Der Hafen

Discussion in 'Roleplaying Forum' started by Wolfsbane, Nov 27, 2010.

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  1. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    Ismael watched from where he sat, paralyzed, and knew that it wasall over before it had even begun. Schneider was the greatest magician of his time. Nobody could take that from him. But Shaw was perhaps the greatest magician of all time. The owner of Der Hafen didn't stand a chance.

    A blinding white light shone out from the windows and the door of the club, accompanied by roaring thunder. Ismael was blinded but could hear Shaw moving around. He could feel how the spell that constrained him had started to fade, but he was still as rigid as a a corpse, so moving was next to impossible. He tried to get up from the chair but only managed to trip on himself and fall to the floor. He heard Shaw mutter muffled curses from what he assumed was Friedrichs private quarters, and then heard footsteps coming in his direction. All he could do was to try to worm his way away from the incoming doom, but it was hopeless. He stopped and tied to relax; if he was going to die, he would die with dignity. The Malach opened his eyes and met Shaws, which were no farther away from him than an arms reach. Shaw seemed to be inspecting him.

    Take it easy, Ismael, he said and smiled. It is not your time yet. You will live to die another day, my old friend. Goodbye.

    And with that, the man that should have been dead for three hundred years went invisible and left. smael couldn't tell how he got out of there; there was no sound except for the Malachs own breathing in the room. Soon after, when the spell had worn off, he got to his feet and walked over to Friedrichs remains. His clothes lay untouched on the ground. The cane had rolled away from them, but only a short distance. Ismael picked it up and looked at it. Then he heard someone enter through the front door, and turned to face whoever it was.
     
  2. Grossenschwamm

    Grossenschwamm Well-Known Member

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    Asazel waited outside for the fight to be over. When he saw Shaw leave, he knew that Friedrich had fallen. Someone entered Der Hafen shortly after Shaw left, but Asazel chose to occupy his time with Alex and Dr. Chan. He knew where to find them, and knew that Ismael would be counted on to keep Alex safe until the time was right for the agreement to be finalized.
    At least, I thought I knew where to find them...
    An undead had exchanged bills with Chan, another deal gone down.
    Perhaps if I was to make such a deal, I could ensure the safety of the many...but if I cannot shield one from harm, What good is my promise to rejuvenate this world?
     
  3. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    There could only be one possible outcome to this confrontation. Schneider was inestimably powerful, but Shaw was impossibly powerful. Chan wanted that power.

    After the blinding light and the deafening thunder had passed, Chan grins in relief, like a monkey. It could have been worse - much worse. Formality is put aside after earthquakes and other natural disasters; everyone had instantly become familiar.

    "Wow, that was close, wasn't it?"
    He looks around at everyone. "Let's not hesitate... Alex, do you know how to Borrow? Good, find us a fat sewer rat, they have the best noses, they can track this murderer, invisible or not."

    "Asazel, sir, can you check the realms for us? With Shaw, nothing is known, he may even be on the 9th."

    "Adams, would you just peek inside for me please?"
    He guestures to the door of Der Hafen.

    Once the undead has opened the door, Chan walks inside cautiously. He looks at Ismael with a question in his eyes, and the Fallen answers it with a glance.
    *Where did he go?*
    *He just vanished.*

    Chan thinks for a moment, then decides: He must use sorcery.

    Focussing his Jing into pure Chi he does two things: Firstly, he heightens his sense of magic to the point where he can see where Shaw may have teleported from inside Der Hafen. Secondly, he focusses on that area to determine where Shaw might have teleported to.
     
  4. Arthgon

    Arthgon Well-Known Member

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    The sewer rat that has been 'borrowed' by Alex scurried carefully through trash, and rotting bodies of those who were killed by the bombings or through the Germans and Russian soldiers. Some moments later, she suddenly picked up a familiar smell. Shaw! She (well, technically the rat.) followed the trail bringing her into another part of Berlin. The trail of his smell stopped here. Looking around Alex noticed a high quanity of SS officers and an offical looking building where highly armed guards stood guard. Crap. He must be somewhere in this area, because she lost the trail. Crap.

