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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Nicodemus
Nicodemus, contrary to popular belief, did not love riots. He admired their savagery, adored how the crowd shed their pretense of civilization, became a gestalt, a beast, a mob. Terrible things had been done in riots, and Nick had been the cause of several. But he did not love them. His wife, on the other hand, lived for them. He used to plan them for her, and watch as she would watch them grow, and swarm and loot and destroy, body shuddering in pleasure. You have to enjoy the little things.
But there was a purpose behind this particular riot. Searching through the crowd from on high, Nicodemus looks for a single person. Someone who has a specific target in mind. The first person to throw a stone through a store-front window. The first to Molotov an office building.
Midnighter
The Midnighter curses as he jumps back from the flame.
"If there are more of those, I am coming with you. He was a joy to kill."
Sam
"Thank you." Standing up, Sam shakes Martin's hand, begins to leave...
"I don't suppose you know where one of them could be now, could you?"
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Sam
"Sure. Eric's staring forlornly at the front of the building like a lost puppy dog." The power flickers, and dies. Then it comes on again, as though nothing had happened. Satan loved these sort of things in a general way, but not so much he would agree to be inconvenienced by them.
"Ghost Riders in the neighborhood, can't miss him, big flaming skeleton. Dunno about the other two."
Nicodemus
A man, small, scrawny and messy, who looks like he has a lot of trouble shaving, suddenly begins shouting. "It's the rich pigs! I pay my taxes for power and running water, not so they can do this!" The argument is nonsensical as the higher rise area's are just as out of power, but with the aggrieved muttering you'd never guess it. And, as the mob has the intelligence of the dimmest member, divided by the number of people in it, nobody raises an objection.
"It's not fair!" Another shouted. "What do they know about a hard days work!" The mob grows bigger, more and more people shouting as they add their anger to the furnace. They begin marching towards the town hall, a few branching off to break windows and throw bricks, or smash cars with improvised weapons. A few particularly opportunistic people are firing guns up in the air, and several have produced flaming torches, as a chant that has been all but forgotten in the decade Top Dollars been dead comes from every throat. "Fire it up! Fire it up!"
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Sam
"Thanks again for your help. I mean it." Walking out the door, Sam sits next to Eric.
"So. How are things?"
Nicodemus
Perfect. Nicodemus swoops down from above, and grabs the first speaker in the mob, the instigator of the violence. Ignoring his clumsy blows, the immortal flies them both to the top of one of the nearby buildings. Then, his shadow remaining to bind the man in its ice-cold coils, Nicodemus pulls out a wicked-looking knife, scratches a circle on the roof, and runs a finger over the blade.
"You'll do very nicely. What is your name?"
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
((I was beginning to fear you had forgotten me.))
"Violence, in truth, recoils upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit he has dug for another." Eric Draven quotes, staring up at the night sky, while sitting on the curb. The stars are hidden by the smog and pollution, as well as the rain-clouds, but it is strangely peaceful.
"I do not know if you have traded my curse for another, or set me free to start again. I don't know. But I mean to find out. It can't rain all the time."
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Sam
Sam stares at the sky as well, but he takes no time to admire its beauty. He's looking for demons, assassins who seek to kill him.
"My soul belonged to the Devil before I was born, Eric. What I do, I don't do because I want to. I send escaped souls back to hell; I took your power back, but you are still here. You have a clean slate now. Try...try not to waste it. Live the life I wish I could. For me, its always raining."
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
"I hope I will." Eric gets to his feet and pulls Sam up. "Perhaps you're looking for salvation in the wrong place. It was wrong to glorify vengeance, I know that now. Thank you."
With that, the being who was once the crow stands up, and walks nto the night.
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Sam
After Eric leaves, Sam sighs, and looks at the front of the DMV once more.
"I did a good thing, there. A powerful, truly good deed."
There is nobody around to hear the comment, but Sam knows who's listening. Smiling as he does so, Sam walks back into the heart of the city, searching for his next target.
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Ghost Rider
"The more the merrier. Unfortunately I lost my temper and forgot to get a home address from him. So it'll be a long hunt." Blaze says calling back his motorcycle.
"Got any ideas?"
***
((I meant to take Travis with her.))
The Bride
She pulls over as the lights all go out. She turns to Travis, "Want to give us some light kid?"
***
Kirby
Thats a shame. They have such potential but they squander it. Kirby takes the girl out of the oven and begins to enjoy his meal.
