So my Creative writing teacher handed me back my short story assignment today. I got a 90 on it. Could be better, but not bad in the slightest. It was a condensed version of a chapter from a story I've been working on for a while. He asked me to read it aloud next class before saying it was one of the more interesting works he's seen. Nonetheless, it gave me a huge esteem boost on top of my recent romantic endeavors with a girl in that very class. Figured I'd post the chapter here!! It's gonna be below the Read More break. :> Hope you guys enjoy. Would love some feedback.
And I do hope I don't have to clarify, but please do not copy this, as I am intending to publish this at some point. This is an original idea, and I'd like to keep it my own. Many thanks. <3
Stella and Noble had finally made it to Genisium after what seemed like a month. The rumors of the place being a huge market hub certainly rang true, and both had their breaths taken away by the new sight to behold. The blonde-haired rogue type began rubbing at his wrists below the wristblades and gave a smug grin to Stella, “So what is your agenda for this place, anyways? You’ve not spoken much of what we set out to do since you snagged me from the prior town’s keep.”
The white-haired archangel let out a sigh of exasperation, “More or less just following leads. The Harbinger has eight mythical members, and we need to root them out before it’s too late. Only problem being, I’ve no clue what the monsters look like.”
Noble held a finger to his chin, “And this Harbinger… You said it was a group bent on destroying all that was within the Scales of Balance? So humans, angels, and demons alike are at risk?”
“More or less.”
Off in the distance, a commotion was starting to arise. From hindsight it was more or less a mass of people surrounding one person in an odd sense of awe. Stella raised an eyebrows, not entirely sure why one person would be attaining such attention. On the other hand, Noble began to approach as he let his curiosity get the best of him.
He made way through the crowds almost seamlessly. As he made it to the front of the mass, he saw something that made him stagger. A woman with luscious flow-y red hair, and a figure that could bring down any man she so desired. A light blush took to Noble’s face, but only to be interrupted by the local peacekeepers. The crowd hesitantly dispersed until it was only Noble and the woman.
Stella took sight of the woman and approached behind Noble slowly. She placed her hand on his shoulder and cautiously whispered out, “Come on. We’ve other places we can go investigate.”
“But she’s.. She’s so… You go on, Archangel, I’ll question her some.” Noble held up a hand and waved it to the side, as means to get her to leave. It was almost as if he couldn’t break his gaze from the maiden.
Stella gave a double take to the woman, who simply had a smile directed towards the two. She shook her head and began to walk away as the mysterious woman spoke, “My my, quite the adorable couple. Certainly not from around these parts.”
Stella’s face became flushed, but Noble beat her to the punch, “No, no, not at all. I am a lone man, who’s much love to spread.”
The woman gave a giggle, whereas Stella a sigh of disgust. The disgusted Stella trotted away and left the two alone. She had made it to the central part of the city when she realized Noble had the funds. She had to go back if she were to procure a room at the local inn.
The alleys and streets were oddly barren from what Stella had quickly become accustomed to. One moment they were bustling, and now totally abandoned. Something within her didn’t sit well, and she began running to where she last saw Noble. As she made it to the scene, Kace was on his back, and the maiden from earlier on top of him. She clenched her fist and let out a low growl, “You idiot. I can’t leave you alone for an hour. How could ---“
She was interrupted by Kace letting out a loud and raspy wheeze. She stepped closer and next she knew it a sharp edge was at her throat. Glancing down she saw the woman glaring at her with a more than demonic glare. It practically had pierced through her soul and made her knees tremble. She grabbed lightly at what was directed at her throat and it felt like rough skin. The unknown shiv jerked back as Stella hopped backwards, it was a tail that came from the woman. Stella held her hand to her rapier, “Are you a demon? What the hell are you doing to Noble?!”
“I’m taking this meddlesome Prophet’s soul before he becomes an obstacle to our plans. And my beautiful self, a demon? Pah, you humour me so.”
“Then who are you?”
“I’m one of the Harbinger. Call me Succubus if you so desire. Your friend fell under my spell, and now he’s about to pay the price.”
Stella reared a leg back and unsheathed her rapier. She held it in a lunge worthy stance, and began to crouch low. Succubus slowly stood with a smile and held her hand out. A small flame appeared in each hand, and quickly took shape into two spears. After a moment of silence, Succubus darted forward in attempt to strike. Stella side stepped to avoid the attack, but didn’t take notice to Succubus swinging her free hand in a horizontal motion.
The back end of the spear struck into Stella’s back and she tumbled forward, letting out a small yelp of pain. She looked to Noble, who was either unconscious or recovering his senses. The Archangel rose to her feet and sighed, “Everyone I run into seems to enjoy holstering two weapons. It truly is unfair sometimes.” As she finished the sentence Succubus went in for another lunge. Stella touched her rapier and runes began to appear that held a white shine. She stabbed the thin weapon into the ground and a blinding flash burst throughout the area. Succubus staggered back with her arm covering her eyes.
Stella had used this opportunity to sweep in and pierce Succubus in the chest. The red haired monster emit a shriek of pain. Stella touched the rapier again and red runes appeared. The entry wound on Succubus began to give a faint red glow and the shriek grew louder as her body began to heat up. Stella gave a taunting smirk, “I do hope the rest of you are this weak, dear. This was all too easy.”
“You smug bitch, I’m going to tear you to ---“ Succubus was abruptly forced into another shriek as Stella turned her rapier like a key. The runes began to rush towards Succubus and covered her body. Stella yanked back her weapon and jumped back, as the runes began to grow increasingly brighter. They then began to explode one by one in rapid succession. The shriek was covered by the sound of the explosions, when finally they all simply ceased. What was Succubus had simply been erased from where she stood, all except for a tiny floating flame.
Stella walked to Noble and kicked him lightly in the gut, and the man opened an eye, “Get up, lazy. I’m not gonna keep rushing to your rescue if you just lay down and let it happen all the time.”
Noble let out a comfortable sigh and opened an eye, “What made you come back, anyways?”
“I needed the money we had.”
“You’re so cold-hearted, Archangel. And here I thought you cared about me,” He looked to her with a taunting grin, then in the corner of his eye he saw the tiny flame grow. He sat up and pushed Stella aside, “It’s not done yet.”
The flame grew and took the shape of Succubus, but she was more of an apparition at this point. She grimaced as Stella turned around and grabbed for her rapier again, “You won’t be able to use the same trick on me twice. Lucky you that I have to go fix my body. Be looking forward to that day, wench.”
Stella smiled as the apparition dimmed, “By all means, I’ll be waiting. Have fun brooding in the humility of being beaten so easily.”
Noble looked to Stella as the apparition totally vanished, “So… Where to next?”