LukeCostello
08-11-2009, 04:24 AM
Chosen
Chapter 2
The sky grew dim as dark clouds rolled across the horizon and blotted out the sunlight. Ashton stood in front of a large aging warehouse staring up at its dull frame with a disdainful gaze. He flipped open his cell phone and checked his objective for the fifth time. This can’t be the right place He thought as he returned to the building in front of him. If it was, there would be- The sound of glass breaking and wood splintering on the third floor broke him out of his thoughts. “All right, it’s show time” he said, placing a hand on the cross hanging around his neck. The yellow gem in the center of the ornate metal began to glow and in an instant, he was covered in black armor studded with yellow stones. He crouched, tensed his muscles, and leapt up into the second story window tucking his body into a roll as footsteps came pounding down the stairs towards him. Ashton summoned his sword into his left hand just as a large hairy demon with tusks the size of his arm hurled its massive bulk through the air. Just as its claws were inches from his face, he bent himself backwards and pointed his blade upright. The creature’s claws slashed empty air as its own momentum dragged its exposed belly over the point of Ashton’s sword, carving a bloody gash from its neck to its groin. As it hit the ground in a bloody heap, he turned and sprinted up the stairs to his right taking them two at a time. He reached the top in less than a minute just as five more demons turned to face the new threat. As they did, Ashton caught a glimpse of a girl huddled in the corner, just beyond their massive bodies. Her sea green eyes were bulging with fear as she tried to bolt for the nearest door to her right. Just as she did, the demon behind her proved a lot faster than it looked. Even Ashton caught only a blur as it moved in front her, grabbed her by the throat, and slammed her to the floor. The sheer force of the impact created a crater and shook the entire building. At this point Ashton had seen enough as the demon raised its arm, its hairy fist aimed for the girl’s face. Suddenly there was a rush of wind behind it and the demon found the blade of a sword growing from its abdomen. The monster’s roar of agony was cut short as Ashton pulled his sword free and swung it in a wide arc sending the creature’s decapitated body crashing to the floor, scarlet blood pouring out the stump of its neck. Not missing a beat, he spun on his heel and kicked the demon’s head like an oversized soccer ball into the path of the second assailant. The projectile whistled through the air and struck the second monstrosity in its chest with bone shattering force. It fell with a wet gasp as Ashton cradled the girl with his remaining arm and relaxed his grip on the hilt of his sword, shifting into his favorite fighting style, one more proper when facing multiple opponents. The four remaining four demons got their wits together and attacked from opposite sides, trying to use a classic pincer movement. He intercepted the first demon on his left as it lunged at him with a roundhouse kick to its face sending it crashing into its companion on the right in a tangle of claws fur and teeth. The other two quickly formulated a strategy and came at him with all the speed they could muster, zigzagging in an attempt to confuse him. Ashton smiled, and willing his sword back into the stone on his left hand, brought up his right arm. “ Zephyr!” A male robotic voice replied “Thunder Arm” the glove of lightning encased his hand as the first demon lunged for his throat and the second went for his midsection. He tilted his head to the side allowing the gaping mouth to snap empty air as he caught its head and brought it down at the same time kicking the other demon up. The resounding crack as the two skulls collided was enough to wake the girl out of her daze and stared up at him with a look of total shock and awe. All right time to clean house He tucked the girl close to his chest, turned, and jumped out the window. As he flipped and landed in a crouch he gently placed the girl on the ground and turned to the building. A yellow magic circle appeared beneath him as his pupils flared amber. He extended his right hand and began chanting. “Ancient power of the Garuda spirit hear my cry as I call upon you” There was flash beside him and he felt a small hand gripping his wrist. He turned and saw the girl, her eyes glowing a brilliant gold, and covered in black armor with yellow stones, raise her hand to the sky as she took up the chant on her own, her voice resonating with a power Ashton hadn’t felt in years. “ Swift lightning and striking thunder, descend now as I guide you” The dark clouds above the warehouse began to swirl violently as flashes of lightning arced across the sky followed by the booming of thunder. “ Lightning Call!” Her stones flared “Full Power” There was a tremendous crash and a blue bolt of lightning streaked from the black clouds and like some enormous gnarled finger, roughly tapped the top of the building. A second later there was a flash and the resulting explosion created a shockwave that knocked Ashton off his feet while the girl simply erected shield around her. When the dust finally settled, Ashton rose shakily to his feet spitting out dirt and wiping grit from his eyes as he surveyed the scene before him. The warehouse had been reduced to a smoking crater in the ground and the girl stood shaking uncontrollably and staring at her hands in complete shock. He looked at her for a moment then turning, began walking down the street. He made it less than forty meters when the voices stated. What do you think you’re doing?! The first voice came in a harsh whisper You should know better than to leave a little girl to fend for herself He stopped, weighing his choices when a second voice cut in You don’t need to be burdened with that little runt. You’ve always been a loner, not needing anyone and now you want to give it all up for her? Ashton gritted his teeth and forced himself to keep moving forward until the first voice spoke again. Just turn and look at what you’re leaving behind. Go ahead, just a quick glance He came to a halt, turned, and looked over his shoulder
What he saw made him wish he hadn’t. The girl looked at him with a pleading look, tears streaming down her face, and her lower lip trembling. Ashton mentally kicked himself as he grit his teeth and made his decision. He turned and held out a hand. It was then he saw her face light up with the most radiant smile as she ran and took his hand in both of hers. Man I’ve gotten way too soft, but I guess its worth it
