Writing Contest - March 2010

[princedee]

Writing Contest - March 2010

Welcome to March's writing contest. This contest theme will be about a fighting scene.

Rules:

• You can only post one of your written story.
  
• The story is required 2,000 characters minimal.
  
• There's also a limit of only one post for the story. If it can't fit in only one post it's too long.
  
• The content of the story must be DE characters. If you use characters other then your own you must receive permission from the creator of the character(s) first.
  
• Do not ask for comments or critique within this thread – save that for the actual Comments board. Of course, you are still allowed to discuss the contest within this thread. BUT, keep discussions civilized – don’t let debates explode into flaming.
  
• Each month’s contest will be posted within the first five days of the month, and users are given exactly 20 days from the date of the thread to submit their entries. Voting will be done by both users and staff at the contest's end. Users are to pick their favorites, then will pick between the top three (or however many) submissions.

The winners will be announced in each Monthly Highlights thread.

Now lets see those stories. :)

[Neki]

[shadow=red,left,300][glow=red,2,300]Blood in the Sand[/glow][/shadow]









In a World Without End. . . . .




It was dark in the world, the suns first light touching the barren sand. A wind blew lightly, telling of how there would be a sandstorm. Secrets would be buried, secrets would be uncovered.

Few people were awake as the grey of pre-dawn crept over the structures of Spargus city. It showed the remnants of past battles that had happened not so long ago. Too new to have even been cleaned up properly. Torches burned low or not at all, having been snuffed out by the wicked night.

In one such house a woman woke, sitting bolt upright. Her body was covered in a cold sweat, flashes of a bloody dream imprinted on the inside of her eyelids. She let out a shaky breath and then a string of curses and threw the blanket aside, swinging her feet over the side of the bed to touch the floor. It was a quick jolt as the arches of her feet touched the cold stone floor. She preferred that to the warmth and comfort anyway, for it reminded her that this was reaality.

Her long red black hair spilled across her back and shoulders, frizzed and slightly tangled from a night of restless sleep. Her white tanktop clung to her skin like a layer of fresh rain, wet and cold. Her capri length pants were light cotton, creased from sleep. She sighed to herself and muttered something about somethin and stood, stretching. The room she looked at was sparsely furnished, just enought to make it livable

This woman walked over to her mirror stand, washbin below the mirror. She took a deep breath in, checking her appearance. The lack of deep sleep showed in her pale face and bloodshot eyes. Vivid purple shadows painted the area under her eyes, making her look older than her thirty years. She grimaced, the muscle movement causing some blood to once again move through her face.

She took another moment to breath in, draining her thoughts. Hands plunged into the icy water, droplets spilling over the side like a rain storm. She bent her head downward and splashed the icewater up to meet her face. It was a cold awakening, one bringing her to full alertness. The towel haning over the morror was gently pulled off, absorbing the lingering drops that had collected.

As the woman toweled her face off she glanced at the paper jammed between the mirror surface and the molding that held the mirror in place.

It was a black rectangle about five inches long and two wide. The color wa a dark black making the image stand out like the light in the darkness. The image was intricately drawn red dragon, the edges and scales finely lined with gold. The creatures razor talons were outstretched, reaching for some unknown prey. Its tail was thin and whiplike, looking as if one slash could cleave a man in half.

There was a laugh, hollow of the tones of a normal person. It sounded like that of someone who had long seen death, walked its fine line and come home unscathed. The image made her laught because she had long ago stopped leaving such papers on those she killed. It was like say " I'm here, come get me". She smiled at idea, the idea one she had given up on long ago.

She moved away towards her wardrobe pulling open the bottom drawer. The sweat soaked tank top was peeled off and replaced by a blue green shirt made of light fabric. It was comfortable in the Spargus heat, and durable. The pants came off next, replaced by a pair of tan pants that tied below the kneww. They were created from tough fabric made to withstand the pounding sand and constant use. She left them untied for the moment, seeing no point in tieing them just to undo them to put her boots on. She picked up a brush and an it through her hair untill the worst of the frizz and knots were gone.

