Rise of the Beastmen [PG-13/Started/NOT Accepting]

[John A. Zoidberg]

Graemjor had just finished patching Varrun up and giving him the pain killers, when he noticed Xero sitting there. "You sure you don't want me to take the first shift? I'm fine with it." Graemjor stood around. "What's your story, kid? Don't you have any family or close friends to live with? Why are you all the way out here?" Graemjor sat down again on a piled of leaves he'd used for a makeshift pillow. He looked and Xero and studied him closely. Xero was the first tiger man he'd met in awhile that he'd managed to befriend. It was nice for him to be around one of his own kind for once, rather than alone with so many different creatures that made him feel so out of place.

[---------------]

"I'll be fine," Xero insisted, "I've stayed up much later and much longer than this." Xero relaxed, laying on the ground, back against the tree still facing the city. "My story. Oh, god, where to begin..."

"Well, when I was around 4 or 5, my parents were killed by humans invading our town. I was sent to an orphanage. Now that I think about it, I'm surprised I don't want to take revenge or something. But at the orphanage, life wasn't all bad. I made friends there, and was happy for a while.

I didn't get adopted, so when I became 18, I was broke. [i]Of course[/i] the orphanage had to be in a town filled with snobby, rich a******s. So, I got my money the old fashioned way: I took it. At first, the only thing I could do was steal purses and pickpocket wallets. But, as the jobs got harder, and more convoluted, the more I enjoyed them. It was exciting. Just before we met, I had stolen the money from a safe in one of the local restaurants. The only reason I was caught was because the restaurant owner decided to come back from sick leave early."

Xero sighed, but kept searching the area with his eyes, keeping alert. "And, that's pretty much it." Xero looked up at the sky. The moon way a quarter of the way across the sky. "Your turn."

Xero got up and climbed into the tree, resting himself on one of the branches.

[John A. Zoidberg]

Graemjor looked down sadly. "I used to have a family. I had a wife and a son. One day, the humans stormed our house. My wife was murdered, I was pronounced dead, and my son had been tossed aside to fend for himself. As soon as everything blew over, I went looking for my son everywhere, but I could never find him. So then, I vowed to take vengeance. I joined the army and killed some humans, but it never brought me peace, nothing did. I'm still searching today, to find the last bit of my family left. It's... hard... but it made me the man I am today. That's why I don't want to lose Varrun. He's the closest thing to family I have left in this world."

[---------------]

Xero shook his arm to get Graemjor to look up at him, since the eyes are attracted to movement. Xero knew he had to encourage Graemjor, and he knew exactly how to do it. "Graemjor, I got two things to say to you. One, don't ever believe that. No matter how alone you feel in this world, always remember that there'll be someone who cares about you. Who that is, I don't know. Me, Varrun, some other friend, old or new, whatever! Someone will always care. And, two, don't ever give up. Your son is out there, somewhere. I know it. And I know your going to find him. No matter how bleak it may seem, hold on to the hope that he's still out there, and you'll find him."

"Now, if you'll excuse me: I [i]won't[/i] stay awake when it's not my shift." Xero chuckled a little, and fell asleep on the branch.

[John A. Zoidberg]

Graemjor managed to smile at Xero. Of course he regretted staying awake so long given how tired he'd be tomorrow, but he felt as thought he'd finally gotten to know the REAL kid whose life he saved. In a way, he liked this one more than the "innocent passerby who'd lost his jacket." After all, this one returned the favor and saved [i]his[/i] life. He couldn't help but lose himself over Xero's words. "Your son is out there, somewhere. I know it." He had to believe. He couldn't think otherwise, that his own flesh and blood was alive out there, wondering what ever happened to his mom and dad. Of course, the boy would be older now, and he wouldn't get to know his mom, but Graemjor knew that if he ever found his son, he'd give him the father he never had.

[Ranma124]

Track had decided to once again follow the three others. "Xero is my friend and that means I've got to help him out." Track thought as he ran trying to search for his friend and the other two who had been with him. After a long tiring search Track managed to find the three. He approached them and sat down. "Hey there guys. Mind explaining what was going on in the sewer." Track placed his hands behind his head. "By the way sorry for not introducing myself properly. The names Track. Xero here can tell you all about me." Track smiled and waited to see if his good friend Xero would explain about Track and how they met."Or if you dont want to talk about me just because youve got some new friends hen thats perfectly fine."

