A Shadowed Day ...And A Red Tear

[NoxNoctisEra]

"she was running, every sense told her to run from the grizzly bloody scene way behind her, the little child's breaths came in ragged gasps, unseen things tugged at her clothes. she looks back over her shoulder, something grabs at her feet. she shrieks as she falls to the ground, her palms skid painfully against the metal and grit, her chin hits the ground hard jarring her teeth and her vision. her legs scramble to get her back up, her shoulder hits the wall as she does bruising the joint deeply. her legs keep moving her further from the disaster behind her. nuts and bolts in her leg pocket jingle loudly in the night, a hand strays down to silence them. blood from the scraped palm stains her pants. she rounds a corner barely illuminated in the dark alleys she runs through, something stops her abruptly. her scream rips through the night as the arms enfold her, legs kick fiercely, arms flail, fists pound the shape holding the terrified girl. the strange arms turn her around, a hand clamps over her mouth. another slightly muffled scream rips through the dim alley. then a hoarse roar of pain as the girls teeth clamp on to the hand muffling her. her elbow slams into the big figures groin, the strange arms release her. the heart of she small girl hammers audibly with extreme fear, her muscles move of their own volition away from the stranger. pain lances through the hands that brace against walls of brick and steel, feet stumble and trip over dirty dark objects, lungs burn for want of more oxygen, ribs are bruised internally from the heart hammering against them. sounds are muted by the whooshing of blood. tears streak the dirty face leaving clean if salt encrusted skin. heavy footsteps sound behind the frightened child, small sobs escape the throat, her legs move faster. unseen objects tangle around her legs and feet making her stumble again and again. the heavy footsteps get closer to her. a bang echos behind her making her scream with fear. she rounds another corner. her eyes frantically search for a hiding place. old crates are barely visible in the scant light cast by grime covered lamps. hands bruised and bleeding grasped edges, feet sore from fleeing scrambled against sides, slowly the little body combed up one of the stacks and scrambled over the edge of a roof. her lungs pushed and pulled air frantically as she lay there by the edge. she forced herself up and jogged over the roof slipping over the metal slowly becoming damp with the beginnings of rain. gunshots ring out behind her echoing off the buildings. a vent sticking out of a roof top catches her leg, her mouth opens in a silent scream as she plummets off the roof. "

Shukura jerked awake with a short scream. one of the transport vessels crew stopped by her concerned, she waved the person away with a halfhearted smile. [color=#FF6600] just a bad dream, i'm fine she mumbled.

Shukura runs her hand over her face stifling a groan. 'i haven't dreamed of that night in years. why when i need to be calm and collected does my mind stress my nerves with that horrible memory' she unbuckled herself, stood and stretched the travel from her muscles. The memory of her family's death hadn't haunted her in years, not since she had escaped to Gran Canaria, rebuilt her life and started working in a mechanics shop that catered to off-worlders needing quick repairs. She had made a comfortable life, she was in no way wealthy but she could keep herself afloat well enough. her mind went back to the night she encountered the Virulians at Sophie's. everything had changed after that encounter and she hoped it was for the better. She had been taken into their numbers and had entered of her own free will. She remembered ArchPriestess Nashida's face when she had asked if she could join. The kind woman had seemed very happy at Shuk's request. Tona and the Priory surfaced in her mind's eye. The cute young woman who was looking for her after she left the Priory and was gone longer than she had planned. A blush crept over her face as she remembered why she had gone missing. Tor'€¦Reboot'€¦her body flushed at the name of the android who seduced her, who she had partially seduced as well. her stomach fluttered as intimate details of the uncounted hours she spent with him seeped through her mind again. She jerked her mind away from those details when she felt her skin flushing more.remember what he said, ""Love, I'm a Phantom. People are going to disapprove of this." He casually says it, as if it were common knowledge." Virulians and Phantoms are enemies'€¦its probably best i forget him and move on' for what she felt for him she wished it could be different. in her heart, she knew she wasn't likely to forget him..even if she tried. she took a calming breath and tried to focus on what was going on around her and why she was on Tear. another part of her, prayed that none would discover what she had done that night. a semi-mechanical voice sounded over the com. system washing away any and all thoughts of the Phantom
we will be docking in 10 minutes, passengers prepare to disembark, appropriate crew members should report to stations for the unloading of freight and equipment.
Shukura walked a ways, opened a small wall compartment and retrieved her bag. a helpful crew member brought her the cat she rescued from the alley on Gran Canaria. the playful thing let into shuk's arms before she could reach for it. smart cat, she was quiet the whole way, didn't cause any trouble for any of us. most have had to be sedated. not many animals like space travel and its a rare find when one doesn't mind it. the crew member remarked while scratching it behind its ears. Shukura smiled her thanks as the Enclaver turned and left. She descended a few decks and followed the others travellers as they left the ship. looking through the crowed she hailed a young Enclaver she had grown fond of over the course of the trip. Soren!

the young man stopped and turned, a grin broke over his bare face. he stood around 5ft 6in, his limbs were long without being awkward. he was sleek but muscular in a feline way despite the definition his clothes gave his muscles. his hair was clipped short and stuck out in odd angles without looking foolish for one of his stature. he possessed no facial hair despite his age, for he was 19.

