already leaped to stand upon a boulder, creating enough distance. Betting he can portal stab Locke from this distance the way he did to that rifleman. Locke walks forward, stepping close to the flowers on the ground. Grunting, he had an idea. The swordsman picks many of the red flower petals and places them into his mouth. Rapidly chewing the substance. Jaan didn't account for this, the ravil freezing in place.*
Jaan: "No, don't do that-"
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*Too late, Locke was already feeling the rush. His body turning a mix of consistent red. Muscles slowly bulking up. Wasting little time to charge at Jaan, swinging sword in unpredictable motions. Jaan cringed, wanting to be done with this nonsense. The ravil found himself slowly forced back, pushed into defensive mode. "I can't get a blow in." Jaan was worried about how gradual Locke was catching up.*
Locke: "Picking on us because we're weak?! Like the Ogre?! I should have killed you the moment we entered the island. My instincts were telling me to finish you! When I'm done, I'll smother every single one of you mimi-bastards into paste! Crush em while they're still small and weak... Cutting your head off will be as easy as when I decapitated that Red Ogre!"
Jaan: "I did not pick on you lot because you're weak! Don't you dare downplay your bretheren! I did it because you were all strong. But to rise above my place in this world, I must evolve further... I'm sorry it came to this."
*The battle continued during their argument. Jaan felt that something was amiss, encroaching on their position. Was it Locke's backup? Jaan did forget to eliminate that 1 remaining party member. Could it be Death itself? The sensation was colder the more it approached.*
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*Jaan then clashed blades with Locke's great sword. Both sheer volume of kinetic force shattered Jaan's blade. Causing the orange ravil to wide-eye, jumping back in panic. Defending against the sword slashes with only a sword hilt.*
Locke: "It's, OVER!"
*Jaan's head faced into a downward, eyes-up shock. The grimace was all he could hold, full of dread. Sensing figures coming in from all around him. Sweat drop flying from his left forehead. "I messed up?" Jaan's lips closing within the slow motion before Locke's final strike. "I was a decent match, my friends." Locke held his great sword overhead, bringing down the house in weight for the final slash. An executioner's cut. The red flower Locke used had made his normal apricot-peach skin into a red hue.*
*Locke saw his target. Taking a very familiar stance as to the flashback versus the Red Ogre.*
Red Ogre: "-I'll never eat another mimiga again!"
Locke: "Course you won't-" *Cut.* "And you will never-"
*Back to Locke in the present, now was performing the very same act to Jaan. Everything was turning darker for Locke as well, giving into the bloodlust of the red flower. Locke believed he can fight anyone and win. The essence of the reaper coming from Locke's shadow. Admittedly, he felt uncomfortable doing this. Locke was glad his friends aren't around to see his unfettered ruthlessness.*
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*Locke's sword now was about to hit Jaan. Erupting from the bushes, the black fog of danger swinged into the duel. Locke only foreseeing the blurry image of a blackish red figure, roughly the height of his mid-torso. And the violent clash of blades a second time. Sparks fly, and Locke slides back from the hit. "More tricks up your sleeve, Jaan?!*
*The red turned human focused on the intrusion. Seeing a short figure with a white head. Sangria purple drapes tailing behind. The creepy eyes of a mimiga being the largest feature Locke made out.*
Locke: "?!?"
*Making matters more jarring. A new figure was stampeding through the trees. A ravil the size of a rhinoceros crashes into the open. Wearing special a red uniform over their shoulders. The brute ravil hops over Jaan, the beast holding its own mouth, sobbing.*
???: "Jaan-bro!-"
*Slamming upon the ground, sending a brief shockwave towards Locke, which he dodges. The beast starts to cry... launching tears with sad impunity. The tear drops sprinkled, rain that punctured wood with its force. Locke held up to block it, but the tears were that of bullet. Four hitting his stomach, stabbing with "Psht psht psht psht." Followed by Locke, bleeding.*
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Locke: "Puncturing, tears?!"
*The sad giant ravil kept on crying while sat infront of Jaan. Pulling the orange ravil close for a protective hug. Locke looked for an opening to slash this beast, none. The hurtful tears rained in almost every direction. Charging in meant getting punctured by rain again.*
*Locke picked up a rock, then threw it with crushing velocity into the monster. But a musical barrier blocks it, causing the barrier to dissipate. Locke heard deep, beastly opera singing. Emerging was a singing ravil, wearing a classical, red marked robe. "So this one is shielding them."*
*Locke doesn't hesitate to aggro the singing ravil. Deciding to hop high into the air, then slam his sword into it.*
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*Instead what he got, was in incoming ring of fire being blown into his direction growing larger the closer Locke became. The buffed human, stopping in the air, dropping to the ground. Out came walking a 3rd ravil. Perhaps the tallest and most slip. Their robes being of a decorative firey robe. Its head looking the most "normal" of them all, despite the iconic jagged jaw and red eyes. Ears long, combed downward. Clenched in one hand, a torch.*
Firevul: "Werrrgh! Towards mimiga, no cull! Death, by firevul!"
*The human grips his sword. He considers jumping again, but noticed the sky just above him is different. The flame shot was still swirling above him in a firey cloud. No aerial advantage.*
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*Locke was about to dash for the operavil again. But everyone was interrupted with an scene-stopping "ENOUGH!" All of the ravil cease combat, stepping back. Making way for their superior. Sangria purple cape flowing in the distance, walking forward wss a mimiga. Definitely a mimiga in appearance. It had walked to face off with the red-fused human.*
King: "Stand back, I'm taking it from here."
"A human like this could kill one of you, given enough time."
*The short superior was wielding his silver colored sword, scarf tied to the hilt waving. Yet, there was a 2nd blade not removed from its holster. He didn't dream of using it. King glares upwards at Locke, almost chest to chest. "I better kill him before his body fully absorbs the red flower."*
Locke: "Finally, a mimiga. Show us your true form, freak. My boot fits the size of your-"
*The catty King hops upwards, giving a leg uppercut to Locke chin. The area cofounded by a bludgeoning whip crash. Causing one of his teeth to fly out. The veteran adventurer's blink was as short with the kick.*
King: "-Shut it."
