The Deceit of Angels

So whilst the cave was planned from very early on (in fact, is intended to play a rather pivotal role in the origins of the Alamanni, though I doubt will be unveiled until the follow-up), its look was very much undetermined. In order to try and convey a realistic sense of the caverns present, a couple of days was actually spent researching caves for use. Not only the technical aspects (limestone is a very hard, brittle rock, and having dust isn't uncommon. Likewise, under heat and pressure 'pockets' of the darker, harder flint does indeed form. These aren't aspects pulled out of the air for convenience) but the appearance as well. The tunnels were intended to modelled on those "Dan Yr Ogof" in wales (below). The main chamber, too, was loosely modelled on this photograph of the "Lascaux caves" in France. Other pictures that struck me include this one of "Cuevas del Drach" (below) and "Lecheguilla." (second one below). Did I succeed...

It was only half a day before the second coming of Ashiya that against the picturesque backdrop of the northern mountains the Alamanni dwelled, blissfully unaware of the fate that was about to befall the city they had become estranged from so long ago. A simple people, they remained for centuries hidden in the clouds, from their perch high above they observed the world as far as the eye could see, cautious of the roaming demonic entities that plagued their land. Living in fear for the day that they be discovered, they maintained their solitary existence by ensuring that none who arrived survived to report their discoveries. Through the gentle azure sky, the rocky terrain glowed bright with the fury of the setting sun, two Alamanni trackers continued their chase; hunting rogue demons that had brushed past their city, too close for comfort. The respect they carried by their brethren for their willing to perform the dangerous duty offered them little solace when out against the elements, ...

The dawn had broken. A gentle breeze swept the grassy surroundings and as the sun began to beat down on the marching demon horde, Chul-Moo’s mind raced with the thoughts of what was to come. Two of their number had already fallen on the journey; an inevitable consequence of such a large gathering, but even this had not dampened the determination of the pack. Led by Haneul’s brisk pace towards the crystal tower they rapidly approached; a beacon of light, a monolithic testament to this ‘new world’ his ancestors had so long since been banished from, now clearly observed on the horizon. Kwan – still drenched in the dried blood of their unknown attacker back at the village – had gone to join his mother in high spirits. He had tasted human blood and was excited by the prospect of the oncoming battle. The naïve fool, could he not see through her manipulation? That the deceptive witch had gotten them all involved in this ridiculous conquest of a world in which they did not belong? He glanced t...

Seeing as i've been pre-occupied of late, this hasnt seen the progress I would like. I'm nearly finished with the lengthy sixth chapter, which - without giving too much away - would probably be best described as "crunch time" in terms of battle. It is also the end of the first Act under the original mini-story, the remnants of which will be observed in how chapter 7 and 8 unfolds. But enough of that, since this is taking me a while, and I already have a number of 'follow on' ideas, the history between Ashiya and the Angels is perhaps foggy and will be unable to be explored for a while, but since I think far faster than I can write, there is already a fairly in depth theory behind their origins. The race Ashiya belongs to (as yet un-named, so will hence be called "Race-X") evolved in a distant world, a humanoid lizard shapeshifter; like a chameleon blends into its surroundings, Race-X can shift its shape from a human to a large serpentine lizard (whic...

Since his unexpected encounter he had remained in the shadows, making haste towards her crystal tower. It had to be on this wretched night of nights that the oblivious citizens of her New World would celebrate, their fireworks in the sky illuminating a city that already bears no shadowy refuge, where everyone is put on centre-stage and it’s all you can do to remain inconspicuous. She had tried to rob them of their individuality but all she had succeeded in doing was force them to hide their twisted – human – desires. And so it was that he nimbly ran his way through the sewers so as to not draw any undesired attention, eyes shifting rapidly through the black should any more guardians present themselves. He soon arrived at the ladder leading to the surface near her chambers, and carefully he gripped the cold steel, silently making his way to the surface. The cover of the manhole was easily lifted out of place, and careful so as to not drag it across the brilliant sheen of the city floor ...

Chul-Moo grunted as he picked the bones of the cow’s leg for any last remaining scraps of meat, and satisfied he had picked it clean, tossed the bony remains aside. They had long since arrived at the meeting point; a small clearing amidst the long grasslands, host to some form of small lake. His blade at his side faintly glistening from the thin slither of the moon, providing the faintest glimmer of light in the pitch black night, obscured by the overbearing dark clouds in the sky. Gazing about his surroundings he caught a glimpse of various other demons, evidently here for the same purpose. He looked about for Kwan, and catching the faint shadow of a creature with a large object – possibly a cow leg? – began to make his way across the clearing. Gripping his hard shoulder he made out to speak, when suddenly the sound of an explosion in the distance caught his attention. Spinning around, he looked up into the sky at the continual stream of fiery explosions, a variety of colours fizzing ...