Dolor: Stigma Vitae (Pain: Stigma of Life) - RP Thread

[Rammerrush]

Camas Rikehart.png

As the rain died down and the wind started to let up, Camas woke up to the cries of a cold Essie. "Caaaaaaamaaaaaaas! Wake up!" She shouted. "It's freaking cold."

"What, but I'm so comfy here in my nice warm cave." He said, knowing it would only get her angrier. "Why don't you come in too?"

"I would, if I had legs." Essie muttered. "Can we just leave yet? You've rested long enough."

"Fine," he picked himself off the floor and headed to the entrance of the cave. Essie gave a relaxed sigh as Camas picked her up and placed her back into her sheath. "Now you can rest for a while."

"Kay," she replied sleepily. "Night night."

With Essie safely tucked away, Camas decided to scout the area. First he headed forward a few yards to check for any trouble that might've followed him. When he saw nothing new in the area he doubled back to the cave.

"Okay so left then right." Camas muttered. "Let's hope I don't find anything bad." He headed off to the left of the cave and reached a massive canyon, so massive that he couldn't even see the other side. He looked down into it to find he was unable to see the bottom.

He turned around and headed back the way he came, deciding there was nothing more to see at the canyon. He reached the cave and just kept walking. He walked for about 30 minutes before something else stopped him.

This time it wasn't a canyon that stopped him. It wasn't anything natural at all. The only word Camas could use to describe it was monster.

The monster charged at him, knocking him down. "Crap, its strong." Camas rolled out of the way and grabbed Essie's hilt before remembering she was sleeping. Not wanting to wake her up Camas decided he could take this guy on himself.

The thing stared at Camas as he lifted his open hand infront of him. He pointed his palm at the beast and shouted, "Quake!"

As his voice called out to the earth, the ground responded with a destructive shake. The monster grabbed at the floor to try and stay steady, but what it wasn't expecting was a tree collapsing on his head.

With the monster distracted, Camas turned and ran back toward the cave. He stopped for nothing, and when the monster let out a deafening roar signalling the end of his spell, it only made Camas run faster.

He reached the cave and looked back. He couldn't see anything following him, but he knew it could just be taking it's time coming after him. He had to stay on the move, no matter how much he was tempted to hide in the cave.

Looking in every direction that was available to him, Camas was able to easily rule out going both left and right. He looked forward from the cave. There wasn't anything dangerous, but there wasn't anything new, and he knew that if he wanted to win he had to keep exploring.

That's when an idea struck him. He turned around and looked at the cave. It wasn't too tall and he thought he saw a hint of grass growing at the top. That decided it for him. He grabbed hold of the rock wall on the outside of the cave and started to climb.

Before long he was half way up, mapping out all the hand holds he could use, and making sure he feet weren't about to slip. In no time at all he had reached the top, and as he lifted his feet off the wall and onto the roof of his cave, he heard the monster lumber into the area. Camas didn't stay to watch the beast, he didn't want to risk being found.

He quietly ran down the slope that the cave roof made. He didn't slow down until the ground started to level out and he was pretty sure he was far enough away. He looked around at his new surrounding and didnt see anything surprising.

The only thing that really struck him as different from the areas he had looked around before was a steep hill to his left. He walked up the hill, each step uphill took more and more effort. Finally he reached the top and saw something he hadn't expected in this forest terrain.

A large gray stone building rose from the green of the trees. It appeared to be pretty far off, but Camas knew he needed to go there to win the prize. Essie's humanity. "Well I'd say that's our destination."

[Zup]

Bird’s computer counted off nine different hostiles rapidly making their way towards him and Clarissa. His head moved left and right to try to discern where they were. For some reason, nothing showed up on his HUD minimap.

“Bird what’s going on?” Clarissa asked nervously. “Wh-what are you looking at?”

“Clarissa...there are *click*...hostiles. Stay behind...*chirp* me.”