Curse of the Lotus Pre-CH4 Uncertain Future
*King Midas was tapping against the wooden chest in front. Echo who had given everyone their marks, was escorted out of the room. The purple-pink mimiga getting stressed out, yet holding a fake smile. "Okay let’s go home now." The humans remained in the line they were ordered. One of the scientists asks.*
Scientist 1: "Can we be sitting down while we listen to this?"
King Midas: "Trust me, you won't want to be sitting. It's for your own good."
"Now then. You heard the legends of Lotus Island. Let me tell you a closely guarded secret. Seperate the mythos from reality...."
*The mimigas holding their red Lotus paraphernalia, they stand by, shaking with anticipation. They held their restraint, for now.*
King Midas: "While it is true, we are closed off from the rest of the world, it wasn't meant to be like this. The Lotus Kingdom was to indulge in spreading the influence of the red flower to all. Both in substance and creation... This is the only place where the red substance is produced, here."
"We loved sharing it to the outside world when Lotus Island came into existence. At least, centuries later, when the era of conquest was taking place. That taste, of what lies beyond the island stuck with us forever. So much for us to see, a way for our kind to spread the influence of my land's power. Through natural means."
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King Midas: "What laid beyond us, lands unseen to the eye of the mimiga. No, mimiga were unworthy of traversing the outside world. One must be reborn."
*Beginning to pace about in the room, leaving his chair. Speaking more vividly with his large claws.*
"Mimiga are weak, small. Pathetic. Destroyed the moment they tangled with the rest of the world. Either by the sword, or by musket.... Destined to work under the boot of their superiors. Everyone has their place; some jobs can only be completed by delicate hands."
"But it's been centuries more, that we believe mimigas can break their limitations, their position in this world."
"The natives learned 1 major, simple lesson during their existence for these eons. 'The world is cruel.' And with my royal succession line, we believe 'then we must subscribe to a cruel heart.' It is a must for our survival."
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"Our minds, biology, it changed to adapt to this new world. The wars we fought, power granted by the red flowers, it empowered us."
"Being empowered, it felt GOOD."
"It created the race known as the ravil."
"Accustomed to this new life, my ravil kind set to conquer the world. Fighting, slaying, eating those below us, it all felt unbelievable~"
"Gaudi flying our mimigas over fortresses. Those arrogant surface knights suspected nothing, even laughing at us. Dropping them into strongholds and cities once the flowers were consumed. It was said to be such a beautiful sight, the paintings. The few times gaudi and ravils saw eye to eye. Sneaking into settlements, becoming monsters that prowled the alleyways."
"Nothing is better than seeing an outstanding warrior cower in fear, realizing the very creatures he ridiculed would be their undoing. The rush was too much, it was ingrained into our psyche to destroy."
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King Midas: "All good things must come to an end. We were banished to the skies! Isolated from the ground. It felt like the rush was gone, those days over!... Til recently. You can thank the advanced technology of a specific group of surface humans. We have our supply of fodder. And with this fodder, we praise our ancestors and allies. To join them, in this ceremonial graduation!"
*The ravil king Midas raised both hands in the air, praising towards the sky, eyeing the crowd behind. His speech, eccentric now.*
*A random scientist was becoming increasingly scared. Sweat running across his forehead, raising his arms as if surrendering. Trying to create a smile.*
Scientist 2: "H-hey! We aren't like those humans! We know bad things happen to everyone in history. We sympathize with your kind! I loved the mimiga, I'd hate anything bad to come of them. Please don't hate us."
King Midas: "Hate you?! We don't hate humans? Bwwhaha. We thank them for teaching us this, emotion that was locked away within ourselves... Humans are a means to an end. We'll happily share more of the Red Lotus gifts, long as they pay us in sacrifices... For the legends were always true. Those who venture into the island, will unleash doom to themselves and those around them."
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King Midas: "Mimiga, grab your flower! Let the graduation ceremony, begin!"
*A decisive ringing of a huge bell is heard echoing throughout the palace. The humans all starting to scramble, fight or flight senses kicked in. The rabbits in sync clasped their flowers, red pills, and soon activated their "gifts." One mimiga after another turning from their once usual small, cute outlook, into a large, abominable white beast. Trumping their human companions in height, along with strength.*
*It happens so sudden, the whole room quaked by the transformation. But Johnny had enough. This was their gamble. While he may be physically weaker, there were other ways of hurting monsters. The journalist pulled out his can of pepper spray, aiming it at the midway transforming ravil. Unleashing an irritating spray of orange pepper gas.*
*The ravil gagged, falling flat on his back, rolling. Fighting to get the substance out of its eyes. Johnny grimaced tensely, focusing on an exit. The gate behind them was locked. Only choice was to go deeper into the captial, then hope to hide in places like Grasslands, Plantation, and Snow Zone... One man bolted towards the door behind King Midas.*
*The ravil king smirked, short hopping to the man, reaching out and grabbing their shoulder. The panicked scientist then froze in place, suddenly shiny metal growing all ocer his body... He was frozen into a gold statue. The man's last reaction was his open-mouth frowning whimper.*
King Midas: "Oh that's a good one. I'm adding this one to the royal hallways."
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*Johnny moved towards the other humans, urging them they need to move. Less than ten seconds have passed since the ordeal of being betrayed. It felt like a drawn-out minute. Johnny froze at the ravil sitting on the ground patiently. One of those darn creatures was halfway done consuming its victim. Having done so silently. "How the... but I didn't hear it pounce." Bone fragments littering the ground.*
*The retired veterans drew their weapons. Revolvers. Another ravil came to leap into the group, take a bite out of the next sacrifice. But the veterans were quicker, firing 2 shots into the monster. Said ravil stops in mid air, catching itself on the ground upright. Processing its injuries yet not flinching much. A shot in the shoulder and head. One confused blink, then two angry blinks, followed by a masculine hiss... The veterans were just as shocked how it tanked the bullets without flinching.*
*Resuming its attack, the veterans dump their entire mags into the monster mid-flight. Everyone froze, even the ravils. But it was this time, the offender stopped in its tracks. Pausing in the sky. Soon, the ravil dropped to the ground with a resounding crash. Eyes half shut, jaw partially open. Shot dead by the older human soldiers. Both now panicking to reload.*
Carl: "By god, took the freaking the entire cartridge! 12 hits."