[---------------]

"Shut the hell up, Track," Xero said jokingly. "I almost forgot you were in the sewers."

"Okay, forget it. I'm not tired." Xero dropped down from the tree, landing the same distance away from Graemjor and Track. "Track is older than he looks. He's really 13, but he looks like he's 17 or something. His parents died while fighting against the humans. He's got a similar story to you, Graemjor. Trained so he could get revenge on the humans. One day, the humans thought it'd be a good idea to pick on a little kid, and got their butts handed to them. Track did get wounded, but he healed. That's why he's got those bandages on, to remember to keep training."

[Ranma124]

Track laughed as Xero said that he had almost forgotten that Track was still int he sewers. "Oh i see. Meet some new friends an then completely forget about me. And what would have happened if i didnt manage to track you guys down." Track laughed for a little longer then allowed Xero to talk about him and his story. When he was done Track began to speak. "Yep thats rigtht. Does stupid humans killed my parents but i kicked the butts of those ones that tried to attack me. But i also got injured in all four limbs. But as Xero said i healed but kept the bandages on to remember to always train." Track looked at Xero. "So buddy why dont you tell them how we met."

[---------------]

Graemjor sat and listened in wrapped attention. Not in awe or wonderment, but strange curiosity. Two orphans, one thief and one freelancer, ten years apart and apparently great friends. Varrun was asleep, so... he probably didn't care at the moment.

Xero yawned, then began to speak, "Alright, but after, I'm going to go to sleep. I've been awake for too long."

"So, around a year and a half ago, it was in the middle of the night, and I was sneaking into human barracks for some loot. I was in the sergeant's office when I heard an alarm go off. For a minute, I though I was found out, but nobody had come. I went exploring, and found out that the humans had caught Track outside the walls. Of course, a human's first instinct is to accuse all guilty, so they attacked. Unfortunately, they didn't realize how good a fighter Track was. I did what I did with you and Varrun, I waited the battle out on one of the roofs to go grave robbing.

"As good a fighter as he was, Track was eventually overwhelmed. They caught him, tied him up, and prepared to execute him. Before they did, though, they asked him a few questions. One of which was how old he was. He responded 12, but the humans didn't believe him, cuz he looked at least 16. I believed him, though. I couldn't let them execute a kid. So, I did what I could. I dropped down onto the executor and knocked him into the croud of humans. I cut the rope with my claws and we made our getaway. Been good friends, since. I even went with him as backup when he went back for revenge and kicked the asses of those humans."

[John A. Zoidberg]

"Seems like you two have quite a history," Graemjor said, "You two must have been through a few fights together. As for me, I think I've taken up a bit too much of your rest time, Xero. Feel free to go to sleep. I can keep a handle on things for now. I doubt anyone will find us, but we should try to conceal the brightness of the fire and attempt to make the smoke less visible, just for the sake of no one getting curious and trying to find us. I suggest we wake up early tomorrow and try to find a location even farther from the Kingdom, possibly a forest in the Uncharted Worlds. No one would think to search there for us.

[---------------]

"Alright then," Xero said, as he headed back up the tree and got ready to sleep. "My safehouse is only a few hours from here, in Alton City. We can rest up and get prepared there. We can't stay long, though, in case the mutt and pigeon decide to pay a visit and snoop around." Xero stretched and almost went to sleep there, when he remembered something.

"Graemjor, you couldn't climb the cliff back there. Climbing is a basic skill for tigers, or any cat for that matter. You telling me you only know swordplay??"

[John A. Zoidberg]

"When my family was attacked," Graemjor began, "They decided to cripple my race-given skill by cutting my claws off. Obviously I still have hands, but the claws have never grown back. So, I mastered other things, such as speed, agility, and, of course, swordplay. I wish I could climb, but those damned humans made sure I never would again."
Graemjor stood up and started working on concealing the fire from sight by building a leaf drape to block the sight. Now it just looked like a normal tree in the middle of a large forest near the Kingdom of the Fang.

