FireWind Chronicles

[flames]

After looking through some of the RPs I go on and re-reading The Hero Eternal: Warrior, I realised that Flames has a complicated history which may confuse people (and myself). I like the character of HoKaze no Flames and decided to write a shortened backstory of sorts with varied entries from different points of view. (It can also be seen as a collection of Oneshot Stories)

Chapter 1: Reflection
Flames floated there, suspended in time and space, protected from the Apocalypse raining down on the planet below. But even here, where reality faded into dreams and pain did not exist, there was a sharp feeling...an agonizing thing that struck all the senses at once. He wept bitter tears as he tried to clutch his heart, only for his gloved hand to impact cracked metal; the cause of his pain.
He had destroyed them all...trillions of innocent beings around the entire galaxy were suffering, dying, all because of him. He had failed.
Part of him argued that it was the only way to erase a foe with such infinite power from existance. They had all been together, many souls united as one, flowing through Flames as they gave him the strength and faith needed to accomplish the impossible task of defeating the God-like being. It had been the only way to protect the rest of existance from a fate infinitely worse than death.
Flames still felt cold, like a monster being left out to freeze. He had won, sacrificing himself for the last time, ensuring freedom...But he was unable to help them as he fell from the edge of the atmosphere, his body burning up, being torn apart. So much pain. Everyone else had put too much effort into erasing their foe and had effectively sealed their fate...They were dying and it was Flames' fault for letting them give him too much energy.
He felt tears seep into the cracks of his armour as everyone in the galaxy died an angonizingly slow death. The lesser known worlds were the first to go, drowning in a sea of crimson fire and blood. One planet at a time, the galaxy died, leaving only Earth remaining as everyone the lone warrior cared about died, moving on to a place where he could never see them again.
Flames had died before. He had died an honourable death and had been brought back for his sacrifice. This time there was no return, no second chance. There was only turmoil and anguish as the warrior cursed at himself, engulfed by the darkness.
He had been to other worlds before, he had experienced loss and he had floated here, suspened in time and space, many times before. Now everything had changed. Flames accepted his fate, accepted his soul being tortured for an eternity, before being released once more to fight for freedom and for friends on other worlds, in other dimensions...
He knew only one thing: This would never happen again. He would train for all time if he had to, eliminating his weaknesses in battle. No matter how many times the Gods restricted his abilities or erased his memory or laid curses upon his heart and soul, he would not give up. It would never happen again.
Flames' face was hidden by shadow as gashes appeared in his armour and fluid oozed out, the blood dripping everwhere. Flames sheathed his blade and smiled sadistically as the shadows swallowed him whole...

(Phew! Typing that with a Wii remote is painful. This is probably one of the darkest things I've ever written. As a note, it is set several years after The Hero Eternal: Warrior and an unknown length of time before the RPs on this forum. Tell me what you think of this madness I call Chapter One...)

[Edit: As a general note, FireWind Chronicles, The Hero Eternal: Warrior, The Hero Eternal: Resurrection, The Hero Eternal: Apocalypse and all related concepts, themes and characters are © to me. I don't mind the copying/printing of these works as long as you don't claim credit. Theft of Intellectual Property is punishable by law and can lead to large fines...So don't steal this work!]

[Somebody]

Strangely enough I enjoy dark stuff like this. It was a interesting read. I think you gave just enough detail to get the point across but not so much to bog people down in it. Well done. I look forward to the next


And yes, it does suck to type with a Wiimote.

[flames]

Thanks. It's highly reccomended that you read The Hero Eternal: Warrior...and leave reviews, hundreds of reviews! Seriously though, it isn't needed for this tale, but it helps.

Chapter 2: Lost Memories...
I never knew my family. I never knew any family at all, I knew not of friendship, I knew not of kindness; I knew only of a freezing void others called a heart, the only warmth being brought to me as I was tortured, beaten within an inch of death and force-fed oozing slime. It was a dark, dirty and despicable warmth, but warmth nonetheless.
I never knew of what love truly was, and even now, in this void I drift aimlessly through, I still don't know. I came close to what I believed to be love; I had even referred to it as love once, but it was a lie. It was affection, but not love.
As I grew I was further abused, my species being seen as vermin to be eradicated. I don't know when it happened, but I suddenly snapped. I was sick beyond death of what I had to put up with, the alleyways I couldn't call my own anymore, the numb rift where my emotions should have been and the agonizing existance that was life. If I couldn't be left to slowly die in peace, they would suffer, all of them! Every human, no...every living being I met would drown in a flood of sorrow, crimson with their own precious blood...
Before I knew what had happened, there was red everywhere, drenching the very air with death. There weren't any bodies. They were just bits and pieces of matter, which could have been rubbish or flesh. It was impossible to tell. I, being only a young child, became disgusted and terrified with the chaos I had unleashed. The organ I laughingly called a heart beat faster and faster as I fled, my last shard of innocence and peace incinerated.