The hostiles finally showed themselves...but only to Bird’s HUD. They appeared to be invisible, and could only be seen when Bird’s computer automatically switched to the thermal vision. Their shapes were similar to tall humans, but they were almost skeletal in width. The thermal vision could not make out any details.

“There! Hostiles! *chirp* *chirp* Clarissa...go into hiding.”

“But I don’t see any-”

Bird could not hear the end of her sentence as he instantly found himself falling from a tree branch some distance away. His computer whirred to try and examine the situation, but it failed to give him any information whatsoever.

Bird’s head observed the area all around him, but he could not detect Clarissa, and the location on his minimap was almost foreign. Luckily, he could see the top corner was somewhere he had gone before.

The hostiles...had transported him somewhere...in a flash.

His HUD showed only two of the strange hostiles nearby, one heading towards him and the other in another direction. He knew he had to get to Clarissa and avoid these strange hostiles from moving him once again. His computer stored the information into his memory databases permanently, and even though the profiles for these odd hostiles were practically empty, any knowledge would help the robot.

Bird jumped up and grabbed the tree branch, using it to swing himself upwards. He kicked on his fight system, which came in the form of small pockets in his back and the bottom of his feet opening and firing him off.

He flew through the air, steadily climbing upwards. His computer picked up on Clarissa, who was running through the trees dotting the clearing. Every few moments one of the hostiles would get next to her, transporting her to another location not too far from where she started.

Bird aimed his beak downwards and his descent began. He was like a bird of prey heading for it’s food down below.

As he got within distance of the first hostile, he shut his flight system off and thrust his palm out, striking the nearest hostile square in the chest, causing it to disappear in a harsh, high-pitched scream that only his computer could pick up on.

The robot landed in a roll on the ground and dived towards Clarissa. He grabbed the girl in a protective embrace before booting up a sphere of energy for protection around them. The first hostile that tried to get close was burned and shrieked before disappearing. The other hostiles soon learned and didn’t get any closer.

Instead they waited...Constantly moving around the two in their bubble, watching every move...Waiting.

Bird suddenly caught sight of a small brown creature in Clarissa’s arms. She had been hugging it in fear, though her shaking was starting to slow down. The creature looked up at Bird, who’s computer was already in the process of scanning.

Target not matched in databases...running local Internet search for matches...Unable to connect to Internet...Unable to identify target...Target does not appear hostile...

“Clarissa...*click*...What is this....*click*...little specimen?”

Clarissa slowly turned to Bird. She was about to speak when the little creature did instead. “I am a Venus Djinn. My name is Flint.”

Bird’s computers quickly documented the information. “Djinn?”

Flint could not answer, however, as the hostiles started to suddenly...transform. Each one’s back began to grow what looked to be a set of wings, and soon did, in fact, show itself to be just that. They grew slightly taller, and their heads began to extend into long, pointed snouts.

Bird’s computer was beginning it’s scan, but it failed to match anything.

Bird’s eyes darted left and right as the hostiles began to circle around the shield faster than before, some flapping their wings to get into the air.

An odd “feeling” began to overtake Bird. It was something he and his computer had never experienced before. It was...it was...

Scanning self state...fear...state of fear attained...

Bird had learned to fear. He now feared the things that his computer could not tell him. He now feared what he could not understand.

[Redhollowlives999]

Raul was awoken by a loud sound.

"What was that?"

Red looked up huffing and puffing. He looked exhausted. "I broke the wall. It was pretty thick; not to mention I didn't do it with much strength. I didn't want to alert any other fighter."

Raul looked towards the ground. "This might sound weird, but, I had a dream, it might be a clue."

Red tried to recover, but he couldn't stop the hard breathing. "About?"

Raul got up. and pointed towards the west. "I think... theres a healing pool towards there."

"You sure it wasn't just a dream?"

"Doubt it. In any case, lets just get reequipped and lets try to find some place we can sleep in."

Red looked around, then after surveying the area, he looked back at Raul. "We could walk around, or we can sleep in that huge room hole thing."