Klein: "Aim for their big heads. Body shots don't look like they do crap, bunch of adrenaline junkies."
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Klein: "Come on. I got shots for all of you! You sons-of-a-"
*A ravil had thrown a chair with a strong arm. Hitting the veteran Klein in the back, falling forward. Carl picks up his partner, telling his other partner to back him up.*
King Midas: "No need for expletives. This is a palace, not a bar house."
*Another chair gets thrown across the room.*
King Midas: "Welp, now it really feels like a bar house... I love it when they die fighting!"
*Johnny watched as the armed vets took their way up upon the tables. Choosing to fight. Partaking this opportunity, he wields his pepper in one hand, recharger pistol in the other.*
Johnny: "Hey, it's time to go! We need to head down deeper, find a way off this hellscape!"
*Everyone caught on, and followed Johnny's lead. His obstacle, King Midas. The ravil king laughs at Johnny, seeing his pathetic attempt to escape. He used his recharge pistol to fire at the golden beast. All 3 shots hitting his forehead, but leaving only little damage.*
King Midas: "Bwaah! Hah, your puny firearms can't hold a candle to the elites. Now how about you stay where you are and-"
*The journalist drew his pepper spray, aiming it at both of Midas' eye slots. Having to spray widely to cover his huge head. Midas stumbled back, snarling. He hit the wall, now freeing the doorway, deeper into the capital.*
King Midas: "Argh! Damn that blue jacketed swine! Get him, I'll have King be his personal torturer!"
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*Everyone barges out, retreating deeper into the capital. 3 weeks for them all to understand the general landscapes. The inner sections of the capital appear more troubling. The gold statues on this end appear more stressed, panicked. Many different gold frozen humans in different emotions. Along with disloyal mimiga. 2 ravils were seen hauling a gold statue into a lift. These ravils wore grey-metal helmets. Though, their gear was only about to shield everything except their jaw and neck... Both ravils stopped their work, drawing upon their javelins. Now aiming to spear the fleeing group.*
*Date looked back, the spear ravil guards were catching up rather fast. Date dashes in front, shouldering a bystander. The bystander's legs get wobbly. The doctor keeps his eyes forward, avoiding the temptation to look back... hearing the hunk of metal fling through the air. Then the harsh sound of a person falling. Date's heart beats faster, alongside his further increase in speed.*
*Johnny's first thought, to head towards the exit of the capital. Least there, they can leave the area of high ravil concentration.*
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*Everyone's bodies were on auto pilot. Their minds, despite the danger, were mentally blocking out the tragedy taking place behind them. Survival is what mattered right now. One by one, Date audibly picked up every person falling behind them. "We are thinning out, almost to the exit!" Their final major obstacle... The giant ravil blocking the doorway. The white red beast had to be 12ft minimum, and yet that's only the sitting height. Smiling and staring blissfully.*
*Johnny ran a couple shots at the fat ravil to take it down. Hitting it in the face and chest, the beast giving zero reaction. Just a cursory glance towards the group. Johnny resorted to his 2nd option, pepper spray... but the beast was too tall for the spray to reach. The man's heart sank, looking backwards.*
*Already in pursuit by a mob of angry ravils. They'd be overpowered in seconds. Date backed up, unable to choose which to take his chances with. It was then he got an unscrupulous plan. "Damn, we have no choice." Date would run backwards and "accidentally" tackle a random person, forcing them to stumble into the giant door beast. Without hesitation, the man was picked up without a second thought. Bringing him up to its face. The yelling plea, cut off moments later.*
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*Date was already sliding past the beast's fur, full of anxiety. Nevertheless, he literally had to brush with death to reach the opening mechanism. Turning the circular drawbridge lever, he struggled.*
Date: "Help me open the main gate! It's, it's too heavy! I can barely reach the top, Johnny, buy us some time!"
*Johnny, flicking his chin for a new plan. "What do you expect me to do? Gun down all 6 monsters with my flimsy sidearm?" All he had was the energy pistol, and the pepper spray. He clenches his teeth, lifts the pepper spray can, throwing it towards the incoming mob. Taking aim, he shot his can, destroying his last true deterrent against the ravils.*
*The can erupts, exploding into a foggy cloud of orange, irritating dust. Soon, the hostile mob was but a disorganized mess.*
*The white creatures coughing, whimpering, cursing the foreigners in monstrous tones. Followed by crying, eye rubs, and crashing into walls. As for the ensemble of humans, they all managed to spin the heavy handles to open the main exit gate. Scurrying into the vicinity.*
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Date: "What now?!"
Johnny: "We need to find help, see if we can get a signal and call whichever authorities to come help us. I have a way... I carried a sort of, speed-dial for backup. An SOS. Problem is, we need to get a strong signal. Find a computer, radio, something that gives us long-distance communication. I would advise against heading back to the surface for a clear signal."
Johnny: "There's the parachute plan. We make parachutes, fall slowly towards the surface. It's a cruder plan. Might be taking inspiration from those retired veterans. Damn, they're still probably fighting up in the palace. We can find a cave leading to the outside world, jump out during the night so nobody sees us."
Date: "All right, where was that getaway spot with the scenic view to the outside region? The cave face?... North west in Grasslands. And another one in Sand Zone. Although, heard nobody should go to the Sand zone. Cause nobody likes going there."
Johnny: "We need to collect supplies to build said parachutes. Best we stop by the villages, collect things like rope, blankets, materials. Granted, if the natives don't try killing us first... We need to stay together, build a strong camping point in case we need to defend ourselves."
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*Everyone ran as far as possible from the capital. Hardly able to stop to catch a breath. The journalist ended being the defacto leader. Not by choice, everyone was looking at him for guidance. Same with Date, well at least by default. None of the remaining scientists wanted that doctor to lead, sleazy guy they thought. But he had wit admittedly.*
*Johnny did a quick inventory check... "Medicine, recharge pistol, a knife, recording material, smart device..." There was little left he can use offensively against the monsters. "Crap, and I'm probably the only person here with a gun." Shrugging, he continued to head his way.*
Journalist: "Lets go, get to Grasslands as fast as possible."