It wasn't until several years later that I was seen again. I had lived in the shadows far away, afraid of others, afraid of the world and afraid of myself. I had purged myself as best I could of the horrific demons within and dedicated myself to my own morals, my own code of honour, my own way of life.
Upon studying the Way of the Warrior and hearing of attempts to overthrow the ruler of the land, my goal grew that little bit clearer. I poured all of my broken soul into fighting for my people, for fairness, for equality and for freedom.
I lashed out at all who got in my way, determined that no being, no matter how powerful, would ever control my life again like it had been when I was a child. I became pure, regained my spirit and started to regain my sanity and my soul; although my heart was still dead to me. A resistance was formed and I became known as a 'hero'. Funny that, seeing how much I killed, how many people suffered because of me and how twisted I really was inside...My concious mind denied the truth and tried to live this 'pure' existance I could never have. What a joke I was back then.
Now I know better: I should have never seeked out my heart, I should have remained cold, I should of froze my soul to protect it and I never should have trusted anyone, least of all myself.
More blood trickles down my arm as what few memories I still have are blotted out by this wonderous red liquid. I cut down deeper...

(Another dark one, this time in 1st person from Flames. Tell me what you think whilst I stare in shock at what I wrote.)

[Vince the Dark]

It's really good!
I'm waiting exited for more, because it's really interesting to read this.

[Somebody]

Good stuff once again. Keep it up.

[Dr. Strange]

Blood and violence: check
Mindless rambling: check
Horror at what you've done: check
Sound details: check
and
Good structure: check

I'd say you've done smashingly, Flames my dear. A lovely story. Did you add onto The Hero Eternal?

[flames]

Blood and violence: check
Mindless rambling: check
Horror at what you've done: check
Sound details: check
and
Good structure: check

I'd say you've done smashingly, Flames my dear. A lovely story. Did you add onto The Hero Eternal?

I've been meaning to work on the sequel(s) to The Hero Eternal: Warrior, but I got writer's block and suddenly ended up writing this, which actually takes place after the last (unwritten) 'book' in the series. *shrugs* Oh well, I'll just continue writing this for a bit...

Chapter 3: Escape...
No matter how how many times I thrust my energy-blade, the X-Sabre, into my vital organs, my existance continues, the pain and fluids oozing from within me the only company, my only comfort.
No matter how hard I try, I cannot take what I don't have: A Life. I cannot live, I cannot die, I'm just encased in this foul darkness, the silence deafening me, the lack of light blinding me and the nothingness of the void almost entirely stripping away my sense of touch. I show my sharp teeth as I hack my way through once more, relishing in the feeling of agony that gripped my body.
When the only things you could sense were either a soul-draining emptiness or intolerable anguish, pain was always infinitely more enjoyable. There was an oddly calming effect created by abusing your existance this way. It was not unlike the Soul of Ice: where emotion was banished, leaving room for clear, calm and precise thoughts, solidifying and hardening your soul as frozen fluid repaired the flaws...

There was a dot of light shining in the distance, not unlike a star. I was alive again, still trapped in the void, but I was alive. The Gods droned on about my fate and purpose, but I was hearing none of it. My teeth ground together as I clenched my fists and felt the darkness around me quiver. They were trying to control me, tell me what to do, change who I was and take over my life...Not if I had anything to with it!
I would take control of my life anyway I could, I would escape, I.....I wrenched out the organ that was supposedly my heart and shut my eyes, in control once more. A breeze was felt on my forehead and I smiled...