Raul turned to the wall, Red had made a huge hole, big enough to go into, heck or even sleep in, but it wasn't concealed enough to protect them. "That doesn't look to safe, any wild animal can enter in it at given time."

Red took a deep breath, and in 2 seconds, the two were surrounded in water; lots of it.
"It rained while you slept, I can close and open the hole whenever I want to." Red grinned at his friend. "So we have our door."

Raul wanted to object, but before he could speak, Red's stomach growled. "Maybe I should find us food."

Red blocked the hole with ice. "Do as you please, don't get killed."

Raul laughed at the bigot's statement. "You underestimate me."

Red walked into the room he opened back up by making a whole in the ice. "I'd rather you get killed than bring me no food though, just remember that bro."

Before Raul could say something else, the entrance closed. "Ha, that guy. I guess I should go find some nuts or something."

Raul walked out the arena and began to scavenge the area. He found 4 types of berries, 2 poisonous, 1 bitter but a good source of protein, and one that was delicious, but not to many were on the bush; after identifying each berry, he threw the poisonous 2. After wandering for a bit, Raul came across something; or someone. He immediately hid behind the nearest tree.

2 people. A woman. And.... what is that.... I better get back to Red.

Raul walked for a small distance, and then did a mad dash to the arena when he thought he was far enough.

"Not fighting until I can figure out what Red is planning."

Raul heard a sound behind him, he was reluctant to turn around because the terrain was already full of rocks and roots; any stumble could cost him his life. After running for 5 minutes, he finally got to the arena. Raul took out his blade (Key of Lorelei) and whacked the ice blocking him and Red.

Red came out seconds later. "What? No need to hit the door!"

Raul tried to catch his breath while telling his story to Red. "We aren't alone dude... weird, humanoid, metallic thing... woman... something... chasing me..."

Red took out his blade (brotherhood) and readied himself for whatever was chasing his close friend. "Get ready, I think I hear something too."

[Rammerrush]

"Camas? What did i miss?" Essie asked, groggily as she woke up from her nap. Camas was now about half way to the huge building and up until now he was able to avoid incedent. And now that Essie was awake he didn't have to worry about running into another one of those monsters.

"Nothing much," he replied. He didn't want to worry her if he didn't have to. "Just alot of walking."

"Oh, glad i missed that." Essie was quiet for a few seconds as Camas continued walking, probably checking out the new surroundings. Then she finally asked the question Camas was expecting, "Where are we?"

"We're on our way to a building." Camas answered. "It's big, gray, and looks out of place, so it has to be our destination."

Before Essie could reply, the duo was interrupted russle in the trees to their left. Camas hushed his friend and turned to the source of the sound. He could barely see through the deep green foliage of the many trees, but he could've sworn he could see a... kid, maybe, running through the forest. He ttried to move in for a better look, but he was gone too fast.

"Camas, what was it?" Essie asked, unable to see as far as her friend.

"I think it was a kid."

"A kid? Should we follow him?"

Camas turned back to the direction they'd been walking before the interruption. "We keep going, we don't have time for distractions." He broke in to a dead sprint, trying to get to the building before whatever the kid was running from, came after him.

Before long, his legs brought him to the building. It was larger than he thought it would be from the hill. There were too large wooden door infront of himwith a sign above them reading "ARENA" in big bold letters. Camas held one hand to the door and pushed. The door moved under the pressure he exerted until he could see inside.

Darkness. That's all he could see, inky black darkness. He lightly pushed the door again trying to let some light in, but this time the door reacted to his touch by swinging wide open.

"We should be careful," Essie said. "Who knows what's waiting for us in there."

Camas nodded. Hopefully the cure that bastard promised

[Zup]

Bird’s eyes darted back and forth to the hostiles surrounding him, Clarissa, and Flint. His computer was whirring in his head, beginning to heat up from this new wave of “fear” it had achieved. He had no knowledge of these hostiles, and no idea how to relieve this “fear.”