Scientist: "Guys, I, I need to take a moment to sit. My body is, ugh, giving out, sore... numb errurghgh-"
Date: "Hey, we have nowhere to rest. You-"
*He watched the scientist fall to the ground after making 3 sluggish flops. The instant red flag he recognized the slurred speech. Date rushes to the back of the fainted scientist, seeing a green feathery object sticking on him. Pulling it out, Date clenched his own heart.*
Date: "Tranquilizer! Watch the bushes, Johnny!"
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*Johnny readied his recharger pistol. Aiming towards the shrubs, tall grass, bushes, and other places their enemy may be hiding. "We need to get into open terrain." The humans scanned the whole zone behind them, unable to find who's the pursuer. Another tranq shot hit another escapee, making the guy fall just as quickly. A silenced dart launcher. All they could do wait aim to run into an open field.*
*In the far back, behind the fugitives, was a lone operative. Walking with a concealed stride, head tilted upwards. The light shining from the upper cave systems reflected off from his head. Holding in both hands, a very skinny, scope, green metallic tranquilizer rifle.*
???: "Well... This day couldn't get any more bothersome. Midas' soldiers must've really screwed up if ravils can't even stop a group of humans."
*The man pulled some more darts from his chest pocket. Loading a few more into the breech of the air dart gut. Clicking the non-lethal weapon shut. It matched his green jacket. Cue a look from adjusted goggles, crouching on a high position upon a tree. "I hate my job." Rubbing, cleaning the lens of his scope and eyewear.*
Jack: "... Poor suckers. Never should have came."
*Followed by another sharp, whipping “zoop” from the dart firing off.*
"Should've given me a more advanced tranquilizer."
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*Back in the deeper sections of Lotus Island, 2 figures were prowling the jungle for each other. Locke has put his injured partner inside a log to recover. The angry adventurer vet had his great sword in one hand. He ditched his yellow scarf and overcoat, dressing a pile of rocks vaguely resembling a person sitting against a tree. Locke was practically frozen in place, in a quarterback squat, focusing on that one spot. His heart had slowed to a quiet beat, breathing inaudible to himself.*
Locke: "You got the wrong idea, Jaan. You aren't the one hunting us. You... have a lot to learn, overgrown punk. Rabbit, mimiga, ravil, who gives a damn. The moment you show your face, you're dead."
*His great sword was on the floor, picking it slightly. Keeping most of the blade concealed under bush leaves... The hard-bodied human listened for the wind and sticks shuffling. Someone big was hopping place to place. Suddenly Jaan crashed into the vicinity. Walking over to the scarfed-clothed dummy. Thinking he found Locke, Jaan stopped once he realized this wasn't a person.*
*Locke was all over Jaan's case. Bolting from his hiding spot giving a backslash with killing intent. Jaan's eyes widened, feeling the maliciousness of his former ally. Drawing his sword to block the hit, some of the great sword had cut into his upper arm. Adding to the already additional wounds from battling the other 2 humans. Jaan's orange fur being ruined by blood stains.*
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*Jaan spun around to cut Locke. The human, dodging it with equal agility. The great sword swung around head like a flail. Cutting Jaan's pockets, releasing all the medium-grade red flowers all over the floor.*
*Jaan already leaped to stand upon a boulder, creating enough distance. Betting he can portal stab Locke from this distance the way he did to that rifleman. Locke walks forward, stepping close to the flowers on the ground. Grunting, he had an idea. The swordsman picks many of the red flower petals and places them into his mouth. Rapidly chewing the substance. Jaan didn't account for this, the ravil freezing in place.*
Jaan: "No, don't do that-"
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*Too late, Locke was already feeling the rush. His body turning a mix of consistent red. Muscles slowly bulking up. Wasting little time to charge at Jaan, swinging sword in unpredictable motions. Jaan cringed, wanting to be done with this nonsense. The ravil found himself slowly forced back, pushed into defensive mode. "I can't get a blow in." Jaan was worried about how gradual Locke was catching up.*
Locke: "Picking on us because we're weak?! Like the Ogre?! I should have killed you the moment we entered the island. My instincts were telling me to finish you! When I'm done, I'll smother every single one of you mimi-bastards into paste! Crush em while they're still small and weak... Cutting your head off will be as easy as when I decapitated that Red Ogre!"
Jaan: "I did not pick on you lot because you're weak! Don't you dare downplay your brethren! I did it because you were all strong. But to rise above my place in this world, I must evolve further... I'm sorry it came to this."
*The battle continued during their argument. Jaan felt that something was amiss, encroaching on their position. Was it Locke's backup? Jaan did forget to eliminate that 1 remaining party member. Could it be Death itself? The sensation was colder the more it approached.*
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*Jaan then clashed blades with Locke's great sword. Both sheer volume of kinetic force shattered Jaan's blade. Causing the orange ravil to wide-eye, jumping back in panic. Defending against the sword slashes with only a sword hilt.*
Locke: "It's, OVER!"
*Jaan's head faced into a downward, eyes-up shock. The grimace was all he could hold, full of dread. Sensing figures coming in from all around him. Sweat drop flying from his left forehead. "I messed up?" Jaan's lips closing within the slow motion before Locke's final strike. "I was a decent match, my friends." Locke held his great sword overhead, bringing down the house in weight for the final slash. An executioner's cut. The red flower Locke used had made his normal apricot-peach skin into a red hue.*
*Locke saw his target. Taking a very familiar stance as to the flashback versus the Red Ogre.*
Red Ogre: "-I'll never eat another mimiga again!"
Locke: "Course you won't-" *Cut.* "And you will never-"
*Back to Locke in the present, now was performing the very same act to Jaan. Everything was turning darker for Locke as well, giving into the bloodlust of the red flower. Locke believed he can fight anyone and win. The essence of the reaper coming from Locke's shadow. Admittedly, he felt uncomfortable doing this. Locke was glad his friends aren't around to see his unfettered ruthlessness.*
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*Locke's sword now was about to hit Jaan. Erupting from the bushes, the black fog of danger catapulting into the duel. Locke only foreseeing the blurry image of a blackish red figure, roughly the height of his mid-torso. And the violent clash of blades a second time. Sparks fly, and Locke slides back from the hit. "More tricks up your sleeve, Jaan?!*
*The red turned human focused on the intrusion. Seeing a short figure with a white head. Sangria purple drapes tailing behind. The creepy eyes of a mimiga being the largest feature Locke made out.*
Locke: "?!?"
