Autumn forest

            It was another crisp cool day in the autumn forest. This forest had autumn trees of bright red, orange and yellow. The wind would blow the leaves off the trees and through the air, but the trees never looked any different. It was as if early autumn was captured and contained in a large sprawling forest. This forest was located near the haunted forest where the town of Hallows End is located.

            In the Autumn Forest was a small town called Maple town. Just outside of the borders of Maple town was a tavern. The tavern was shaped like a large pumpkin and was a nice place to get away from your troubles and relax for a few hours. Pints of pumpkin ale, coffee and fresh apple ciders were served all day. Mellow music played in the background as everyone talked and drank.

            Sitting at the bar was a young man with an old fashioned brown coat that hung down to his feet. It looked like something a sailor or pirate would wear, but brown and with a hood he could put up if it rained. He also had on black boots that were sturdy and came up to his shins, a red shirt also similar to that of an old fashioned sailor and a pair of black pants. He drank his pumpkin ale and seemed as joyful as the rest. Things were peaceful for the time and everyone was pretty content. When the man finished his drink he paid the bartender. “Thanks for the drink” he said. “No problem, Red” Replied the bartender. People who didn’t know the young man called him red, because of his shirt and also his hair was reddish brown.

            As Red stepped outside he was met with a cool breeze. He let out a relaxed sigh and was once again reminded why he came to this land. His peace was short lived though as he soon saw three mean looking men walking closer to the bar. He immediately recognized them as assassins from the desert town of Sandstone. Each of the men were wearing white and tan clothes, each with a white hood to keep the sun off their necks and goggles to protect their eyes from the bright sun that they had become so accustomed to. “You guys are wasting your time. I’m not going back to your scorching little hell of a desert nor am I going back to harbor town to do your smuggling for you” Red shouted to the approaching assassins before they got too close. “I’m warning you!” Red shouted again as he put his hand into an inside pocket of his brown coat.

            The Autumn forest was such a peaceful place, but in an instant the peace was shattered. Red drew two black, long barreled revolvers and began firing at the three men before they had a chance to say a word. Red’s guns had runes engraved into the side of each gun. The engravings were bright white and read “Death touch” in an old forgotten language. Five years ago Red entered the Hallows End haunted forest and went deeper than anyone has ever gone, when he came out, he had two new guns in his possession, but that is a different story for a different time.

            The assassins moved so fast it looked like they just disappeared altogether. Red tried to keep a beat on them as he fired wildly into the forest at the attackers. One of the Assassins had jumped off a tree and landed next to Red. The Assassin slashed upward with his sword, Red brought up his guns in defense and the mystic energy of the guns blocked the sword attack, but Red was still knocked back by the power of the strike. Not only was Red sent backward into the forest, but the sword strike caused a gust of wind that blew all of the bright red and orange leaves into the air, making it hard for everyone to see each other.

            Red landed on his back but continued firing even as he fell. Bullets ricocheted off trees and rocks and ripped holes in the surrounding area. Red purposely fired away from the Tavern and town, but still regretted having to fight in the forest at all. The Assassins moved quickly but the hail of bullets managed to wound one of the them as they charged forward. One fell to the ground and the other two dashed off in opposite directions.

            Red held his guns up, ready to start shooting again. He looked around and stayed alert, watching for the slightest movement in the trees. Then like lighting an assassin was right in front of Red and thrust his sword forward to impale the gunslinger, but Red deflected the attack with one of his guns then kicked the Assassin in the stomach. Red was about to shoot when he felt a searing pain in his arm and back. In the few seconds he used dealing with one assassin another came up behind him and slashed his right arm and sliced his blade across Red’s back. Red fell to the ground but was able to fire off a coupe rounds before he did. This wounded the Assassin in front of him, before the swordsman darted away.