In this panic, his computer read his state as an emergency, and immediately his desperation systems kicked in. The energy shield was dropped as the Bleeding Edge suit began to take full effect, moving up through his body and onto the surface of his dulled metallic plating.

The transformation left him covered in a red and gold plating that captured the sun’s light, giving his battery some juice and shining outward. Clarissa looked to him in awe, but at such a close distance, had to shield her eyes.

As the suit finished loading, Bird immediately sprang into action. From his palms fired blue rays of light - repulsor blasts - that struck the hostiles with enough force to shoot them backward and leave smoke spilling from the point of contact. The thrusters on his feet moved him in and out of the trees and bushes, much too quickly for the hostiles to get a shot at him.

Bird gained altitude in his flight, and a thin red laser fired from his eyes, piercing through the neck of a hostile perched on a branch nearby.

Within the minute, all of the hostiles were dead, burning into charred corpses that litered the forest floor. With the threats gone and his fears diminished, the suit returned to its dormant state under his plating and he returned to his standard mannerisms.

Bird returned to Clarissa’s side, whose eyes were wide at the display of power the robot had performed. She cringed when he extended his hand to help her up, but only for an instant, as she immediately smiled when he cocked his head to the side and chirped. She took it and got to her feet as he lead her to do.

“Are you...*chirp* *click* *click*...alright, Clarissa?”

The girl nodded. “Yeah. Bird what was...what were they?”

Bird turned from the girl and examined the corpses of his enemies. He still hadn’t gained any intel on them, and as such, his computer failed to tell him what he needed - and wanted - to know. “They are not...*click*...in my database.”

Suddenly the robot turned his head to a direction that seemingly had nothing to offer but trees. He had picked something up on his minimap while soaring through the area and taking down the hostiles, yet he had not focused on it during the battle.

“What is it?”

“I detected...*click*...a human...to the west...*chirp*...We should investigate.”

Bird turned to the girl and nodded to her, and she responded with a nod of her own. The robot lead the way, careful to detect any potential hostiles and making it a priority to keep Clarissa safe.

[Redhollowlives999]

Red and Raul watched as the door slammed open.

Red tried to whisper a quick message to Raul before he turned back to see this enemy. "Ready Your KoL."

Raul responded to Red as if he was an adult and he was a little kid, "Yeah yeah, don't tell me how to fight, worry about yourself."

"Who is there?"

Red put away his blade. "Yeah, who is there."

Raul tried to identify the figure, the voice sounded like a male, and the stature gave the impression that he was about their age. He couldn't see much detail on the figure due to it being abit dark in the room. After putting away his blade, Raul decided to use fire abilities to light up the arena. Almost as if automatic, Raul light each torch he could see within his range of site.

The figure then slowly came into view. He was indeed a male. Light skinned, black hair, black everything else. Roughly about 6 feet. Despite his appearance, he failed in impressing Red and Raul.

As the 3 finished inspecting each other, the stranger finally broke the silence. "I can assume you two are players."

Red disregarded the teen and went to do his business. "Tch. Who else would we be? Staff?"

Raul tried to jump in as good cop. "Sorry about him, he gets annoying when he doesn't eat. I'm Raul Sado. He's-"

Red jumped in with a face full of the juices from the edible berries Raul brought. "Sup? I'm Red Hollow. And you are?"

The stranger returned a grin to the two players. "Camas. Camas Rikehart."

[Zup]

The trek took them through uncharted territory, and Bird's excitement grew as more data on the environment was added to his computer. It didn't please him that the walk mostly brought about information on plant life, as he found that topic exceptionally dull, but the fact that he was learning again after the incident with the unidentifiable hostiles sure did.

Bird was careful to not take them into areas where they could possibly be attacked by hostiles, though his computer didn't pick up any signs of life other than squirrels and monkeys. And though he had had only a teeny glimpse of the human figure earlier, he was able to track the location with his thermal vision, noticing the footsteps as the human ran through the forest to whatever destination it had planned to arrive at.