Chapter 4: Second Chance...
Two figures stood there quietly on a path of stone overlooking the sea. Waves crashed to and fro, their darkness mimicing the storm-ridden sky above. The wind howled in the distance as rain fell on the two people looking out to the vast waters, one with a hopeful look on her face, the other with doubt etched into his.
"Are ya sure someone's really comin'? Ya dreams have lied before, Ranko." The speaker was slightly short and squat, his fur oddly shiny and short, generally unlike any known animal. He looked up at the tigeress by his side, his large and floppy arms easily touching the ground.
"Have faith, Bakkun, the Gods shall surely-" The tigeress was interrupted by thunder in the distance and an angry outcry from Bakkun.
"The Gods!? Ya really think they'll help us now after what they've already unleashed upon the world!?" He calmed down for a moment and turned to leave, glancing back at Ranko. "Ya should hurry up before somethin' bad turns up, ya dummy!"
A sudden roar of wind and large, ever rolling waves only helped emphasize his point as eerie sounds were heard in the far distance. Ranko was silent and hung her head slightly as she walked towards Bakkun, ready to leave. They both turned back one last time to gaze at the raging sea, eyes dark with sorrow and remorse for the world.
Something wasn't right though. The waters had suddenly changed, a new shade being added to the spectrum as the waves fled from a single point in the sea, rippling outwards in a flurry of circles as an ominous combination of light and dark appeared in the depths. It rose and the waters nearby became more and more violent until something was finally blasted out of the depths, flung high into the sky, orange hair whipping around his face. It was a person.
Said figure was currently falling, almost in slow-motion, towards the worn path of weathered stone that Ranko and Bakkun were on. They remained still, their eyes transfixed by this strange occurance, noting every detail they could about the Anthro as he fell; their minds not responding.
He wore a faded crimson armour with an abundance of gashes and cracks, looking as if it could easily fall apart in the wind. His orange hair was flying around energetically as he moved through the air, his eyelids shut tight. His fox-like tail bent as his body came closer to the ground, gaining speed. The sea continued its assault on itself as the figure finally impacted the path...

[Somebody]

Some more good stuff, ya really get the sense of emotion he must be feeling to do such things to himself. I was a bit confused at the beggining of chapter 4 however. I'm not really familiar with the characters talking there.

[flames]

Some more good stuff, ya really get the sense of emotion he must be feeling to do such things to himself. I was a bit confused at the beggining of chapter 4 however. I'm not really familiar with the characters talking there.

Thanks. You should have been confused about chapter 4 as they are new characters who I'm using solely for this piece...That and I wanted to abruptly change both scene and viewpoint.
I'll add the next chapter when I get round to writing it, hopefully it'll be done sometime soon...

Chapter 5: Awakening...
When the dust finally cleared, Ranko hurried towards the newly made crater in front of her, not noticing that Bakkun was no longer beside her. The Anthro seemed relatively unharmed by the fall, although small remains of his armour were scattered around everywhere. Ranko aproached him slightly slower as her eyes were attracted to the numerous scars clearly visible despite his fur.
Everything seemed to go silent as she knelt down next to the body, checking for signs of life. Her dream had been true after all, it seemed...
Bakkun was a lot more cautious, not following Ranko into the small crater dug into the dark stone. If Ranko's little prediction was correct, which he didn't admit to believe, then this...thing...was from another world. Sure 'he' looked normal, but you couldn't be too careful these days, especially with all the foul monsters that plagued the world, ready to drop their prey into the shadows, tearing their souls apart as they warped their memories and...
Bakkun shuddered and left his train of thought at that, not wanting to even consider what would happen next. Instead he simply growled lowly at nothing in particular before hopping towards Ranko, ready to drag her away should anything happen.

Ranko had noticed that some of the otherworlder's wounds had been quite fresh and she had took it upon herself to wrap them up the best she could, using the roll of bandages she always carried around, ever since 'it' had happened. But she suddenly froze when she felt for a pulse. That couldn't be right, she swore she had seen him breathing slowly a moment ago...
She quickly put her head on his chest, feeling his lungs expand as he calmly breathed in the sea air. Fear and confusion shone briefly in her eyes as she listened harder for another ten seconds, hearing nothing but the violent sea and ever raging winds, before she lifted her head and admitted the truth: he didn't have a heartbeat...
As Ranko struggled with the notion of the Anthro being warm and breathing normally, yet not having a heartbeat, Bakkun suddenly turned round, a mixture of uncertainty and nervousness evident in his features. It could have just been his imagination, but he was sure he sensed-
A loud screeching pierced his eardrum as disgusting talons gripped into his sides, adding the sound of steadily dripping blood to nature's own anguished cries. The creature's talons emitted a depressingly grey vapour, the air already becoming foul and foggy with its loathsome presence as Ranko stared with impossibly wide eyes at Bakkun, only hearing the dripping of his blood, only smelling the scent of impending death, seeing naught but her friends face, forever frozen in a look of pleading agony.
The wind and sea became deathly silent as Flames' eyes finally opened, his body still without a heartbeat...

[Somebody]

Another great chapter. (I know at this point it must seem like I'm just being kind because I keep saying the same thing but truly it is a interesting read)

I must admit I'm confused once again, did they just get attacked? Or is it something in the one's mind sorta like a overshadowing premonition? I'm horrible at over reading the details but I just want to be sure.

I must admit Flame's particular ailment is fascinating. I can't help but wonder if he will find solice and peace

[Dr. Strange]

I love it!! Flames, you've outdone yourself. But there are some things that could be cleaned up a bit.

