***DISCLAIMER***
So
here we go, the first of perhaps several side stories in the C.A.L.M.
story. It's not written the best, I know, and I do apologize for
that. But it gives the whole story some more lore, don't you think?
Also, I know I said I would explain what the letters meant for the
story. Well...it stands for Career and Life Management. Lol No,
seriously. If you think about it, it makes sense. However, why
I chose such a title is a story all in its own. So I'll put that in
the next paragraph for those interested. If you aren't, then please
head on to the story and please enjoy. :)
This
is kind of a sorry little tale of failure and the attempt to turn it
into something...well, positive like this. Like a bondage story. Lol
When I was in high school there was a dual course known as CALM/PAL,
or Career and Lime Management and Physical Active Lifestyle. It was a
mandatory course so that they could be certain people wouldn't screw
up their lives. At the start they said you literally had to try in
order to fail. Well...I did. Twice. On the CALM part, I succeeded in
PAL on my second attempt. It was one of my more humiliating moments,
so I'm hoping this will turn it around. Hopefully. Lol Anyway, now
that I've embarrassed myself, enjoy my story. :)
Katalina
Star
______________________________________________________________________________
This
story is centuries old, back during a time of a great war between
Jennaton and Slutton over the former's decision upon allowing safe
haven for demi-humans. Things appeared in a stalemate at the first as
Slutton's forces were kept at bay from invading beyond Jennaton's
outer wall. That is until Slutton reached out and in some way
acquired the assistance of a Sorceress. Now with her on their side,
Slutton troops rallied themselves for a massive push on Jennaton's
walls. For now though, the troops awaited their orders as the
Sorceress Gamma made her rounds among them. Two soldiers kept a weary
watch over the elf sorceress as she hummed a peaceful tune.
“I
don't like having to work alongside that knife-ears. What's top brass
up to allowing her in with us?”
“I'm
not a fan of the decision either, but they say her powers are
immense. But then, that's what said about all sorceress'. All
twenty-six of them.”
“But
why's she with us? She knows what this war is about, doesn't--”
The
soldier's words are cut off when a miniature vortex covers his head
snapping his neck. Before he even drops dead those around him step
back in shock. Gamma stands with her finger pointed and a smile on
her face.
“I
came because I was promised entertainment.”
Having
heard the commotion, one of the generals quickly steps in to take
control of the situation.
“Gamma,
I will not have you killing my men before the attack.”
“Fine.”
Gamma waves her finger and the soldier begins to stand back up, much
to the horrific shock of the troops around. His eyes become like gray
smoke as he stands with a hunch as Gamma lets out a giggle. “Better
than new.” She saunters off as the undead soldier lets out a
lengthy groan.
~*~
In
the hours that followed, the attack began as the outer wall proved no
defence to the sorceress' abilities. Many of Jannaton's own soldiers
were killed and those that weren't were either fighting through the
rubble or setting up the next defence. One such set was a strategy
session located in the basement of an evacuated cafe. Officers stood
around a table as one purple haired female in uniform began pointing
out parts of the map.
“Captain
Oliver, set up a bunker here. Have your men ready with mortar fire as
soon as possible. Captain Berhardt, start up defenses along the third
wall.”
“Yes,
ma'am.” Both captains respond as the woman goes on to continue when
a messenger comes into the room removing her hat and saluting.
“Ma'am,
news of General Hsu's unit. They're...dead.”
A
moment of silence, whether in respect or just from the stun of it,
before the woman clenches her fists tightly.
“The
sorceress, ma'am, she just...ripped right through them.” The
messenger, no more than a private, looks down about ready to lose her
composure when the woman approaches. The woman looks first seeing the
Colonel rank on her shoulder then the “Walker” name tag before
going up to her face.
“It's
alright. No sorceress will reach the palace. What we need to do now
is figure out a way in which to buy time until the civilians can get
into Titanie safely.”
“Troops
are already assisting as best they can, ma'am.” One captain
reports. “We've also been receiving messages from Alexandria
willing to accept the refugees.”
“As
slaves.” The colonel spits out. “We can't send them from one
danger straight into another.”
“We
have no other options, ma'am, aside from setting the ships out to sea
and just hoping for the best.”
The
colonel spends a moment thinking on it before the building above them
begins to shake. Having that as the kick to get her mind into gear,
the colonel reacts.
“Fine.
But allow the civilians the right of a choice.” She doesn't like
saying it, but it's about all she can do now. “The sorceress will
be here soon, we need to keep her at bay as long as possible so those
that wish to leave can in safety.”