            Red looked up and saw the last Assassin bringing his sword down to stab Red in the chest. Seconds before impact the Assassin was swept up into the air and tossed into a tree. Red scrambled to his feet and then looked very surprised when he saw the bartender of the tavern, but for some reason the bartender had claws and fur. He was half transformed into a reddish brown werewolf and seemed totally in control of his power. The Wolf’s fur was natural looking but also looked like it might blend in with the autumn trees. “You runts better run for it. That little slap was just a warning” Said the Wolfman. Soon his head and the rest of his body transformed into a seven foot tall wolf that could stand straight up on two legs. With arms and hands with vicious looking claws. One of the Assassins tried for a sneak attack, having his pride hurt from being thrown into a tree. The assassin blade never even got close as the Wolf man spun around, grabbed a hold of the assassins arm and broke it off mid air. The assassin fell to the ground and clutched his bloody stump. “I’m keeping this” Growled the wolf, holding onto an arm with a sword still clutched in the hand.

            The one armed assassin decided to run away, then one by one they all ended up retreating back to their homeland. Red brushed off his coat and smiled “Thanks man, I couldn’t have done it…” He began to say, but was cut off by a very angry wolf. The angry bartender looked at Red with a murderous glare. “This forest is open to visitors, but I don’t want to see you bringing any more trouble to this forest again. You can’t hide out here and hope everything will be alright. I got my tavern customers to protect and the mayor has his village to think of. So next time your under attack, run off to the haunted forest or something” Growled the Bartender as his face slowly transformed back into a human face. His body slowly returned to normal again as he walked away back to his tavern.

            Red didn’t mean to cause any harm and felt terrible for what happened, but was still glad the bartender saved his life. He began to walk away too. He would travel a bit more and hopefully by the time he returned to Harbor town to see his family, the assassins would no longer be looking for him. As he was leaving the rich gold and red forest, a thought went through his mind. “Wait…the mayor?” Red said out loud. The Autumn forest certainly had more secrets left to discover and maybe one day Red would see them all for himself, but for now, it was time to leave.

Audio of Shadowfal

Shadowfal police department

Audio file 1-3

Recovered evidence from crime scene

Case 3210

Investigator, Detective Joseph Roberts

Recording one

I’m recording this because I don’t know what else to do. I have been drugged and am wondering the streets like a madman as I get lost deeper and deeper into the city. Before the drugs kick in I will try to recall what happened.

            I was walking home and I took a shortcut through an alley. Thinking back I wish I just walked the extra ten minutes it would have taken. As I’m walking I see two men stuff another man into a trunk. I’m not proud to say I ran. My name is Raymond smith, I’m a bank manager, not a police officer or someone that likes to play hero. So I panicked and ran, but I was too loud in my retreat and the thugs rushed down the alley after me. I ran as fast as I could as my heart pushed my blood through my body faster than it ever has in my entire life. I got winded so quickly and the thugs caught up with me.

            I don’t remember what happened next. They must have knocked me out. I woke up in a chair, tied to a chair. And this guy in a suit injected me with something. Told me it would help me relax. I think he needed to see what I knew. I wasn’t about to stay there so they could get the info then dispose of me. Uh. So I was in the chair. I’m getting dizzy I need to rest.

            Recording two

I escaped the chair, the ropes were loose or something. So I ran for it as soon as I saw an opening. The two thugs chase me. One of them wore a white t-shirt and blue jeans, the other had on a sports jacket over a red t-shirt. Like a sports jacket would make either of those two goons look professional. This time I was gone before they could catch up. So I began walking the city. it doesn’t seem familiar to me. I admit I never traveled down every street of Lakecity, but still this whole place seems foreign to me. Maybe it was the injection, I don’t know what was in it. I could be insane for all I know. I don’t even know if this is going to sound like actual English when I play it back. I don’t even remember why I have this recorder. Was it to keep track of good ideas that I had? Did I ever even have a good idea? Damn, my head hurts.

            Recording three

I have been walking around for what seems like hours, this must be a different city. The street signs and buildings look so strange. No matter how far I travel, nothing seems the same. I tried asking for directions but people seem afraid of me. My suit is torn, but otherwise I don’t know what they are so afraid of. I am a nice guy. People like me, I think. How did I get in the park? Its night and I am in a park. Seem to be carrying a crowbar. I don’t know where I got a crowbar. Wait, I see those guys. Those thugs. They are still searching for me. I’m going to show them, I will show them I am stronger than I look. I’m going to get back to my bank and manage it forever. I will lead a glorious life in my bank. Linda my boss will be so proud that I beat up two thugs. Maybe I will bring her an ear back. She can keep it on her desk. Linda likes ears, maybe? Chocolate. Not ears.