There was a sound in the doorw and all her instincts were suddenly on fire. She ran across the open room, jumping over her bed to grab the daggers on her nightstand. She took a defensive stance in a single heartbeat before she saw who was standing in the doorway. The lean figure showed no fear of the armed woman, only amusement. His blue eyes danced with the mirth he was feeling.

" Shinrah dear, how many times are we going to have to go through this?" His voice was smooth and rich, tinged with amusemnt that he was showing. He moved forward into the room, opening the shudders to let out the nights heat. The cool breeze blew his blue hair into his face. Shinrah had relaxed her defensive stance, setting the two daggers back on her bedside table.

" I don't know Leo," She replied. Shinrah walked over to him, laying her arms over his strong shoulder until she could clasp her hands. She buried her face in his chest, the remnants of the dream finally leaving her.

" You know I'm here to talk. I can hear you talking in your sleep. Especially lately." When she tilted her head upward Leo's bright blue eyes locked onto her green-grey ones. She looked away from him, letting go of her beloved. She moved to theother side of the room, finishing getting dressed. Leo sighed, a shadow crossing his weary face.

Shinrah looked back at him, somwthing hidden behind her stoic eyes.

" I. . ." She started, shaking her head. " I can't. There are so many things that happened during that time." Leo walked up beside her, pulling a stool with his from under the mirror- table.

" We both have terrible memories from then Shinrah. Terrible painful memories that we would rather forget, but we can't. We must hold onto them, for they make us stronger." He reached his hand out, gently cupping her face and making her look at him. Her eyes were a fire with the terrible burden she kept. Light danced around the insides, making then look more green than grey.

" It's important. You know I know. We'll find a way to overcome it. It will be part of who we are, strengthening us." He whispered to her softly. A single tear ran down her face, and she wiped it away, swatting his hand in the process. She stood and Kissed his forehead, boots and jcket in hand, and left the room.



It was cooler downstars where the windows had been open for a while. There was a thunk as the books and jacket hit the table. A brastool was pulled up to the high table, Shinrah sitting on it once she had it situated. She roughly pulled clean socks over her thin feet, tugging them high. She pulled a boot off the counted, sliding the soft leather over her foot, mulling over that Leo had said. With the tongue straightened she worked the laces steadily upward, criss crossinf them like they were meant to be. She knew that she should talk about it with him, but every face haunted her memory.. These pale wraiths attacked her in her dreams, , sending her to the place where she was forced to see the part of herself that she hated.

Just the idea brought a grimace to her face. She was a good person now, a normal person.

Her other boot was on and tied. Shenrah set her feet on the floor, the familiar weight of the boots a comfort. She pulled her jacket over her shirt, the thick brown belt going over that. She took a few minutes to braid her long hair. It had a few strands that had a life of thier own, uncooperative. She sent a puff of air thier way, successfully doing nothing.

The green bandana rested on her neck, completeing her appearance. She quickly tied the ends of her pants to prevent sand srom getting in her boots.

Leo walked down the stair and into the kitchen, smiling as always. His thoughts were centered on how beautiful Shinrah was, and how lucky he was to be with her.

"Don't forget these luv." He said, handing her two sheathes. Inside were her dragonfly daggers, curved edges and metal red as blood. She nodded and took them.

" Leo....." She started to say. A finger over her lips stopped her. She slowly moved it away. She knew now was as good a time as any to talk to him, tell him. About her recent nightmares, and about today.

" Leo, I've been called on once more. They asked The Red Dragon to come out once more." The words hung like an ominous fog. The man nodded slowly, hair waving with the movement.

" Do what you must. I trust your judgement." It was a bold stement and they both knew it.

" Five years Leo. I put that side of myself away, gone, for three years. I don't know how this is going to affect that." She was fighting a personal battle against herslef, one that had been raging for a long while. Only in the past year had it quited to the point that she could live a normal life. He nodded.

" Go. I will be here when you return." Another tear crept from her eyes, wiped away by a kind finger.

" You are the moon of my heart. Never forget that. I will always be here when you return to hold yyou as you cry yourself to sleep." He smiled, kissing her.

They parted, and she slowwly walked throught the door, her decision lining every inch of her body.