    After coming to the conclusion that she really lost the trail Alex came to herself again.

    "He is or was in another part of Berlin. In that area are a lot of SS officers and highly armed guards who seems to guard an offically looking building. Sorry, I lost the trail there. "
     
  5. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    Ismael put th cane back where he had found it and came out of the club just in time to hear Alex tell her comrades about her failure.

    You didn't lose him, you simply didn't look good enough, he said as he walked up behind her. He probably entered the Realm [OOC]We can use that name for the spiritual world from now on. Good name.[/OOC] at the base of that building to get rid of human persuers. My guess is that he's long gone by now.

    He sighed.

    Azasel, Samil, your course should be clear. You have to tell Lucifer and Mikael about this. I would follow you, but I have a deal which binds me here for the moment. I will come after you once my part of the bargain has been completed. And you, he said and turned to Alex, you will come with me and meet herr Kant right away. I can't afford to wait until tomorrow. Let's go.

    Ismael grabbed the girl by the wrist and started walking.
     
  6. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    So, my sorcery came to naught. There goes a week off my life which I won't see again. Nevermind, if I can find Shaw, learn his secrets, it will all be worthwhile. How has he lived so long and with such power?

    Chan followed Ismael onto the street in time to see him roughly escorting Alex away.
    With a meaningful glance at Adams he hurries along behind.
     
  7. Arthgon

    Arthgon Well-Known Member

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    While they were on their way to Herr Kant, one of the waiters came towards them. Yelling,

    "Fraulein! Wait!"

    Impatiently Ismael turned around to wait for the waiter.

    "Speak quickly."

    "Fraulein. I have your backpack and jacket with me."

    "Hurry, give her the things back, and let us be. We have not got a lot of time."

    "Thanks." Alex said when the waiter handed these two things over. After that, he ran back to Der Hafen.

    Ismael let go of her hand, so Alex was able to put on her jacket. When she was ready, Ismael grabbed the girl again by the wrist and they were off to meet herr Kant.

    Edit: Fixed some grammar, etc.
     
  8. Grossenschwamm

    Grossenschwamm Well-Known Member

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    Doctor, I will return.
    Asazel hurriedly went back to Heaven to tell Mikael the grave news.
    Mikael, Shaw is back. As far as I can tell, he's killed Schnieder and is looking for something. His power is great, and obviously poses a threat to Malach. He is most likely in the Realm, but his exact whereabouts are a mystery.
    He is still human, that means he cannot tarry in the Realm for long. Still, this is rather unexpected; he's supposed to have died 300 years ago...
    Indeed. There's nary a Malach unfamiliar with the works of Shaw. He went on a spree, killing every one he could get his magical hands on, both "good" and "evil".
    Return to Earth. There are those who will need your help. Shaw will show himself soon enough. If Friedrich is dead, that means Shaw didn't get what he wanted.

    But, what is it he wants? I'm probably safer not knowing.
     
  9. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    Judging by the constant thunder of artillery and the distant sound of machinegun fire there was yet another battle afoot in the city, probably not too far away from where he was. This could mean trouble, especially now when he had to drag two humans with him, but if they moved fast they could slip by unnoticed with just a tiny bit of luck. The whole thing was ironic; he had fought hard to make all these humans fight each other like this. And he had succeeded! This was idyllic! The world of humans was about to break, and yet here he was, wishing they could pause what he had started for just a moment so he could move his little scheme forward without too much trouble.

    We need to hurry, I-

    He said as they rounded a corner, interrupted by a bullet to the head. He was floored instantly, mostly from the surprise rather than the force of the gun, but he was back on his feet before the russian soldier who had shot him had time to yell for his friends to shoot. Ismael threw the girl back into cover behind the wall and produced his luger with lightning speed, taking five of them out before a second bullet hit him in the shoulder. The enemy spread out behind various covers, now no more than six or seven men strong. Ismael turned to the undead man.

    If you help me with this, it'll be over in a second. Take the ones on the right. And you, humans, you will stay here.

    Having said that, he turned to face the russians again and dashed towards them, covering the last five meters in a leap whih ended in him landing on top of the soldiers head.
     