*Making matters more jarring. A new figure was stampeding through the trees. A ravil the size of a rhinoceros crashes into the open. Wearing special a red uniform over their shoulders. The brute ravil hops over Jaan, the beast holding its own mouth, sobbing.*
???: "Jaan-bro!-"
*Slamming upon the ground, sending a brief shockwave towards Locke, which he dodges. The beast starts to cry... launching tears with sad impunity. The tear drops sprinkled, rain that punctured wood with its force. Locke held up to block it, but the tears were that of bullet. Four hitting his stomach, stabbing with "Psht-psht-psht-psht." Followed by Locke, bleeding.*
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Locke: "Puncturing, tears?!"
*The sad giant ravil kept on crying while sat infront of Jaan. Pulling the orange ravil close for a protective hug. Locke looked for an opening to slash this beast, none. The hurtful tears rained in almost every direction. Charging in meant getting punctured by rain again.*
*Locke picked up a rock, then threw it with crushing velocity into the monster. But a musical barrier blocks it, causing the barrier to dissipate. Locke heard deep, beastly opera singing. Emerging was a singing ravil, wearing a classical, red marked robe. "So, this one is shielding them."*
*Locke doesn't hesitate to aggro the singing ravil. Deciding to hop high into the air, then slam his sword into it.*
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*Instead, what he got, was in incoming ring of fire being blown into his direction growing larger the closer Locke became. The buffed human, stopping in the air, dropping to the ground. Out came walking a 3rd ravil. Perhaps the tallest and most slip. Their robes being of a decorative firey robe. Its head looking the most "normal" of them all, despite the iconic jagged jaw and red eyes. Ears long, combed downward. Clenched in one hand, a torch.*
Firevul: "Werrrgh! Towards mimiga, no cull! Death, by firevul!"
*The human grips his sword. He considers jumping again, but noticed the sky just above him is different. The flame shot was still swirling above him in a firey cloud. No aerial advantage.*
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*Locke was about to dash for the operavil again. But everyone was interrupted with an scene-stopping "ENOUGH!" All of the ravil cease combat, stepping back. Making way for their superior. Sangria purple cape flowing in the distance, walking forward was a mimiga. Definitely a mimiga in appearance. It had walked to face off with the red-fused human.*
King: "Stand back, I'm taking it from here."
"A human like this could kill one of you, given enough time."
*The short superior was wielding his silver-colored sword, scarf tied to the hilt waving. Yet, there was a 2nd blade not removed from its holster. He didn't dream of using it. King glares upwards at Locke, almost chest to chest. "I better kill him before his body fully absorbs the red flower."*
Locke: "Finally, a mimiga. Show us your true form, freak. My boot fits the size of your-"
*The catty King hops upwards, giving a leg uppercut to Locke chin. The area cofounded by a bludgeoning whip crash. Causing one of his teeth to fly out. The veteran adventurer's blink was as short with the kick.*
King: "-Shut it."
Scientist 1: "Can we be sitting down while we listen to this?"
King Midas: "Trust me, you won't want to be sitting. It's for your own good."
"Now then. You heard the legends of Lotus Island. Let me tell you a closely guarded secret. Seperate the mythos from reality...."
*The mimigas holding their red Lotus paraphernalia, they stand by, shaking with anticipation. They held their restraint, for now.*
King Midas: "While it is true, we are closed off from the rest of the world, it wasn't meant to be like this. The Lotus Kingdom was to indulge in spreading the influence of the red flower to all. Both in substance and creation... This is the only place where the red substance is produced, here."
"We loved sharing it to the outside world when Lotus Island came into existence. At least, centuries later, when the era of conquest was taking place. That taste, of what lies beyond the island stuck with us forever. So much for us to see, a way for our kind to spread the influence of my land's power. Through natural means."
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King Midas: "What laid beyond us, lands unseen to the eye of the mimiga. No, mimiga were unworthy of traversing the outside world. One must be reborn."
*Beginning to pace about in the room, leaving his chair. Speaking more vividly with his large claws.*
"Mimiga are weak, small. Pathetic. Destroyed the moment they tangled with the rest of the world. Either by the sword, or by musket.... Destined to work under the boot of their superiors. Everyone has their place; some jobs can only be completed by delicate hands."
"But it's been centuries more, that we believe mimigas can break their limitations, their position in this world."
"The natives learned 1 major, simple lesson during their existence for these eons. 'The world is cruel.' And with my royal succession line, we believe 'then we must subscribe to a cruel heart.' It is a must for our survival."
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"Our minds, biology, it changed to adapt to this new world. The wars we fought, power granted by the red flowers, it empowered us."
"Being empowered, it felt GOOD."
"It created the race known as the ravil."
"Accustomed to this new life, my ravil kind set to conquer the world. Fighting, slaying, eating those below us, it all felt unbelievable~"
"Gaudi flying our mimigas over fortresses. Those arrogant surface knights suspected nothing, even laughing at us. Dropping them into strongholds and cities once the flowers were consumed. It was said to be such a beautiful sight, the paintings. The few times gaudi and ravils saw eye to eye. Sneaking into settlements, becoming monsters that prowled the alleyways."
"Nothing is better than seeing an outstanding warrior cower in fear, realizing the very creatures he ridiculed would be their undoing. The rush was too much, it was ingrained into our psyche to destroy."
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King Midas: "All good things must come to an end. We were banished to the skies! Isolated from the ground. It felt like the rush was gone, those days over!... Til recently. You can thank the advanced technology of a specific group of surface humans. We have our supply of fodder. And with this fodder, we praise our ancestors and allies. To join them, in this ceremonial graduation!"
*The ravil king Midas raised both hands in the air, praising towards the sky, eyeing the crowd behind. His speech, eccentric now.*
*A random scientist was becoming increasingly scared. Sweat running across his forehead, raising his arms as if surrendering. Trying to create a smile.*
Scientist 2: "H-hey! We aren't like those humans! We know bad things happen to everyone in history. We sympathize with your kind! I loved the mimiga, I'd hate anything bad to come of them. Please don't hate us."