Color was kust entering the sky as she drove through the city. She knew where she was going, the place where she would get information,

It was an older house leading into a set of underground spynetwork caves. It brought a bad taste to her mouth to go there.

The person at the door took one look at her and let her through. They were expecting her early, and that sh ealways was. A man greeted her, not giving a name. Fire and Rain Snake. Efficient as always. She thought to herslef as she wound her way through the twisting caves. She came into a room with computers built into the walls, precursor text scrolling over them.

" Welcome Red Dragon." A voice spoke from behind her. Shinrah turned to see Snake walk fromthe shadows. He was a tall, thick man, muscle from head to toe. His ebony skin gleamed, deep black hair cropped.

" Cut it Snake. I want the info so that I can get this done." Ice in her voice took the room temperature down by a few degrees, but the man only laughed.

" You haven't lost you edge, I can see that." He strolled over to one of the screens to pull up a file.
The Target is Tazirs Hitaka, a sage of green eco. She's been causing a ruckus lately, healing the wrong peopl. That and she's trying to get rid of all criminal activity." He tapped something else.

" You would never know her from the shy, socially inept person she used to be. Scientissts from haven prison dumped her in thier city half dead. She ended up in spargus on an arena transport." Shinrah leaned in, quickly reading.

" Where is she now?" It was a normal questions, Shinrah wanted to get this done by days end so thatshe could go back to her normal life.

" Outside the city later today. Looking for some herb for a sickness thats been going around." The woman had seen all she needed to know from the file. She nodded and left, going throught the same twisting passages she had ebtered through.

It was light now. Shinrah drover her buggy around, talking to people about the sage. She was a kind hearted person, goo with animals, loved the children. simply living. None had complaints about her, and Shinrah wonddered again why she was doing this. These people seemes to love her, and she was to be this womans downfal. Shinrah had heard enough by the time it was noon. She knew Tazira had headed out about an hour ago, going to the oasis to get whaevr she was looking for. It was the sight of an old battle with a darkmaker, plants growing around the strange creatures remains. It took a while to get there, and the assasin was in no hurry.

Shinrah jumped in her buggy, pulling her bandana over her mouth and nose. It would be a while before she got there.



The hours were marked by the sun, drifting away to a place where they would never come back. Shinrahs mind was confused, trying to awaken the killer who had lain dormant for so long. Why am I doing this? I've refused plenty of other missions to the point where no one asks me anymore. Why Snake? Why Now? Self doubt filled her mind like a black storm. Whys and ifs roled around in her brain until the trees came in sight and she could see another dune buggy parked in the shade. She pulled up, cutting the engine. The souft sound of a light soprano voice filled the air.

The Assasin stepped out. Every movement was hard, knowing the ens she was moving towards. A woman stood with a basket facing the trees and the bit of open sky. Her hair was long, red like molten fire.

Shinrah walked up next to her in silence.

" I've been expecting you." Tazira said. She turned her head to Shinrah, bright green eyes knowing.

" Then you know I'm here to kill you." She replied in as calm a voice as she could manage. There was something haung about this moment, both knowing what would happen but not how it would come to be.

" Yes. Do you wish to do this." The woman asked. It was a hard question with an easy answer

" No."

Tazira nodded. " But you feel it must. Once a mission is accepted it must be carried out. Only death would stop you". She turned her face to look at the sunset.

" Yes. That is how it is done." Shinrah lowered her head.

" Then let me make it easy ." Was the haunting, whisper reply.

The basket in Tazirsa hand dropped as she chrged in a soundless trial. All of te assains instincts snapped into place. There was a flash of red-silver, and a knife up to the hilt in flesh. Tazira smiled, green eco smiling, trying to repair the fatal wound.

" I'm sorry." Shinrah whispered hoarsely. " Black god bless you." Tazira nodded, pain not reaching her mind.

" So mote it be." Her lst words. Shinrah could stand it no longer. She pulled her other knife out and drew it across the womans throat in a flash, stepping away. Light left the green eyes, making them dull and cloudy with the fog of death.

The wind picked up, as if mourning the Sages death. Sand whipped, and the assasin ran to escape the barrage. The bright green blood in the sand was covered, along with the body of the small lithe woman. It was a secret no one would know. Night descended, silencing the brightness of day and with it the last memories of that life.