Chapter 2
The sky grew dim as dark clouds rolled across the horizon and blotted out the sunlight. Ashton stood in front of a large aging warehouse staring up at its dull frame with a disdainful gaze. He flipped open his cell phone and checked his objective for the fifth time. This can’t be the right place He thought as he returned to the building in front of him. If it was, there would be- The sound of glass breaking and wood splintering on the third floor broke him out of his thoughts. “All right, it’s show time” he said, placing a hand on the cross hanging around his neck. The yellow gem in the center of the ornate metal began to glow and in an instant, he was covered in black armor studded with yellow stones. He crouched, tensed his muscles, and leapt up into the second story window tucking his body into a roll as footsteps came pounding down the stairs towards him. Ashton summoned his sword into his left hand just as a large hairy demon with tusks the size of his arm hurled its massive bulk through the air. Just as its claws were inches from his face, he bent himself backwards and pointed his blade upright. The creature’s claws slashed empty air as its own momentum dragged its exposed belly over the point of Ashton’s sword, carving a bloody gash from its neck to its groin. As it hit the ground in a bloody heap, he turned and sprinted up the stairs to his right taking them two at a time. He reached the top in less than a minute just as five more demons turned to face the new threat. As they did, Ashton caught a glimpse of a girl huddled in the corner, just beyond their massive bodies. Her sea green eyes were bulging with fear as she tried to bolt for the nearest door to her right. Just as she did, the demon behind her proved a lot faster than it looked. Even Ashton caught only a blur as it moved in front her, grabbed her by the throat, and slammed her to the floor. The sheer force of the impact created a crater and shook the entire building. At this point Ashton had seen enough as the demon raised its arm, its hairy fist aimed for the girl’s face. Suddenly there was a rush of wind behind it and the demon found the blade of a sword growing from its abdomen. The monster’s roar of agony was cut short as Ashton pulled his sword free and swung it in a wide arc sending the creature’s decapitated body crashing to the floor, scarlet blood pouring out the stump of its neck. Not missing a beat, he spun on his heel and kicked the demon’s head like an oversized soccer ball into the path of the second assailant. The projectile whistled through the air and struck the second monstrosity in its chest with bone shattering force. It fell with a wet gasp as Ashton cradled the girl with his remaining arm and relaxed his grip on the hilt of his sword, shifting into his favorite fighting style, one more proper when facing multiple opponents. The four remaining four demons got their wits together and attacked from opposite sides, trying to use a classic pincer movement. He intercepted the first demon on his left as it lunged at him with a roundhouse kick to its face sending it crashing into its companion on the right in a tangle of claws fur and teeth. The other two quickly formulated a strategy and came at him with all the speed they could muster, zigzagging in an attempt to confuse him. Ashton smiled, and willing his sword back into the stone on his left hand, brought up his right arm. “ Zephyr!” A male robotic voice replied “Thunder Arm” the glove of lightning encased his hand as the first demon lunged for his throat and the second went for his midsection. He tilted his head to the side allowing the gaping mouth to snap empty air as he caught its head and brought it down at the same time kicking the other demon up. The resounding crack as the two skulls collided was enough to wake the girl out of her daze and stared up at him with a look of total shock and awe. All right time to clean house He tucked the girl close to his chest, turned, and jumped out the window. As he flipped and landed in a crouch he gently placed the girl on the ground and turned to the building. A yellow magic circle appeared beneath him as his pupils flared amber. He extended his right hand and began chanting. “Ancient power of the Garuda spirit hear my cry as I call upon you” There was flash beside him and he felt a small hand gripping his wrist. He turned and saw the girl, her eyes glowing a brilliant gold, and covered in black armor with yellow stones, raise her hand to the sky as she took up the chant on her own, her voice resonating with a power Ashton hadn’t felt in years. “ Swift lightning and striking thunder, descend now as I guide you” The dark clouds above the warehouse began to swirl violently as flashes of lightning arced across the sky followed by the booming of thunder. “ Lightning Call!” Her stones flared “Full Power” There was a tremendous crash and a blue bolt of lightning streaked from the black clouds and like some enormous gnarled finger, roughly tapped the top of the building. A second later there was a flash and the resulting explosion created a shockwave that knocked Ashton off his feet while the girl simply erected shield around her. When the dust finally settled, Ashton rose shakily to his feet spitting out dirt and wiping grit from his eyes as he surveyed the scene before him. The warehouse had been reduced to a smoking crater in the ground and the girl stood shaking uncontrollably and staring at her hands in complete shock. He looked at her for a moment then turning, began walking down the street. He made it less than forty meters when the voices stated. What do you think you’re doing?! The first voice came in a harsh whisper You should know better than to leave a little girl to fend for herself He stopped, weighing his choices when a second voice cut in You don’t need to be burdened with that little runt. You’ve always been a loner, not needing anyone and now you want to give it all up for her? Ashton gritted his teeth and forced himself to keep moving forward until the first voice spoke again. Just turn and look at what you’re leaving behind. Go ahead, just a quick glance He came to a halt, turned, and looked over his shoulder
What he saw made him wish he hadn’t. The girl looked at him with a pleading look, tears streaming down her face, and her lower lip trembling. Ashton mentally kicked himself as he grit his teeth and made his decision. He turned and held out a hand. It was then he saw her face light up with the most radiant smile as she ran and took his hand in both of hers. Man I’ve gotten way too soft, but I guess its worth it