King Midas: "Hate you?! We don't hate humans? Bwwhaha. We thank them for teaching us this, emotion that was locked away within ourselves... Humans are a means to an end. We'll happily share more of the Red Lotus gifts, long as they pay us in sacrifices... For the legends were always true. Those who venture into the island, will unleash doom to themselves and those around them."
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King Midas: "Mimiga, grab your flower! Let the graduation ceremony, begin!"
*A decisive ringing of a huge bell is heard echoing throughout the palace. The humans all starting to scramble, fight or flight senses kicked in. The rabbits in sync clasped their flowers, red pills, and soon activated their "gifts." One mimiga after another turning from their once usual small, cute outlook, into a large, abominable white beast. Trumping their human companions in height, along with strength.*
*It happens so sudden, the whole room quaked by the transformation. But Johnny had enough. This was their gamble. While he may be physically weaker, there were other ways of hurting monsters. The journalist pulled out his can of pepper spray, aiming it at the midway transforming ravil. Unleashing an irritating spray of orange pepper gas.*
*The ravil gagged, falling flat on his back, rolling. Fighting to get the substance out of its eyes. Johnny grimaced tensely, focusing on an exit. The gate behind them was locked. Only choice was to go deeper into the captial, then hope to hide in places like Grasslands, Plantation, and Snow Zone... One man bolted towards the door behind King Midas.*
*The ravil king smirked, short hopping to the man, reaching out and grabbing their shoulder. The panicked scientist then froze in place, suddenly shiny metal growing all ocer his body... He was frozen into a gold statue. The man's last reaction was his open-mouth frowning whimper.*
King Midas: "Oh that's a good one. I'm adding this one to the royal hallways."
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*Johnny moved towards the other humans, urging them they need to move. Less than ten seconds have passed since the ordeal of being betrayed. It felt like a drawn-out minute. Johnny froze at the ravil sitting on the ground patiently. One of those darn creatures was halfway done consuming its victim. Having done so silently. "How the... but I didn't hear it pounce." Bone fragments littering the ground.*
*The retired veterans drew their weapons. Revolvers. Another ravil came to leap into the group, take a bite out of the next sacrifice. But the veterans were quicker, firing 2 shots into the monster. Said ravil stops in mid air, catching itself on the ground upright. Processing its injuries yet not flinching much. A shot in the shoulder and head. One confused blink, then two angry blinks, followed by a masculine hiss... The veterans were just as shocked how it tanked the bullets without flinching.*
*Resuming its attack, the veterans dump their entire mags into the monster mid-flight. Everyone froze, even the ravils. But it was this time, the offender stopped in its tracks. Pausing in the sky. Soon, the ravil dropped to the ground with a resounding crash. Eyes half shut, jaw partially open. Shot dead by the older human soldiers. Both now panicking to reload.*
Carl: "By god, took the freaking the entire cartridge! 12 hits."
Klein: "Aim for their big heads. Body shots don't look like they do crap, bunch of adrenaline junkies."
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Klein: "Come on. I got shots for all of you! You sons-of-a-"
*A ravil had thrown a chair with a strong arm. Hitting the veteran Klein in the back, falling forward. Carl picks up his partner, telling his other partner to back him up.*
King Midas: "No need for expletives. This is a palace, not a bar house."
*Another chair gets thrown across the room.*
King Midas: "Welp, now it really feels like a bar house... I love it when they die fighting!"
*Johnny watched as the armed vets took their way up upon the tables. Choosing to fight. Partaking this opportunity, he wields his pepper in one hand, recharger pistol in the other.*
Johnny: "Hey, it's time to go! We need to head down deeper, find a way off this hellscape!"
*Everyone caught on, and followed Johnny's lead. His obstacle, King Midas. The ravil king laughs at Johnny, seeing his pathetic attempt to escape. He used his recharge pistol to fire at the golden beast. All 3 shots hitting his forehead, but leaving only little damage.*
King Midas: "Bwaah! Hah, your puny firearms can't hold a candle to the elites. Now how about you stay where you are and-"
*The journalist drew his pepper spray, aiming it at both of Midas' eye slots. Having to spray widely to cover his huge head. Midas stumbled back, snarling. He hit the wall, now freeing the doorway, deeper into the capital.*
King Midas: "Argh! Damn that blue jacketed swine! Get him, I'll have King be his personal torturer!"
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*Everyone barges out, retreating deeper into the capital. 3 weeks for them all to understand the general landscapes. The inner sections of the capital appear more troubling. The gold statues on this end appear more stressed, panicked. Many different gold frozen humans in different emotions. Along with disloyal mimiga. 2 ravils were seen hauling a gold statue into a lift. These ravils wore grey-metal helmets. Though, their gear was only about to shield everything except their jaw and neck... Both ravils stopped their work, drawing upon their javelins. Now aiming to spear the fleeing group.*
*Date looked back, the spear ravil guards were catching up rather fast. Date dashes in front, shouldering a bystander. The bystander's legs get wobbly. The doctor keeps his eyes forward, avoiding the temptation to look back... hearing the hunk of metal fling through the air. Then the harsh sound of a person falling. Date's heart beats faster, alongside his further increase in speed.*
*Johnny's first thought, to head towards the exit of the capital. Least there, they can leave the area of high ravil concentration.*
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*Everyone's bodies were on auto pilot. Their minds, despite the danger, were mentally blocking out the tragedy taking place behind them. Survival is what mattered right now. One by one, Date audibly picked up every person falling behind them. "We are thinning out, almost to the exit!" Their final major obstacle... The giant ravil blocking the doorway. The white red beast had to be 12ft minimum, and yet that's only the sitting height. Smiling and staring blissfully.*
*Johnny ran a couple shots at the fat ravil to take it down. Hitting it in the face and chest, the beast giving zero reaction. Just a cursory glance towards the group. Johnny resorted to his 2nd option, pepper spray... but the beast was too tall for the spray to reach. The man's heart sank, looking backwards.*
*Already in pursuit by a mob of angry ravils. They'd be overpowered in seconds. Date backed up, unable to choose which to take his chances with. It was then he got an unscrupulous plan. "Damn, we have no choice." Date would run backwards and "accidentally" tackle a random person, forcing them to stumble into the giant door beast. Without hesitation, the man was picked up without a second thought. Bringing him up to its face. The yelling plea, cut off moments later.*
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*Date was already sliding past the beast's fur, full of anxiety. Nevertheless, he literally had to brush with death to reach the opening mechanism. Turning the circular drawbridge lever, he struggled.*
Date: "Help me open the main gate! It's, it's too heavy! I can barely reach the top, Johnny, buy us some time!"
