Deep within the universe, there is a world much like our own...Sylestia.
Rich with marvels, both technological and magical alike. Sylestia stands as a shining beacon of peace and prosperity, with Humanity living side by side with the Sylesti. Powerful creatures with the ability to command the elements and magic of the world.
Together they have built many wonders that would change the face of Sylestia as a whole.
On the surface, this world seems perfect, but deep within its very core, long forgotten by the world above.
A darkness rises, seeking to reclaim Sylestia as its own.
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Huff huff.
A Draeyl panted heavily. Having been locked in combat with his target for what seemed like hours. Both warriors now stood exhausted but neither would give.
The Draeyl roared in defiance at his shadowy opposition. The being obscured by the black veil of its armor, reached up and removed its helmet, which shattered as it hit the floor.
The Draeyl growled menacingly in his throat before quieting, as the creatures true face became visible. Illuminated by the fires outside, the sight crumbled the Draeyl's resolve as a horrified whisper passed his lips.
"...It can't be."
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(This is my first story on this site. We'll see how it goes. ^^
This story is sci-fi/fantasy, and will be a roller coaster. So, please fasten your seatbelt, and get ready for a wild ride!
Any and all feedback is welcome! ^^
If you want me to use one of your Sylesti, please post their name, picture, and a brief description of their personality, and I'll see what I can do with them. ^^
All of my Sylesti are dreamies, as are any avatars unless otherwise noted. |
Chapter 1:Shattered Silence
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~ 6 Months Earlier
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The night in the Viridian Meadows was serene. The local flora and fauna crafting a tranquil lullaby. Insects chittered and nocturnal birds chirped over a backdrop of wind rustling gently through grass blades, and the soothing melody of water rippling on a pond.
The splendor of this verdant paradise, mostly untouched was only broken when a set of strangers made their way through.
"Why? Of all the missions we could take. Why, did we take the one that is boring?" A belligerent Draeyl snarled.
"Boring is good sometimes Fyrus!" The sole human, and leader of the group Morgan O'Neil said in earnest.
Fyrus scoffed in response but said nothing more.
Behind Morgan and Fyrus was a slender Ny'vene with a serene expression on his face. The draconic creature hummed as he walked, all the while a small Zolnixi danced around his legs. Neither seemed at all worried about smushing or being smushed.
Discontent with the quiet, Fyrus voiced his agitation once more. "I'm not asking for anything too combat intensive, just some kind of excitement."
The Ny'vene stopped humming momentarily. "I think we could all use a break from the norm, and this happens to be perfect."
"For you Bach?" Fyrus quipped back at his fellow dragon, receiving a bob of the head in response.
"You know, if you want to yell at anyone for this Fyrus, then yell at the guys currently at the lab. They should have been back by now." Morgan smiled at his Draeyl companion who gave him a look of bitter acceptance.
"Right. Why are we out here again?" Fyrus mumbled disinterestedly.
"The Alvarius Project wants to salvage the data contained inside their old lab." The Zolnixi, Chloey chimed in to answer. "It's been over ten years since this place was abandoned, and well" The Zolnixi trailed off thoughtfully.
"You want to spend a night gawking at antiques?" Fyrus finished for her.
"Pretty much, yes." Bach spoke calmly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "As I'm sure the salvage team is right now."
"I know this is different Fyrus, but if this data is all it's cracked up to be, then this could be our biggest contribution yet." Morgan explained for what felt like the thousandth time that night.
"I know alright! I know." The Draeyl grumped as they approached the door of the barn the lab was contained in.
This night will fly by, and then we can get back to business as usual. Morgan remarked as he tried to open the door.
Chloey snickered softly. "Morgan honey? Did you forget it was locked from the inside?" The Zolnixi asked playfully.
"No! Of course not!" Morgan quickly turned away from the door and began rubbing at the back of his hair.
"Of course not." Chloey echoed with a wink, before crawling into a small hole in the side of the barn. Not long after she cried out in distress. "Oh no!"
"Huh? What is it? What's wrong?!" Bach quickly rushed up, and lowered his head to the holes level. The Ny'vene's muzzle was met with a paw.
"It's a boop!" Chloey said with a giggle, sticking out her tongue to emphasize the point.
A brief moment of eye contact later, and the scales on Bach's muzzle and face began to redden. Fyrus turned away in disgust, opening his mouth and pointing at it. Morgan meanwhile coughed into his hand to hide his laughter as the now slightly embarrassed Ny'vene rejoined them.
"So?" Bach asked, shuffling awkwardly.
The door is open! Morgan declared happily, as the door's locks clicked from inside.
"Thank goodness!" Fyrus added. "And now I'm certain this won't be so bad! After all, at least the antiques wont make lovey goo goo eyes at each other." The disgruntled Draeyl told his draconic compatriot, only to recoil as a small stone bounced off his head. "Ow!"
Bach, who had been trying to vanish into his own wings, found his spirits lifted in a fraction of the time, as Chloey climbed onto his shoulder and whispered.
"Did you miss me?"
The Ny'vene gave the Zolnixi a nod and grin before turning back to Fyrus. "If there's one thing this little lady has taught me, it's that the whole Lone Lupora thing is kind of overrated.
"I know that!" Fyrus postured proudly. "Why do you think I tolerate you guys?"
"You only tolerate us? Gee, thanks Fyrus." Morgan remarked sarcastically from just inside the barn.
The Draeyl's shoulders slumped defeatedly as Bach and Chloey walked past him, and into the barn without a second glance.
Inside the barn, Morgan pointed at the loft. "There should be a button for the elevator up there."
"I'm on it!" Bach called back, already in flight, his eyes stayed on Chloey as she hopped down to the floor, before he focused on his task.
"An elevator?" Fyrus asked as he joined them in the barn.
Morgan nodded. "The lab's too big to fit in a barn, and since the good folks at the Alvarius Project didn't want to upend the local terrain"
"Underground hmm?" The Draeyl finished.
"Correctomundo!" Morgan said smugly, seeing Fyrus was at least paying attention.
Across the room, a mechanical whir filled the air, as the back wall parted to reveal a sleek and shiny chamber. A direct contrast from old and dusty wood that made up most of the barn, and definitely a contrast to the partly rotted pallets blocking the elevator.
"Wait, what?" Morgan looked on in disbelief.
"That's not a problem." Fyrus sighed before moving forward and with some effort, lifting the pallets, and tossing them to the side, smashing several of them in the process.
"It's not a problem, but it is weird." Morgan muttered in confusion.
"Very weird." Chloey observed.
"Oh, so we might see some action after all?" Fyrus sounded excited for the first time that night.
"It would be wise to be prepared." Bach added in, after coming down from the loft.
"Hopefully, it's nothing serious, but be on guard." Morgan instructed as he and his Sylesti companions boarded the elevator.
"I may have been wrong about this venture." Fyrus spoke, only for Bach to lightly smack the back of his head with his wing.
"Ow!"
"Sorry."
"No youre not."
You're right, I'm not.
"Okay, you guys. Cool it!" Morgan said as he activated the elevator.
Little did the party know, that as the elevator descended into the depths of the lab facility, they would set in motion events, that would change their lives forever.
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((For anyone wondering, the Alvarius Project are the ones who created the technology that allows humans and sylestia to communicate with one another. Basically like a hearing aid that lets it's wearer understand the Sylesti's language.)) |