The robot turned back to look at Clarissa, who's gaze was seemingly transfixed on the ground in front of her. She held the Djinn Flint much like a little girl would a teddy bear, and it only made Bird even more protective and on the lookout.

Soon enough, a human figure was found on his HUD in the distance. As a few more steps were taken, two more of near equal size began to take shape, then no more afterwards.

The three humans were inside an old but massive building. With the current situation being a tournament to the death, Bird's computer identified it as an arena for hosted battles, and in response, his hand gripped the saber staff on his back.

If it was a place for combat, and three potentially hostile humans were inside, he couldn't help but prepare himself.

"Clarissa..." Bird said. "My database reads... *click*...that we have two days...*chirp*...of invincibility from permanent shut down." The robot turned to the girl. "Or death, in...*chirp* *chirp*...your case."

"R-really?" asked the girl. "But then why did you...why did you make a shield to protect us?"

"Pain still registers," the robot replied. He turned back to the building and took some steps forward. "*Chirp* Stay cautious behind me...*click*...and out of sight of...*chirp*...the humans -"

"Who?"

"My computer detects three humans...*click* *chirp*...inside that building; most likely...*click*...competitors." He leaned against the outside wall of the arena, within reach of the door. His free hand pointed to a bush nearby. "Wait here...*click*..." His head tilted. "Out of their vision...*chirp* *chirp*...If the situation becomes hostile...*click* *click*...Prepare for evasion."

Clarissa nodded and hid in the bush as she was commanded to. Bird slowly opened the door of the arena, his eyes fixed on where the three figures were - inside the arena, on the other end of the corridor. There were lit torches on the walls, so Bird's thermal vision shut off to see clearly.

He caught the back-most one saying, "...mas Rikehart."

The name fragment was recorded into Bird's databases and matched with a quick rundown of the owner - tall, wearing black, pale skin, wielding a sword, most likely in late adolescence or early adulthood.

"Detect hostility."

Human adolescent/adult male...Possible hostility...current status: not a hostile...No threat detected...

Feeling safe - for now - Bird began to make his way to the three chatting humans.

[Rammerrush]

Camas Rikehart.png

Camas unsheathed Essie and pointed her at the more annoying looking one, something with an R. "What's going on here?" All I know is I'm here to save my friend."

"Whatever, puppy!" Shouted the annoying moron.

"Puppy?" Camas asked, wondering if this guy had a mental handicap. Yeah I already don't like this idiot.

"Sorry for my friend, he can be stupid at times," said the guy who lit the torches. "Look you can put your weapon away, we're not here to fight ya."

"That is incorrect," came a voice from behind Camas. He spun around and saw a large... shiny man. He seemed to be dressed from head to toe in metal, with a helmet in the shape of a bird's head.

He walked up to the three men and instinctively they reformed into a triangle, putting an equal distance between them all. "We are all here to fight each other," With out a second thought, Warren switched Essie to his other hand and pointed it at the newcomer, sensing more danger and power in him then the other two. "This is a," The man leaned his head far to one side, like a birds, and let out a click. "Tournament."

"A tournament?" Camas asked. "So we need to fight each other."

Camas spun his blade and got into a fighting stance toward the annoying moron and his friend, but before he could attack the birdlike man spoke up, "Yes... *click* but fighting them now... *chirp* will do you no good."

"Why not?" Camas asked, more then ready to destroy them so he could save Essie.

The man stepped between Camas and the others and pulled out a strange staff. "Permanent shutdown... *click* *chirp* is not a valid reaction in the first two days of this... *chirp* tournament."

Camas sheathed Essie and returned to a more casual stance. "I'm assuming that 'Permanent shutdown' means death." The man nodded. "Well then, thanks for the information." Camas held out his hand toward the metal covered man. "I'm Camas, you are?"

The man took his hand and shook it. “I am Two-Nine-Eighteen-Four...*chirp*...Codename: Bird.”