*Johnny, flicking his chin for a new plan. "What do you expect me to do? Gun down all 6 monsters with my flimsy sidearm?" All he had was the energy pistol, and the pepper spray. He clenches his teeth, lifts the pepper spray can, throwing it towards the incoming mob. Taking aim, he shot his can, destroying his last true deterrent against the ravils.*
*The can erupts, exploding into a foggy cloud of orange, irritating dust. Soon, the hostile mob was but a disorganized mess.*
*The white creatures coughing, whimpering, cursing the foreigners in monstrous tones. Followed by crying, eye rubs, and crashing into walls. As for the ensemble of humans, they all managed to spin the heavy handles to open the main exit gate. Scurrying into the vicinity.*
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Date: "What now?!"
Johnny: "We need to find help, see if we can get a signal and call whichever authorities to come help us. I have a way... I carried a sort of, speed-dial for backup. An SOS. Problem is, we need to get a strong signal. Find a computer, radio, something that gives us long-distance communication. I would advise against heading back to the surface for a clear signal."
Johnny: "There's the parachute plan. We make parachutes, fall slowly towards the surface. It's a cruder plan. Might be taking inspiration from those retired veterans. Damn, they're still probably fighting up in the palace. We can find a cave leading to the outside world, jump out during the night so nobody sees us."
Date: "All right, where was that getaway spot with the scenic view to the outside region? The cave face?... North west in Grasslands. And another one in Sand Zone. Although, heard nobody should go to the Sand zone. Cause nobody likes going there."
Johnny: "We need to collect supplies to build said parachutes. Best we stop by the villages, collect things like rope, blankets, materials. Granted, if the natives don't try killing us first... We need to stay together, build a strong camping point in case we need to defend ourselves."
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*Everyone ran as far as possible from the capital. Hardly able to stop to catch a breath. The journalist ended being the defacto leader. Not by choice, everyone was looking at him for guidance. Same with Date, well at least by default. None of the remaining scientists wanted that doctor to lead, sleazy guy they thought. But he had wit admittedly.*
*Johnny did a quick inventory check... "Medicine, recharge pistol, a knife, recording material, smart device..." There was little left he can use offensively against the monsters. "Crap, and I'm probably the only person here with a gun." Shrugging, he continued to head his way.*
Journalist: "Lets go, get to Grasslands as fast as possible."
Scientist: "Guys, I, I need to take a moment to sit. My body is, ugh, giving out, sore... numb errurghgh-"
Date: "Hey, we have nowhere to rest. You-"
*He watched the scientist fall to the ground after making 3 sluggish flops. The instant red flag he recognized the slurred speech. Date rushes to the back of the fainted scientist, seeing a green feathery object sticking on him. Pulling it out, Date clenched his own heart.*
Date: "Tranquilizer! Watch the bushes, Johnny!"
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*Johnny readied his recharger pistol. Aiming towards the shrubs, tall grass, bushes, and other places their enemy may be hiding. "We need to get into open terrain." The humans scanned the whole zone behind them, unable to find who's the pursuer. Another tranq shot hit another escapee, making the guy fall just as quickly. A silenced dart launcher. All they could do wait aim to run into an open field.*
*In the far back, behind the fugitives, was a lone operative. Walking with a concealed stride, head tilted upwards. The light shining from the upper cave systems reflected off from his head. Holding in both hands, a very skinny, scope, green metallic tranquilizer rifle.*
???: "Well... This day couldn't get any more bothersome. Midas' soldiers must've really screwed up if ravils can't even stop a group of humans."
*The man pulled some more darts from his chest pocket. Loading a few more into the breech of the air dart gut. Clicking the non-lethal weapon shut. It matched his green jacket. Cue a look from adjusted goggles, crouching on a high position upon a tree. "I hate my job." Rubbing, cleaning the lens of his scope and eyewear.*
Jack: "... Poor suckers. Never should have came."
*Followed by another sharp, whipping “zoop” from the dart firing off.*
"Should've given me a more advanced tranquilizer."
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*Back in the deeper sections of Lotus Island, 2 figures were prowling the jungle for each other. Locke has put his injured partner inside a log to recover. The angry adventurer vet had his great sword in one hand. He ditched his yellow scarf and overcoat, dressing a pile of rocks vaguely resembling a person sitting against a tree. Locke was practically frozen in place, in a quarterback squat, focusing on that one spot. His heart had slowed to a quiet beat, breathing inaudible to himself.*
Locke: "You got the wrong idea, Jaan. You aren't the one hunting us. You... have a lot to learn, overgrown punk. Rabbit, mimiga, ravil, who gives a damn. The moment you show your face, you're dead."