[Ranma124]

Track allowed Xero to explain the story of how they met and when Track had almost been executed but thanks to Xero was saved. "You know. If I really wanted to I could of easily defeated those humans. But you know I wanted to show a little sympathy for the pathetic losers." Track laughed. "Im just kind that way." Track then watched as Xero was about to go to sleep before asking the other guys question about climbing. After he had answered Track decided to speak up. "Well for me all I need to do is simply use my tail. And well more importantly. It's tine for us guys to get some beauty sleep. Well actually I don't really need beauty sleep seeing ad you can improve perfection. But you guys might need a whole lot of beauty sleep." Track once again laughed. He looked at Greamjor. "But seriously it's true even ask Xero I drive the girls crazy. They just can't resist."

[---------------]

Xero looked down at Track, then at Graemjor, who was looking back at him. "Of course, the ladies love him," Xero said, shaking his head and mouthing the words 'NO WAY'. Events after that were drowned away in fatigue.

Dawn had just broken. Dew from the leaves on the tree pelted Xero's face. He was the first one up. The fire had since been put out, and all that remained was a pile of ash. Track was asleep, upside down, hanging from the same tree. Graemjor was laying against another tree, next to Varrun. Varrun's wounds seemed to be healing nicely. He should feel a bit better today. Xero dropped down silently from the tree, and told his friends to get up. It was time to head off...

[John A. Zoidberg]

Graemjor woke up begrudgingly. He had bags under his eyes from the lack of sleep. "I still don't think Varrun's in the best condition to be moving around. I'll carry him, just to be safe."
Then, Varrun woke up. He heard everything. "Are you kidding me?" he said, laughing, "I'll walk, I'll just take it easy if trouble shows up."
"If trouble shows up," Graemjor said, "You'd better get your ass out of there before someone tries to kill you again. By the way, I hope you guys realize no one's ever returned from Uncharted Worlds alive, hence the reason it's uncharted. If you guys don't wanna try to get in, we shouldn't risk it, but I think it's the only place where we'll be truly safe from Forjein and Yggarus. It's your choice."

[---------------]

Xero re-tucked his t-shirt into his jeans. "No one's returned alive? That means that the Uncharted Worlds must be so amazing, no one's ever wanted to leave." Xero laughed at the notion, then cleared his throat. "You need to stop being so pessimistic, Graemjor. Instead of looking at the negative stuff, look at the positive."

"Alright," Xero said, looking at the sky, "My safehouse and Alton City is a few hours away, We should have plenty of time left in the day when we get there. Let's get going. Varrun, do you need any help?"

[John A. Zoidberg]

"Nah, I'll be fine just as long as I'm only using my legs today," he said, attempting to stand up. Graemjor ran over and helped him up, just to be completely safe. "Thanks."
"I suggest we get moving right away, lest we not make it to your safehouse by the end of the night. If we're lucky, we may even be able to make it to Uncharted Worlds by the end of the night," Graemjor said, "Well, Xero, lead the way. For now we're following you, at least until things blow over."
"Once I'm fully healed," Varrun said, "We'll go take down Forjein and Yggarus, and hopefully win the emperor's trust back. If we don't then we're going to have to take extreme measures."
"Let's not worry about them right now," Graemjor said, "Let's just worry about getting you to safety."

[Ranma124]

Track woke up and looked around after hearing the voices of the others around him. Trac used his tail to swing round tree and jumped off landing on his feet. He stretched, yawned and looked around. "Morining guys. Sow whats going on. Where are we going." Track walked over to them. "Listen you guys are on the run from those other guys right. Well your going to need all the help you can get. Therefore i think it would be best if i came along and helped you. Anyway its not like i have anything better to do." Track stretched once again and got ready to leave. He did a few push ups and sit ups. He then looked at the three others. "Well lets go. Im all warmed up. So when you guys are ready we can head out."

[---------------]

"We're going to my place, then to Uncharted Worlds to hide out," Xero said to Track, "You've been to my place once before, I think. Anyways, let's head out." Xero lead the group into the forest, away from the Kingdom. At first, their journey was thick with vegetation, but soon enough, their path was less and less rural and more and more urban. Two and a half hours passed. Suddenly, Xero held his hand out, stopping his friends.