  10. Charonte

    Charonte Member

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    Indifferent as always, the undead man carefully unslung his rifle and peered around the corner.

    The Malach's strategy wasn't particularly clever, thought Adams. There could be anything back there, from a crate of grenades to an army just waiting for an excuse to shoot something. Not even Ismael could withstand that, death from a thousand cuts came to mind as a suitable description.

    Still, the fallen one's blatant charging had served a purpose atleast, the enemy soldiers were now scrambling out of cover, desperately trying to kill the man that just wouldn't die.

    Stepping out into the way, the American leveled his gun at the nearest combatant and pulled the trigger. Eject, reload, fire; in one fluid motion Adams had downed another, repeating the process twice more to leave four corpses amongst the ruins of the German capital.

    Adams was starting to believe that it was perhaps better if everyone was undead; Undead had no reason to fight - no one side could ever win. Even if you were to cut them into a thousand different pieces there would always be someone to stitch them back together and such the war would go on. A world of undead, he thought, would have no reason to fight over territory or resources nor anything else as it would never accomplish anything.

    Unfortunately, by this point the enemy had begun to notice his presence and the middle of the street was perhaps not the best place to be, even for a walking corpse. Taking a pot-shot with his final round that ended up sheering the ear off of an unsuspecting soldier, the sharpshooter went to dive through the nearest window; nevertheless taking a bullet to the temple and crashing to the ground...
     
  11. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    Chan had reacted instantly to the assault, ducking back around the corner. In the chaos he managed to speak briefly to Alex.

    "If you want to escape your deal with the devil, now is a good time, before he can fulfil his half of the agreement. Otherwise, an illusion of German soldiers will create the greatest distraction for the least energy."

    The undead would be fine, of course. Once the coast is clear, Chan will help Adams reassemble any missing body parts.

    If possible, I want an undead tissue sample for my experiments.
     
  12. Arthgon

    Arthgon Well-Known Member

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    While the bullets are flying everywhere, Alex responsed.

    "The first option is very tempting and attractive, because that's an easy way to get free from his bound. But does it have any consequences to the bounding, and do we have any chances to defeat Shaw without him, if I let Ismael die? Second option? Ageless and powerful Malach saved by a human. Very Ironic.

    Yes, the best way that I cast this spell, is that I let the illusions appear. Out of the Russians eyesight, of course. But they will only come in action against the Russians when it is very necassary. Or if it's the only way to save us. If Ismael does not need or want any help, I will dismiss the illusion. "


    Well hidden from the fighting parties, Alex cast the illusion spell with the special conditions.
     
  13. Grossenschwamm

    Grossenschwamm Well-Known Member

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    The city was a war zone. What did I just walk into?
    Asazel spotted Dr. Chan taking cover behind a building. The young woman had just cast a spell to confuse the Russians so ardently firing at Ismael.
    Asazel runs toward the action, and a bullet catches him in the hip. It spins him for a split second as he leaps across the street, towards the good doctor. He sighs in the hail of gunfire, These were my favorite trousers...! Doctor, that man lying in the street, was he dead before he was shot?
    Ismael seemed to be in his element. True, all Malach are at home on the field of battle. But the young woman was bound to the fallen one, he who revels in the petty squabbles of man. There is a way to save her, though it may prove detrimental to her own plans. However, it was not nearly as hazardous as allowing the Malach to deliver on his word. He spoke to the woman;
    This is as close to Hell as I will allow you...Oh, piss. A grenade.
    Asazel dove at the explosive, and hurled it high into the sky. It exploded harmlessly above the buildings, save for a few windows broken by the shockwave. A baby began to cry amid the whizzing of bullets on the ricochet. The sound was dulled by the crack of gunfire in the streets. Almost shouting, Asazel appealed to Dr. Chan and Alex. If you're ready, I know a place where we can hide out for a while. The illusion should buy us the time we need to hide you from even his sight.
     
  14. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    If you're ready, I know a place where we can hide out for a while. The illusion should buy us the time we need to hide you from even his sight.