*His great sword was on the floor, picking it slightly. Keeping most of the blade concealed under bush leaves... The hard-bodied human listened for the wind and sticks shuffling. Someone big was hopping place to place. Suddenly Jaan crashed into the vicinity. Walking over to the scarfed-clothed dummy. Thinking he found Locke, Jaan stopped once he realized this wasn't a person.*
*Locke was all over Jaan's case. Bolting from his hiding spot giving a backslash with killing intent. Jaan's eyes widened, feeling the maliciousness of his former ally. Drawing his sword to block the hit, some of the great sword had cut into his upper arm. Adding to the already additional wounds from battling the other 2 humans. Jaan's orange fur being ruined by blood stains.*
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*Jaan spun around to cut Locke. The human, dodging it with equal agility. The great sword swung around head like a flail. Cutting Jaan's pockets, releasing all the medium-grade red flowers all over the floor.*
*Jaan already leaped to stand upon a boulder, creating enough distance. Betting he can portal stab Locke from this distance the way he did to that rifleman. Locke walks forward, stepping close to the flowers on the ground. Grunting, he had an idea. The swordsman picks many of the red flower petals and places them into his mouth. Rapidly chewing the substance. Jaan didn't account for this, the ravil freezing in place.*
Jaan: "No, don't do that-"
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*Too late, Locke was already feeling the rush. His body turning a mix of consistent red. Muscles slowly bulking up. Wasting little time to charge at Jaan, swinging sword in unpredictable motions. Jaan cringed, wanting to be done with this nonsense. The ravil found himself slowly forced back, pushed into defensive mode. "I can't get a blow in." Jaan was worried about how gradual Locke was catching up.*
Locke: "Picking on us because we're weak?! Like the Ogre?! I should have killed you the moment we entered the island. My instincts were telling me to finish you! When I'm done, I'll smother every single one of you mimi-bastards into paste! Crush em while they're still small and weak... Cutting your head off will be as easy as when I decapitated that Red Ogre!"
Jaan: "I did not pick on you lot because you're weak! Don't you dare downplay your brethren! I did it because you were all strong. But to rise above my place in this world, I must evolve further... I'm sorry it came to this."
*The battle continued during their argument. Jaan felt that something was amiss, encroaching on their position. Was it Locke's backup? Jaan did forget to eliminate that 1 remaining party member. Could it be Death itself? The sensation was colder the more it approached.*
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*Jaan then clashed blades with Locke's great sword. Both sheer volume of kinetic force shattered Jaan's blade. Causing the orange ravil to wide-eye, jumping back in panic. Defending against the sword slashes with only a sword hilt.*
Locke: "It's, OVER!"
*Jaan's head faced into a downward, eyes-up shock. The grimace was all he could hold, full of dread. Sensing figures coming in from all around him. Sweat drop flying from his left forehead. "I messed up?" Jaan's lips closing within the slow motion before Locke's final strike. "I was a decent match, my friends." Locke held his great sword overhead, bringing down the house in weight for the final slash. An executioner's cut. The red flower Locke used had made his normal apricot-peach skin into a red hue.*
*Locke saw his target. Taking a very familiar stance as to the flashback versus the Red Ogre.*
Red Ogre: "-I'll never eat another mimiga again!"
Locke: "Course you won't-" *Cut.* "And you will never-"
*Back to Locke in the present, now was performing the very same act to Jaan. Everything was turning darker for Locke as well, giving into the bloodlust of the red flower. Locke believed he can fight anyone and win. The essence of the reaper coming from Locke's shadow. Admittedly, he felt uncomfortable doing this. Locke was glad his friends aren't around to see his unfettered ruthlessness.*
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*Locke's sword now was about to hit Jaan. Erupting from the bushes, the black fog of danger catapulting into the duel. Locke only foreseeing the blurry image of a blackish red figure, roughly the height of his mid-torso. And the violent clash of blades a second time. Sparks fly, and Locke slides back from the hit. "More tricks up your sleeve, Jaan?!*
*The red turned human focused on the intrusion. Seeing a short figure with a white head. Sangria purple drapes tailing behind. The creepy eyes of a mimiga being the largest feature Locke made out.*
Locke: "?!?"
*Making matters more jarring. A new figure was stampeding through the trees. A ravil the size of a rhinoceros crashes into the open. Wearing special a red uniform over their shoulders. The brute ravil hops over Jaan, the beast holding its own mouth, sobbing.*
???: "Jaan-bro!-"
*Slamming upon the ground, sending a brief shockwave towards Locke, which he dodges. The beast starts to cry... launching tears with sad impunity. The tear drops sprinkled, rain that punctured wood with its force. Locke held up to block it, but the tears were that of bullet. Four hitting his stomach, stabbing with "Psht-psht-psht-psht." Followed by Locke, bleeding.*
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Locke: "Puncturing, tears?!"
*The sad giant ravil kept on crying while sat infront of Jaan. Pulling the orange ravil close for a protective hug. Locke looked for an opening to slash this beast, none. The hurtful tears rained in almost every direction. Charging in meant getting punctured by rain again.*
*Locke picked up a rock, then threw it with crushing velocity into the monster. But a musical barrier blocks it, causing the barrier to dissipate. Locke heard deep, beastly opera singing. Emerging was a singing ravil, wearing a classical, red marked robe. "So, this one is shielding them."*
*Locke doesn't hesitate to aggro the singing ravil. Deciding to hop high into the air, then slam his sword into it.*
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*Instead, what he got, was in incoming ring of fire being blown into his direction growing larger the closer Locke became. The buffed human, stopping in the air, dropping to the ground. Out came walking a 3rd ravil. Perhaps the tallest and most slip. Their robes being of a decorative firey robe. Its head looking the most "normal" of them all, despite the iconic jagged jaw and red eyes. Ears long, combed downward. Clenched in one hand, a torch.*
Firevul: "Werrrgh! Towards mimiga, no cull! Death, by firevul!"
*The human grips his sword. He considers jumping again, but noticed the sky just above him is different. The flame shot was still swirling above him in a firey cloud. No aerial advantage.*
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*Locke was about to dash for the operavil again. But everyone was interrupted with an scene-stopping "ENOUGH!" All of the ravil cease combat, stepping back. Making way for their superior. Sangria purple cape flowing in the distance, walking forward was a mimiga. Definitely a mimiga in appearance. It had walked to face off with the red-fused human.*
King: "Stand back, I'm taking it from here."
"A human like this could kill one of you, given enough time."
*The short superior was wielding his silver-colored sword, scarf tied to the hilt waving. Yet, there was a 2nd blade not removed from its holster. He didn't dream of using it. King glares upwards at Locke, almost chest to chest. "I better kill him before his body fully absorbs the red flower."*
Locke: "Finally, a mimiga. Show us your true form, freak. My boot fits the size of your-"
*The catty King hops upwards, giving a leg uppercut to Locke chin. The area cofounded by a bludgeoning whip crash. Causing one of his teeth to fly out. The veteran adventurer's blink was as short with the kick.*
King: "-Shut it."
Category Story / Fantasy
Species Mimiga
Gender Multiple characters
Size 120 x 120px
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