"Edward, if you have issue with me please do speak up. I wouldn't want to be too much of a bother."
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Vendetta
"Remember, remember, the fifth of November,
the gunpowder treason and plot.
I know of now reason why the gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot."
Beware the Superman. Strength, intelligence, power. None of these make a man super. It is vision they need. To be more then a man, you must be more then a man, and yet, even Nitche couldn't see that. It is not enough to be stronger, faster, even better. Anyone can mannage that.
They killed the president, the man we chose to lead us. They silenced those who objected. And, in the vacuum of that silence, order was imposed. Their order.
We're oft to blame, and this is too much proved, that with devotion's visage and pious action we do sugar on the devil himself.
But rules are made to be broken.
Me? I imagine all manner of names shall be heaped upon my humble visage, this face I have chosen to wear, this Fawkesian symbol, but, for now, let us simply say, I am the villain.
We all wear masks. Life creates them and forces us to find the one that fits. But the flesh and muscle that was once my face is gone, and so I have chosen a knew one, one that has never truly left our hearts and minds. A visage from another place, another time, that will become what it once was. A man can only be a man, super or otherwise, unless he chooses to become a cause, a symbol. And an idea is immortal, a cause greater then the sum of its parts. Even such parts as mine.
There is no music anymore. Art is created by individuals and there are no individuals in a world where you think what you are told.
No individuals but me.
On this most auspicious of nights, permit me then, in lieu of the more commonplace sobriquet, to introduce the character of this dramatis persona.
Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate.
The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.
Ten righteous men, God said. This time, I fear it shall come down to one.
Their foe is vanquished, burning already in the silence of night. The two speak, though i do not catch the words.
The skeleton has turned away, the Midnighter, greatest of tyrants he is, prepares to leave. There is no court in this country for men like him. No jury could convict him, no laws for a man who believes himself to be the state.
He is stronger then me, and faster, but I do not think wiser.
Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Midnighter
"Oh, **** yeah. Take us to City Hall. I've got some politicians to beat back in line. And if you know the vamp's name, an address to look up. And by look up, I mean pry out of their hands. It's good to be the king-sometimes. Though catching Hawksmoor and the Engineer in the Oval Office was not something I ever want to see again."
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Ghost Rider
"Thanks. I totally needed that mental image." Blaze mutters as he shifts back to his human form and mounts the bike.
"I'm sorry Mr. President but she might try to eat you if I don't sit up front." he says motioning towards the back seat.
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Nicodemus
The man shrieks once or twice, and it takes him a while to stop trying to hit you. The mob has not even noticed his disappearance yet, still hollering and brandishing weapons as they go to kill some rich pigs. And only twenty minutes of darkness.
“Walter.” He splutters at last, shying away from the blade. “Walter... Susan. I’m a cleaner at the local Ice Hockey Ring.”
Midnighter and Ghost Rider
The street lights aren’t working, the streets are dark, and the smog renders your bikes lights all but useless. It’s marginally better then walking, but you can’t make great time.
Occasionally you are forced to swerve desperately to avoid incoming traffic or people, and you almost get lost a few times. At last, after twenty minutes of wrong turns and dead ends, you are at city hall.
Kirby
Sated for the moment, you notice Edward has returned to his room. He seems… vulnerable.
You can’t help but wonder how Bella felt about the room she shared with him. A tremendous picture of a blond, glorious man you take for Alexander the great, another of Caesar, of Ghengis Khan, a artists impression of King Arthur, and other, smaller pictures.
All have pictures of stern wisdom, nobility and courage on their faces. All strike heroic poses. It’s really quite pathetic.
“If you don’t get out of here, Kirby, I will kill you.” He mutters, cradling the stump that used to be an arm.
Sam
No more names have appeared on the list. Ghost Rider, or Archer. The Rider seems the easier one to find.
The Bride
The streets remain dim, and the headlights prove woefully inadequate. You have no idea how long you’ve been lost, before a voice drifts over to you. The voice is husky and warm, shaking with emotion.
“I'm glad you came here. Glad we could have this chat. What sins have you commited against me? You killed my son. And my daughter. Never give me cause for revenge.”
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Midnighter
"...I will not make the first comment that came to my mind at your last statement. After you."
The Midnighter gets onto the back seat. "And Hawksmoor's the one with all the bright ideas. I'm just trying to make a better place for my daughter. Well, and kill those who deserve it. But my daughter comes first...I'm trying, anyway."