In the middle of the night a few weeks later a figure woke, crying out as she sat bolt upright. A pair of bright green eyes haunted her, along with the last parting whisper,


[glow=00EEFF,2,300]So mote it be[/glow][/size]

[dbkillerex]

So guys, in order to get a good fighting scene i had to go waaaaay over my current RP story. So here we go:

Home

It was just before sunset, The Scorpio's lay at a deserted construction site, tools and metallic objects were all around the arena. Jake Scorpio, an unshaved muscular master of the battle arts lay unarmed, no eco at his defense in front of his sons "John, Kane... Ben" He looked around than placed his left feet backward in a defensive position "What have become of you?".

DB stood his ground firmly, the gravel beneath his feet crushed and creaked as he mimicked Jake's position. "A thief , a Krimson guard and a monster. Aren't you proud dad?".
A cold wind blew stronger and enhanced, as each one of the combatants took a corner of the square, John left to DB and Benjamin right to Jake. John wore nothing but his usual pants, with a hole for his tale, Benjamin was in his KG uniform, giving him defense. Jake wore a red shirt and black pants, his legs barefoot and hard.

The sun began to set, leaving a darker and colder atmosphere. "You know why you were called Kane?" Jake pulled a metal bar from the ground, leaving a hole "Yes, its a nice name, but i agreed to that name only because it reminded me of a cane... cause when you were born the KG's infiltrated the hospital to get your mother, and i had to beat them to death with a cane. No offense Ben"

Benjamin stared blankly at Jake for a moment His your father, family comes first... A voice reminded

DB's patients ran out "Now shut up, and tell me why didn't you stay!!, why did you run away?, you could have saved her, or at least spare me of this life"

John now looked in his dad's eyes, despising the man, he wanted to take a bit out of him, feel his muscles and bones crush under his teeth, drain his blood than leave the rest to rot. His chest vibrated as a bone chilling rawer escaped his mouth. He charged, the gravel flew back in his trail, and half way through he leaned over than leaped toward Jake, claws first.

Jake raised the pole vertically, blocking johns leap than tilted it left and forced johns claws away, leaving him vulnerable than hurling a right spin kick toward his chest.

DB focused on Benjamin, in order to give john cover . His left hand straightened outward and in his hand a small spark grew both down and up, once a long line was formed both sides than arched and met creating a blue eco bow. From his right hand a purple sphere of eco formed a line, than grew a sharp edge- an arrow. He placed the arrow's behind on the "string", and stretched it back.

John knocked back, yet raged lifted his right claw and a white flash went through Jakes pole, the sharp claw cutting it in half. "Don't piss me off filth!".

Benjamin loaded a clip and began shooting strings of fire at John, crouching down for better precision.

John channeled red eco to his skin, strengthening his armor-like outer shell and blocking the shots. Than he crouched down, striking unbelievably fast with his stinger tale.

DB's eyes locked on Ben, and with a slight adjustment of angle his right hand released the arrow. Once in the air another arrow formed into DB's hand than he repeated the process.

Benjamin, caught by surprise thrust his weapon like a baseball bat toward the arrow as his last option. A purple light came through the growing fracture in the gun and the arrow pierced into the other side. The blow diverted its direction enough to pass above Ben's shoulder.

Grabbing each half of the pole with a different hand Jake crossed the poles into an X and caught the sting with it. Than turned and performed a hook kick at Johns head.

Benjamin sprinted and rolled over the gravel between unfinished structures and support beams in order to dodge DB's shots.

John's head received the full impact, his eyes turned red and displaying his teeth-full mouth he opened a suicidal bull-charged at Jake.

Jake jumped over John gracefully, flipping once in the air as he did. Than landing right behind John he was not prepared for the tail gripping him, and wrapping around him tightly.

John caught Jake than continued his run, while lifting Jake slightly off ground.

Jake tried breaking free, but in vain. After all he was human.

John leaped and they both dove down to the ground, he thrust Jake down harder than bent his elbow to deliver a devastating blow to the chest once landing over him.