Shukura, there you are. i waited for you but when you didn't show i though you had already left the ship and were swept away with the crowdhe moved toward her and lifted her from the ramp swinging her lightly to the ground by him. she landed lightly on her feet. Soren put his arm over her shoulders guiding her through the crowded streets of Tear to the Shrine. Any idea if someone is waiting for you at the shrine? if not i'm sure i can find someone to help you get to where you need to be. Soren offered.

Shukura looked up at himi really don't know'€¦i'm sure i could find my way if there isn't anyone waiting.

Soren shrugged and continued to lead her to the shrine. my tour on Tear is going to be a pretty long one, you can drop in on me anytime, you know'€¦ when your job doesn't keep you too busy he gave her a boyish grin.

she elbowed him in the ribs. and why might i be inclined to do that? said and bit her lip to keep from chuckling at him.

he was silent for a moment then said cause if you don't i will harass you till you do?

shukura laughed at him thats really not going to convince me, Soren

the boyish grin stole across his face againcome on, you will need a friend and short breaks from what ever jobs they have you busy with. besides i know several hot spots to unwind when you need it.

she shook with a silent giggle.alright you have convinced me. she said slightly mocking him.

she giggled a little more at him as they walked. They rounded a corner and continued to wind their way through the streets and the bustle of the city. not too far now, it should be a few blocks over. you can see it already if you look over the buildings. he pointed to the shape just barely visible over the low buildings of city, majestic in its own right, with a welcoming air to it. Shukura shook off an urge to run the rest of the distance and wondered at it.

its bigger than i imagined said, a twinge of surprise and admiration mixing in her voice.

he smiled a bit at her its visited by thousands of Vriulians and converts just starting their pilgrimage and finding their path to enlightenment in the Creators light and love. a wistful expression came over his face. she wondered at him [color=#330099]its good to be home he said and smiled down at her. the smile was a very warm one and soon Shuk found herself smiling back, her nervousness at the new place melting away in the warmth of Soren's smile. They finally turned on to the way leading to the Shrine doors. you know where to find me if you need a friend Soren winked at her.

Shukura gave him hug and held her kitten close wish me luck said then turned to the Shrine.

Shukura glanced up at the darkening sky and shivered a bit in her jacket, she moved her kitten to a pocket in her bag to let it sleep and get warm, it purred as she nestled it in a pocket lined with old cloth. She looked up from her motions and saw the crowd at the Shrine's entrance. curiosity flooded her as she pushed her way through the mass of people. whats going on, what is happening? asked as she pushed through. her words fell on deaf ears. some of the crowd were beating a man. She watched as they kicked and punched the poor soul. She tried to press the rest of the way throughStop!, Stop It!! she cried as she pushed people out of her way. A voice sounded from way out front of the mob. Shukura gasped and fell back at the power of that voice.

''WHAT, IN THE CREATOR'S NAME ARE YOU DOING!?''

the mob shrank back a bit from it. She finished pushing through. A man lay on the ground, severely wounded. blood stained his robes and weeped from many cuts and scrapes, bruises were forming on most of the skin that was exposed. Her hand covered her mouth, her eyes filled with tears of horror. what did he do to deserve the physical wrath of this mob' she wondered.

His voice was deep and loud, like rolling thunder amongst the skies, which was now darkening even faster, lightning struck throughout the clouds. The crowed stopped instantly, turning to the point of where the voice had come from, a sudden silence was held all around.

Ragen was in a potent fury, unbeknown to him, his sub-conscious was routing the Nanites in his body, overcharging them, creating what seemed to be small pillars of lighting parting in Ragen's wake, his eyes turned a sudden blue.

''You dare defile the Holy Shrine of the Creator...with BLOOD?

Not one sound came from the crowd, not even the other Animus members dared to speak out, especially not to a Virulian who wore a Deacon's black robes, and certainly not a Deacon that was kindled with a flame of anger against any that defiled the Creator by even a bit.


Ragen's voice came out, only just above a whisper,

''So, will anyone be telling me why you almost beat this man to death?

Shukura trembled in fear of the enraged man. Thunder sounded overhead, a few rain drops started to fall on the sad scene. minutes passed and still no one answered the man's questions. Shuk warily ventured foreword and knelt by the wounded man. her shoulders hunched defensively incase a blow should fall on her from the angry stranger or from the mob that had beat the man she now tried to help. She swung her pack off her shoulder and pulled out a spare shirt. she slowly began to clean the blood from the injured's face. she stopped for a moment and looked up at the angry man with the flashing eyes.

I don't know why these people did this or what drove them to it but for what ever reason, it wasn't necessary. she looked back down at the injured and cleaned more blood off his face. She pulled her knife from her boot and cut open his shirt. Her fingers probed lightly for broken bones and skimmed his skin for bruises. Shuk pulled her water bottle from her bag and rinsed her shirt as best she could and began removing more blood from the mans skin. She found several cuts that might need stitching and made a mental note of them.'if this is how my arrival here starts, then i'm starting to have a terrible foreboding.'