Moving towards City Hall, Midnighter kicks the doors open, just for the hell of it.
Nicodemus
"Well, Walter, I have a very special task for you. Tell me, who is the worst person you can think of? Picture his face in your mind. Concentrate. Focus on him. That's a good boy." The knife loosely dangles from the Denarian host's fingers, a wonderful incentive for the cleaner to concentrate.
Nicodemus has almost no talent in magic. In terms of raw magical power, the weakest wizard on the White Council of wizards was so many orders of magnitude higher than he was that to compare the two would be similar to ants and humans. But the man knew enough about magical theory to cheat those limitations. Where his own talent failed, spells could instead be powered by other sources. Hellfire, of course, was one of the primary examples. Human sacrifice was another. Chanting the words to a locator spell, Nicodemus cuts out Walter's throat, and dips a crystal attached to a leather thong into his lifeblood.
"Now, then. Find me Carlisle Cullen."
Sam
"Ghost Rider knows me," the Devil's heir mutters to himself. "I should be able to slip in under his guard...but then again, I should leave him for later. He shouldn't be a problem. Even if he does seem to be a good guy. Well, then, Archer, the Devil wants your soul."
As he walks the streets of Sin City, Sam ponders where Archer might be. With the city-wide blackout, the destination of choice for an escaped soul is fairly obvious: wherever the mob is.
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Ghost Rider
"I could really care less." Blaze says deadpan as they ride towards City Hall.
"I was tracking down reanimated cropses with portions of Satan's power when it happened. You stop corrupt governments. I kill demons that want to turn Earth into their own personal lava bath. All us super freaks have our place in making sure this world keeps on spinning."
As they enter the city hall he mutters, "Are all other superheroes this overdramatic or just the ones I team up with?"
***
The Bride
"Even if I wasn't being paid after seeing what your son was dragging home I think I'd kill you anyways." The Bride says drawing her sword. She closes her eyes and focuses on the voice and tries to pin point a specific location.
***
Kirby
"I had no idea you felt so strongly Edward. Whatever could I be doing that would drive a vegetarian to such extremes?" Kirby says chewing on a nice shapely leg. The word vegetarian comes out in such a venomous manner with no attempt to hide the insult laden within.
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
You arive at city hall, to find a few of the windows with flickering lights, cangle light and old fashioned gaslamps. A few shouts can be heard from inside the building as people desperately converse and argue, trying to find a solution.
A pair of security guards shine flashlights over you, their guns already in hands. You suspect everyone will seem very competant tonight, as otherwise they might be the ones blamed.
They wave you through, taking you to the conference room, where everyone is shouting at each other. They go silent as you enter.
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Midnighter
The Midnighter throws a pair of steel-edged cards at the weapons, knocking them out of the guards' hands.
"This is the Midnighter. Now listen up. My friend here is looking for a Jasper Cullen. I want addresses, associates, credit history, dental records, and everything you can find about him in front of my feet. You have ten minutes. Or somebody ends up like the former Majority Whip. I'm thinking you on the left. Righty can end up like the Majority Leader."
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
I, like God, do not play with dice. I prefer a rigged game.
The screen above the table flickers on. As the hall is being kept alight with candles, the fluorescent lighting is almost blinding for a second. It shows a man in a black operatic costume, wearing a white mask, completed with a goatee. He seems coolly confident and calm, as though he has all the time in the world. In the background, music is playing faintly. Beethoven. The fifth.
“Good Evening. Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. While the blackout, I regret to say, was not my doing, I have taken advantage of it, to meet the dwellers in the den of thieves. Allow me to introduce myself. I am a man of wealth and taste. And I have something to say to all of you.
There are of course a few of you who do not want us to speak. It is a shame, but as the doors are sealed and we are four stories up, you do not actually have a choice. Why? Don’t the innocent have nothing to fear? Perhaps, but each of us is as guilty as the next, and in this world, our sins burden us heavily. While the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the truth, or at least the appearance of it. Truth is beauty, our highest native good. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there?
Our founding fathers dreamed of a land of Liberty, independent of any rulership we did not elect ourselves, and so drafted a statement, an inspirational document that many of you will have seen on display. And now it is an outdated and forgotten relic of a golden time they are trying to make us forget.
How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. Or at to the head of the table, where a man sits. He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent. Well you gave it, and so damned yourself. Tonight, I end the silence.