DB Took out his knife, and his legs emitted a faint blue glow when he sprinted over the dusty ground and broke the silence. "Cant do anything without your rifle?" He prepared to attack when suddenly he spotted some unwelcomed guests

Baaang was the first sound Jake heard after the intense pain, John suddenly lifted himself off him and the familiar flash of gun shots gave off a bright light as the sun sunk deeper into the sea. Ben?... He wondered Placing a hand on his fractured rib and lifted his head to witness three red armored KG's sniping at John. "You got backup?" he whispered when John began fleeing.

"Where's DB?" Benjamin alerted them "His here soemwhere... Be careful". Placing both hands on Jake's chest an intense green aura emitted for a few seconds, healing Jake for as much as he can "Thats all i got, you'll have to check in the hospital later..."

John's wing flapped loudly, blowing a think cloud of dust as he flew up. "I'm not done with you" He growled, a few gunshots hit him in the back, missing his wings. He finally settled on a rooftop close by, out of the blasters range.

"But Ben, we need to finish this once and for all. We cant just shoot them off every time" Jake got up slowly than straightened his back and pulled back his shoulders. "Come-out come-out wherever you are 'DB'... Daddy's gonna get you a knuckle pie".

A purple flash from out of no where and one KG tossed to the ground, a cloud of dust raised once more as the KG's weapon began firing by itself at the owner. In response the two KG's began shooting at the blaster, which evaded them swiftly one time after another as it attempted to kill the armored guard, than giving up it dropped silently onto the gravel as though it never had been moved.

The armor is a problem, cant kill him as easily without being detected... DB concluded.

One of the remaining KG's helmet was snatched, crushed than thrown to the ground seemingly by itself. Than DB pumped dark eco to his left hand and grasped the KG's bare throat.

The other KG was not far from his colleague, and once his friend's helmet lifted a precise burst of fire left his blaster and he watched as the air began bleeding.

A dark form appeared from thin air, sharp teeth pitch black eyes and long horns turned to face the shooter, its shoulder damaged by the gun wound. DB's left hand grasped tighter and stretched back, building up moment.

Jake begone searching his pockets and shoes for any of his hidden weapons "Their never there when you need them" He complained

The shooter shot once again, toward the same point and watched with terror as it filled the sage with rage.

Benjamin held the other end of the blaster, butt pointed toward DB, "Ill just have to knock some sense into this kid."

DB than thrust his hand forward and hurled the KG onto the shooter, knocking both into an unfinished wall than down onto the ground. His right hand pulled a metal pipe from the ground as he approached the guards, one tried getting up and escaping... In vain

The pipe went out and a purple aura surrounded DB's claw and talons than it went down with great force into the KG's helmet-less head, sending him into the after-life. The second KG still wore his armor giving DB another idea "Ill spare you of a painful death, I'm not a monster you see?" He cast down the piped and suddenly a knife went through his upper left back "Aaaagh!"

"Hands off Kane!. Thats enough" Jake announced "One of them is going to the hospital the one is dead, and they all have families. Thats why i retired".

Benjamin flung the blaster aimed at DB's face, which in return slammed him horn's into the weapon and crushed it.

The blue eco crackled and formed in DB's palms and as when stretched out his hand his electricity discharged outward and rendered both Benjamin and the KG unconscious "So thats why you quit?" DB's voice growled with hatred as he caught Benjamin's fall and lay him down "For their family!?" He pointed toward the three KG's "And what about us?!"

"I had to make a sacrifice son, We... we still have a chance" Jake answered, still taking a defensive position next next to another unfinished wall as DB stepped toward him, crushing the gravel harder and harder with every step.

DB made a charge and sped up toward Jake, his eyes pointed straight into Jake's eyes and his teeth exposed. Once getting close enough DB launched off the ground, turned and in mid-air directed his 'flying back kick' to Jake's face

When DB seemed to lift into the air Jake immediately ducked and rolled over to the opposite direction, avoiding the destructive force.

DB's foot crashed into the wall with his heel a dark purple blast erupted and crumbling that part of the wall making the noise of a boulder rolling down a steep hill. DB came down left leg first and lay his hand on the ground for support as his dark eco vanished. The the wall cave in, chunks of concrete fell and shattered on the ground as the last traces of the sun vanished, leaving a completely dark arena.