"We're here," Xero said. Up ahead, many buildings could be seen, some large, some small, most of which were styled similarly like pagodas. "There's no gate or border, but people would recognize me if I just waltzed right in. I'll take the higher route. You guys follow that road into the city. It leads directly to my place." Xero pointed to a narrow road among the many broad ones. Xero, went into the city, and climbed up to one of the rooftops. He could be seen jumping onto another, but after that, he was blocked from sight.

(OOC: The road leads through the city for a few intersections, until heading into a cul-de-sac; the middle house, facing the road, is his safe house.)

[John A. Zoidberg]

Graemjor grimaced at the sight of Xero's safehouse. "You have money in here, right? Well, I hope you realize you could use that money to make this place a bit less disturbing." Walking in, Graemjor took of his armor to get a few minutes of rest for his tired arms and legs. "So, we're here to get money, then we're gonna start travelling until we reach a town with an inn or something. That way, we can sleep for the night, then continue onward tomorrow. It should take about two or three days to get there, depending on how well we travel. Any questions?"
Graemjor looked around, smiling. "No one's ever come back alive from these places. They are either a haven that no one has ever wanted to leave, or they are the most dangerous places in our world. But that doesn't matter. What does matter, is that we ARE coming back, and when we do, Yggarus and Forjein will suffer!"

[---------------]

"Relax there, Graem-gore. It's survive first, revenge later." Xero responded, "And, besides, the ulgier the place, the less people wanna come take a look." After saying that, Xero pulled up what appeared to be a trap door in the floor. He went down into the basement, and came back up with four bags of coins, one for everyone. If anyone were to look into the basement, they would see quite literally [i]piles[/i] of loot and goods that Xero's collected over the years.

"These bags have about 200 gold pieces each. I figure that should last us a week without stealing," in saying that, Xero had a smug look on his face. "Alright, we can leave anytime between now and maybe five hours. Or, we can spend the night here. I'd rather wait here for a little to relax from the hike out here."

"And... Graemjor, I got something for you. I felt guilty for asking you about your climbing, so I figured you'd like this. I... [i]acquired[/i] it from a local weaponsmith." From his pocket, Xero pulled out a pair of Bagh Nakhs.

(OOC: Bagh Nakhs are a pair of metal tiger claws that can be worn as brass knuckles. They can be worn either above or below the fingers. [url=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9daIHcq0us/TV9BkMsEpUI/AAAAAAAAFeM/2vFRa0JXwUE/s1600/lBaghnaka9914.jpg]See here[/url] and [url=http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/073/9/3/Discrete_bagh_nakh___size_by_Dragonsmithy.jpg]here[/url]. Graemjor's specific pair has an adjustable hinge on where you put your fingers, so they can easily switch from being under the hands (useful for climbing) to over the hands (for punching) without removing them.)

[John A. Zoidberg]