Not one of you will leave the building alive, bar the self-satisfied man sitting at the head of the table, who will stagger out to find me waiting for him. The rest had best make peace with god. I hear he sometimes forgives particularly repentant sinners on their deathbed.
A building is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by people. A symbol, in and of itself is powerless, but with enough people behind it, well, even you, Lucas Trent, are powerless. People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.
I do this to remind the world that fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words, they are perspectives. But it is to Madame Justice that I dedicate this, may she at long last find the scales tipped back in her favour.
And thus I clothe my naked villainy
With old odd ends stolen forth from holy writ
And seem a saint when most I play the devil.
Adieu.”
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Midnighter
The only sound in the room is the whistle of the Midnighter's staff as it crushes the screen into powder. The Midnighter stands, and glares at those around the table.
"Now, let me get some things clear. Whoever this is naive at best and crazy at the worse. Let me remind you all of why the Authority took over. The Kent administration had knowingly and willingly led the US to interdimensional war, and had killed off the entire state of Florida. No more trips to Disneyworld, no more beach, no more nothing. They caused the mess, and like we always do, we cleaned it up. Solved the problem, saved the world, done deal."
"But that wasn't enough. Because truth be told, we're tired. Tired of cleaning up after your messes. Tired of politicians promise honesty and the interests of the people, and get nothing done once in office. There is no justice. There is no fairness. There is no goddamn equality in the whole damn world! There. is. just. us. As much as we hate to admit it to ourselves, might makes right; be glad the good guys are in charge. Under our leadership, we've finally seen progress, seen the oil companies stop gouging people and polluting our planet. Seen universal health care, and a balanced budget and improved literacy around the country. We've ended the drug wars. Yeah, this place is a dump, but it was worse under them. So yes, I admit that I wasn't elected. I admit that we're dictators. But we needed to get our **** together, and nobody was willing to do it. Unlike them, we don't give you any bull****."
"Here's what's going to happen. You, you, and you, go to the archives with Ghost Rider. Give him the files he needs, and return here afterwords. You two, go through the building and get everyone else inside this room. I'm not going to let others kill innocents today. That's my job."
The Midnighter stretches his arm to the side, fingers pointing at the wall. Reaching out to his connection with the Carrier, that sentient starship that was his home, powered by a baby universe, he issues his command to its teleportation portal system.
"Carrier: Door. Just outside the city limits."
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Cracklord
Archer
Nicomdeus is a black shape floating through the darkness on wings of night. He's about ninety feet up, and is floating, waiting for chaos to come.
He doesn't seem to recognize you can see him. You could take him by surprise, if you work at it.
More than a mile away, Archer hops onto a rooftop, a black bow materialising in his hands. He reaches deep inside himself, and from a vast, barren plain he pulls out a sword. As it appears in his hand it is changed - the blade which could cut anything is twisted into a spiral which can pierce anything.
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/ty..._Caladbolg.jpg
"I am the bone of my sword."
Archer nocks the sword in his bow as if it were an oversized arrow. It begins to hum inaudibly as it overloads with prana. A legendary sword said to cleave mountains in two, with this attack its millenia of power would be released all at once.
With his enhanced eyesight he tracks Nicodemus's movement as he tortures the man, aiming at the base of his neck. And then, when he feels the moment is right...
"Caladbolg!"
{OOC: Yes, it is possible to dodge}
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Nicodemus
Intent on examining his spell's creation, Nicodemus does not notice the power being directed at him. However, Anduriel, who's senses far surpass the immortal's, does. Nicodemus's shadow does not attempt to meet the sword head-on; that would be painful, and ultimately futile. Instead, the shadow pushes on the sword, deflecting its path so that instead of his neck, Nicodemus merely is stabbed in the heart.
His mouth gapes open as he looks down to see the tip of the blade protruding from his chest. Fingers refusing to work, he orders his shadow to pull the thing out. He's feeling better already.
"My, my. It appears I have enemies."
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
{OOC: Click the link in my post. The impact creates a massive explosion which destroys the weapon. The target happened to have insane defensive abilities but was still killed even when he tried to deflect it (he just came back to life immediately). You're further away than he was though.}
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Ghost Rider
"This is why I like hunting monsters. No one complains when you get rid of demons." Blaze says as he switches back into skeleton form and makes his way to the records room.