[flames]

Chapter 6: Aisu no Reikon...Soul of Ice
The figure stood on the cliff, darkness clinging to their form as they watched the chaos down below, amusement forming as Bakkun's blood stained the rocks red. A rustle was heard behind them as a more dimunitive shadow crept towards the edge of the cliff, briefly glancing at the infidels down below. "You have it?" The first one said in a inhuman voice, the sounds disorted and eerily similar to the anguished sea before them. The figure was not seen by anyone below and radiated an unusual form of power: energetic, yet depressing, bold, yet subtley kept in the shadows. Light seemed to almost run away from the figure, which was neither male nor female.
The smaller one, clearly an inferior, bowed lowly and held what resembled a piece of paper in their hands. "The otherworlder is number 2437AX57ZERO. He has no connections to any of the target bloodlines or any knowledge of this world." The servant was more like a flat shadow and had a similarily disorted voice, although this one was slightly higher pitched and seemed almost mouselike. The master simply gazed at the otherworlder down below, who had awoken and was displaying very...unusual...behaviour. The servant glanced at the sea nervously before continuing: "It should be mentioned though that our sources believe that he can ascend to higher planes and-"
A massive wave sudden crashed into the rockface as thunder roared directly above, interrupting the servant's words. Things didn't get much quieter, as it wasn't long before cries of pain were also heard. The shadow cleared their throat once more and said calmly to the master: "He has been flung through existance randomly like many others...with a few exceptions. This one appears to have undergone at least 9999 Ceroxes of sorrow, pain, anguish and hate during his time in the Void."  There was a slight pause as they coughed and a sudden spurt of crimson liquid shot up to the heavens for a few seconds. "This one has been able to utilize Ki with ease and, despite being of a lower plane of existance...He has been able to draw upon the energies of Soul and has captured  the Kami's attention..."
The master nodded their head and gestured towards the Anthro below them, who was certainly...intruiging. "It appears that he has attained the Aisu no Reikon. We must keep an eye on him, as one such as him in a state like this could easily lean either way. The Aisu no Reikon may allow him to think clearly without a heart to cloud his judgement, but such a cold and harsh state being used by someone so warm and determined...This could end in disaster. We definately will have to keep track of him..."  The master  paused as the individual he was mentioning noticed them, a dark inferno lying hidden in those icy, unblinking eyes. He simply stared at them, an utterly and completely neutral expression forever engraved into his face. "...This HoKaze no Flames..."
Both master and shadow vanished as Flames turned back to 'admire his handiwork': The tattered remains of what had been a monster bird and what equated to a lake in blood, coating the rocks, staining the surrondings, merging with the sea. He didn't spare a glance for the remains of what had been Bakkun, or at the female who had aided him, who was currently frozen in shock on the ground, barely breathing. They didn't matter. Nothing mattered.
In her last moments of sanity, Ranko watched him retreat away and clutched herself, eyes wider then the moon, taking it all in as she muttered insane ramblings under her breath, fear gripping her heart. In those last moments her mind noted one last thing: There was suddenly a lot of ice where the otherworlder had been a moment ago...

[Somebody]

Good chapter, I like the setup for these new characters even more specifically after Flames did what he did. You don't really know which way he is gonna go. As always I look forward to the next one

[flames]

Chapter 7: Mind of the Machine
I don't know much. I don't know why I am here, what this place is, why I did what I did. I don't know why I slaughtered the creature or waited for it to kill its prey before making a move. I don't know who I am, scratch that, I don't know what I am. What am I, who am I, where is this place, how did this happen, why can't I remember...
An endless hurricane of questions lies in my mind, but what is the point of answering them or even accepting their existance? They cloud my mind, as do these pathetic emotions that threaten to take over, drowning me in a sea of dark fire. All I need is this coldness, the numbness that lets me survive. It helps me bear the heat, block out the  noise. People are garbage, they will never understand. If I can't understand what's happened to me, how can I expect anyone else to be of use? Emotions, memories, pain, love, friends, allies, foes, a past, a present, a future...Such things are meaningless to me now.
I lie to myself constantly as I wander aimlessly, without goal or home. I still remember little things, but they make no sense to me as I am now. The only thing that makes sense to my deranged mind  is something not unlike a series of commands for a machine: /......found//......requires......//Must bring......to......through fighting//......is all//Fighting is all//Must fight to bring......to....../
It is fragmented, but is far clearer then any of these so-called 'memories' of mine. It is all I have to lead me. The only path available to me now is to fight...Only then can I understand the Mind of the Machine that is me...

[Somebody]

This one is good, it gives insight more into his mentality. Gives me more of a feeling of where things might go from here.