"I... I don't know what to say..." Graemjor said, trying the Bagh Nakhs, "This is the most considerate thing a person's ever done for me. Thank you Xero... you've, well, given me my life back from those humans. I'm once again a tiger man."
Suddenly, Graemjor started to think again. Back to the day his wife was murdered, his son was lost, and he was crippled. And through that thinking, Graemjor began to realize that Xero had almost become a son to him, to make up for the little boy he lost all those years ago. [i]It's funny, [/i]he thought, [i]if it wasn't for those humans, I wouldn't have ever even met this kid. I never would have become a soldier. I wouldn't just been a simple man, with a simple family.[/i]
"Well," Varrun said, "Are we leaving now or are we staying for a few hours first?"
"I think we should stay," Graemjor replied, "the better rested we all are, the better prepared we are in case anyone shows up. Are you guys all okay with this or do you just want to hit the road now?"
"No, we're fine," Varrun said.
"So, while we're here, Varrun," Graemjor said, "It seems like me, Xero, and Track all know each other pretty well, but it seems like you're still a mystery to them. Tell them about about yourself."
"What's there to say?" Varrun said despairingly, "My country, Valenine, far to the west of Arcania, was destroyed in an instant. We always took in anyone. Human, beastman, Gankri. All were accepted. No one knows how it was destroyed, though. A lot of humans who escaped started to serve Volekhannt. After I saw what he did to beastmen, I couldn't work for him, though. It's too bad. I winded up having to kill one of the humans that I'd become close to in Valenine. Valenine just became another part of Uncharted Worlds. Then, of course, I appealed to Tigra, and rose through the ranks, which lead me to meet Graemjor, Yggarus, and Forjein. I guess things like that just happen."
"How does no one know how an entire country was destroyed?" Xero asked, eyes wide by Varrun's tale, "There was no evidence? Nothing that remained?"
"No. I remember one thing, though," Varrun said, his eyes glazed with the darkness of his past, "A remember a beast. It was black. Not just dark, but pure black. It... it felt like death. I don't know what it was. For all I know, maybe it was a hallucination, but I got out of there. I ran. I left, well, everything. I wish I could have saved more of my fellows, but it wasn't meant to be. All of the Gankri living in Valenine were wiped out, including my mentor through childhood, Furi Goi. He taught me everything I know today. If there was anyone I could have saved, it would have been him. But.... but I was afraid. From then on, I vowed never to back down again. I guess that's why I stepped in front of that attack for Graemjor. I wanted to make up for the mistakes I've made. But it still wasn't enough. Nothing will ever be enough..."
For a moment, all was silent. It was as if the world stood still. No one spoke or moved. It was disturbing, but it was bliss.
Then, the motion overcame them all once more.
"I'm sorry... I... I need some fresh air," Varrun said. He stood up and walked outside.

(OOC: Gankri are a race of very knowledgeable creatures that have armor in their skin. They are honed in the skills of both combat and tactics, thus making them amazing war strategists. However, they are bound by honor, and thus never wage war unless it was declared on them.

[---------------]

"Looks like all four of us are sob stories," Xero said, trying to lighten the mood, but failing. Xero sat there for a minute, but he couldn't take the silence. So he got up, and proclaimed, "I'm gunna go on a job. You two hold down the fort, I'll be right back."

Xero dropped his bag of coins on the floor, then went back into the basement. After a few moments, he returned with a strange, folded up fabric sticking out of his pocket and gloves on. He also had a strange ring hanging from his belt, that had two slivers of metal on it. He bid a temporary farewell to his friends, and was about to walk out.

[John A. Zoidberg]

"Take Graemjor with you," Varrun said, walking back inside. "He needs something to do. If he sits in here just talking while you're out doing something, he'll go nuts with anxiety."
Graemjor rolled his eyes, "I don't go nuts. I just get a little antsy, is all. It's no big deal, really. I mean, if you wouldn't mind me tagging along then by all means I'll go, but-"
"Please!" Varrun said, laughing hysterically, "The last time this happened, you literally tore a wall down! If you guys don't believe me, I can show you after this whole thing gets settled. He's a maniac!"
Graemjor started to smile, "Only cause you wouldn't let me go out on the front lines with Veitzch. You know, he was hospitalized for half a year after that fight. Too bad I hadn't helped. Anyways, am I going or not?"

[---------------]

"Graemjor. Go. On a job?" Xero said surprised. "You know, a "job". Meaning, [i]I'm going to steal things[/i]. You want me, a master thief, to take an old, big, noticeable man on a sensitive robbery, where, if he's caught, he will be recognized and most likely executed." There was a short awkward pause, until Xero gave his answer, which was...

"....Okay," Xero's response was almost comically not as stern sounding as his previous speech. Xero went back downstairs for a moment, and brought back a rope and another pair of gloves. He instructed Graemjor to wrap the rope around his shoulder, and to wear his Bagh Nakhs over the gloves. "We can't go out the front way with you being so noticeable. Follow me."

Xero then lead Graemjor into the basement. Graemjor had a full view of all the things Xero took over the years. Most of it was gold coins, but there were a few gems, pieces of jewelry, expensive vases, and even fancy swords. But, that's not what they were down there for. There was a tunnel down there. It didn't look long, and in fact, it wasn't. There was a grating at the end of it. Xero opened the grating and helped Graemjor up. They were in an alley, behind a large building. Xero replaced the grating and started to climb to the top of the building. He looked down at Graemjor. "Time to put those new claws to use!"