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Ghost Rider and Midnighter
You get nothing. Static, an electronic hissing, and nothing else. It takes you a minute to identify the problem. The machine has been hacked, and instead of accessing the teleportation system you have entered one of the information banks.
Someone has hacked the Carrier.
Ghost Rider has left the room and is following the helpfully well ordered corridors with signs at every corner when the first explosion goes off. He's starting on the outside and moving in. A bit of shrapnel hits your ribs, and the corridor collapses as the buildings structural integrity is compromised. Another explosion goes off to your left, and then another one, as they speed up, the building already beginning to collapse under it's own weight.
The Bride
"And even if you hadn't killed him I think I'd still have you done with." She returns venomously. The words are coming from high up, from somewhere to your left.
"Or rather, I'd watch you die. More satisfying."
A boot scuffs the gravel. A big man, with almost grotesquely over formed arms is advancing towards you, holding a lead pipe. There is a dull, glazed look in his eyes.
Another two follow him, one holding a length of chain, the next a tire iron. And from all the other angles you see a veritable army of thugs emerging, each armed with a variety of improvised weapons.
"Make the boy scream." The voice adds. "Do whatever you want to the woman."
Kirby
"Bella died tonight, and I couldn't do anything!" He yells, in a way that is obviously meant to make you feel sorry for him.
It's too good an opportunity to pass up.
Sam
The mob barely notices you as you join them, marching angrily towards the
It's havoc on your senses, trying to distinguish independent features and components is more then you can do easily.
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Ghost Rider
The explosions really just annoy the Ghost Rider. Flame and heat do nothing to someone made out of fire but the falling building, yeah that hurts.
Blaze gradually makes his way out of the rubble and begins searching for survivors. Anyone in the building right now is probably a corrupt politician but damn it if he'll let some crazy terrorist get that kind of satisfaction. Damnit it this was supposed to be an easy night of killing vampires so far he has made enemies with a crimeboss, a terrorist and discovered his prey are some kind of stronger subrace of vampires. This has not been a good night at all.
***
The Bride
Take out mobs first, lest they swarm you when you go for the higher profile targets leaving yourself open.
The Bride's training comes to her almost instinctively.
Careful to avoid the hidden woman and the large man she makes her way into the larger crowd and swings at anything that moves.
***
Kirby
Kirby puts the leg back in the roasting pan and walks over towards Edward.
"Ah, the troubles of love and mortality. Even ageless beings such as us must face the fact that nothing lasts forever. No matter how much you will it to be with all the strength of your heart, everything even true love must come to an end."
-
Thr night is pierced by a loud scream of,"AW YEAH! Time for some fun!."
Suddenly a thug is sliced in two as Travis enters the circle.
"Not gonna let you have all this fun without me."
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Jules
The orphanage is a brick and plaster building, squat and simple, with a high fence and long gravel playing field. A fire can be seen through the second story window, and if you listen closely you can hear screams.
Anderson
((Are you going after Nicomdeus or his demon in the orphanage?))
Travis and the bride
A red dot appears on Travis's forehead, obvious in the murk. The men wouldn't be able to challenge either of you normally, but it is particularly clear now, their reactions are off, and are only executing basic attacks, no innovation.
Like sleep walkers.
Still, there are a lot of them, and most of them are strong, if not particularl fast or skillful.
Kirby
"Oh shut up." He growls, and slams the door in your face.
-
Jules pulls out his gun and cautiously enters the building, alert for whoever is burning it down, and preparing something to say before he blows him away.
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Kirby
Well that was rude. Such ill manners cause Kirby to lose his appetite and he heads back to his cage in the basement for some rest.
***
The Bride
There is nothing the bride can do about the sniper right now. The thugs start falling like flies, these boys are nothing like the Crazy 88 and there are less of them too.
-
"Fire and see what happens," says the psycho as he jumps right back into the fray, slicing at the thugs with glee.
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Re: Twilight IV: No More Heroes!
Jules
A bizarre, alien titter, high and soft, greets you. Whimpering can be heard on the floor above. You make your way up, to see a dark shape, clothed in naked flames, feeding bound children to the fire, one at a time.
Travis
The bullet hits you in the left thigh.
The bride
You hear a gunshot from one of the vague impressions of buildings. There are perhaps six of the thugs left, the rest reduced to so many limbs scattered around the alleyway.
Kohaku
Kirby-san returns, making his way down the too steep stairs as you clean his cage. He smells of blood and spice, you notice.