    "Alex, turn invisible, go with him. Now."
    Chan speaks quickly in a strange tongue. Instantly a cloud of dust rises from the street and coagulates into an hollow human form, a solid bubble of statically charged dust. A sharp, vivid illusion completes the duplicity: A perfect replica of Alex, enough to fool even a malach... for a time.

    Seeing Alex hesitate, he repeats himself beseachingly. "Now."

    He nods at Asazel respectfully. "Go, I will stay and maintain this for as long as I can. Go quickly."

    Kneeling beside Adams, he replaces a triangle of skullbone like the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle, and helps the undead to his feet. He waits to see if Ismael will be fooled.
     
  15. Arthgon

    Arthgon Well-Known Member

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    "Alex, turn invisible, go with him. Now." Dr. Chan said. After that a perfect replica of Alex appeared that would fool Ismael.

    Dr. Chan must have sensed her hesitation, because he said "Now."

    " Thank you for helping me." Alex said to Dr. Chan and casted a spell that turned her invisible.

    Then she followed Asazel to get into hiding.
     
  16. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    Once the undead man had removed some of the opposition, the fight was as good as over. Ismael, moving with superhuman speed, took out the last two soldiers before they knew what hit them. He stopped shortly to inspect his clothes and found, to his great surprise (and equally great joy) that not a single bullet had hit him. Even he had to have some luck sometimes. He hurried back to where he'd lest Alex ad found her hiding beside the chinese man.

    Coast is clear. Let's go.

    He grabbed her by the wrist and set off without a word to the other people following them. He hadn't come far when he noticed the strangeness of Alexs arm. It felt... thin, somehow. She was a pretty skinny girl, or at least he thought so, but this was different. He just couldn't put his finger on it. The malach considered stopping her for an inspection for a brief moment before he decided on carrying on instead. It was probably just him anyway, and they had no time to waste with this errand.

    Not far now. Only five minutes or so to Kants location. Stay alert, though. The place is usually swarming with soldiers, both ours and theirs.
     
  17. ytzk

    ytzk Well-Known Member

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    Chan follows along behind, ignored by Ismael, maintaining the illusion with all his will. He is counting on Adams to cover his back.
     
  18. Charonte

    Charonte Member

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    Cursing under his breath, Adams followed Chan down the road now fully aware that this was hardly going to be 'easy money'.
     
  19. Wolfsbane

    Wolfsbane Well-Known Member

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    The party made it safely through the rest of the streets, and came to the house in which Kant resided in only a little more than five minutes. The soldiers posted at the entrance quickly moved aside when they saw Ismael, greeting him as Herr Schwartz. Two stairs later, and they found themselves in front of a door which had a sign with the letters "Kant" written on it. Ismael knocked twice on the door.

    There was silence for a few seconds until the voice of an old, firm man spoke.

    Who is it? Kant said, in German.
    Schwartz. Ismael answered.
    ...Enter.

    The old man was sitting on an armed chair behind a table covered with documents, maps and files. He was dressed in a typical officers uniform, and had a pair of round spectacles resting on his nose. In front of him on the table, on top of the paperwork, was a gun.

    What do you want? Kant began.
    I have a girl here who wishes to ask you a couple of questions. You will answer them.
    And why would I do that?
    Because I'm calling in the favour you owe me, that's why.
    ... I see. Very well, then. What is it you want to know, girl?

    They both turned to Alex.
     
  20. Grossenschwamm

    Grossenschwamm Well-Known Member

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    Asazel ran down the street, holding Alex by the hand. He marveled at her command of invisibility; Have you done this before?
    Gunfire could be heard all around. There! Do you see the building on the corner? It's just past there...
    Just past the building on the corner, there was a storm cellar with a large padlock. Reaching into his pocket, Asazel quickly finds the key to the lock and opens the storm cellar, which opens up to a large live in basement, complete with furniture, a radio, and a bar. A cat comes out to greet Asazel and Alex, an odd calico with six toes on each foot.
    Hello, Mavis! This is Alex, she's going to be staying here while I find someone to break her geas.
    Mreow.
    Asazel already had someone in mind, but he wouldn't be easy to convince...
    I shall return, (hopefully) with help!
     
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