"Hmmm, Bird..." He said releasing his hand. "Fitting."

[Redhollowlives999]

Red and Raul listen to the other two fighters. Red leaned towards Raul to whisper. "Is this the metal thing you saw?"

Raul nodded. "Yeah, but 'bird' seems rather kind. What was up with that puppy crap?"

Red turned to the large hole in the arena. "What can I say? I'm still a little hungry."

As Red got farther, Raul raised his voice; to the point that even Camas and Bird could hear. "Can you atleast say hi to them properly?"

Red stopped when inside the small cave like hole. "HEH, of course n-"

Red looked at bird and could see the cold, lifelessness eyes; as if he didn't know how emotions completely worked. "Nice to meet you guys, good luck 'Bird'. Camas. you'll regret stick your blade at me, but for now; nice meeting you."

Red then turned and sealed the hole closed with his water bending; leaving the other 3 players outside.

Raul sighed. "I'm sorry for him; he's a great fighter and friend when he's not hungry. So, I assume you guys wanna trade some info? I suppose its only fair since you informed us of this 'temporary invincibility'. I think I know about some pools.. It might have been a dream... But it was really vivid......."

Bird looked at Raul in slight interest; Camas turned for the door.

"I think they can heal injuries..."

Camas stopped walking. He didn't turn to look at Raul, but he still gave an interested tone in his voice. "Where are these 'pools'?"

[Zup]

Bird was satisfied that the encounter with the humans didn't lead to a fight, but he wasn't exactly about to let his guard down (not that he could completely do so - his defense protocols were always ready to load). He replaced the saber staff on his back, but never exposed his back to the two remaining humans.

As Camas and the other human discussed these healing pools (which Bird had no interest in - he needed no water), Bird made his way to the ice wall covering the cave the human who had sealed it off went into. His fingers tapped on it, and he confirmed that it was solid and true ice and not glass. He turned to the other two. "Names...what are they?"

"Oh I'm Raul," said the unknown human. "And my friend's name is Red."

The information was instantly added into Bird's computer. He now had intel on his enemy - Red could use ice. Bird also noted that it was done so with the wave of a hand in a somewhat... dance like fashion. Similar to martial arts that had already been added to his databases long ago.

"So...Bird," said Camas. The robot turned to the young swordsman in black. "You wanna come with us to find these pools?"

"I have no...*click*...interest in bodies of water. The supposed...*chirp*...healing properties would -" He suddenly remembered Clarissa. "Yes...I shall *chirp* *chirp* join you...In fact I would...*click*...be of much use in locating these...*click*...pools."

Bird allowed Camas and Raul to lead the way outside. As they emerged into the woods, Bird moved to Clarissa's hiding spot and beckoned her to come out, assuring her it was safe, but quietly telling her to be cautious around these humans.

"This is...*click*...Clarissa," Bird introduced the girl. "Do you have any...*click*...information on these pools?"

"Well," began Raul. "I'm honestly not even sure where they're at. It was just a...dream I had."

"Dream?" asked Bird. He knew what a dream was, but was not programmed to process their possible importance, and so he missed the point in Raul's stating so. "Typical human dreams are...*click*...manifestations of events that have transpired....*chirp*....throughout the day. They could also...*click*...be the inner desires-"

"Um, okay, sorry," interrupted Raul. "Not really a dream, then. I guess...a vision, maybe?"

Bird cocked his head to the side, his computer racing. "From previous experience...*click*...it seems each contestant has been...*chirp*...given information on this tournament. Perhaps...*click*...these pools are special information...*click*...given to you?"

"That sounds reasonable to me," said Camas. "But where do we find these pools?"

"Standby," replied Bird. His computer raced, scanning the arena for all known locations, and giving possible locations of the pools based on nearby temperatures and other factors. Detecting...body of water...2.6 miles...southwest. His eyes opened and he pointed to the southwest. "Nearest possible body of water...*chirp* *chirp*...is located 2.6 miles southwest."