The Hunt Begins
[Location: Ashford City - Abandoned Warehouse District, Night]
*Aiden Malik moves silently through the dark alleyways of the abandoned warehouse district. The tablet's soft glow is hidden beneath his jacket, but he can still feel its warmth against his chest, guiding him. Shadows stretch long in the moonlight, making the place feel even more desolate and dangerous.*
Aiden Malik
*What am I even looking for here? Another trial? Another freak with glowing eyes?*
*He hears a distant clatter metal against concrete. His body tenses, muscles coiled like springs, ready for a fight.*
Aiden Malik
*Murmurs to himself *Alright, whoever’s out there… I’m ready.
*He inches closer to the sound, moving like a shadow between the rusted remains of old machinery. Suddenly, a low growl fills the air, and Aiden stops dead in his tracks.*
Aiden Malik
*Please don’t be what I think it is…*
*A pair of glowing red eyes appear in the darkness, followed by another… and another. Three massive beasts, all muscle and fur, their bodies low to the ground and jaws dripping with saliva. Their eyes lock onto Aiden, and they start to circle him.*
Aiden Malik
*Swallowing hard* Just great. Of course, it had to be monsters.
*One of the beasts lunges, jaws wide, aiming for his throat. Aiden dives to the side, rolling to his feet in one swift motion. He grips the tablet tightly, feeling it thrum with power.*
Aiden Malik
*Yelling* Let’s see what you’ve got!
*He thrusts the tablet forward, and a beam of golden light shoots out, striking one of the beasts square in the chest. It howls, exploding into a cloud of black smoke.*
Aiden Malik
*One down. Two to go.*
*The remaining beasts snarl and charge at him from both sides. Aiden spins, dodging one but feeling the claws of the other rake across his back. He grits his teeth against the pain, his vision blurring for a moment.*
Aiden Malik
*Breathlessly* Alright… time to get serious.
*He raises the tablet above his head, focusing on the whispers in his mind. The tablet glows brighter, and suddenly, a shield of golden light surrounds him. The second beast slams into the barrier and disintegrates on contact.*
Aiden Malik
*This power… it’s getting stronger.*
*The final beast hesitates, sensing the shift in power. It growls low, pacing around him, looking for an opening.*
Aiden Malik
*Smirking*What’s the matter? Not so brave now, are you?
*Before the beast can react, Aiden drops the shield and charges, slamming the tablet into the creature’s head. A burst of light erupts, and the beast is vaporized.*
Aiden Malik
*Panting, lowering the tablet* That… wasn’t so bad.
*He suddenly feels a sharp, cold sensation at the back of his neck. He freezes.*
voice from the shadows
Impressive… but still sloppy.
*From the darkness steps a tall, lean figure, dressed in dark leather armor with a hood pulled low over his face. His eyes glow with a soft blue light.*
Aiden Malik
*Turning slowly, eyes narrowing*
Strange
Someone who knows exactly what you are… and what you’re becoming.
Aiden Malik
*grip on the tablet tightens*
Aiden Malik
I’m not looking for trouble. Just answers.
Strange
*Chuckling softly*Answers come at a price, boy. And sometimes, the price is your life.
*He moves with lightning speed, and suddenly Aiden is on the defensive. The stranger strikes with a curved blade, but Aiden blocks with the tablet. Sparks fly.*
Aiden Malik
*This guy’s fast!*
*The stranger presses the attack, his movements fluid and precise. Aiden can barely keep up, using the tablet to parry and deflect blows.*
Aiden Malik
*Gritting his teeth*What do you want from me?
Strange
To see if you’re worthy of the power you hold… or if it should belong to someone else.
*With a swift motion, the stranger disarms Aiden, sending the tablet skittering across the ground. Aiden falls back, his hands up defensively.*
Aiden Malik
*Panting*You’re making a big mistake if you think I’m going down that easy.