End of Recordings

            Police reports say they found the recording device with the three audio files on two bodies. One victim wore a white shirt and jeans, the other red shirt and jeans. Both adult males in their mid thirties. Both also were physically fit and seemed to weigh about two hundred and twenty pounds each, approximately. Raymond smith has not been found and is considered dangerous. As we assume he is still drugged and armed with a crowbar. Police are looking into this case to see if any of what was on the audio is actually correct information or fabrication of a madman.

Dark plans in the dark forest

            In the dead of night, hidden deep in the forest, a plan was slowly forming. This plan was as brilliant as it was diabolical. “I don’t understand. H-how does this h-help us?” Stuttered a small figured huddled in the shadows. “We all got needs, Monty. This plan will make sure we all get what we want. You and I will what is in the car…” Said a bulky figure leaning against a tree. “And I will get revenge!” said a tall looming figure, interrupting the other two. “Reed, N-nice to see you” Monty, the smaller figure stammered. “Boris, stop slacking and start preparing” Said Reed, the tall one, yelling at Boris, the Bulky one.

            Boris jumped to his feet then swayed slightly as if about to loose his balance. “Right, boss, I got it” He told Reed. Then Boris walked off into the forest to prepare. Monty looked up at the sky, which could barely be seen between the thick foliage. “Its almost time, Reed” Said Monty. But nervously ran off before Reed could respond. Reed was left alone to his thoughts. It had been years since his brother had been killed. “It was a night like this one” Reed muttered to himself. It was a moonless night and the roads were covered by fog. Reed and his brother Albert were out walking when a car came barreling down the road, driving faster than any car should go on such a hazardous night. Reed turned around just in time to see the lights pierce the fog, Reed jumped out of the way, but Albert didn’t react in time. As soon as he saw the lights, all Albert could do was stare at the car as it drove right into him, splattering his body down the road for almost a mile. The car didn’t stop for at least a mile. Reed saw the driver, the car and the license plate. Then he saw the man, get back in the car and drive off like nothing happened. “Where is the justice?!” Screamed Reed as he kicked a tree as hard as he could.

            The night grew late and it was almost time for the plan. Thanks to Monty and Boris, Reed knew the where the driver lived and which roads he took and when. It was time to make sure the driver had another little accident, but one that he couldn’t walk away from.

            On a dark and fogging night, Ted was driving home from work. Ted was a fisherman and spent weeks away from home sometimes, but tonight he was finally going to see his family and would even be able to surprise them with some really good tasting salmon. He had to sell pretty much everything he caught, but sometimes he would keep the best stuff for his family. They would have fish for a few weeks, then go back to eating meatloaf and other normal dishes. Ted drove an old beat up blue sedan with a dented front bumper. He had been meaning to get it fixed but just never got around to it.

            Out of the corner of his eye he saw a squirrel jumping through the trees, trying to follow Ted’s car. The little thing was making weird chirping noises the whole time. then He heard it, a loud roar, like a bear and the sound of a tree breaking. Ted was getting nervous and wished he didn’t have to take this back road to get home. He was a little distracted and kept looking around for a bear to pop out of the trees. Then Ted saw a large male deer, it came out of nowhere and seemed like it appeared out of the fog. Ted swerved to not hit the deer and lost control of his car. The road was slippery, but Ted didn’t remember it raining. His car spun out and he crashed into a tree and everything went dark.

            Reed slimed as he stepped out of the forest to approach Ted’s car. “This was for Albert!” He yelled. His language lost to human ears, especially an unconscious human. Boris the bear and Monty the squirrel followed Reed the Deer out of the forest. “Help yourself boys” Reed said with a smile. Boris greedily gathered up all of the fish in the car and walked off, Monty chasing behind. “Whats this? I don’t even eat fish!” Monty chirped. “Don’t worry, I will trade for your half of the loot. Been saving up nuts and berries for a week, getting ready for a trade this big” Replied Boris.