Now the blue eco took over "And what chance is that?, John cant live anywhere without the entire neighborhood spreading rumors about him, i cant live a day without wreaking half the city and you and Benjamin are working with the baron against me. What home is that?, what family is that?." His rage became settled, and he ran a few possible moves in mind for the next attack

Jake now paused to examine the wreck "Thats some powerful eco son" He laughed, "Lets see how you do without it" He changed into a fighting position and tried to anticipate DB's next move.

DB stepped a little closer until they were just 3 meters away from each other. His hands began circling each other, as an improvised meditation. His muscles loosened of the powerful dark eco stress and relaxed, the blue eco flowed freely inside his body and the release of tension was noticeable upon his expression.

Jake began jumping around with his hands going back and forth he moved a bit from left to right. He than turned and swiftly swung his leg from behind his back heel first at his target.

A burst of eco went to his legs as he made an immense 2.1m jump , Jake's kick passed right under him. Than he came down with his right leg straightened and descending onto Jake like an axe's tip.

DB's ankle struck Jakes head, knocking him down. Jake quickly recovered and pushed himself up from the ground and back into the battle.

DB landed with his left leg first than his right leg, looking up at Jake for a few seconds "Give up" He advised

"Good... very good... but not great" Jake whispered, shaking his head once he put both fists in front of his chest. His eye adjusted to the dark and he circled around DB for a few seconds before finding a week spot in his defense.

DB changed his position for a side kick when suddenly Jake made his move. Jake pushed himself forward fast with his right foot and delivered a diving punch to DB's chin with his left fist, resembling superman as he did.

DB was thrown off balance by the powerful jolt. His hand lifted to his chin instinctively to feel for any damage. "Your gonna pay for that" He warned Jake, his upper body filled with blue eco that was most visible in the pitch black arena.

Jake had no time to respond as DB came at him with full speed

DB hurled an uppercut straight to Jake's chin, transferring all of his momentum to Jake.

Jake was lifted a few inches in the air before coming down to his knees, he pushed his hands against the ground for support and tilted his head up to face DB's merciless eyes "You ask what kind of family is that..." He got up on one foot, slightly off balance "The answer is simple..." He got up on both feet "It our kind of family"

DB Was about to deliver the final blow when he heard a flap of wings from behind

John landed back as the danger passed "Nice job" He growled as he noticed the KG's and broken ruins. His earlier insanity had faded, giving him back his settled mind

"All you have experienced so far is just a quarter maybe less of whats left of your life. Your still young, we can start over..." He offered, reaching his hand out to DB"

DB looked back at John, taking the offer seriously "Me and Benjamin... We can start over, but look at him you cannot offer him a fresh start"

"But i can offer him a better future. How about it Johny?" Jake stared into the 4 yellow eyes looking straight back at him

"Humans and metal heads alike rejected and betrayed me like you had, your no better than them, but your no worse. Since your the only one who had offered me... theres no other choice for me is there"

DB turned around and walked over to Benjamin picking him up by the hands "So its settled?..." He said with a bitter yet surprised tone "After all these years..." He had yet to realize the massive turn in his life that happened in those seconds.

"Yes, it is son... Yes it is". Jake sighed deeply in relief along with DB and John "I know this house in the city where no one can find us" He approached DB and John came with him.

"Help me lift him up... Bro" DB asked John, than the three carried Benjamin up and along with them as the crossed the familiar streets of haven the street lights turned on giving a whole new light to the city

"Those lights, always late..." Jake complained as they all approached the new house... Home

[princedee]

Voting time has come, but I'll delay it so db can get his story in.

[dbkillerex]

Thank you dee for letting me finish, I apologize it took so long.

Though i must say i am disappointed by there being only 2 entries to the contest, Hopefully next month would be more competitive

[imelza0]

It will. I'll be entering next month, but I was off for a while, and then by the time I logged in again, I didn't have enough time to start. Don't know who I will be voting for, though, and I wish you both well in winning this contest!

[princedee]

Voting time has begun

[Neki]

wOOt ! I'm ready I'm ready I'm ready I'm ready.............