Following
the orders, the captains hurry out leaving the Colonel with the
messenger.
“I
need you to relay a message for me. Have word passed along that the
city must not fall. Demi-humans must always have a home, private.
Especially brave ones such as yourself.” Walker smiles patting the
private's shoulder a couple of times prompting a furry tail to wag
above the messenger's backside. Seeing the woman calm, the colonel
smiles before heading out to the upper floor of the cafe.
~*~
“Ho-hum,
wars are always so boring. Even the frontlines are always the same.
Stab, fall, die. Shoot, fall, die.” Gamma sighs as she sits over a
pile of rubble hugging her left knee close to her chest as she
watches both sides fighting it out. “So boring. This wasn't worth
waking up for.”
“Is
this how all sorceress' act?” Walker asks, her own officers sword
drawn as she approaches Gamma. The sight of her in her uniform, with
a look of death in her eyes, it's enough to draw a smile from the
sorceress.
“Oh
my, you must have heard what I did to the others. No sense wasting a
lot of life when one will do, hm?”
“You don't think much
of life, do you?”
“When
a nap takes you through generations, not exactly.”
“Then
why are you awake now, sorceress? Why are you aiding a side in this
war you have no part in?”
“Because
they asked me first.” Gamma responds before sending out a fiery
blast from her palm. The colonel narrowly avoids it before charging
in slashing down with her blade. Gamma moves to the side dodging it
with ease. “You know, a long range approach would've been
preferable. This blade is going to get you killed. No one's ever gone
toe to toe with a sorceress and lived.”
“That
may be true.” Walker gets out during more of her swings. “But
killing you...isn't my intention.”
“Oh?”
Gamma bats the blade from Walker's hand and grips her throat tightly,
bringing her in close with a smile. “Then what is?”
“Diverting...your
attention.” The colonel replies struggling in her grip. Gamma looks
off and smiles before tossing Walker aside.
“My,
my. That's not as interesting as I thought, but...” Gamma begins as
she starts to walk away while Walker makes her way back up to her
knees.
“Where
are you going?”
“You've
piqued my curiosity, which brings about more questions.”
“Such
as?”
Gamma
stops and looks over her shoulder with a smile.
“What
happens to those who survive a sorceress.” With a wave, Gamma heads
off leaving Walker alone though not for long as a swarm of Slutton
soldiers, attracted by the blast, come over to investigate.
~*~
As
a high ranking prisoner of war, Colonel Walker was taken back to
Slutton along with other officers caught in the line of duty. Walker
watched as those she had served with were forced into suits filled in
with added material. Their coming screams soon silenced by the
leather mask wrapped around their heads. Then...they were released.
To roam the streets deadened to the world until they too would find a
place to collapse and die. A horrific end, Walker had thought to
herself, but nothing compared to her own. As a top leading official,
she was stripped of her uniform and hung up like a sign against the
concrete wall. Forced to watch as Jennaton burned and her friends
died around her. However, as her punishment met its final moments, a
huge explosion took everyone's attention, save for the shades who
could know longer hear anything. The fireball had come from the
second wall of Jennaton and all Walker could do was fear for the
worse. Then a Slutton officer was heard on her end of a receiver.
“What
was that? Report! The sorceress? Why is she attacking-- Damnit. Pull
back, you're no match for a sorceress.”
With
just one final push to victory, Slutton troops are forced to pull
back from the warzone leaving the front half of Jennaton a mess. It
was the only consolation for the lives they had lost this day. The
officer took one last look at Walker and made a disgusted noise
before leaving.
~*~
Time
seemed to slip by for the prisoner of war as soon it wasn't residents
of Slutton gazing up at her, but a pair of leashed elves staring up
at the bones of a forgotten person. The sign still hanging off of it
but scuffed beyond repair as a bolt had been lodged into the back of
the skull with a thick chain keeping it up, always pointed toward
Jennaton. Made to watch.
“How
awful. Who was she?” Lori asks in a hushed tone knowing words from
her kind would not be accepted in this city. Jess overhears her
though and turns shrugging her shoulders.
“Don't
know. No one does anymore. These bones are just a relic of a war long
ago. A war where every citizen of Slutton was taught a huge lesson;
never trust a sorceress.” Indeed as Lori and Celes look back up at
the bones when Jess approaches the former and whispers. “So I'm
only going to tell you this because you saved me earlier, I would
keep your magic to yourself. Even magical humans are treated no
differently than demi-humans here.”
Jess
gives the skeleton a look before tugging the leashes and continues
leading her pets deeper into Slutton.
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