            Reed stared at the bloodied human behind the wheel. It didn’t matter if the man died or not, Alfred was avenged. Besides, without any help, Reed doubted the human would be alive that long anyway. Reed turned around and began to walk away. Wondering what to do with his life now that he carried out his revenge. He wondered how he would go back to being a normal deer. Would he find a mate, did he even deserve one? Or was he just too broken to truly find love.

Ascended and the End

            The situation had grown more dangerous than either Jake or Don originally thought.  The Ascended Chambers wasn’t just a reminder to the public of the their presence and it wasn’t just a place to file reports and keep secret information. The Chambers were actually door that brought the Ascended to earth. Since the Ascended seemed to fly, Don didn’t think they needed something like this, but he was wrong. Not only was he wrong but he also sent his entire team into a building that could easily be flooded with Ascended within seconds.

            Five Ascended came from the pillar of light at first, then Don used his powers to kill one and stun the other four. Then he sent the bulk of his team to retreat, scatter and regroup at base to defend it. Jake, Sid, Samantha, Gregory and Don stayed behind. Just as Don feared the room quickly began to fill up with Ascended. Some of them stayed to fight others flew off after the escaping rebels. Sounds of heavy gunfire and screaming could be heard outside of the building. The bullets whizzed through the air and every hit only seemed to stun the pursuing Ascended. One of the rebels threw a grenade into the air then used is power of telepathy to shoot it straight at the ascended. The grenade hit and exploded. The Ascended chasing him was torn in half, but the half with the most intact seemed to remain functional and continued pursuit. The legs and half a torso ran after the rebels until it finally collapsed. Rebels with Telepathy used their power to make their guns shoot with pinpoint percussion and can even aim their grenades, but there weren’t any rebels that were strong enough to lift cars or affectively fight the Ascended.

            Back inside the chambers, Jake, Sidney, Sam and Greg were preparing to fight. Jake whirled his arms through the air, fire building up on his body as he moved. He had to concentrate and motion helped him use his fire attacks. He thought of it like he was catching fire out of the air and holding onto it. It built up more and more until his body was a pillar of fire. Not only was he surrounded by fire, but his body actually looked like it had been turn to flames. The odds were against him so he put all of his power into this fight. Jake let loose and began throwing fire around and even started to punch and tackle the ascended. Anything he touched seemed to burn instantly.

            Seeing Jake jump into action the others followed his lead. Samantha focused her power and set out into a full sprint, charging at one of the Ascended. Before the mighty angel like creature could bring its sword down, Sam encased herself in ice armor and collided with the Ascended. The tackle stunned the creature, then Sam whipped her arm to deliver a back handed punch, but this punch had an icy spike jetting out of it. She pummeled the light creature with her spiky ice gauntlets and tore it to shred, the scraps disappeared into the air as they were torn from the Ascended. As she fought a flaming sword came down and struck her. The flame melted her armor and she crumpled to the ground. Sidney wasn’t the bravest man, but he sprang into action anyway and delivered a shadow kick to the ‘head’ the attacking Ascended. Then lifted his hands up, summoning shadows from the ground to cut into the Light being like razors.

            The room was quickly getting flooded with Ascended to the point that it was difficult to see were one light body ended and another began. Greg lifted rock from the ground and made walls around his team. These rock walls were getting ripped apart but having a chunk of stone between them and an Ascended blade, even for a second, made the difference. Jake was burning out as he used his power to its fullest, Gregory couldn’t fight because he was so busy protecting everyone else and Sam and Sid were fighting together because they both had a habit of getting overwhelmed. Don hadn’t done much since his first attack but instead seemed to be recovering from it. He watched the battle and studied the pillar of light closely. Then something clicked in his mind and he ran full speed at the light. Fire and lighting jumped off his body and hit any Ascended that got too close to him. This didn’t kill or even stun them, it just kept them at bay as he ran by. Then without giving it another thought he jumped into the light and disappeared.