*The stranger raises his blade for a finishing blow, but before he can strike, a blinding light erupts from behind Aiden. The tablet has activated on its own, hovering in mid-air, pulsing with raw energy.*
Strange
*Eyes widening*Impossible…
*The light engulfs the chamber, and the stranger is thrown back, crashing into a pile of rusted crates. Aiden stumbles to his feet, grabbing the tablet as it floats back down.*
Aiden Malik
*It… protected me?*
Strange
*The stranger coughs, getting back to his feet, a newfound respect in his eyes.*
Strange
*Breathing heavily*Maybe you are worthy… after all.
Aiden Malik
*Aiden steps forward, emboldened.*
Aiden Malik
You gonna answer my questions now? Who are you? What do you know about this power?
Strange
*Wiping blood from his lip, nodding*The name’s Kael.
Strange
And I’m one of many who’ve been watching you, heir of Gilgamesh.
*Aiden’s eyes widen. He lowers his stance, still holding the tablet ready.*
Aiden Malik
Watching me? Why? What do you want?
Kael
To see if you’re a threat… or an ally.
*Aiden takes a deep breath, considering his options. He doesn’t fully trust Kael, but he can’t ignore the fact that this man knows more about what’s happening than he does.*
Aiden Malik
Alright, Kael. I’m listening. But no more games.
Kael
Fair enough. There’s a war coming, Aiden one you’ve been dragged into whether you like it or not. The power you hold is ancient, coveted by many… and feared by more.
Aiden Malik
*Frowning*And who’s after it? Who’s coming for me?
*Aiden’s blood runs cold at the name. He’d seen glimpses of Aric in his visions the man with the crown, the one with eyes like molten gold.*
Aiden Malik
*So, he’s real… and he’s coming.*
Kael
Aric’s not like you, Aiden. He’s consumed by the power he’s claimed. He won’t stop until he has it all.
Aiden Malik
Then I’ll stop him. I won’t let him get to me.
Kael
*Nodding a hint of approval in his eyes*Good. Because you’re going to need allies. And I’m offering my hand
*Aiden hesitates, weighing his choices. Trust a stranger, or go it alone? He doesn’t have long to decide.*
Aiden Malik
Alright, Kael. I’m in… for now. But the second you try anything
Kael
*Raising a hand* I get it. Trust isn’t easily given. But I think you’ll find I’m more useful than not.
*The two stare at each other for a moment, a silent agreement forming. Kael gestures toward the exit*
Kael
Come on. We’ve got work to do, and not a lot of time to do it.
*As they move out of the shadows, Aiden feels a strange sense of relief. For the first time since this all started, he’s not entirely alone.*
[Location: Mesopotamian Desert - Aric's Hidden Base, Night]
*Aric Holt stands on a balcony overlooking his camp, the crown of Gilgamesh gleaming on his head. His eyes are closed, his mind focused. He can feel the ripples of energy emanating from across the world.*
Aric Holt
*So, the boy survived the first test… interesting.*
*One of his followers approaches, bowing low.*
Follower
Lord Aric, our scouts report movement in Ashford City. The heir may have found an ally.
Aric Holt
*Smirking*Good. It will make the hunt more exciting.
Aric Holt
*He turns, his eyes glowing fiercely.*
Aric Holt
Prepare the others. The time to strike draws near.
*As his followers disperse, Aric looks back out over the desert, his expression cold and calculating.*
Aric Holt
Enjoy your freedom while it lasts, heir… because soon, it will be mine.
[Location: Abandoned Warehouse District, Ashford City, Dawn]
*Aiden and Kael stand at the edge of the district, watching the sun begin to rise over the city. The streets are quiet, but the tension in the air is palpable.*
Aiden Malik
*Glancing at Kael*So… what now?
Kael
Now, we get ready. Aric won’t be waiting much longer.
*Aiden nods, feeling the weight of what’s to come. The whispers in his mind are silent for now, but he knows it won’t be for long. The storm*
Comments