            Jake and the team exchanged glances. They realized that the light might not be a generated that made Ascended, but instead a portal to their home. The group decided that they weren’t winning this one battle and Don was the strongest, so they all ran for the light and jumped through it. When Jake jumped through the light blinded him, but when his vision returned he noticed right away they were in a different land. The stood in a green meadow, with a bright blue sky, with apple trees dotting the landscape. It was a sunny day and all felt calm. It was a nice change from the battle they just escaped from.

            Jake walked through the serene landscape and as he saw his teammates appear, he noted how beautiful the meadow and trees were. Samantha gave him a strange look and said. “All I see is a peaceful beach and ocean waves”. Jake looked back at the meadow and for a split second the world twitched, as if it was unsure of itself and doubted its own existence. Gregory finally appeared. “I’m home! I can’t believe it. Guys I want to show you around my town. I practically grew up in these hills” Greg said. Everyone gave Greg a strange look and the world shifted and twitched. Then as if it knew the lie wouldn’t last, it gave out completely. When reality kicked it, the group began to wish it hadn’t. the real world they were teleported to was a war torn city with a sky choked out by smog and at the center of it, Don stood over an old man begging for his life.

            Jake ran to Don to see what was going on. “Don, who is this? what are you doing?” Jake asked. Don just sneered at the old man. “It was your fault!” He yelled as he kicked the helpless man. As Don grew more angry, his elemental powers began to spark and burn all over his body. “I was trying to help, I didn’t mean for it to be this way” the old man pleaded. Jake’s body roared up with flames and he shoved Don backward to get some questions answered. Even protected by flames, the intensity of Don’s power injured Jake a little. The Ascended came from this world, a war torn, crime-ridden world that eventually destroyed itself. This man created the Ascended to bring peace and used a perception filter so people would accept the Ascended as their protectors. People would believe what they wanted to believe. The Ascended just energy held together by a core of robotics” Don explained.  Jake was baffled. “but how did they get to our world, and why? And why are they after us and, and how do you know any of this? you just got here!” Jake asked Don. Shook his head. “I’ve been here for hours, that transport as a time lag. so if you jumped in a few minutes after me it would be like hours, or something like that. Everything I know I have been beating out of this little twerp’ Don replied kicking the doctor another kick.

            “Please, a don’t hurt me” the old doctor pleaded. “I made the machines to keep order. I made them to look like our ancient protectors from the old stories, but used a device that let people see whatever they wanted. Same device lets the weak and tired trick their brain into believe this world isn’t a wasteland. Once our world was beyond help, the guardians left to seek out other worlds to protect. They went all over the galaxy and settled anywhere they could to protect intelligent life from themselves. They are good! Why do you hurt me?” the Doctor explained and pleaded. “Because your THINGS are hunting my people for having special powers” Don said, lighting shoot off his shoulders and disappearing into the sky. “They probably saw your powers as dangerous as my planets advanced weaponry. The more destructive a species gets the harder it is to protect them. Bombs can be dismantled, but only way to get rid of special power is remove person with power. That is very logical” The doctor explained, almost sounding proud of his creations. “LOGICAL?!” Don shouted then grabbed a hold of the doctor and released his elemental energy through his hand into the doctor’s body. The poor old man, was electrocuted, burnt, frozen, and over all torn to shreds by Don’s mix of powers.

            “You went too far man!” Jake yelled fire burning around his body. Don just dropped the smoldering body and began to walk toward the portal. “We need to close the portals and cut the Ascended or guardians off from our world. I get that they want to protect, but if they are going to kill every mage or scientist that might be ‘harmful to humanity’, they gotta go” Don said, ignoring what Jake said earlier. “But what about our powers? We still don’t know why we have them” Samantha chimed in as she followed Don to the portal. “Maybe its just part of humanity. Some people are just gifted” Don replied, not really knowing the real reason. One thing was for sure, their powers weren’t related to the guardians.

            “So what now?” Sidney asked. Don shrugged his shoulders. “We keep fighting. We have a goal now. it wont be long before we destroy every teleport platform and destroy every Ascended we see” Don replied. After that the team was quiet. They got their answers, but were a long way away from a solution. Jake was hopeful, even if they didn’t stop the Ascended today, he knew that day would be close. Pretty soon Mages and regular people could live in peace and the human race could get back to governing itself. Until then, the Rebels and all the other mages would fight.